My wife just bought a 2006 MCS Cabrio. German-owned company, English assembled with a supercharged Chrysler engine from Brazil doesn't sound like the best recipe for reliability but here's a study that says Mini has maintenance costs similar to Honda, Mazda and Nissan.

http://twocents.lifehacker.com/the-c...ver-1781639773

 

Lol....
I owned a 2005 for 10+ years....
Cheap to matain?! Lol...
Sorry....
Schedule mataince maybe...
But first $2200 clutch, $7500 CVT TRANSMISSION, $1200 alternator's,....not sure I should go on...
There is an extra 1-2 hours EXTRA LABOR on every repair due to the front-end...have to go into service mode...yank the bumper cover, bumper, etc off to do many jobs....
That's why folks diy many repairs....

 

I just bought a 2006 MCS because my research indicated it is cheap to maintain, has known failure modes with ready fixes, and is supported with both OEM, OEM+, and aftermarket parts. I did specifically seek out one with the 6speed Getrag tranny, and no sun roof.

I'm a DIYer, so the first oil change cost me 70 bucks (cabin filter, too).

Whenever I get upset with my cars I just whisper to myself, "it's cheaper than a boat, it's cheaper than a boat, it's cheaper than a boat."

 

well as a study group of ONE

an owner of two, a GEN1 and a GEN2 ... encompassing over 10 years

I'd throw my B.S. flag at this one ......

My Hondas cost less at the 10 year point

My Kia costs less at the 10 year point

My Miata cost WAY less at the 10 year point

heck, in the last 5 years my 78 Mini cost less than either of my MINIs at 5 years old!

 

I'll drink some of what they had!!

 

Well, the S has some known reliability problems but my Justa has been trouble free for 6 1/2 yrs (knock on wood).

 

LMAO - issues or no issues, it is still VERY expensive to maintain. Even w/o mechanical issues: a new windshield every 1-2 years, nearest dealer for service 3 hrs away are just a few of the non-issue cost items. Runflat rubber - pricey. After warranty repairs - very pricey. Fun cars - YES. Reliable cars - if you don't have a lemon: maybe. Low cost to maintain - no way. I hope the F's will do better than the R's.

 

I deal with the parts for BMW and MINI and most of the time the MINI part cost more for the part that's comparable to BMW side, less produced and smaller market= higher cost.

There study has to be skewed or something to have that much distance from BMW to MINI.

 

Yup... what I was thinking....
I remember buying BMW branded coolant for $3-4 less a bottle less than MINI...same stuff...and I had a BMW dealer closer. Lots of odd bits are BMW/MINI shared....but somehow ended up more $$ on the MINI side....guess corporate playing the books... warrenty costs, etc maybe...
But the study....wonder if costs included fuel....or all "scheduled" service visits for the first 3 years....so MINI, with (most years) 3 years/36,000 miles of free service came out near the top...
Just saying...studies can show almost anything you want them to show if you craft the rules right....