It's been a year since I drove home my very first Mini Cooper and I just want to share my experience with current owners and, especially, future owners who might be trolling NAM for reference.

Summary: Despite minor issues, I love this car! I have reservations about it's reliability--maybe I just got lucky and picked a good one--but this car has been quite reliable at 9500 miles. As far as the fun/gallon, no car in the market can beat it!

Mods:
- H&R Street coilovers, 1.5 inch drop
- 17x7.5 Rota RB, 215/45R17 (Sortaflush )
- Blackout chrome trims (incomplete)
- Removed headlight "egg yolks"
- Window tint: 30% front, 50% back
- Cravenspeed device mount
- Stubby antenna


My DIY chrome trim paint job could not hold up to bugs and pebbles.

The Good: There are those who come to this forum just to post their problems with their Minis. I'd like to change that a bit. My MCS has been a solid performer in my first year of ownership and I've experienced no mechanical breakdowns. It has been a reliable daily driver and economical on weekend road trips. On winding roads, this nimble car is a blast to drive. There have been minor issues, but nothing serious that needed a tow truck or a fire brigade.

I've never been so attached to a car before I owned a Mini. I walk away backwards just so I could get another glimpse before I leave it parked.

The Bad: (This looks long compared to The Good, but mind you the following have little to do with engine reliability and performance). A few things annoy about this car. While the angle of the windshield lends to it's looks, which I love, it is prone to road debris impacts. I've already had the windshield replaced ones due a crack resulting from a pebble impact. I'm hoping the it would the last time, but judging by multiple NAMer accounts, it won't be!

The paint used by Mini is too soft. It doesn't take much to induce micro marring or swirls on this car's finish even by accident. Of course, the regulars of the Detailing 101 subforum would insist that one's washing technique is to blame. But, even with the two bucket method, foaming method, expensive pH balance car shampoos, soft microfiber wash mitt and filtered water, swirls still managed to appear on my car's finish. Those of us who seek to maintain the Mini's finish, but who are apartment dwellers and not fortunate enough to have a garage, are faced with a Herculean task.

So far I've made three trips to the dealership in one year for issues that warranted repair. Granted the visits were to due to minor issues (Cosmoline stain, intermittent low oil pressure warning light, windshield replacement). But, for a car this new, I should have to only bring it in for scheduled maintenance.

It is noteworthy that the dealership almost always seem to run out loaner cars (I had to drive a BMW 1 Series once!), which makes you wonder about how many Mini's are in need of repair at any given moment.

In the interior, rattles, creaks and wind noise galore.

The Ugly: Reports of Mini's with 30k+ spontaneously catching on fire is unsettling! I haven't heard much about the result of the NHTSA probe, but I hope they have good news for us.

When the warranty expires, I might have to trade it in for a reliable sedan, as maintenance cost might become untenable.

Parting with my Mini, due to recall or for good, is a scary thought.


My sister has dubbed it "The Killer Roach," as she explains that it looks as menacing as a cockroach, as opposed to a cute lady bug.

 

Thanks for posting, as I have been "trolling" for some time prior to taking delivery of my 2012 MINI Hardtop. If I may ask, how was the low oil pressure light problem resolved?

 

The MA said that some solenoid needed to be replaced. Fortunately, it was covered by warranty.

 

I am just about at the two year mark on my MINI and my experience has been outstanding. The paint seems to be of very high quality (maybe metallic vs non, or just color differences?) I dont have rattles or wind noise and the car has been the most reliable one I have ever owned for the first 2 years of ownership. I did have a rock hit the windshield, but it just left a chip that was able to be filled.

It seems in the time I have been reading this forum some people just get lucky and others seem to get cars that have problems from day one. Im sure it happens with other brands too. But one thing everyone can agree on is that these cars are a blast to drive! You cant say that about most cars in this price range.

 

Imperfections are easier to see on darker finish. Check your black roof and your A pillars. I'm sure there are swirls on it.

 

1st your mini looks awesome! SecOnd. With rattles. I listened to where they were coming from mostly the door pulls. I took them apart and added felt tape then just tightend all the torx screws. Works perfect no rattles anymore. Besides a few creeks when the car is cold in the morning with temps below 25f. I had a windshield replaced as well. But I blame Washington state for putting rocks down on the roads for snow traction which is stupid. But that's another story.

 

I am finding the same thing. My roof already has swirls all over the place and even the body is starting to show minor swirls. Oh well it is only visible to me so far.

 

I think most of what you are seeing is due to the color. Black and Red are the two worst colors for showing swirl marks and minor scratches. I have owned several all black vehicles and they are nearly impossible to keep looking showroom new. They tend to show every imperfection and watermark.