First off I like the 2008 Cooper S that I just purchased. Yes its bumpy, noisy but its just like driving my old Jeep but more gas efficient, sportier and faster.

Now after having it a few days and finding this website and everyone talking about timing chains, transmissions, aux water pumps going out on their Mini is making me think twice about it.

All I wanted was a daily driver that kept up with traffic on highway without changing gears, more mpg and a (fingers crossed) a reliable car. I read reviews about them and they were all great, positive before buying it.

Did I make the right choice buying a Cooper?

 

I was wondering the same thing. Now, after owning and living with it for a while, Benni is the most fun car I have owned. I have changed the chain tensioner, thermostat housing and had the aux water pump replaced under the recall and am liking her more and more everyday. So I would say if you don't mind a car with "quirks" you will not regret your purchase.

 

Keep the maintenance up to date, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR OIL LEVEL, keep your fingers crossed, and enjoy the ride. Some have problems, some don't.

 

I called BMW and asked about the aux water pump recall, mine was excluded due to where it was built. Good start I guess.

I'm pretty good at maintaining my cars. Guess I'll have to buy a Service manual just in case and place it on top of my 2 foot stack of manuals in my closet floor.

 

I've never regretted buying a MINI, I've had almost 9 years to consider this. I didn't regret buying the next 4 either.

 

If you check the oil level always and maintain the car regularly. 6-8,000km or 5-6 months you will be fine. If you wanted a reliable car that gets you along with traffic you should have bought a Corolla lol

 

No way should you regret buying Mini! I've got an '09 and haven't has any major issues. After the 3-year maintenance period is up, just keep up on the maintenance. Pretty easy to do with the CBMS and a Bentley manual. As for the bumpy ride, think about switching to non-run flats .., makes a huge difference. Motor on!

 

Welcome to Nam !

First of all I would recommend getting this manual and it will help you to get to know your Mini. The first few chapter is very informative about specs. build, etc.


Considering it was previously owned there are some maintenance and upgrade to consider. Depending on the mileage and if it was care for by the previous owner it should be fine. You car go to the dealer and request to them to provide the service history.

As far as noisy and bumpy ... It should and you can check the tires and shock as those were the first thing I would replace.

Have fun and enjoy your MCS

 

I honestly don't think you should "regret". As long as you keep up with maintenance and you take care of it like the people said "check your oil, etc...". I think if I didn't crash my car back in January, I wouldnt have problems like I'm dealing with right now. Like yesterday my AC totally went out, its not blowing cold air anymore. I am bringing it to the dealer today and I am gonna have to be stuck with a rental/loaner. It's most probably crash related. Anyway all I'm saying is take care of it and you won't have problems.

 

The level of problems and quirks of the R56 Mini are on par with most modern European cars.

 

Also note that forums like this are where people tend to come when they have problems. So you have a "selection bias" toward cars that have had some kind of problem or another. There's another bias in posting--I generally don't post when I have yet another flawless commute to work, but if something goes wrong I certainly will post!

Just a couple of points to keep in mind.

 

It probably makes sense to introduce yourself to your local MINI dealer. The service/warranty history is kept in the key fob. They can tell you lots of stuff about your car based on the VIN and Key Fob (options ordered, recalls performed, major service done). It may be worth $100 for an oil change and inspection, just to learn some background on your car.

There are plenty of threads describing issues, but all you can do is learn about them, and how to avoid the problems. Even checking oil level is not easy (the design traps oil in the dipstick tube, you need to remove the stick and let it drain for at least 10 minutes before checking).

The cars are fun enough to call these things quirks (could anyone tolerate a key between the seats if the Saab 900 was not fun?), so it is best to learn as much as you can.

Don't regret the car, just take care of it and enjoy.

Mike

 

Well thanks everyone for the suggestions, advice. I will be buying a service manual, checking oil regularly, and taking it to a Mini dealer soon for an oil change so I can get the service records done to it before I bought it.

Looked under the hood and its pretty clean especially the turbo. Makes me wonder if it has been replaced. Does have a few numbers stamped on it. But the ones that caught my attention was the 08 and 13 stampings. I'm curious too see what those numbers mean. I'll be asking the dealer on that.

 

The harsh ride on my S makes me regret getting an S instead of another Justa. But maybe my opinion will change after I replace the stock runflats. Hopefully the Bridgestone Pole Position RFT's offer the advertised big improvement in ride quality.

 

i dont
i got a r56 with 96k on it and on the second day the trany when to heaven but thats because bad maintenance and it had 95k i mean any time soon it was going to go out on me specially the way i was driving it lol but i love the way this little car rides and specially that i am 6.3 tall its comfortable

 

I went into Crevier in Santa Ana and just asked in the service dept if they could read the key and tell me anything about my car.

Rather helpfully, I found that the timing chain and associated components were changed a few miles before I bought it, the engine had been de-coked a couple of times, and had the valve cover and HPF replaced.

Try just asking your local dealership, you might be surprised how helpful they can be.

 

Yep this is your best friend when to have warranty lol the dealer after I get my car back am taking it to the dealer and doing a check up and everything

 

I just had my water pump replaced at 73K. Other than that, the car has been complete bliss. I honestly can't imagine commuting in a car that may be slightly more reliable, but drives like a marshmallow.

The MINI is also tough as nails. I T-boned a Trail Blazer that unexpectedly made a U-turn at 40 mph this past December. I hardly felt it.

 

minis can be great cars as long as you maintain them and keep them clean and everything but if you have a mini and all you do is press the gas and do the oil change every 10k then you stuck.. and i am impressed this mini that i got the trany when bad at 96k.

 

From what I have read, most of the problems can be prevented by checking and maintaining the fluids. The oil level and change frequency are very important. Almost everyone agrees the oil change frequency given by the car is way too long (up to 17,000 miles). MINI is reducing the mileage on the newer cars to as low as 8,000 miles on the JCW. I change mine twice a year and that averages about 7,000 miles for me. If I waited to the 1 year change I would have about 14,000 miles. Some MINI's, especially the S models consume oil. They can use over a quart in less than 5,000 miles. It is very important to check your oil level frequently. Because, as Mbwicz said, checking the oil is very difficult, I made a thread about reading the oil level (following link). Checking the radiator coolant level in the overflow tank is also important. The level in mine started dropping slowly and I found a leak in one of the hoses that was so small it did not leave any drops on the floor. If I had not checked my fluids frequently, I would not have known there was leak until I got a high temperature warning.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html

 

Thanks for all those tips and for that link I will for sure take a look at it and pin it some where. My car was in great condition I checked the oil, the colant the supercharger the pumps everything the only thing I coulndt check was that trany. Am not sure if any one had done mantinace to it but for sure when I get it back ill ask for a maintance history report at the dealer

 

well I regret it already. After 1000 miles of driving it I had to add ½ qt oil, 600 miles after that the other half. Yesterday on a cool high 60 degree weather in TX I got the yellow temp light then immediately the red. I pulled over checked the overflow bottle and it was normal. No bubbling shaking, just full.

I let it cool down drove it home then red again. Sat for 3hrs turned it on and within 1 minute yellow temp symbol came on even though engine was col to the touch. Taking it to dealer and see what they say.

has anyone had this problem?

 

You probably can't do anything about the high rate of oil consumption. Thats why checking the oil level regularly is so important. The over temperature warnings might be just a temperature sensor problem since you had one while the engine was cold. The temperature sensor won't cost much to fix if that is the problem. While you are at the dealers, have them check the maintenance/repair history of your car.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B