Hi Guys (and Gals..),

I know you must get allot of questions regarding the car..and I have done TONS of research but would like some owner input on the good, the bad and ugly of owning a Mini.

I am looking for a DEPENDABLE car that I can upgrade, and tweak a bit, but am not looking to do anything too over the top. (I have a track Lotus Exige 265 currently....) and really want to have a daily driver that get's decent gas mileage, handles well, and is DEPENDABLE! (I stress dependable, as I just lemon law'd my BMW 335 xi) and need something I can have fun with as well as save money on fuel, and insurance.....

The dealer in Irvine has a 2008 Mini with 7k miles with a 100k extended warranty for 22K...(Tempting) but really not a great deal of power when I go WOT in the straights and get on the freeway, pass, etc....

And I looked at a 2009 S model in SF today at 25K...(I like the idea of a new car, not broken in, sat in..etc...) and the throttle response is better, as well as potential for cost effective HP upgrades....

(I really think the Works cars are impressive, but the prices are a bit much....IMO....or am I wrong???)

In a perfect world, those of you who already have one, and knowing what I am looking for...what would you recommend??? Standard or S?

Also, in regards to prices...is this current market? (I ask, as I am new back to the US after a fairly long tour in Europe, et al and I can see MAJOR deals being cut on current inventory with ANY Mfg I have visited with the exception of the Mini dealers...they seem to be very proud of their cars, and very resistant to bargaining....which I find a bit absurd considering the market in general.... )

Any constructive input would be greatly appreciated....( I know I am asking a great deal...and is all over the place, but I would really like the inside line, and not the dealers party line....)

As you can tell, I don't have a single friend with a Mini.....LOL

Thanks!

DNEVNOI DOZOR SF

 

As far as I've seen, the MINI is dependable, as in it will start up and go in the morning reliably. Most issues prevalent with the MINI don't prevent it from getting from A to B (yes, there's the "cold start" issue, but apparently it's been fixed and it doesn't stop the MINI from going where you need to go).

That said, if you want something (statistically) reliable and nothing more, the Civic or Corolla are cheaper, more dependable, just as good on fuel economy, and are more practical. The MINI offers uniqueness and a fun-to-drive factor that those economy cars lack--the MINI is a premium product.

Regarding standard or "S", test drive both and see how you feel. The standard has just a capable a chassis as the S and is by no means slow. However, the S brings the MINI to hot hatch levels. If you feel that you would get in a "JustaCooper" everyday and miss the extra power, then go for the S. I don't have any data to back it up, but the standard seems to be the more reliable pick (lack of a turbo is probably a big factor with this). The fuel economy difference between the two is really negligible.

 

Thanks for the input...very much what I needed....(Cold Start issues I am used to and can live with....Lotus stands for :Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious...)

If I was just concerned with MPG, Prius or the new Honda would be a consideration..but I have seen what a Japanese car looks like in an accident....and because my wife will be driving this I want something that can take a hit and still retain driver survivability.... (I have seen many a Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Subaru scrub on the Autobahn, and have a STRONG preference for German engineering and safety standards...)

But agreed, Mini is a Premium but....you get what you pay for....hence my looking seriously at the Mini...(resell, handling and such...)

Thanks again!

 

Oh, I think you definitely need at least an MCS. I prefer Coopers, but I can spot an S owner a mile away!!!

 

All in the space between the eyes or????

 

if your looking for dependability stay away from Mini

i've had my 03 Cooper S and i've had more issues with dealerships fixing stuff for me and i already dumped 1600 in replacing the clutch/flywheel within the first 3 months.

coming from a Honda Fit, S2000, Prelude - i never had any problems fighting with the dealership and reliablilty

i would steer away unless you have a helluva warranty

sorry the issues with my R53 changed my perception on Mini's so when i get the chance sadly i will be getting rid of it.

-DR

 

No...something about WOT and the Works car being impressive.

 

that was pretty much spot on!

 

I have heard of some issues with the older models....hence my consideration of a the 2009's....

Anyone have input on the 09 "S"???

Seems that's the way I am heading....

Thanks...

 

I think you will be in good shape. There were issues here and there early on...even more on the MCS (I had a rock solid '03 Cooper). Even w/ the 2nd gen MCS, the nagging cold start problem has been solved. Like I said, I think you are looking in the right direction and will be very pleased.

 

The earlier first-generation Coopers are a reliability nightmare (like the poster above said). Stay away from the CVTs, 5-speed Midlands tranmission, grenading power sterring fans (and thus pumps), etc.; of course this was an all-new car so it wasn't exactly unexpected. A 2005 or newer MINI is a much better bet, and I'd say the 2007 and up (R56) MINIs are a pretty decent reliability bet (average to above average), especially considering the cold start issue apparently has a "fix" now.

 

I think you need to test drive the base, the S, and the Works to see at which power level you'd be satisfied with and still can afford the options you want. You know what they say. If you want to go fast, buy a fast car and the Works is currently the fastest. So if you want to go even faster, then that's the better car to start with. If however, you feel the S will satisfy your power needs but can afford a stripper Works car, then you can get a more fully optioned S for your money. Your wife might not need or want the power of a Works or S so the base might be more of a consideration.
Personally, unless you plan on tracking or autocrossing the car, which apparently you won't be cause you got a track toy already, an S with the JCW tuning kit is more than enough, imo, for a street car.
As for reliabilty, well, I've had my car since Oct '07 and have only been to the dealer 3 times. Twice for an oil change and once to install the JCW tuning kit.

 

Wow! My 2007 BMW 335xi has a total of 48+ days in the shop over multiple problems.....(Which does not include oil changes, tune ups etc...)

Test drove the S again today and Works car....Love the Works car, but at 12+K MORE than the S think I would rather buy the S and tune it a bit and save myself the extra cash.....(Spoke to my friends at 2 shops in OC and they agreed with me...seems the "S" is very tuneable....

Anyone have a dealer that they can recommend in Northern/Southern California????

 

I have a first week 09 build MCSa that I picked up mid October. 5000 miles on it and so far absolutely no problems. A couple small rattles in the interior that come and go with ambient temperature but that is it. I am very happy with the fun, mpg and reliability so far.

 

MCS sounds right. My 2008 is a daily driver and I'm closing in on 31k. Reliability has been excellent. Only problems have been a squeaking clutch pedal and a rear trunk latch that needed to be replaced. Had both of those items fixed during regularly scheduled service visits (as they were annoying and didn't really affect actual performance of the vehicle). I think I have about 3.5 hours total in the shop over close to 16 months of ownership now from regular use.

Note that I did hit a deer and the Mini spent about a week in the shop for those repairs. But I consider that separate from the vehicle's general, normal use reliability.

 

Pick up a 2006 R53. Can't go wrong with them. By 2006, all the problems should have works out over the 1st generation. The second generation may still have problems that need to be worked out.

 

Ok, I am sold....

Waiting on BMW to get back to me on the buyback of my 335.....

Have a 2009 S all picked out.....Red with white roof and racing stripes....(Automatic Transmission with paddles...) Before you grief me folks....wife can't drive a 6 speed manual...~sighs

Am stoked....have a set of OZ's picked out for her...and am looking at coil- overs, M7 scoop and airfilter system.......but...am clueless regarding an exhaust....or a tuning for the ECU.....any suggestions????

(Thanks again for everyone who gave me their 2 cents, I really do appreciate it! Am looking forward to adding what I can to the community, and learning as well.....)

 

i'm late to the party but my pw/b 2009 MCS was built starting 11/30/2008. i got it in late january and have not had a single problem except for adjusting to it (death grip the cupholders have; adjusting the seat to exactly where i want, learning how to open the boot from inside the car for someone who is outside the car).

you'll be in absolute bliss when you get it. i still am.

 

I am really stoked on it....

It's not a push you back into the seat acceleration that the BMW gave me, but.....on a wet road, or serious twisties I can push it as hard as I want and not get out of the envelope!

And the car will take a hit, (driver survivability is high!)....

The car is lots of fun to drive, great MPG, and comfortable.....

(NOW you have to tell me, WHY you have heated seats in Honolulu!!!! LOL)

Da Kine Sista!