hi guys, this is my first post there....i am thinking of purchasing a new mini cooper s but after reading through the forums it seems the car has some awkward problems especailly this "stumble"...im just wondering if the newer models have this problem....also, what other problmes does the mini have?...i really love the car and would hate to change my purchase decision as i love the car a lot...i test drove a family friends cooper s and fell in love immediatley....however, i only drove it for a short period of time so i did not feel the stumble...

thanks

 

Welcome to MCO Rana -

You will love your MINI! I have a MCS on order right now. and like everything in life, there are no guarentees! Don't base your choosing a car on the problems some people have. and even if there's a certain chance we'll have a problem or two, you have to ask yourself, Is is enough such that I'd NOT get one?

Like having children, we all see the troulble parents have with their children's health, ear infections, allergies, braces and then there's the teenagers. Yacking on the phone all day and night ! butit's not all teenagers, just 60-75% !! but you never hear people saying "we don't want kids because we've heard about the problems we could face" !!!

and no the MINI is not a child, but like children, they are not perfect and shouldn't be expected to be. MINI shipped about 25,000 cars to the USA last year so it's a special unique car. However, compared to other British made cars - it rocks!!

I currently drive a Honda Accord and I've had a chip in the windshield crack all the way across and I had to replace it. Honda did a quick recall of a seal and I took it in and it was replaced. So even the auto makers who are shipping 25,000 units to the USA each month have problems!

 

My MCS has had more then its fair share of problems. My biggest problem is access to a good servicing dealer. With only 70 dealers nationwide, finding a good one can be a problem for some. That being said, in regards to the car, in my opinion, the MCS is the most fun, biggest bang for the buck automobile on the market today. Driving one will make you smile.

 

Rana,

I'm one of the folks who has a stumbling MINI, and it's very annoying. The most annoying thing is the lack of concrete information from MINI about the issue. The customer service I have received from MINIUSA corporate has been very disappointing. I have been given disinformation, misinformation, deception, and avoidance. Recently I had about an 80% ratio of "I don't knows" to questions I asked regarding the stumble. I have heard everything except concrete information. I have spoken personally to those who have received different information than I received within the same time-frame. Call 1-866-ASK-MINI and ask them if they can guarantee you in writing that your new MINI you order will not stumble.

I happen to love the MINI. I love how it drives (when it drives right). I love how it handles. I love the looks. I received a dud, however, and I'm working to get another one. There are still MINI's coming off the line that stumble and are being released. The severity of the stumble seems to be random. Some have it bad, some barely, some not at all. So, instead of MINI doing the right thing and holding the faulty cars back, they release them no matter if they stumble or not.

So, here is what I would do. Order the car. When the car comes, do not sign anything until you have done a VERY thorough inspection and extensive test drive. The insidious thing about the stumble is that most drivers new to the car attribute the stumbling to poor technique and assume that it is their clutch technique that caused the problem. This is very normal with any new car. We assume we have to get used to it. If the car stumbles, refuse it. If it doesn't, count yourself lucky, and enjoy the great experience that owning a MINI can and should be.

Of course, you'll have to make the decision that owning a MINI is more important than dealing with a less-than-honest corporation. What a shame it is that we have to make that choice. MINIUSA should be an exemplary corporation. I expected stellar service. I have received wonderful service from my dealer, but MINIUSA has done everything wrong in my book, recently.

As for other problems, you may experience a few other minor problems such as rattles, but those can be sorted out by the dealer. I would expect at least two trips to the dealer to sort out minor problems in the first 10,000 miles.

Best of luck to you,
JS

 

Mr. Singh,

I have a november 2002 build cooper S. its an 2003 model, i took possession january 20, 2003. it has had 0 problems, no stumble, nothing no problems. the only problem is i dont have time to drive it enough. good luck on your decision, its a fantastic car.


Sincerely,


Mr. Zaman

 

thanks for the quick and extensive replies guys.....its really appreciated....

hopefully i will be a lucky owner with no "stumbling" problems :smile:

_________________
~Mr. Singh~

 

Rana-- Welcome!!! I have had my MCS for one year this week. I LOVE IT! I have no stumble and very few problems. The Mini "company" for me is my dealer and they have taken very good care of me. I wish you the best and I believe you too will love your Mini. Here on MCO you hear it all, the anticpation, the enthusiasm and the complaints. Again... welcome!

 

I was told by some dealers, and other ppl that 2004 MCS will have no STUMBLE! but this might be a rummor....or just a hunch, I don't know.....we can only hope for the best.

 

>>I was told by some dealers, and other ppl that 2004 MCS will have no STUMBLE! but this might be a rummor....or just a hunch, I don't know.....we can only hope for the best.


dont believe what dealers tell you

 

Rana, my "Stich" built June 03, 4000+ miles....all smiles. A little stumble in first gear around 2000 rpm like practically everyone else but zero problems otherwise
Go for it

 

haha.....thanks for the warm welcome guys!!

i am certain that i am going to get a MINI Cooper S

 

mr. singh are you of east asian decent?

me representing from bangladesh

and my uncles name is rana

 

Rana,
Aloha and welcome to MCO. Be sure to test drive your MCS to check it out in first gear at 1900 rpm for hesitation and stumble. I hope it isn't there. Test drive a few MCS now and see if you can appreciate it.

>>>>I was told by some dealers, and other ppl that 2004 MCS will have no STUMBLE! but this might be a rummor....or just a hunch, I don't know.....we can only hope for the best.
>>
>>
>>dont believe what dealers tell you
Absolutely. No one can guarantee that the 2004 MCS will be entirely free of stumble. We are all hoping for it but you don't really know.

I have a 10/02 build MCS and been driving it stumble free since 2/03 for the last 6500 miles.
If you want to know about problems with the windshield, the sunroof, the coolant bottle leaks and discolored coolant, etc. see the Beneath the Bonnet forum. Most MINIs are quite good, some have had issues. I'm quite happy with mine.

Did anyone get the stumble later on like 1000 miles after taking delivery? I know one person's MCS got the stumble by changing from older software to the newer version. Can't change back so he is stuck with it.