So I have had my R56 Mini Cooper Justa for about 3 years now (it's a 2009). It's been great. Surprisingly, my critique / comments are limited to the below list:

1. Front wiper control - I wish it was a "normal" intermittent wiper control
2. Base Stereo System - I believe Mini has tackled this one, but the base model stereo is not that good at all.
3. Controls for Stereo - This I thought would be changed by this point. I find the controls and display to be limiting and annoying

Other than that, my motoring experience has been terrific. I would highly recommend a Mini to friends and family!!!!

 

I actually like the auto wipers a lot more than I thought I would. They actually seem to be (usually) just right.

I got the HK (and Integral Audio sub) so no complaints. But the guys that did the programming need to be horse whipped.

Do I really have to press the random button every time I get in the car? (Iphone/Ipod control) I mean I fixed the having to push the sport button all the time, couldn't they fix that?...lol

The display is fixed? Really? You couldn't have it scroll? Maybe a a touch more info? Artist? Album? I mean my music's got full tags... I got the smartphone prep? (but it's not very smart...)

But I agree with you. Almost 3 years, and not too much to complain about...

(Ok, the dipstick sucks (Craven Speed's new R56 stick is worlds better), it's needs (and got) an OCC), the shocks and springs were developed by an idiot, Had to get the sunroof limo tinted...)

But that's not bad at all. I've owned my M3 for 17 years now and I'm still making it better...lol

 

Nice hearing from a happy owner reporting minimal problems. Reading many of the posts on these forums is enough to make anyone "run away" from Mini ownership- however one must remember that many people come on forums only when they have problems...

 

re: audio controls: They were revised in '11 for the LCI.

 

Shortly I will be the owner of two 'Justa" Mini Coopers. This based on the exceptional experience of my first. I won't trade it in because of its reliability, comfort, looks and performance. I also like the Mini community and NAM. My son is getting my 2008 Mini named "Pearl". Father and son motoring...can it get any better than that?

 

I have an 2008, and the controls are really goofy. In general, they're non-intuitive and value form over function. It's part of the charm on one side, and mildly frustrating on the other. I still make errors with mine after four years. For instance, you don't turn off the intermittent wipers the same way you turn off the regular wipers. And the radio... oof. The radio.

I used to work with a bunch of experts in human-computer interaction, and part of their job was to create objective measures of ease-of-use. User error-rate over time was one of those. The MINI would score terribly, I'm sure.

But, then, I take a corner, and really stop caring. I still really like this car.

 

I have a 2009 as well. In fact it turned 3 on Saturday.

I somewhat agree about the windshield wipers. I'm finally consistently remembering how to turn them off without looking like an idiot. The intermittent function doesn't bother me though.

The radio doesn't phase me at all but I have the steering wheel controls, which are pretty much all I ever use, and I listen to my iPod on the integration kit 99% of the time so maybe I don't have the same problems with it. I will admit that having to hit "Random" every time I start her is annoying.

Ah, the speakers. I'm moving closer to my cousin that's an acoustics engineer and I'm hoping that I can maybe sweet talk him into changing my speakers out for me at some point. If I can get my other cousin, a mechanical engineer, on board to help then surely two engineers can figure out the speakers in a MINI. My dad had an '05 with the Harmon Kardon speakers so I was disappointed that we couldn't get them in '09. I decided to stick with the base speakers because the HK, whatever they were called, didn't sound good enough to make the extra $500 worth it.

My other big complaint: I wish that the paint on the bonnet hadn't chipped so easily. I really should have gotten a clear bra. I tried to patch it with the MINI kit but now it almost looks worse than before.

Otherwise, I think that my car is pretty much perfect. I love it!

 

Bought my '07 new. LOVE my car.
Why?
+ >>>> -

 

I had the same "random" button issue with my head unit. I told the dealer about it. They found a error code and replaced the head unit. No problems with it now. I only need to select random again if I unplug my ipod/iphone or use another source (radio, cd).

 

I have a 2009 as well. I just returned from a trip from Denver to Tucson and back and it only increased my love of this car! I do have to agree on the radio controls and I have found it easier to connect my IPOD through the Aux port and control it from the IPOD rather than the connection in the compartment.
I wish I could program the blinker to blink 5 times rather than the max 3 but that is a nit. Other than that I guess I have gotten used to the other 'stuff'

 

Really? That just made a trip to the dealership completely worth it. I want to have the chrome rings replaced on my keys because they look awful but I don't really have the time. But if they can fix the random function then I will make time to go to the dealership. Do you have any paperwork that tells you where the error code is or which dealership you went to?

 

I thought it was normal but figured I'd mention it since I was in for other work. I went to Moritz in Arl, Texas.

"Found F/C A528 stored for IBOC: Control Module: Internal Fault. Performed Test Plan B6512-IBOC and it instructed to replace the digital tuner."

I hope they get it fixed for you.

 

I have a 08 MCS, and this is my biggest complaint. I find my self nudging the turn signal swithc in other cars I drive, only to find out that they don't work like the mini does. I also don't like the fact, that it consumes more oil than I think it should.

 

I hated my intermittent wipers till I figured out how to actually activate them. It's crap that the manual is wrong wrong wrong. Push up for intermittent? Doh! How many times did I try that till watching the how to video and they show you push the stupid button on the end! Now I don't hate them so much. I do like being in control of the speed of them though. My silly big ole truck had about 12 different settings I could choose at the twist of a dial, but not the MINI or my wife's CRV. That is annoying.

 

The only complaint that I have is the cheap *** sun visors. I had one replaced under warranty and the other broke this week. They are complete crap. Had the chrome rings on the key fob replaced with the stainless rings under warranty. No mechanical problems and the car has been great. Love it.....

 

Other complaints I came up with are 1) arm rest sucks, it has no storage space, it keeps sliding open 2) seat recline level, is in a awkward spot. It's hard to reach, it just feels odd. My .02c.