We have owned two Mini Hard Top S (2004 and 2008) and both cars had some problems - in spite of being very low mileage (my wife drove them only once a week). Nothing really major, however.

Now we have a 2013 Paceman S and after 2K miles and several months, I must say the car has been great - no issues at all. Some of the Countryman issues may have been body rattles (I am not a Consumer Reports subscriber, so I can't see the details - but I have seen that comment in some reviews), but the Paceman 2-door style has been very solid.

I can see the huge progression in performance and quality across the years - I just miss the supercharger sound in the 2004.

David

 

I have to say I have always been lucky with the vehicles I have owned in my life...I dont believe in "luck" but since I have had many cars on the CR reports "bad" list & never had problems have to admit must be luck. Until the Mini purchase lots of repairs, many days/weeks in the shop. However, I have never, ever enjoyed driving a car as much as my Mini! I am sadly emotionally attached to that hung a metal

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Wish I could concur but I've had 2 of these cars new in 2 years. Lot's of fun to drive but more dealer visits than anything I've had prior.

Think I had the first sign of clutch slippage this morning on this one at 18k miles. Sigh.

 

I am not that concerned about the ratings since the CM is a new model. I must believe that the Mini warranty eases any worry but it encourages owners to bring smaller issues to the attention of the dealership instead of fixing it themselves or taking it to a non dealer. My previous 2002 Mini had no issues--other than the poorly designed underpowered engine paired with an outsourced clutch that Mini originally used before developing their own. I do not see BMW on the list but my previous 2008 BMW M Coupe was in the shop too many times to count during the first two years--for new auto dimming rear view mirror not working, dealer in process cracked windshield, replaced rear window since two of the defrost lines not working, defroster, battery, speakers crackling, interior trim parts falling off, and for now reason at all the electronics turning off--all of which which covered under warranty. My previous 2011 diesel X5 was in for so many recalls, I cannot remember. Again, as long as BMW/Mini is paying for it under warranty I am good.

 

This article was released just before that one too. Interesting read.

I've only had my 07 MCS for just under 2 months now and I absolutely love it. I work around vehicles all day, so I knew well before my purchase that anything BMW would not be cheap to own in terms of repairs. So, I got myself a 3 year extended warranty for the car. Realistically, I probably won't keep it for 3 years. I may end up wanting a brand new one later on.

 

Yes owning one under warranty helps to allieviate some of the pain but still one hell of an inconvienience, especialy for those of us Mini owners who live some distance from a Mini Cooper dealership.
Sad to say but true, if you own a Mini you probably should unload it before the warranty runs out.

 

Absolutely. Just traded in my 2010. 2000 miles out of warranty and I get a CEL that cost me $400 to fix. Car is barely 3 years old. I feel fortunate to have gotten out cheaply.

 

wasnt yours an S ?

again most of these issues seem to be with the Cooper S and not with the Cooper non-S according to consumer reports

 

I've owned 5 MINI's. Tracked them, modded them, ran them hard. All have had the oil changed every 5,000 miles.....no issues, no regrets.

 

I owned 3 MG's in the 1970's. My wife's had 3 consecutive Jaguars and currently owns an XF model. We've had tremendous luck with British-made vehicles, so I bought a '14 MINI Roadster S after re-living the thrills of my MG days during a test drive at the MINI dealership. While MINI maintenance costs compare unfavorably to domestic vehicles, I cannot find anything on the market that remotely compares with my Roadster in terms of appearance, ride, and uniqueness. Outside my MINI dealership, I have yet to spot a MINI Roadster in Northern Virginia. And nothing compares with the thrill I receive every time I fire up my Roadster's turbo, lower the top, put on my shades, and hit the streets of the DC metro area. Consumer Reports cites issues with MINI reliability, but I'm willing to take the risk of higher maintenance costs in view of the genuine pleasure associated with MINI ownership.

 

Honestly I hate CR. They weight complete catastrophic engine failure on the same level as "the radio controls are confusing". I'm sure there are things on there for the carbon buildup and chain tensioner stuff, but im also sure a lot of it has to do with control layouts. Hence the changes to the F56 dash

 

Maybe, just maybe its like any car - built on a Monday, too rough on the motor (owner negligence)...Many have questioned Mini's constant relocating of their production plants. Hmmm

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I think ive been lucky with the MINIs ive owned .. But I also do feel there are issues that BMW hasn't addressed from one generation to the other.. which does surprise me.. But I guess one just has to stay on your toes when it comes to maintaining your MINI.. So to see a particular model being the worst doesn't surprise me either.. I honestly cant see myself driving anything else but a MINI.. The cars are fun and have that look..

 

Bingo! My Roadster is incredible to drive and the appearance ("cool factor") strikes a chord with me.

 

My 02 MCS has been okay. That is mostly because I do my own work. That said it is probably the worst for reliability of the half dozen vehicles that I have had experience with. However the fun factor is definitely difficult to replace.

 

#1 does not surprise me in the least bit. As stated early in the tread by another poster- The car will be history once it is out of warranty. And from my view point the warranty is hardly worth the paper it is printed on by most European manufactures anyway. Somehow they get away with stuff they would through GM executives in prison for. And our government looks the other way and takes the money. No consumer protection at all. Look at the timing chain issues. Like there is not enough evidence that they have a serious ongoing problem?

That said I hate BMW/MINI Corp. but love my MINI. I have had some issues and I have tracked my car. Why I bought a JCW. First line of the advertisement for a 2011 JCW. "Bred for the track". Just don't take your car near one. Friends are surprised I have hung onto the car. I ordered it built and I tend to get attached to things I have built. When the warranty is about out she is going to have to go. Felt the same way about our Jag. Ford product if you are checking the worst list. Low volume does not help MINI's case with these issues either. The good news is it can be easy to turned around if they are willing to do the engineering. What surprises me is how know defects just get ignored and built into the next model year. Like they were expecting different results.

 

Reading how folks get rid of theirs cars once out of warranty makes me scratch my head. Yeah, now they have to pay for repairs, but now they have to eat the following

-5+ years of higher excise tax...$2000
-Sales tax on a new car....$1000@5.5%~$20k
-Depreciation....$5000-$10000
-New car fees...$500-$800
-Higher insurance...$50-$100yr

That to me is a LOT of unnecessary expense. It almost seems as the warranty issue is an excuse to buy a new car. A LOT of issues can be resolved for that sort of money.

 

With the introduction of the F generation it appears obvious that BMW will eliminate the MINI brand/uniqueness. Maybe that will quell this argument in the future. A MINI body on a BMW.?> Hey, I love mine, but it has been faithful @ 10k mi. Probably would not say the same if not.

 

Though I'm not in a position to confirm or dispute your figures, you make a valid point. In addition to up-front sales taxes assessed at point of sale, Virginia soaks car owners with annual market-based personal property taxes. Depreciation noticeably lessens following expiration of the vehicle warranty period. New car fees and higher insurance costs inevitably come with a new car purchase. Moreover, most people carry a monthly car payment for 5 years or more, so you must include interest expense in your decision to purchase a new vehicle. If you pay cash instead, you must consider lost investment returns. Certainly, with a new vehicle you get the latest, greatest technology with a new car purchase - the "wow" factor - but you do so at a measurable price. Just my opinion.

 

-5+ years of higher excise tax...$2000
-Sales tax on a new car....$1000@5.5%~$20k
-Depreciation....$5000-$10000
-New car fees...$500-$800
-Higher insurance...$50-$100yr


The number don't add up. I will say you poor bastard living on the east coast get raped on taxes. I toss Cali into that boat also. Not everyone pays and excise tax. That is you choice as a state to live. Deal with it.

You will get a sales tax credit for the value of the car traded off of the sales tax. It will be less than half of what you quoted. Is everyone really financing the full value of the car and the tax?You should not be buying a new car if that is the case.

Depreciation- The car you are hanging on too is depreciating every day
also and you are making the same payment as when it was
new. For a few dollars more a month you can drive a brand
new car and not need to worry about repairs or breaking
down where the nearest MINI dealer is 300 Miles away. We
all deal with depreciation but I will agree the 1 year is
always ugly.

New Car Fees- $500 to $800? More east coast stuff? Car dealers add on
lots of fee's. I just refuse to pay them. Guess what. If you
that close to signing they will drop the BS fee's if they want
to more the car. If not- just walk away. There's another
down the road. In the case of a MINI it may be a long road.
The dealer who refused to budget will still have to service
the car.

Insure up $100- Get a new carry you will save the $100. You are getting
older your rate should be going down. Car value is not
much more that what you had before so the rate should
be the same or less. On your 3 year old car you are still
paying the same rate as when it was new. They will never
giving close to what you think so you are actually over
insured and just tossing money away.

Then we come to repair costs. Have you priced anything for these little cars. Its worse then my Maserati for cost. Maserati was 100K car so I get that. The MINI is not even close but you are paying crazy dollars for parts and service. One moderate repair and behind owning a new car. You still have the same payment, plus the service bill and the car is worth less and less everyday.

Also you interest rate is way high. Cheap money is available and when they run 0.9% finance the numbers are much closer that you are stating. Timing the trade off is key. In 3 month the car could be worth 2 to 3K less depending on your timing. I probably should have traded mine a year a go when the dealer offered me top dollar for my car. He left that dealer and I year later they offered me 10K less than the year before. Ouch. Why I still have it.

Also if you use it for business you have write off you need to work into the calculation. You shop and trade when deal is right or you wait. 2K brake job on a MINI worth 10K does not make a whole lot of sense in my opinion.
After you spend the 2K the car is still worth 10K. It just a trail of diminishing returns. And you are still making that big payment like it was new. Oh and on a MINI don't forget the second car you will need. It takes 3 day to get into a dealer to get an oil change. We put up with that why?
When your car breaks it is going to be a week because they have no parts in stock. Don't forget get to add the rental car bills you will have if you need to go to work. Not as far off as you think.

I have bought a ton of cars over the years. Some toys, some for business.
Trading when warranty is out is much better than my past views. Trade them when the tires wear out or some one hits the car. Tires wears out worked well because the cars still have big values and you got the tax credit off the sales tax on a new one. Why toss 1K at tires on a car that will be worth 3k less in a few months. I add the 1K to the deal on a new one you payment is not much higher than what you had. All this provided you are not upside down from you last bad car deal.

Also I am not saying this applies to all cars. MINI/BMW just happens to be one of them. I feel the same way about Jag and Mercs too.

 

Perhaps you've cited the best reason to hang onto your current MINI. The F56 photos display one ugly-looking MINI - one can only hope it looks better in person. Should MINI's new "sports car" scheduled for release in 2015 or 2016 bear any resemblance to the F56, I will likely keep my '14 Roadster S.

 

Island maser,

You specifically called out Jaguar. We've had 4 Jaguars (2 S-Types, 1 XJ8, 1 XF) and experienced exceptional good fortune with each vehicle. My wife's '09 Jaguar XF (purchased new in Fall '08) has 37,000 miles on the odometer. Given it's excellent condition and anticipated low future mileage, we plan on keeping it another 5 years. We own the XF outright, so 5 years additional years without a car payment covers quite a bit of maintenance and repair costs. I'll probably average 4,000 miles or less per year on my '14 Roadster S. Absent extraordinary mechanical defects or failures, I'm hoping the Roadster replicates the track record of my wife's Jaguar XF over the coming years. I wish you the best of luck with your Maserati.

 

I will take it one further, the number are largely irrelevant (apart from ones ability to actually pay them). If it was ALL about the bottom line then we wouldn't be talking about a Mini in the first place (something like a Toyota compact instead).

 

I reiterate. BMW putting a MINI body on a BMW chassis (f56) will eliminate the brand. It will be a BMW.

 

Gotta say though, a guy who apparently has a Masarati also has a Mini...must say something about the Mini. Well, then again could just like to spend money...$2000 for a brake job

Could take it one step further, if people who view Mini's as a car to beat....i.e. Auto cross, sanctioned and illegal. Then use like that would lead to premature failures and excessive repair costs. Then those same people come here and complain about how unreliable they are. Redline? What is the point? My MCS optimum shift is about 4500-5000RPM......not the 7K redline.