We are looking @ a 2009 Clubman S with all 3 packages, Automatic.
24K miles on it. So we have 2 years to go on the warranty.

It is being tranfered to our area and when it arrives i have 3 days
to decide to get it or not, So Cal.

I was hoping the local mini dealer might run the VIN for me
and get me a service history.

As past Japanese car owners with zero issues, this purchase has me
alittle worried, after reading and joining this forum.

Can you please give me the top 4 or 5 items to look for and have checked out. ???

We have the time to get the right car, just not many with all the packages come around, and the dealers stock is drying up.

Thanks,

 

Welcome to NAM.
Congrats on your new car.
I don't want to scare you but there are a number of people on the forums that have had issues with the following.
High Pressure Fuel Pump
Timing chain (Death Rattle)
Vacuum Pump.

My 2010 Clubman S has 28K miles on it and they only problems so far are the car needed front brakes at 16K, drivers side outside mirror was wobbley and the pass-side sun visor had a short that keep blowing the fuses.
Everything was fixed for free.

 

To teh OP guess what I can go to ANY other forum for OTHER cars including JAPANESE cars and fined jsut as many if not many more people complaining of problems. That what happens on forums people complain, they very rarely say "hey buy this car it is great".

irontree listed the biggies.

1. High pressure fuel pump has been upgraded to a 100K warranty depending on VIN number. So check on that to see if it has been extended for this car.

2. Timing Chain. If it has been repaired properly then the service report should show it. If it does not show up on the service history have them do it before you buy it. But it does not happen to all cars. It was 40K plus before mine showed any symptoms yet others have had it from day 1.

And remember you have a warranty make sure you use it.

BTW my car has 72K on it and had the HPFP and the timing chain but nothing else.

 

I would recommend a Mini to anyone who was thinking of buying.
However I won't be keeping it past 50K miles though.
The cost to fix the cars is pretty high when out of warranty.
I would get another one.

 

Other than random dealers here and there trying to charge $3000 for a clutch replacement, MINIs aren't any more expensive that I've seen than any other import brand. Heck, the brakes are WAY cheaper than my Subaru's were (and I didn't even have a WRX or STi)...

Personally, if I were looking at purchasing again, I wouldn't buy a used MINI if I was looking for a specific set of options, unless a new one would be completely out of my budget with them. If you ARE concerned about reliability, you get the full warranty if you buy a new one. What's more, you get the benefit of the design changes that've gone into place on the various common parts of concern...Sure, I can't say with certainty that my 2011 is free and clear of the timing chain issues, but I know it's got the new part - versus having a used one that could have however many generations of tensioner prior to the newest model...

Also, check the bottom of the doors. There's a spot where rain water drains out right around the middle of them. Check for rust. Beyond that, I'd say check the sunroof, club door and barn door interior panels for rattles.

 

I, too, had owned Japanese cars in the past (three different ones) with zero problems -- and I do mean zero. I understand your concern as MINIs do have fairly bad reliability reports. Schatzy is totally correct in that forms do magnify the negative, but the reports out there back my statement up. Consumer Reports took MINI off of their recommended used cars list. This is not being negative at all, just truthful.

My Clubman has had many problems in its young 18k life, but none of which kept me from driving it. Aside from the main issues already mentioned, many MINI owners I've known and met have had issues with the clutch, rattles and knocks, noisy A/C units, sunroof issues (wind noise problems and/or not opening in hot weather), melting hood scoop, and the windows (electrical problems with them). I would check for all of those. It's good that you would have some warranty left -- just make sure that that's good enough for you. For me it's an issue because I don't like to keep taking the car in to get fixed.

I don't mean to scare you but the fact is that MINIs are very simply not as reliable as most Japanese cars are (I mean, they're made in England and France so it's no surprise ) -- I think that knowing the truth is important. This is totally fine, of course, if you can accept that you may have problems; For some people that's cool, and I completely respect that. They're so fun to drive (if not a bit challenging at times - ha!) that for many people it's worth it. And of course there will always be some people that are lucky and have little/no problems.

Sorry that I didn't narrow it down to 4 or 5, but I wanted to give you another honest perspective. SkaBob has some great advice there, too, about new vs. used.

 

+1 SkaBob's advice on new versus used.

Modern cars are global in nature. Parts come from suppliers all over the place and vehicles are assembled in a variety of countries. Most people only focus on where the parent company is headquartered. The idea that a car made by a Japanese company will be 100% reliable versus any other make is misguided.

I've owned a Honda Accord and currently have an Acura TSX. Both vehicles have had plenty of issues including transmission problems. Which according to popular urban legend, shouldn't happen to Honda drive-trains.

My 2010 Clubman S has had only one minor issue in 18 months I've owned it. What set MINI apart for me was how well the dealer responded to my issue. They spent two days trying to track down a random whining noise with the promise to spend more time if it ever returned. In contrast, I've received terrible service from Honda/Acura dealers while the vehicles were under warranty. (Acura dragged out one issue with the HVAC computer that I went an entire winter with no heat in a 3 year old car.)

In summary, sure a MINI will have issues just like any other make/model. What is import is how the manufacturer and dealer stand behind their product. Rant over, good luck with your decision.

 

I totally agree with Irontree. The driving experience is incredible, but I don't know if I will keep mine past 50k miles.

FYI I have a '09 JustaClubman with 10k on the odometer, and I have had issues with a bad thermostat, faulty camshaft sensor, panels not securely clipped from the factory, etc. Sure, they were nothing catastrophic and have been fixed. However, more than anything they were annoying issues compared to my '02 Honda Accord Coupe (no issues).

Also, don't use the vanity mirrors in the sun visors. They are quite flimsy and break very easily. If you are under warranty, they will be replaced for free.

Having said that, no matter what you decide, make sure to get a car fax and look over the car carefully. Best of luck in your decision!

 

I bought my Clubby, Monty, used from a Mazda dealer. The car stickered at about $30k and I paid $23,500 and the car had only 3500 miles. That's a pretty good deal, IMHO.

I have had a couple of problems, all were fixed - eventually - by several Mini dealerships. My right-side barn door would spontaneously open - not too cool. This was fixed after two visits to Sterling Mini in Va.

My sunroof refused to open on hot days. Both Sterling Mini and Braman Mini have worked on this. It is still an issue on very hot So. Fla. days. But, frankly, I don't use the sunroof on really hot days, I stay buttoned up with the AC on.

My glove box failed to latch one day. Sterling worked on it and it was good for a few months. Then, it failed when I moved to Palm Beach. So, Braman Mini fixed it. Kinda. It failed again about a month later. I talked to Ralph at Braman (great guy!!) and he was very apologetic. He ordered a whole new assembly and I have not had another failure in 8 months. I believe this one is fixed for good.

Finally, the Service Writer at Sterling Mini noticed the "death rattle" and recommended a timing chain replacement. I had to leave for Fla then and took it in to Braman to have it done, along with the glovebox. They kept the car for a few days and did the work under warranty. That's cool because it's a pretty expensive job if you have to pay for it yourself.

About 3 months later, I noticed a buildup of oil around the valve cover and surrounding areas. I took it to Braman and they replaced the valve cover gasket and steam cleaned the engine. Nice.

ALL of my service experience has been as pleasurable as can be. Both Sterling and Braman treat me like a King and I really like that. I get treated just as well as the yuppies dropping off their Cayennes, Beemers, and Rollers. And I always get a free loaner car to drive while mine is in the shop. That's pretty sweet for a $23k car...

 

Thank you so much for all your background and issues.
I also talked with 2 service managers @ my local dealers.

After looking @ 3 different 2009 cars, all in the area of $25k-26K.
We found a 2011 and got the price down to $29K.

The used cars would need the timing tensioner, and had only 2 years
to go on the warranty and 1/2 tires and 1/2 brakes gone etc.

For $3500 more we start fresh and hopefully have some of the early
issues behind us.

Pepper white and black, auto, 17 inch, lots of goodies.

Thanks again for your imput to us.

 

Great choice, welcome to the fold!!

 

Very Nice looking Clubman! Given the small price difference you made the right choice plus you get to spec out the car exactly as you like and know the full break-in history of the car. The two are worth than the $3500 price difference and will allow you to sleep better at night.

 

I shopped Craig's List for my 2008 Clubman S. All packages except roof rails and highest end stereo, 29K on the clock, negotiated with a used car broker and drove it away for $19,500. I love it. I have upgraded the speakers (per this forum) and had to pay for the CPU after it got wet ($1800). Warranty has covered timing chain and brakes thus far.

I am very happy (except for the easy puddle splash water damage to the CPU). I'd buy another.