Ok, heres the deal. I've got an 02 cooper s that I bought to be my "reliable" daily driver. I commute 100 miles a day in new england. Although the car is an absolute blast to drive, and has never left me stranded it's annoying the crap out of me. It rattles and squeaks like mad, occasionally stalls, has the yo-yo now really bad, and now it's overheating whenever I sit in traffic with the a/c on. It's also time for tires again, now on it's second set . I've been considering getting a non-runflat tire in an attempt to smoothen out the ride a little over the stock 17's. But last night I drove an rsx, and although not quite as fun (or quick) as my mini, it's a damn nice car. And I doubt It would have the same quality issues mini seems to have. I'm not totally convinced the dealer can actually fix this thing, as it's already had one extended stay with them, and all my initial problems but one have reappeared. And my warranty will be up in a little over a year. Considering the incredible resale value , i'm considering giving it up for a "normal car". So, anybody had their rattles, stumble, overheating fixed that actually stayed fixed? And will ditching the runflats make it that much smoother?

 

sell the sucker....... no use keeping something you don't like.....sell it....
Peace

 

Just out of curiosity, are you going to Herb Chambers for service?

 

02s79fj40 - - -

It’s a pleasure to see you list the problems you’ve experienced without resorting to whining. Thank you!

Since your ‘02 will have a good resale value you might want to consider selling it and replacing it with an ‘04 or ‘05. It appears that the build quality and reliability has been substantially improved.

 

If you aren't happy, you aren't happy...nobody here can tell you what you should or shouldn't put up with.

If it bugs you--like my just-sold 2003 VW Golf bugged me--then ditch it for something you'll feel happy about all the damn time.

Personally, I'm anticipating I'll have some annoyances with my '04 MCS once I get my hands on it...but what the car is/does makes it worthwhile for me personally. It would make any number of people crazy.

You already know the answer....

 

I'd do one of the following;

1) sell the car and try to get another MINI that's hopefully less problematic.

or

2) sell the car and get the RSX that impressed you so much.

Either way you can't lose since the MINI keeps so much of it's value.

 

I pretty much agree with all of the above posts. Don't put more money it.

Dump it and move on. It's just a car. Perhaps someday you can buy a newer one.

 

MINI's aren't for everyone. My 03 MCS rattles, and buzzes. But the trad off is the most incredible handling I've ever experienced, along with really good performance, and a great deal more style than anything asian. But if you want to join the vast, faceless reservoir of people driving style-less, drab, boring, lacluster commuter vehicles, by all means - SELL!

I have never owned a car that I know I will keep forever before buying my MINI. When it's paid off, and gets tired, it will become my 'project car'. Tear out everything non-essential, and do some serious engine work.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to down you. I just see no reasonable comparison of a MINI and anything honda.

-joe

 

It's your car, your money, and apparently your annoyance. hopefully you didn't ask other people to convince you to BUY your Cooper S. I hate to sound insensitive - but it's just a car, it's not like asking a marriage counselor for advice. sell it and get an 04 or 05!!!!!!!!!!!

my 03 has been problem- and rattle-free.

and GLS-your MINI's gonna be here SO SO soon!

Marty

 

>>
>>02s79fj40 - - -
>>
>>It’s a pleasure to see you list the problems you’ve experienced without resorting to whining. Thank you!
>>
>>Since your ‘02 will have a good resale value you might want to consider selling it and replacing it with an ‘04 or ‘05. It appears that the build quality and reliability has been substantially improved.
>>


I also concur here with mi amigo Nick.

 

if you need US to convince you, then sell it. the car, dealership and owning experience should convince you. i personally was convinced after the first test drive, and i'm still convinced after 15 months and 15k miles. couple little rattles don't bother me, my mom's 1996 Jaguar rattles more, and i've been free of any major problems (knocking on wood) thus far. i'm holding on for my love of the car and this community, and because i'm convinced the cure for the yo-yo/stumble is coming!

 

No car, including the MINI is for everyone. If you need convincing then it is probably time for you to move on to a car that makes you happy. Good Luck

 

Well, I've got an 03, and at times, the rattles and buzzes amongst other things, have driven me totally insance...but...

Have you seen any care on the road that's nearly as cool looking as the MINI? Personally, again personally here folks, don't get all "Don't be mean" BS, but I think that the RSX is horrible looking, as are most sedans. Everything looks like everything else... not to mention, drives like everything else.

I'm putting up with the little annoyances. I've swapped the run flats and wheels for some sharp wheels and Kumho Ecsta 711s which have improved the ride, and I've gone with the electrical tape on the boot latch trick.

I've given this car quite a few personal touches that I don't think I would have done with any other.

"That's all I got for ya"

 

I have a 04 G35Coupe that has 6k miles and the doors have been rattling since 1000 miles. I hate it, but I live with it. I've taken it to the dealer once and it worked...for about a day. I'm thinking about trading it in for an MCS knowing I might have the some rattles but the driving experience is well worth the trade off.

 

If you gotta ask, sell it
BTW who picked out your clothes this AM???

 

I agree just sell it.

You say you had it at the dealer ONCE for an extended visit?? A few of us have had quite a few extended visits to the dealership to try and fix issues. What it boils down to is Do you Love the Car? Or did you buy it because it was the new and cool thing, and now you want to move?

 

Sell it.

 

If it's BRG sell it to PRO he loves those ones

 

Just to let everyone know: The dashboard rattle CAN be
fixed completely! Mine is all gone! My tech said the final
fix that has made all the difference was to pad the center
peg that positions the dash. My whole car seems of a
higher quality now. One month and not a peep!

Oh, and life is too short to keep a car you don't love.
Sell it. Sell it now.

Godspeed.

 

>>Just out of curiosity, are you going to Herb Chambers for service?
God no! I've only brought it to Peabody. They have been okay, but not fantastic. Then again, the only other warranty work I ever had done on a new vehicle was a faulty dome light switch. So I'm a little biased.

 

>>>>
>>>>02s79fj40 - - -
>>>>
>>>>It’s a pleasure to see you list the problems you’ve experienced without resorting to whining. Thank you!
>>>>
>>>>Since your ‘02 will have a good resale value you might want to consider selling it and replacing it with an ‘04 or ‘05. It appears that the build quality and reliability has been substantially improved.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>I also concur here with mi amigo Nick.

I really do appreciate everyone's replies to this. I'm about 80 percent on getting rid of this car. It's a wonderful car, and a blast to drive. If it wasn't my daily driver it would certainly be a keeper. But in a sad way I think would be happier with an everyday, somewhat dull rsx as a daily driver. My landcruiser is supposed to be my fun vehicle that I have to work on all the time searching out rattles and fixing stuff. I enjoy working on it, so much so that when I built my house I made it it's own seperate garage. I want my daily driver to get me too and from work comfortably without annoying rattles, stumbling acceleration and overheating, and not embarass me if I do need to take it to a driver's school or two. The mini would be a star at the track, but it's a bit much for a daily driver 100 miles a day on new england roads. If I do unload it, I will certainly miss it. But in a way I will be relieved. Kind of like getting rid of a dog that eats your house every day when you go to work. If you guys can relate to that.

 

Anyone else's Mini overheats???

 

>>Anyone else's Mini overheats???


I have 2 MINIs, a '02 Cooper CVT with 23K miles and a '04 MCS with 8K miles and neither has ever overheated in the blistering South Florida heat.

 

>>>>>>
>>>>>>02s79fj40 - - -
>>>>>>
>>>>>>It’s a pleasure to see you list the problems you’ve experienced without resorting to whining. Thank you!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Since your ‘02 will have a good resale value you might want to consider selling it and replacing it with an ‘04 or ‘05. It appears that the build quality and reliability has been substantially improved.
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I also concur here with mi amigo Nick.
>>
>>I really do appreciate everyone's replies to this. I'm about 80 percent on getting rid of this car. It's a wonderful car, and a blast to drive. If it wasn't my daily driver it would certainly be a keeper. But in a sad way I think would be happier with an everyday, somewhat dull rsx as a daily driver. My landcruiser is supposed to be my fun vehicle that I have to work on all the time searching out rattles and fixing stuff. I enjoy working on it, so much so that when I built my house I made it it's own seperate garage. I want my daily driver to get me too and from work comfortably without annoying rattles, stumbling acceleration and overheating, and not embarass me if I do need to take it to a driver's school or two. The mini would be a star at the track, but it's a bit much for a daily driver 100 miles a day on new england roads. If I do unload it, I will certainly miss it. But in a way I will be relieved. Kind of like getting rid of a dog that eats your house every day when you go to work. If you guys can relate to that.


Well, it seems to me that you fit the profile of the typical Japanese car buyer whose is happy with bland looks and middle of the road manners but yet is highly concerned with reliability and dislikes to deal with dealer service depts with the exception of the ocassional oil change.

Don't get me wrong, at one point in my life I used to be a rabid Japanese car fan but since I have gotten over the generic looks and other traits of Asian cars and have discovered that there are much better things out there than the "Japan, Inc" copycats.


Since you are used to Asian cars, it is natural for you to gravitate towards them, again nothing wrong with that. So, you have answered yourself the question....sell your MCS and let someone else enjoy a truly world class machine that has the fun and personality missing from most of today's Japan, Inc offerings in the market.


My 2 MINis have been equally or more reliable than my Hondas and Acuras of yesteryear. I would venture to say that my last 2 GM cars were better than the Japanese made Honda Accord and the Acura 2.5TL I once owned.


So, you got to do what you got to do.

best of luck with that new RSX.

 

>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>02s79fj40 - - -
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>It’s a pleasure to see you list the problems you’ve experienced without resorting to whining. Thank you!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Since your ‘02 will have a good resale value you might want to consider selling it and replacing it with an ‘04 or ‘05. It appears that the build quality and reliability has been substantially improved.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I also concur here with mi amigo Nick. :smile: