Just wondering, I have a list of issues with my 02 cooper S that I have to bring my car in for.I typically don't buy newer cars, and the new ones I have bought have never needed to go in for anything.Considering I have put 7000 miles on this car in 3 months I am doubting it's long term reliability.The car is a blast to drive, and I love it but will my stumble, left pull,rattles,rattles,rattles,blinking oil pressure light, etc. problems keep occurring.I've been reading the key to owning a mini is being close to a good dealer.Not what a DIY guy likes to hear when they are 2 hours from the closest dealer.It's kinda funny the day after I bought my mini I parked it and took off to a truck show about 3 hours from home.I saw 3 minis on the way there. But two of them were on flatbeds. Not exactly what I wanted to see.

 

I go as little as possible.

 

I've been driving my 2003 MCS for 12 months now and have 6500 miles on it. I've brought it in for 2 problems. One being that the passenger tail light leak and a noise in the front end. THe dealer fixed both of them, and I'm loving everything about what BMW put into the car!!! :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

I know there have been issues with some MINIs, especially some '02 & '03 MCSs.

We still have a bit of a Yo-Yo every now & then, for instance. I do want it fixed, but if MINI's new software fix doesn't do it, I'll look to sell it & get into a newer '04 once MINI's making them with their newer, "refreshed" updates.

I love this car. :smile:

 

With only 70 dealerships in the US, location to dealer is an issue no matter how perfect the car. At 32k miles, I've only been to the dealership with my '02 MCS when scheduled maintenance was due. I am about three hours from my dealership and it has worked for me. But then, this scares others, and that is a main reason there are so few MINIs in my part of the state. My 2c.

God speed.

 

Its usually once a round.

 

I have a May 2003 build MCS with 5,500 miles. I haven't been to the dealer yet. I get the stumble now and then, just waiting to hear that its fixed before i take it in (maybe it'll happen at the same time as my scheduled maintenance).
Have done some DIY projects: changed the oil @ 5k miles, fixed the aggravating glove box rattle by adding some felt tape. No problems here (knock wood). :smile:

 

02s79fj40, Mapquest says that Brookfield NH is only an hour and 30 min from MINI of Peabody...and I'll bet that we could do it in just over an hour So, I hope you're not talking about driving to Herb in Boston But anyway, your point is well taken. The MINI is not a typical DIY car. That's just the nature of this beast. Personally, I found that I took my car in about 3 times in its first 5 months of ownership, but only twice since then. I've had it (2002 MCS) for 14 months and about 20K miles. Hopefully you'll get your initial bugs sorted out and then it'll require fewer trips to the dealer.

Have you tried Concord (NH) Motorsports? I don't know much about them but do know that they usually have a MINI on the lot each time I drive by. They're not a dealer, but as an "independent" BMW mechanic they can probably be a source of parts and know-how. And they're a heck of a lot closer to you than anything in MA. Just a thought.

_________________

Bring Out the Scoops!

 

Yeah, it probably is closer to an hour and a half.But in order to drop the car off we both have to pretty much take the day off.It just bugs me that I'm having this much trouble with a new car.I really am wondering if I really want to own this thing when it's out of warranty.I'm certainly more than capable of doing my own work as I have on every other car i've owned.But one of the reasons I bought it was because I was spending too much time working on cars.I wanted to finally have some of my weekends back to work on my fj40 instead of my daily driver.

 

got the car for almost 3 weeks now, gotta go back there on monday.

Rain sensor leaks in a raining day. the worst matter i have ever seem in my driving life.

Front right singnal light out.

H/K Speed function not working.

In the end, I have a 04 MCS!

 

I have a 2003 MCS built in 10/02 with 8000 miles since Feb 03 and no problems.
I took it to the dealer once for leaky coolant bottle and replace recalled rear suspension bolts.
I would go as little as possible.

 

My new '04 MCS has been flawless in 800+ miles of awesome motoring since 10/3. I also have the rain sensing wipers and automatic rearview mirror and both of these features work fantastic...highly recommended. No leaks, squeaks, rattles, stumbles., etc, etc.

My build date is 9/5/03.