I am a 5 year owner of an R50 with only 8000 miles (weekend car). The only service I have required is annual oil changes. So, this has been a great fun car. I check this site every couple of days to see what's going on in the Mini community. Is it just my imagination, but does it seem that an cloud of negativism is creeping into the Mini experience. A few years ago, the overall feeling was simply how much fun the cars are. Now it seems that a lot of members have taken the a "yea these cars are fun but too may problems, to expensive to maintain and this one will be my last" attitude. Any thoughts?

I am a new owner, but so far, no problems, only pure fun.

Not sure what to think about the complaints I see. Obviously people come to a forum to do more than wax poetic about their car. If you have a problem, many will naturally want to seek advice or vent on a forum.

And it seems to me that there really is a problem with the S models.

MINI does have an excellent warranty, but if my timing chain went after only 30k miles or my car broke down 2 weeks into ownership, I'd be pretty upset too.

But are the complaints out of proportion to the problem? My guess, after reading many forums as well as consumer reports is that they are an accurate reflection of an ongoing problem...

My mindset has most defintely changed.

Before I had my car, I was anxious and worried about what I was getting into. Now that I have my car, those feelings have changed to mindblowingly ecstatic!

Don't pay attention to all the naysayers. For every one of them, there are probably 100 others you never hear from who are motoring and waving with zero issues. I've seen a number of people here who would find a way to gripe over the fact that they just won the lottery!

j

I've been a fan of MINI for a long time, even before the revision in 2001, my friends and family have had MINIs, and after purchasing my own just recently, my opinion of MINI has only gotten better!

Even after having the clutch go out on my MCS last week, I'm not particularly upset. I mean this is the first somewhat major repair the car has had in 140k miles. They do hold up well.

As far as the S having more problems, well, yes they do, but it's along the same lines as an automatic transmission having more problems than a manual. An automatic has many more moving parts, which equates to many more possible problems. An S has more equipment, and is built more toward the performance end of the spectrum, which inherently presents more wear and tear. Does that balance out the equation? That's hard to say, it depends on what you are looking to get out of the vehicle, but the gap between the two really isn't that great.

I stumbled onto the MINI brand just browsing used car lots. Was going to buy a Mustang or a Prelude. I've owned my R50 for something like 18 months with no real problems, just a leaky thermostat housing. I'm having fun modding it, I think it's a great, fun, solid car.

For awhile I thought I'd missed out by not getting an MCS. When I bought my R50 I didn't know there was a higher-performance option.

After spending countless on the forums, and driving some other models (R53, R55 S, R56, R56 S) I do have a slightly skeptical view of the newer models, particularly the newer S models. Maybe the problems are overblown on forums, but frankly I will never buy a turbocharged R56 S. Kudos to those members loving theirs and not having any serious problems!

I do not like the "feel" of the R56 in general compared to the R50/R53 and I feel that MINI has sacrificed something in the "connected to the road" personality in order to appeal to a broader customer base.

I am always glad to hear people who've owned their MINI for many years with little to no problems.

And I gotta admit that it really is tough to say how bad the problem is with the S models. If one is not having a problem with their car, they typically will not rush to a forum and say so. Same goes for polls taken by Consumer Reports—angry people will be more likely to say something.

But if you see a trend in regards to complaints about a specific model, I think it's a fair to assume that something isn 't right.

In the 42 years I owned and operated dealerships. I spent a lot of time walking around the outside of the facility or wandering around the service department. Had to keep up with what was going on.

I was always shocked by the number of tow trucks pulling up with cars attached or the number of vehicles being worked on in the shop. After awhile it makes you think you are selling pure junk.

I was involved with a large number of different manufacturers ranging from economy to luxury. Toyota, Cadillac, BMW, Ford, Chevrolet, Rolls Royce, Volkswagen, etc. I have seen them all on a tow hook or in pieces being repaired.

After a while it dawned on me. If they are broke where else would they be except the dealer? While I was looking at the broke ones, the majority that worked were out there driving around.

The same holds true for any make of cars on an enthusiast's Forum. If they have a problem, they want to talk about it. Otherwise they are too busy enjoying it and nobody wants to hear how it is still working fine today!

Seems to just keep getting better and better.
Getting ready to put the MINI to bed for the winter, (5 or 6 months of diminished fun, but I live through others where the sun still shines).
Have a little over 15K on the meter, with just a few rattles, so I can't complain. Just waitin' on spring .

If you check out Consumer Reports, for example, you will see that the MCS is rated as below average reliability. But my wifes other favorite car, an Audi TT rates the same, as does my in-laws favorite, the Infiniti EX. I notice that the previous year MCS are rated quite well in ConReports but the predicted reliability is still below-average. hmmm.

Anyways, I guess you just have to realize the MCS may be more likely to have some issues (and for the 1st four years they will be inconvenient, but free under warranty) compared to some other cars, but you will see more people complain when things go wrong. I don't post every day saying my car is awesome and running great.

My last car was a Focus ZX3 which at the time was rated with poor reliability. It was more of an annoyance than anything when minor things broke. And with my MINI, I can get a free loaner for warranty work (or a shuttle to my client sites so I don't have to bill parking to my employer ).

Had my 2005 R50 for two years. Bought it used and I knew things would undoubtedly need and get fixed. Looking back to times that I'd need a library for look ups, on any subject, this particular forum has fueled my passion to learn about my MINI. So, coming here to explore, read, learn or get help has been a wonderful experience.
Love my little car, especially when it behaves.

My opinion of MINI has not changed, but my opinion of MINI people has.

I've noticed a change in general tone here, like the OP has. Maybe we're expecting more from our MINI's, now that they've been here for over 10 years. Maybe the second generation MINI's aren't as reliable as the first gens. All I know is I'm glad mine are both first generation, and I'll miss driving them over the winter.

Oh I read this thread wrong I didn't realize it was another 1st gen snob thread about how crappy the 2nd gen was.

This. Well said Jallen4. My 09 Mellow Yellow has only 32K and is pure joy to drive.

Get a grip. There is some useful info here. How-to stuff. Shared experiences. There is a fair amount of useless blubbering also. Surely you can tell the difference.

From all that I've read, the real issue is with the "S" models.

I don't know if it's mere "negativism" as the OP wondered. From the comments I've been reading on this forum, there are people who seem to pop up and say how bad their MINI is and are being called "trolls" by regulars.

Are they really? I don't know. If they come out of nowhere, ***** about MINI and then never come back, then maybe they are.

But if I had a MINI S that broke down 2 weeks into ownership (or from what I've read more than once, one day into ownership), then it's not being negative to expect more.

And I've seen enough of these posts, combined with Consumer Reports to believe that it's less about negativity and more a legitimate gripe (for "S" owners at least.)

Sometimes you got to pay to play. But I have no hate on any MINIs no matter what they are all MINIs. There just seems to be more snobbish remarks coming from 1st gen owners about 2nd gen. Maybe its because Classic Mini owners **** all over them when the R50/R53 came out so now they feel they have to pass it along. Maybe R56 owners will be the same when the F56 comes out. All I know is that there are some serious snobby people who own MINIs and that is the reason I am slowly stepping away from going to meets and events.

I'm not quite 3 months into ownership of a new 2011 MCS and last week the coolant thermostat failed. The dealership took care of it and I'm back on the road after hardly a hiccup. The experience hasn't changed my opinion of the brand or enjoyment of the car one bit - I still look forward to every opportunity to take it out for a spin.

I've owned many cars and usually seek out forums like this whenever I buy one. As others have mentioned, people are likely to talk more about problems than they are about years of trouble free use. Go to a Honda Civic forum and you'd walk away scared to buy one! Haven't taken delivery of mine yet, but did not get the S because from what I read here and elsewhere, they seem to have more problems.

I hope my comments about the R56 aren't being classified as snobbish. It's just a personal preference, I like the ride of the 1st gen better, and the (perceived) mechanical issues concern me. I don't think I'm any better than a 2nd gen/clubby/CM owner. I know many here wouldn't be caught dead in a "Justa," but I don't get upset about it.

And of course there are exceptions... I had a 2010 Clubbie S auto as a loaner for a few days, it was totally awesome, I hated giving it back.

I like my MINI, no problems what so ever.

It is the first new car I've ever bought. I wanted a MINI and didn't look at any other Marques.

No, my opinion of MINIs hasn't changed

Dave

I was smitten the day i took delivery, but, alas, my opinion has since definitely changed. I love it more now than the day I first drove him home!

There could be more to this than meets the eye. While I do not know the sales figures I will assume a 50/50 split of Justas vs S models.

I would tend to assume the folks willing to pay more for an S are perhaps doing it to have the extra power and use it, drive harder, etc. I know there are tons of Justa folks on the forums who do drive hard and track, etc. But, I generally feel that the S group or cars tend to be driven harder and more is expected of them. These folks (S drivers) tend to take more time to join a forum and post and learn about their machines. While there is no measurable data that I have to support this it makes sense to me. IMHO of course.

On the flip-side. I have had my '09 MCSa from 23k to now 40k miles (net 17k miles/ year), for a full year. It has had the timing chain replaced due to the rattle I heard one morning. I had a key fob die on it too, otherwise it has been fuel, oil, and brakes.

The '02 R50 I have had for 6 months, bought with 38.8k miles and now has 51.8 k miles (net 13k miles/6 months) has been in the shop 10 times with ~$11k in repairs. While int he shop I have been without it for a cumulative time of almost 2 months, while I put a few thousand miles on my dealership's various loaners.

My perception has not changed, the cars are fun to drive and I drive them both as I see fit . Just keep in mind how these threads of my R56 S have been popping up, they are now becoming the main car folks are looking at in a used MINI, not nearly as many 1st gens on lots and 2nd gen cars for sale; more transactions, more owners, more visibility. I could be off base, but just reminding of why these results might be seen. This is all of course assuming the issues are not as rampant as they may seem.

I liked them before but now I gotta say I love them.

I bought my 2009 factory JCW because I liked Mini's

Now that I have had it a few years ""I LOVE MINI'S

22,000 miles without a single problem.

28mpg low to 36mpg high

Fun to drive

Comfortable seating

Easy to get into and out of.

Looks great.

four passenger

I'm really lucky because I do have a great honest dealer.

I am currently reading two different books on MINIs (one of which is "The MINI" by Brian Laban - which isa great read and I highly recommend) and one thing I've taken away from them is that the 1st gen had a more "classic" feel and sound.

The comparison is *almost* like comparing an old American or British motorbike to a Yamaha. The Yamaha may be more reliable, but some prefer the old school ride of the Norton or Harley.

However, across the board, the consensus appears to be that there were real engineering issues with the 1st gen that were resolved with the second gen and that while some prefer the 1st gen, the 2nd gen is more refined and less prone to problems.

That said, the 2nd gen is still not without its own problems and the S seems to have not had any improvement in reliability