I might need to move this to the off-topic section, but technically it does deal with R56 issues. So right now, my Mini is running fine, well fine for a Mini anyway. I do need to have the HPFP replaced, and probably a clutch in the next 10-15k miles. But the car's paid off, and I think it's come time to replace it in the next 6 months to a year. I just hate driving around in something I feel like is constantly going to grenade, and when minor things do go wrong, it's never less than a 100-150$ part, and 4-5 hours labor. I just crested 100k miles, so I know it's not worth more than 3-4K as a trade-in, and I can't justify having something fail that costs half that, just to replace it and then halve the money I would get by selling it. So my question is, what sort of replacement vehicles have you considered, or purchased? I want something with comparable gas mileage, maybe a few ticks below (mid 20s combined), and comparable speed/handling. The front runner is a bmw 335d, followed by a 335i either in manual or auto, rwd or xdrive. I was also thinking GTI, but VW has really irked me with their recent scandal, and I've heard so many horror stories from VW owners that always end "I will never buy another VW," and others are the complete opposite. A WRX or STI is also in the running, but I feel like they burn more fuel than is justifiable for a 4cyl turbo, at that mpg, you might as well get a muscle car with a reliable-ish NA engine. AWD isn't a necessity, as i have a pickup for inclement weather and hauling things around. Thoughts? Thanks everyone.

 

There's another way to look at this. What you have is an asset that is more or less depreciated. The costs for you going forward may average $1k/year for repairs and maintenance. If you change your oil religiously at 4-5k miles, and keep an eye on the level, you shouldn't have any huge repair bills. $1K/year, heck, even $2k/year is way less than the monthly payment on a new car.

Point is, if you're calculating on purely a mathematical proposition, you're better off keeping and maintaining the car over the next couple of years.

Far be it from me, the king of irrational car-buying decisions, to dissuade you from buying a new car if you want one emotionally, but from a $$ standpoint, you should consider keeping it.

 

All the cars you named have the same reliability as MINI and cost the same if not more (the BMW) to repair.

If you're worried about reliability then get a Honda or Toyota.

Your car is paid off, a car payment is going to cost $5,000 per year, I doubt you will have that much in repairs.

If you want a new/different car then go get one but no need to justify it.

 

True, but I guess I should've mentioned that I really want a sedan, which is another key reason in wanting to part with the Mini. And I appreciate the suggestions about keeping it, and I am considering that as well. Forget the justification aspect I suppose. In which case, does anyone have any suggestions for a replacement vehicle with the kinds of specs I listed in my post, other than the ones I listed? If you have firsthand experience with whichever you list, that would be ideal.

 

From owning an STi for 10 years, and coming from Audi's, I can say it's been much more reliable than any Audi I've ever owned. Even have another Audi in the garage that was recently purchased and have dumped so much into it in the last couple of months. Doesn't help that it was somewhat neglected. Gas mileage is definitely a noted item as I can get up to 350 miles on a full tank with highway driving. City driving is much less. If you have any specific questions about a WRX or STi let me know. For VW, your concerns are somewhat warranted as I worked at a Audi/VW performance shop and the things we dealt with and how many times people came back over and over again for new issues was pretty disheartening for owners. I guess my question would be what are you looking at purchasing, new with these brands or used?

 

My wife and I both have BMW 3-series cars, but not the 335 turbos. The 328 series are non-turbo and that eliminates issues with turbos and HPFP, both of which are not unusual.

Please understand that a Mini is just a BMW re-packaged. All the parts, lubricants and processes of Mini maintenance are BMW. If you are scared of putting money into a Mini, you should be equally scared of a BMW, and even more hesitant to tackle an 335.

I have a heavy foot myself, but I find a 328 with manual transmission to be plenty of run to drive and fast enough to do anything I want.

I think you're best off to learn some DIY skills and stay with the Mini, because you know how it has been maintained. You can save thousands a year by doing your own work.

 

Definitely used. Like I said the bmw 335d is the frontrunner, and from what I've been seeing through research, looks to be the best balance of mpg and speed at my price range. I have heard reliability is good by BMW standards, but getting an extended warranty is almost mandatory. I think they suffer from carbon deposits but nowhere near the levels of an R56. So the STI has been reliable and gets mpg in the low 20s? That honestly might be my second choice, but I don't know if I want a care with full time awd. My mother's legacy w/the 3.6L is a nice car, but I don't like feeling the constant binding and traction searching of the 4 wheels when I'm just turning around in a parking lot or what not. Don't know if the xdrive system feels similar, or even if the STI's system is a little bit better.

 

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I'm about as mechanically savvy as I think I will ever be, I've rebuilt the engine in my truck already, done the clutch swap in the mini (that was horrible), and a bunch of other projects. I just want a car that's a bit faster, and a bit roomier I suppose. Plus to get the mini to be a bit faster, I feel like you majorly compromise what little reliability there is, but I could be wrong. Is something like a base tune and water/methanol injection hugely beneficial and not that risky (if you use a good tuner/system)? That would be my next option if I decide to keep the car, along with a better suspension. Maybe I'm just hesitant also because when putting a better cam in my truck, the valve springs I went with, from a reputable company (that rhymes with pomp pams), failed on me, and cost me years of headaches and part replacements/diagnostics. So although I do like how quick the truck is, I don't know if it was worth modifying it. So that's why I like the 335D, I would just add a JBD tuner that I can take off for warranty work, and I'm done. A simple piggyback tuner, and I've got a low 13 second sedan that gets upper 20's-low 30s mpg.

 

If you do go the BMW route, extended warranty is a good idea. As far as Subaru's symmetrical AWD system, I'm not familiar with the feeling you're describing unless I have my DCCD on lock (only available on STi's). That's when you really get feed back when going at slower speeds and turns on dry pavement. With the added complexity and weight of an AWD system typically results in drivetrain loss to the wheels and reduced fuel economy. While I wish I had better fuel efficiency at times, I'm used to it because I've dealt with it for so long. Our '08 STi hatch (one we traded for the Audi) would get a fuel economy of up to 28 MPGs at times, but would mostly see about a medium of 24. Mine, not sure as I don't have a nifty notifier that displays my MPG's, but with a 14 gallon tank I could get 350 miles highway and about as low as 220 miles city (this is coming from Colorado to California though so I'm sure some of this may have a play in my fuel economy). I'm a huge fan of AWD personally. Sorry if you already stated this, but have you driven any of these prospects yet? It could also sway you from one choice over the other.

 

Yeah I haven't test driven any of my prospects yet, so that will be a few fun weekends hopefully in the not too distant future. The 335D is a rare-ish car so there's very few for sale at any one point, I will have to wait to see when one's close enough at a dealership with at least 1 of my other prospects so I can evaluate the 2 back to back. I researched the mini for over 6 months before I got it, so it'll be a similar process with my next vehicle. Or for the upgrades (w/m, decent tune) to the mini should I decide to keep it a bit longer.

 

So have you driven anything? You want 2 door or 4 door?

 

Probably want a 4 door. And no unfortunately I haven't driven any of the vehicles on my list yet. Hopefully 2 weeks from now I will have some weekend time to do so.

 

My next vehicle will be a 2016 Ford Focus RS.

 

I suggest you review Consumer Reports reliability ratings for Minis, and that you consider buying another Mini with the benefit of that knowledge.

 

Two cars I've owned that are very similar in handling to the Mini, and both enjoy a better reputation for quality, are the Scion (soon to be Toyota)FR-S and the Mazda Miata.

 

^after the R56 I had an FRS but it was totaled by 5,000 miles. Now have an ND Miata. Only 2 seats but I really love it. As much as I loved the MINI. The FRS was a cool car but I didn't love it.