Hey Guys,

I’ve been a “car-guy” for most my life…I’m 70+ and only expert in what I’ve experienced….but a lot of that is with cars and motorcycles. I know what I’m about to ask is almost silly on this particular forum but all I have is time.

I’ve had Miatas for 22 years and love them. But about a year ago just got a tad bored, did a LOT of investigation and homework and bought my first Mini. 2012 MCS. It only had 28K miles at the time, one owner and pristine in every way. Everyone who sees it says, “brand new”? It’s an automatic only because I wanted my wife to be able to drive it; that didn’t seem to work. But she thinks “it’s pretty”.

Here is what I posted a few weeks back about my problems with it. And now I’m looking for some honest responses. Or at least someone to agree with me.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...es-normal.html

I’m retired and currently we’re able topay the bills….but also have children and grandchildren we like to help. So money is always a bit of a concern. I was prepared for some sort of mechanical issues, but not one that ended up costing me almost $2K the first two months I owned the car. Especially since the Miatas never cost me a dime other than regular maintenance and the minor mods I decided to do. And that’s the truth.

So…now that I’ve decided to sell the Mini I decided to take it out this weekend for one last drive. Bad idea. Man, I had a great drive and loved everything about it. I love the low end torque the Miata doesn’t have, the seats are more comfy and easier on my back, the car is noticeably quieter and the HK stereo sounds great! And I like looking at it as I walk away…..always a good (or bad?) sign.

Maybe I’m just not a Mini guy? I’m still worried and concerned that another breakdown and repair is just around the corner. Maybe it would save me in the long run just to buy another Miata and sell the Mini while the mileage is still under 30K? I’m also just a bit irritated at BMW for making a car that is this sophisticated on several levels but basically everyone knows; is just a ticking time bomb on another level. Maybe they don’t all throw a piston…but a dozen smaller repairs can be just as irritating and expensive as well. If Toyota and Honda can make them reliable, than so can BMW if they want to. BMW are you listening? Probably not.

So, what say you guys? Should I keep it, enjoy it and set up a “repair fund” or go back to my old friends on the Miata forum? Again, I know most of you are here because you’re passionate about your cars and your answers will skew that way. And my intention is not to offend any of you. Truth be known….I think what I’d really like is a Coupe version. Thought it was an ugly joke when I first saw it…now I think it’s cool and unique. OK, thanks for listening and appreciate those of you who have provided your input to me in the past!!

 

I'm about a decade younger than you and have also been a car guy my whole life. I grew up lusting after the Triumph TR6, MG B, and, of course, the E-type. By the time I was in a position to buy a modern equivalent of any of those cars, there was no such thing. Then in the Spring of 1989, I read an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about Mazda bringing an honest-to-god roadster to the US market. There was no internet so that was all I'd seen about the car several months later when, heading north on the NJ turnpike, I saw one in the southbound lanes. I stared at it as long as I could given that we were going in opposite directions. I was absolutely hooked. It didn't take much to convince my wife that we needed one.

We placed a deposit just to get on a waiting list. Impatient, I kept calling other dealerships until one day, I got lucky. A dealer in Philadelphia had a customer back out and their car was ours if we wanted it. We did and a day or so later had a blue package A Miata. It was late August 1989, a little over a month after the cars first went on sale in the US. I loved that car. It was a nearly perfect package: taut, balanced, had everything it needed and nothing it didn't. The most fun I'd ever had in a car.

A couple of years later, it was gone. We decided to go to grad school and the Miata wouldn't cut it as our only car (and we couldn't afford two cars on grad student stipends). Letting it go was hard. Really hard. I missed it for years. After grad school, the first car I bought was a VW Jetta GLX VR6. Really good car but it couldn't make me forget the Miata. Later, a terrific Audi A3 and a BMW M Sport 3 series also failed to displace my Miata memories.

Then in August 2021, I bought a 2003 R53 with JCW kit. It was rough. Barely running (cracked head, among other ailments), in need of much overdue attention to brakes, suspension, cooling system, and so on. It spent most of the first year of ownership on jack stands. It consumed quite a bit of money (by plan) and even more of my time (if one can compare money and time). It's on ongoing project but already a really good driver. Really good. I still have fond memories of the Miata but the R53 is now the most fun car I've owned.

I wouldn't want a 20-year-old Mini as my only car. As you rightly point out, they aren't as reliable as a Mazda (or Honda or Toyota or...). BMW might be the Ultimate Driving Machine but they have some work to do to catchup with many other manufacturers in some areas. Having said that, they aren't all problematic. We've owned two other Minis -- a 2013 Countryman and a 2013 Paceman and have had to do very little to either of them. Both required new thermostat housings and the Paceman needed new front bearings at 110K miles. That's it other than my somewhat obsessive maintenance. As is typically the case, it's hit and miss. You could keep yours for 20 more years and not have any major failures with good maintenance. Or the engine could seize next week. Who knows.

I would never suggest to someone that they should keep or sell a car. Only you know your circumstances, including your patience for dealing with car problems. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you enjoy your ride.

 

Thanks dmath, I enjoyed reading your story, your passion for cars and your encouragement.

All the best and I'll keep you aware of where I end up.

Steve

 

Your MINI is 10 year old, so it's not surprising that something broke. Between my wife and I, we've owned 6 MINIs over the past 18 years, and unexpected, expenisive-ish (but infrequent) repairs have been the norm. The latest generation seems to be the best yet from a reliability standpoint.

I've loved every single one despite the flaws, and will likely stick with the brand as long as they keep making small cars that don't feel cheap.

 

Perhaps you may reconsider trading up for a low milage, well maintained, 1st Gen R53?
Once you hear that Super Charger whine - You will be a "MINI guy".

Although I have to admit; I've put more money into my R53 (since new 2004), in preventative maintenance than (probably) it's current Blue Book value.
@92k mi; Thankfully, other than replacing a clutch, I haven't had any major costly engine repairs. But they ARE expensive to repair having someone else turning the wrench.
I learned to preform and do my own repairs and maintenance. It has become a passion. If not an obsession.

What ever you choose...As long as it makes you happy is all that matters.
Best of luck in grappling with an understandably, very difficult decision.
Hope to see you around.

 

I've had my car since it was new 2005 Cooper S. It's 17 years old now and I've spent a lot of money on it but that was my choice. I've changed or upgraded just about everything under the bonnet and had some problems but that was my fault. I believe this is one of the most fun cars I have ever owned. I've tracked it and now that I'm a little older (80) I show it in car shows. I believe it's up to you what you do to with car but think hard about it so you wont be sorry later.

 

Hey guys...thanks for your thoughts. It does appear that most of you have decided that your love of the car supersedes the expense of upkeep. Nothing wrong with that as long as you can afford it and the car isn't your DD...which can make repair a bit more complicated. When my Mini just pretty much stopped, I was in a rural area. If I had been driving through Atlanta during rush hour (and these days EVERY hour is rush hour) it could have been much more consequential or even disastrous.

Checkers, I had to laugh at your post. I'm 73 and assumed I'm one of the older guys here. Then I noticed all that you have done to your car and that you have tracked it and...that you're 80, then I realized hey I'm just a whippersnapper...what the heck do I know? I'm glad you're still in love with your car and I assume cars in general. I also assume you probably won't be going all electric any time soon.

A couple of you mentioned that the car is ten years old. Indeed it it, but it has been babied to the extreme. Looks brand new, all maintenance done before it was needed and regularly and you really could eat your lunch out of the engine bay or anywhere else in or outside the car. At at 29K miles any mechanical breakdown just seems kinda crazy and caught me off guard. OK I'll shut up and if any of you live within driving distance of The Dragon, The Gap or Deals Gap....whatever you call it, I'd love to meet you sometime. I live less than three hours from there and the entire area is wonderful for anything with a motor.

 

As others have intimated...perhaps you're not a gen 2 Mini guy.

Drive someone's gen 1 R53 and then decide if you're and R53 guy. You'll know withing the first few seconds 'if you are or if you ain't'.

 

While I did lots of checking about all the earlier models, I came to the conclusion that the newest model Mini I could afford would be the least problematic. Are you suggestion that is not the case or that the R53 is so captivating that I just won't care how much I end up spending on upkeep? If that's the case...I should probably just buy the new Corvette.

 

You asked a question. I gave a possible answer. Another possible answer is that you are a corvette guy. I didn't think that was the question you asked though.

Do some kicking around in the various gen subforums. Which have the most satisfied original owners? If money is an issue, youtube diy vids are your friend.

BTW, that is *exactly* what I was suggesting. YMMV. SUV's and cars like the corvette were exactly the sorts of things the gen1 cars were designed to poke fun at. MINI itself has drifted away from that ethos.

 

We bought a 2011 S new, then traded it 2 years later for a 2013 MINI S new. We kept that car for 8 years and just sold it to buy our 2011 back. So, we have owned N18 S MINIs for over a decade, two different cars.

To my absolute surprise, we have not had -any- problems with either car outside of warranty. Even warranty repairs were not big items, but were more than there should have been. I purchased the longest biggest warranty I could and never got to use it. The thermostat housing finally failed just weeks before we sold the 2013 (after 8 years and 58,000 miles) and I replaced it (what a horrible design, give me a break). Other than that, just routine maintenance. We have just repurchased the original 2011 S after 8 years with the previous owner.

I'm not going to lie. Even with the great track record we have had, these cars still scare the crap out of me when it comes to reliability. They are hell to work on, everything is 4 times the price it should be, they are really picky, and have idiotic design choices like using a brittle thin long plastic tube with dubious connections to run the full width of the engine compartment to deliver coolant from the pump on the passenger side all the way behind the engine to the passenger side to the thermostat which they have built into a casing so you can't just change the thermostat. Changing thermostats on my other cars takes 15 minutes. The MINI took me 3 hours. Why do you have to drop the front subframe to replace the freaking anti sway bar bushings? Why is changing the automatic transmission fluid such a complex PITA compared to every other car on Earth?

But......my wife adores her MINIs. I adore my wife. So, I bear this cross.

If you love the torque of the MINI but love Miatas, do yourself a favor.......Go drive a GXP Solstice or a Sky Redline. Especially one with the GM performance optional upgrade that raised power to 290hp and 340 ft/lbs torque. Your wife won't drive it either so be sure to get the manual trans. Don't believe the BS you have been told by GM haters. It has a full hydroformed frame. I own a Viper and bought a Solstice for a daily driver, and traded it for a Sky Redline with the GM turbo upgrade. They won their class in SCCA and are a blast to drive.

 

After owning Minis since 2012 what I have learned is these cars repairs can be expensive if you don't have some type of warranty.

Last week my wife's 2019 JCW's sunroof made a loud "pop" sound when she tried to close it.
It is stuck open now.
The factory warranty expired because of 46K miles on the clock and I thought we did not buy any other warranty at time of purchase.
Took the car to a local repair shop and the owner sad it would be an expensive repair.He said I would be better off to take it to a dealership if there is a warranty.
So I called the selling dealership and found out that the JCW was covered under the certified pre owned plan.
I was so worried about how much this would have been out of pocket .
Have to take to the nearest dealership which is 7 hours away!

Just traded in a 2018 S for a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.Wanted a 4x4 for our relocation.
It needed a new serpentine belt and was quoted almost $700.

I think you would be better off selling your mini and buying something that would be more affordable to maintain and repair.

 

I'm a guy for any car as long it is reliable and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to keep on the road.

It is unfortunate your used MINI experienced a bad DME. Have to point out this happened at 28K miles. That would have been under warranty if the 1st owner had driven the car more. But he didn't. And your experience underscores the risk of buying even a low miles car out of warranty.

Can't really argue against you wanting to sell the MINI and return to a Miata. I've never driven one owned one but I have talked to owners and I can't recall any who didn't love the car.

Maybe owning a MINI longer term is just not in the cards for you? Nothing wrong with that. I've owned a couple of cars that I came regret owning shortly after buying (from new). In one case after just 4 months I decided the car was not for me and replaced it with another car. The replacement car I owned for 16 years and drove it for 317K miles. Great car.

Sell the MINI and get a Miata. I'm sure you'll be happy with the Miata. And I have to point out your MINI is worth as much as a trade in as it ever will be.