I am contemplating purchasing one of two mini S'. The first is a 2008 loaded mcs with 29000 miles. THE second is a 2009 mcs with few options with 25000 miles with a longer warranty. I really like everything about these cars but there is so much negative on this site about the reliability of these cars. I need something reliable as I do have a 33 mile commute each way 5 days a week. Looking for some honest opinions. Thanks

 

I own two. They have problems, but all cars do.

Go to any other car site (try the Porsche one for a good giggle) and all you'll read is how crap their car is. If you want the perfect car, wait until next year. I hear that is when it's coming out... But then, I hear that every year.

 

What do you consider reliability issues.. haha.

A HPFP generally dies over time not instantly which would allow you to take it in and get a loaner under warranty and wouldnt strand you.

Next.. the chain tensioner.. you can tell its having issues long before its an issue that would crippple you.

Water pump leaking.. again wouldnt leave you stranded.

Thermostat would be a slow leak as well.

So most "major" issues wont leave high and dry per say. I was commuting 100 miles each way for a while and was never stranded by my mini.

2007s seem to have the most problems since they were a first model year.. lots of issues were fixed in the later years.

So i guess what do you consider unreliable and what do you consider reliable..

Almost ANY forced induction car is going to have some sort of issues since they are under a little more wear and tear than a boring NA motor.

So I would say if you want a fun small car that gets good MPG and has a decent power. As I am making great power and running low 13s in the 1/4 and giving a lot of other cars a run for their money..

 

Great cars, expensive repairs/parts. A lot of folks on this forum can afford to dump hella cash on their toys. If you are coming at this from the heart but light on the wallet, be prepared to get creative (DIY). I've only had a few problems up to 100k+ miles, and I still love my car (R50 2003). However, repair costs are piling up while I try to address them systematically. It's a BMW car with a cramped engine compartment so labor hours are hefty (you have to pull off a lot of crap to get to the broken crap).
The S models have issues you should read about here. Spend some time cruising the forum about your specific model so you know what to look out for. Knowledge is power.

 

i hear ya I appreciate the input. I went from a 2004 nissan 350z to a 2006 mustang gt vert that I dumped 25gs into modding. To a 2008 caliber srt4, to a 2011 hyundai elantra. I need something fun again but at this point in my life I want something reliable as well.

 

Read Boosted's post above. Are those issues that will slide down your back or strand you? It becomes an issue of proportionate love and money at some point.

 

To be clear though, the MINI is the most fun car I've driven in my life.

 

I commute every day about 37 miles one way. Couple warranty repairs around 50k miles in my 2008 MCS. Now at 95k miles. Never left stranded. One of the more reliable vehicles I've owned.

 

how is mini at covering cars under warranty?

 

Very good.. I am fully modded and was covered for HPFP as well as a few other little things.

People have tanked motors with tunes and gotten them covered.

 

My dealer, Flow MINI and Flow MINI of Raleigh, were excellent to work with. Based on posts I've read, dealers do seem to be inconsistent as to their efforts to delight their customers.

 

Very confused. Here is one of the cars I am considering. It was in a fender bender saw the repair bill $700 so no big deal. NO air bag deployment.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

 

here is the other one. only 8 months left of warranty as opposed to he 21 on the 09. Is better equipped and 1500 cheaper.

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...id=AT-12663E78

 

If you want something "comparable" to an MCS but more reliable...the WRX or the Mazdaspeed 3 are the closest options.

Both of those cars drink more fuel than an MCS, but don't have as many teething issues, if reliability is of paramount concern. If it isn't? Get an MCS. Minis are stupid fun and subjectively drive better than WRXes. I'm a former Subaru owner and really like the things, but they drive like high powered economy cars.

 

The pepper white mcs with the red interior is killer. What a great combination and it's nicely equipped. It would definitely be my choice!!!!!

 

Have you considered a new and fairly stripped down new 2011 or 2012 base Hardtop (non-S or justa) instead of the MCS? A little bit of searching on the forums seems to reveal that the non-S is less prone to troubles - plus the reliabiliy on the most recent models (i.e., the 2012) also seems to have improved. Obviously, I don't know what price you've been quoted on the two MCS's you mentioned above - but you should be able to get a stripped down non-S 2012 automatic for close to $21.5K. MINI's seem to hold their value quite well and buying used currently seems questionable - especially if you're not interested in some of the more expensive options. Also, since you're using the car primarily for commuting, the better mileage on the non-S certainly will pay off in the long run.

 

Speed3 is by far LESS reliable than an MCS.. google motor mounts snapping, spun rod bearings, motors falling out..

 

If you need the practicality of a sporty hatchback, buy the Mini. If you want great handling and the wind in your hair, Look at a new or late model Miata.

 

You know, I was a little hesitant at first to purchase a MINI specifically because of the reliability issues. It seems all I hear is that MINI's are notorious for breaking down. I got mine last Saturday and so far, the rear wiper is broken. First the dealership thought it was a fuse so he replaced that, worked for about a day, now it's broken again. So who knows what's going on? Luckily the dealership I purchased it from was willing to replace the fuse. We'll see if they're willing to do a bigger repair if need be.

In all reality though, my love for the car won out against practicality. Can I afford it if my MINI breaks down big time? No, not really. Would I do everything in my power beyond just repairing my car to get it running again? Yes, absolutely. Because I love everything about this little car! I enjoy just driving it to the gas station because I love driving it so much.

I guess the real question is, how badly do you want it or how much do you like MINI's? Enough to justify the high european car repair cost?

 

I would not touch 1 with a 10' pole. That being said 3 seems to be the magic number for me. So far, so good, but combined I have less than 12,000 miles on my 2 MINIs. But the way I look at it I can afford it if something breaks down big time. I have 106,000 miles on my 330i with just normal maintenance and it still gets 30 mpg on the highway. I am currently putting my trust in BMW engineering for the reliability factor.

 

Do not jump at the first couple you look at and do not be afraid to travel a bit to pick one up. There are plenty of good examples around so be picky and you will find the right one for you.

 

In all honesty a better comparable vehicle that is "more reliable" is a mk5/6 GTi.

 

I see something broken as an excuse to upgrade. this way the wife cant say no. as examples:

"Hun, the muffler fell off, i need to buy a new exhaust system for 800bucks."

"hun, the tires seem out of alignment, i think it needs coil overs!"

"hun, the belt is about to break, i need a new spritex"

so parts failing are great! least for us married people.

 

I commute about 50 miles total per day, so I was looking at a small commuter car (Focus was lead horse), then I figured I could get a 2 year old mini for the same money. I found an 09 Justa and was really happy. Then I traded it on an 08 MCS with 49k on it.
The justa was a fun car, plus I was getting 37 mpg with it. The MCS is a different animal, mine has sport suspension and more options than the justa. Lets just say that driving my wifes SUV makes me feel like I am driving a couch. It is very, very easy to get used to a mini.
The warranty is a big deal. I paid $16k for my car, and it was discounted for a reason. It already had the turbo, HPFP, and timing chain replaced. The engine also had the carbon cleaning process done. It was also in a minor accident (like the one you are looking at), and there are plenty of stone chips on the windshield. The engine problems I am blaming on the dealer, there were only 3 oil changes in 48k miles! There are dozens of threads telling you that this is stupid. 5k oil changes and an oil catch can system should prevent me from having any of these problems repeat. Broken pistons? That may be just luck of the draw.
Buying a mini is a chance to truly enjoy your commute. I don't know if you would get the same enjoyment from a GTI or M3. I can tell you that the Mini has made me happy driving it like no car to date.
I also agree that the pepper white with red is a great combination.

Mike