Picking up my 2015 MCS Roadster this week.

What is the reality around MINI reliability? I realize that is a pretty open ended question. I researched before I bought, had some concerns, but also got a mixed bag of info.

Am I just hearing and seeing the bad news and it's a fraction of the story? No one really comes to these sites to post "my car is still running great today, no issues." When it comes to reliability posts they are generally negative. I get it.

The JD Power Reliability Survey had MINI dead last (owners who owned 2011-2012 cars for 3 years) - heard that may also be due to questions on location of switches controls and other questions that really aren't true reliability questions. Have heard people don't like the toggles, or layout, etc...I am fine with all that stuff.

Lots of scary reliability posts on this site going way back and on all models...I am hoping the British Roadster reliability issue went away with the Triumph and I am just seeing and hearing the bad news while the other 95% are doing fine.

 

Much of the issues depends on the driver....and how the car is driven....
Many folks run MINI's very hard...the old drive it like you stole it, you have a warrenty attitude....any car that is abused will have issues.....then add to the fact that many folks first car is a mini...and issues like adding oil (yes...many have been run dry) or not stopping when a RED light on the dash appears....and a few very $$$ mistakes happen...not saying all issues are drivers faults, but let's just say an experienced owner usually has a fairly good ownership experience IMO...Many owners are sometimes a bit ocd with many issues....
The older (gen2 direct injected) "prince" pugoet derived motor also has had issues (mostly timing chain issue..(largely fixed with the n18)..or it was used with obd2 tuners that pushed motors too hard..(mostly stopped when the n18 motor came out).....
But like you said....nobody knows yet

 

Yea, I understand the driver/owner has a big impact...I am asking in general terms. This car will be a weekend car for having fun. I won't be grinding it out hard. I'll get it rolling on the HWY to keep it in shape and will hit some great drives on back roads, but nothing crazy. It will be garage kept and I plan on holding on to for the long hall providing that it holds up reasonably well. I am also not the overly OCD type.

My question is more about with all things being equal, is the MINIs reliability as poor as JD Power and many posts say?...or is there more to the JD Power story and we are only hearing about issues on these sites from a small percentage and the 95% are doing fine.

 

I have had almost zero problems with my roadster. Replaced the run flat tires and want bore you with another rage about that, had a quirky mirror, and replaced the felt strips on the top latch, but nothing serious.

 

As a weekend car, we've had a great time and no issues. I drive a bit aggressively, but never run hard. One of the issues I've seen on the forums are cars that are modified. In the 40+ years of modding cars and motorcycles in my life, its always a trade off of fixing one OEM issue, only to create a new one with aftermarket parts. I'm currently on #45 motorcycle and wouldn't dare count the cars...

 

My stock 2006 MCS Checkmate is a daily driver with just under 135,000 miles on it. I've found the car to be very reliable with only the expected repairs and maintenance.

This is a performance car, don't expect Toyota repair prices.

At a qualified mechanic brakes will run $500 US per axle, oil change around 100, tires every 25k miles will be $150 each, and the list goes on.

I haven't found the number of maintenance visits to have gone up, just the cost. I have found the enjoyment to be well worth it.

However this is for a 2006 Gen1, that's the last year the Gen1 hatchback was made and all the kinks had been worked out. I fully expect my 2012 Gen2 roadster to do just as well. But a first year Gen3?

First year editions always have more issues. But you have that 3 years of free maintenance and the warranty.

Don't worry about it, enjoy the car; and this is a drivers car so "drive it like you stole it."

 

Reliability is a subjective standard, so really no way to tell how realistic the JD Power results are. Even here, the "standard" for reliability ranges from "the MINI never left me stranded, so it is reliable" to "I don't like the window toggles in the center, so it is unreliable".

On top of that, JD Power suffers from the usual survey problems like self-selection, inconsistency, proxy measures, etc.

And off-topic, but $500 per axle for brakes?!?!?! That is way overpriced.

 

People need to get a grip about reliability. There is a huge difference between reliable and trouble free. Not reliable was my 1971 MG midget. I was never ever sure that it would get me where I was going. I had to carry a bunch of spare parts and tools all the time. Light switches, fuel pumps, points... It was not reliable. It would die in the middle of the night usually in a dark place with no power...


My 2010 MCS is completely reliable. I could get in and drive ANYWHERE. Yes, it may have an issue, but probably nothing that would strand it.

 

I agree with the majority here. How "reliable" is can come down to many other factors, and not just the vehicle itself.

I have a daily driven (30mi per day) 2007 MINI Cooper S. Other than standard maintenance, the only issue I have had to date was the mechanical water pump. Did this leave me stranded and/or cause my car to be down for some unusual amount of time? Absolutely not.

I always chuckle inside when I see potential new MINI owners coming on these forums and asking about the "most reliable" or when current MINI owners tell people to "stay away" from a first year production model like, for example, my 2007 (first year of the R56).

Every car has issues in some way, whether due to how you drive it, or how you take care of it. Maybe the MINI could be seen as having bit more than some other manufacturers (since most people compare apples to oranges). However, when comparing apples to apples and comparing the MINI to other European vehicles, I consider it to be just as "reliable" as any other Euro vehicle ...

We aren't driving Hondas or Toyotas, and us MINI owners certainly didn't buy our cars looking for something similar to other manufacturers.

I absolutely love my MINI and I consider it to be very reliable.

 

The irony of these cars is they have good repeat buyer numbers with poor reliability. I’m still of the opinion that the R53 may be as good as it will ever get.

 

This is one of those myths that needs to die. The 05-06 was really not anymore reliable in the big scheme of things.

None of the major problem areas changed.

Superchargers
Power steering pumps
Clutches
Control arm bushings
Steering shaft wear
Leaking power steering lines
Leaking crank sensor
Tinfoil strut towers
Biodegradable headliners

The 05-06 did get a nicer looking steering wheel and a better trans ratio, but also gained a three button key that has to be thrown away when the battery croaks.

 

Around $200 for OE pads and rotors, and 2-3 hours of labor, brings it up to around $500. Sure DIY would be cheaper.

I included rotors as I've never been able to get away with just new pads.