Mini problems or not so mini?
#1
Mini problems or not so mini?
Mini has some interesting models and i have read up on them over time although i keep reading about oil leaks, electrical issues and expensive repair bills. Do Minis' have more problems than the average car?
Jeez, it seems that later posts/replies I have made in this thread have been deleted by the mods!! It seems expressing a view or opinion on this site is heavily scrutinized and only allowed if it "conforms" to what the mods believe.?? I was not trolling but asking a genuine question and making genuine responses the some of the replies..wow!
Jeez, it seems that later posts/replies I have made in this thread have been deleted by the mods!! It seems expressing a view or opinion on this site is heavily scrutinized and only allowed if it "conforms" to what the mods believe.?? I was not trolling but asking a genuine question and making genuine responses the some of the replies..wow!
Last edited by memyself and i; 01-08-2013 at 05:28 PM.
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If you look at Consumer Reports, owner reports (like here) and talk to people who work on them for a living, you'll get a pretty solid sense that owning a Mini is a financially risky endeavor.
Some people do report Honda-like reliability with them (although I don't know if that stands true north of 100k miles)
It's not unusual to have to replace wear parts on a Mini before Asian cars would need the same.
You might only get 60k miles out of a set of front control arm bushings, or only 80k miles out of a clutch (for instance). Why these parts only last half as long as a lot of other manufacturers' I don't know. And repairs are expensive at least at the two independent shops I've gone to.
I have a 2003 base Cooper. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, drove it from 45,000 to the 102,000 it has on it now and I've spent a little over ten thousand dollars keeping it on the road (w/o modification). I've been pleased the one or two times I've had it in the shop and the bill came to under $1,000.
But i will get another one. They are worth it.
Some people do report Honda-like reliability with them (although I don't know if that stands true north of 100k miles)
It's not unusual to have to replace wear parts on a Mini before Asian cars would need the same.
You might only get 60k miles out of a set of front control arm bushings, or only 80k miles out of a clutch (for instance). Why these parts only last half as long as a lot of other manufacturers' I don't know. And repairs are expensive at least at the two independent shops I've gone to.
I have a 2003 base Cooper. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, drove it from 45,000 to the 102,000 it has on it now and I've spent a little over ten thousand dollars keeping it on the road (w/o modification). I've been pleased the one or two times I've had it in the shop and the bill came to under $1,000.
But i will get another one. They are worth it.
#10
I have a 2003 base Cooper. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, drove it from 45,000 to the 102,000 it has on it now and I've spent a little over ten thousand dollars keeping it on the road (w/o modification).
Yes there are many out there that have problems, but again you mainly here from those people with problems. Many have had 100k+ problem free miles. Some here have had many more.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rs-only-3.html
#12
Bought mine used and I pretty well figured that there would be some issues in the future. I fix and keep on loving my little car, however I've thought from the beginning that it might not be a wise choice for my 17 year old grandson, who has very limited funds.
They are, for a non mechanical person, an expensive car to repair. Finding qualified, accessible mechanics is difficult and frustrating, for some. New models and warranties are ideal but not without their occasional frustrations, for some.
Mainstream vehicles are not problem free, however dealerships, garages, etc. are more readily available.
For the problem free owners of any vehicle, I say knock on wood...
They are, for a non mechanical person, an expensive car to repair. Finding qualified, accessible mechanics is difficult and frustrating, for some. New models and warranties are ideal but not without their occasional frustrations, for some.
Mainstream vehicles are not problem free, however dealerships, garages, etc. are more readily available.
For the problem free owners of any vehicle, I say knock on wood...
#14
I do get it fixed whenever anything shows signs of being out-of-spec; as opposed to accepting wet spots on the underside of the engine or trans-axle and I'm about to get all 4 front ball joints replaced b/c the right side is creaking. I've also noticed the right front wheel bearing is starting to moan when i have a passenger in the car.
Ball joints = $750.00 installed
Wheel bearings = $250 each for the part.
And so it continues....
And i was very careful when I chose this particular car too. It checked out 100% at time of purchase. Not a single issue was detectable when i bought it. It had been in Fla all its life and only had 45k miles.
It's a real challenge to find out what is true when the people who have problems report them, the people who fix problems see them, and the folks who have no issues either keep to themselves or just talk about mods.
That's why it would be helpful to have a third-party report. And there are a few places where you can get those.
Even with all this in mind, low cost of ownership should never be a reason to own a Mini. They are expensive to own compared to a Toyota or Honda for instance no matter how reliable they are.
Why? I think the way they aggregate owner reports is a service, no?
#15
Ball joints = $750.00 installed
Wheel bearings = $250 each for the part.
Wheel bearings = $250 each for the part.
There are a lot of happy owners contributing to the forums.
folks who have no issues either keep to themselves or just talk about mods.
#17
I dunno, it sounds like their long-term reports map tolerably well to our experiences here. The Cooper (Justa, Base, non-S, Straight, Standard, whatever you wanna call it) seems to have about "average" reliability or an "average" number of problems, while the more-complex and more highly-stressed S and JCW models have more problems than "average".
In some ways, that really fits the car's character. They are not "commuter appliances"--if you want one of those, there are many to choose from, just not at your MINI dealer. They are packed with more fun than you'll find in pretty much any of the "appliance" cars. Plus they tend to be used a bit harder than appliances do. And the ones that (arguably) have more "fun" potential (i.e., the S and JCW models with more power) get used harder and tend to have more problems.
If you're looking for grins on your way to work, try the MINI. Drive it and see how long it takes to stop grinning. If you're looking for a boring and stone-reliable way to get to work, the MINI may not be the best choice.
In some ways, that really fits the car's character. They are not "commuter appliances"--if you want one of those, there are many to choose from, just not at your MINI dealer. They are packed with more fun than you'll find in pretty much any of the "appliance" cars. Plus they tend to be used a bit harder than appliances do. And the ones that (arguably) have more "fun" potential (i.e., the S and JCW models with more power) get used harder and tend to have more problems.
If you're looking for grins on your way to work, try the MINI. Drive it and see how long it takes to stop grinning. If you're looking for a boring and stone-reliable way to get to work, the MINI may not be the best choice.
#18
Will do. Thanks. (I hadn't thought of that).
EDIT TO ADD:
I'm sorry you seem to have some kind of issue with me spending so much money on my car. What's up with that?
EDIT TO ADD:
I'm sorry you seem to have some kind of issue with me spending so much money on my car. What's up with that?
Last edited by Mynewt; 01-07-2013 at 11:05 AM.
#19
Nynewt-
Really dude. You seem to have the issue that you felt the need to PM about it. Spend your money anyway you want. I was simply responding to your post about how much money you spent. For what you claim to have spent, you could of bought a second used R50. I was stating that maybe you can find another shop or learn to do the work yourself to save money. Its your money and your car, so spend your money how you like. I was giving my opinion. I have that right, like you have the right to spend your money. Have a great day.
I'm sorry you seem to have some kind of issue with me spending so much money on my car. What's up with that?
Last edited by Braminator; 01-07-2013 at 11:31 AM.
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Some do see the logic in preserving and revitalizing an R50 and if that means keeping it alive, that's what we do. We go for it.
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If you look at Consumer Reports, owner reports (like here) and talk to people who work on them for a living, you'll get a pretty solid sense that owning a Mini is a financially risky endeavor.
Some people do report Honda-like reliability with them (although I don't know if that stands true north of 100k miles)
It's not unusual to have to replace wear parts on a Mini before Asian cars would need the same.
You might only get 60k miles out of a set of front control arm bushings, or only 80k miles out of a clutch (for instance). Why these parts only last half as long as a lot of other manufacturers' I don't know. And repairs are expensive at least at the two independent shops I've gone to.
I have a 2003 base Cooper. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, drove it from 45,000 to the 102,000 it has on it now and I've spent a little over ten thousand dollars keeping it on the road (w/o modification). I've been pleased the one or two times I've had it in the shop and the bill came to under $1,000.
But i will get another one. They are worth it.
Some people do report Honda-like reliability with them (although I don't know if that stands true north of 100k miles)
It's not unusual to have to replace wear parts on a Mini before Asian cars would need the same.
You might only get 60k miles out of a set of front control arm bushings, or only 80k miles out of a clutch (for instance). Why these parts only last half as long as a lot of other manufacturers' I don't know. And repairs are expensive at least at the two independent shops I've gone to.
I have a 2003 base Cooper. I've had it for 2 1/2 years, drove it from 45,000 to the 102,000 it has on it now and I've spent a little over ten thousand dollars keeping it on the road (w/o modification). I've been pleased the one or two times I've had it in the shop and the bill came to under $1,000.
But i will get another one. They are worth it.