It has been a GREAT car. I am an american car fan gone MINI and I love everything about it. Besides the few little issues (door locks,glove box,etc...) it has been a great car. I've read the horror stories about clutches going out at 12,000 mi. and rattles and other problems through out the threads here.

My MINI has been just as a reliable car as my 2000 Suburban (different usage) just as well.

I am sorry for those peeps that have bought or feel they have bought a lemon but all in all I feel I made a great purchase.

Thanks again for letting me express my opinion on this site. It is an awesome site.

(STEVE) MINI NRG

 

That is great to hear. I currently an 06 with no major problems. Where in SoCal are you ?

 

I live in San Dimas and work in Monrovia. And where do you reside

 

That's very encouraging to hear! Keep up the motoring.

 

I just went over 18k today-- no problems no squeaks from anything I didn't add to the car

 

Another satisfied customer.

If you'd like I can list out every singe broken/replaced OEM part for the life of my car...

 

With drawings? You've been slackin' good buddy.

 

You set a very low bar on reliability.

85k on my 04. Replacing a ruptured engine mount has been the only surprise repair so far.

 

I made a new one, I might post it if no one cares about a slight detour/hijack...

 

79,000+ on my '05 MCS with minimal issues (yes, the usual engine mount leak) but also had an outer tie rod go bad due to the god-awful potholes we encounter in the Northeast... I accept this as normal wear.
LOVE my MINI. Been away from her for two weeks (down here in Jacksonville) but my wife and I will reunite with our baby tomorrow. :-)
We've seen quite a few MINIs here on our travels!

 

88,109miles on my 05-R50.
Original clutch (I must be doing something right)

Nothing major in the way of repairs, rear liscense late lights, and muffler bracket are the only items I've had to replace.

I am **** about maintenance though, religiously change the oil every 10k, new lugs, wires, and a K&N air filter.

What a wicked cool car...

 

They are VERY WICKED COOL! I can't believe how they put soo much fun in such a small (MINI) car. LOL

 

OOPS! HOW MUCH FUN THEY PUT IN SUCH A SMALL CAR.
didn't proof read

 

I only have 33k right now but not a single problem other than a crack windshield. Once I get the mileage up to 43K then I can claim it has been more reliable than my Honda Accord which needed a new transmission at 43K.
Happy Motoring

 

I am fast approaching 50K miles on my rock solid '05 R53 S. Only "Major" issues have been a new clutch replacement at 25K miles and an oil pan leak (minor but still a leak) at 42K miles.

The rest of the car drives, feels and looks brand new.

A keeper. I look forward to the next 150K miles.

 

Well 2002's and 2003's were not the very best of the bunch. I had a 2002 Cooper CVT that I bought brand new (last of the '02 production batch) and kept it until February of this year. Put 44K miles in more than 5 years and never had any serious problems with the car. Some niggles here and there that were common problems with the early production cars.

To me the 2005+ models really raised the bar in terms of build quality and reliability.

 

Here is a drawing depicting some things I've had to change.

They include, the ignition coil at 38,277, the expansion tank at 19,960, the s/c bellows at about 40k, and the belt tensioner (not shown) at roughtly 40k.

 

You smoked a clutch in 25k miles? Nice work!

 

It's possible to smoke a clutch in less than 500.

 

Nah

The clutch assembly was found to be defective by the dealer. Replaced under warranty, no questions asked.

The second clutch is holding up much better

I have been driving manual cars for 23 years. I have owned so far 2 manual Cooper S. Never had to replace the clutch assemblies in any of my Hondas and Acuras.

I never ride the clutch pedal or leave it pushed in while waiting for a light.

Let's just say that the quality and durability of the LuK sourced OEM MINI clutch assemblies are pretty much hit or miss.

 

UK sourced? I thought the OEM clutch assembly was made by Sachs(ZF), no? The only dodgy UK sourced bit I am aware of is the original R50 Midlands 5-speed transmission.

 

Luk, the brand name, not UK.

 

LuK OEM clutch systems site (Luk is a German company):

http://www.lukclutch.com/

 

Not Sachs? Huh.

 

Nope

The CVT in the first gen Coopers was manufactured by ZF in Belgium. The 5-speed gearbox in the '05+ R50 and R52 Coopers was sourced from Getrag. The old Midland Gears 5-speed in the 2002-2004 R50 was sourced in the UK and was based on an older Peugeot design.

All OEM clutch systems used by MINI are sourced from LuK. In fact many manufacturers around the world use LuK clutches. For instance ask any Chevy Silverado 2500 Diesel pickup owner about the flywheel problems they have had. Those flywheels in the Silverado trucks were sourced from LuK.