Hello All!

I have recently accepted a position that will have a 100 mile commute. In my previous position I didn’t need a car. So, as I start looking, I want something a bit unique and fun to drive. The Mini is in my top 3. My question to this group is: Would the Mini hold up with 24,000 miles a year on it and last for 6 years? (with recommended maintenance) I know this is a broad question, but I need to start somewhere.

Thanks for reading…. John

 

Mine has with minimal maintenance. I have a 2012 R58 Coupe S bought 2.5 years ago with 38,800 on him. I got mine for a monthly 950 mile round trip. Other than normal oil change/maintenance I had a coil go bad so replaced all four. I also had an issue with the Vanos solenoid. I replaced them as well. 2012 and up should do you fine.

I will say I do my own maintenance, if you don't even normal oil change/maintenance can get expensive. Having a code reader that can read Mini specific codes is a must have if you do your own maintenance. I use the BimmerLink App with either a Bluetooth dongle or my K+DCAN cable. I have had it go into limp mode a few times but read the code, no big worries, cleared it and drove on.

 

Are you planning on buying new or used?

 

Thanks for your experience. I’m not sure I could do much of my own maintenance, but I could look at that. Thanks again.

 

100 miles per day -- unless you are using the car as a cab... -- is pretty easy use considering. I drove my 2018 JCW 60 miles a day for my work commute. Mostly freeway miles -- and consistently getting 30mpg -- for 25K miles. Bought the car new. Just one problem at around 15K miles. Long story short rear brakes wore out. Had new pads/rotors installed. After noticed/felt rear brakes -- and the driver's side especially -- being applied in some turns. Stability control system was overly sensitive for some reason. On a hunch had the brake fluid flushed/bled. After stability control system operated properly.

I bought the car new. As is my habit I had the oil/filter service done early -- at around 600 miles -- then at the end of break in -- 1200 miles IIRC -- then at 5K miles and every 5K miles thereafter.

Over the years I have driven 4 cars to 150K miles and one to 317K miles with no engine troubles and one constant is regular and more often than the factory calls for engine oil/filter services. I didn't/don't go overboard but with one car the factory called for 15K mile oil services I cut this to 5K miles (an oil analysis at 4K miles -- just curious -- opened me eyes to how the oil was faring and it was not faring well). With other cars and the factory oil change interval ranging from 10K to 6K miles I opted for 5K miles.

Other services I did either as per the factory schedule or sometimes more frequently. This included replacing the coolant every 4 years.

And as I learned years ago I kept on top of things. That is with for instance a noise I traced this to the water pump (with 172K miles). Flat bedded the car to 25 mile distant dealer and had the water pump/t-stat replaced. Another time a noise was present after new tires installed. A wheel bearing was replaced. Check engine light with O2 sensors flagged. New sensors. Tech found a tear/split in an axle CV bearing dust boot. On the tech's advice had the both shafts removed bearings cleaned and inspected -- tech reported they were fine -- and with fresh grease and new boots installed back in the car.

And so on.

With my work commute I must have a dependable/reliable car. While I could do it I'm not the kind to lug a complete set of tools/spares and be prepared to in a parking lot replace a fuel pump or deal with a engine oil leak.

If you buy a used car you can still have a good experience but it is important you buy a good used car one that passes a thorough used car check out with flying colors. No accidents. No mods. A documented service history. And it must pass a thorough visual inspection and road test.

However, even with the best check out a new used car can manifest a problem. (Had a pristine low miles car with < 10K miles shortly after I bought it have the transmission shift linkage fail. In around 1M miles of driving the only time a shift linkage gave me any trouble. Fortunately the car came with a 2 year 100K mile warranty so this was fixed under warranty.)

But with or without a warranty the rule of thumb is to have set aside at least 10% of the used car's purchase price to have just in case something goes wrong.

 

RockC, thank you for the in depth analysis of your history with MC’s. This is the kind of stuff that car magazines won’t tell you. I appreciate your time and describing all of these events. I think the car would be a fun car to drive every day, just need to be aware of what might lie ahead. As I have found with most things, preventive maintenance is a key to a successful life. Again, thanks, John.

 

I’ll provide a second opinion… My can has seen 20-22k Mike super year since I brought it home. Bought it used with 34k miles, and it now has 185k miles 7 years later. Regular maintenance is key. I do 5000 mile oil changes, and all my own scheduled servicing, along with all brake changes and other maintenance. I would have no issue jumping in my car tomorrow and running cross country if needed. Minis aren’t any different from any other car for durability. Keep up with maintenance, don’t ignore issues, and it will serve you well.

 

That 2018 was my first MINI. Loved the car. Really hated to sell it but I was leaving Livermore CA and moving to Benton County AR and here there is no MINI dealer within 200+ miles.

I have owned 2 more MINIs, an S, and another JCW, and loved both cars as much as the 1st MINI, but owning a MINI so far from a MINI dealer (200+ miles) just wasn't for me.

Best of luck with a MINI if you get one. Or best of luck with whatever car you end up with.

 

Thanks, regular maintenance and keeping up with the small signs of wear and catch the issues early. Appreciate the response

 

I have a 2020 JCW Countryman with over 300 HP. With maintenance and a bit of luck, I'd expect it to last well over 100,000 miles without any big problems. However, if I were going to buy a car to slog that far each and every day, I'd take my 2018 Camry, which gets over 40 mpg at 70-75 mph on the freeway. Much less maintenance cost, cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure, much softer ride. It will last well over 200,000 miles without any big problems with the exception of the electric water pump...which I'd change myself it if stopped running. I'd save the Mini for more fun driving.

 

Mini-Titan, thanks for your response. This makes sense, but I wanted to get something that I would enjoy getting into everyday. I’ve had the typical commuter car, but I always enjoy the MC. But this is why I’m still deciding.
Thanks again…

 

You are very welcome! This is an example of cognitive dissonance. The smile from driving the Mini vs the ultra-reliability and cost-efficiency of the Camry. Only you can choose what's right for you! Best of wishes!

 

My two cents: If you can't do your own maintenance, get a Honda. They drive forever.