My 2011 S All4 has jut become my worst nightmare and shame on MINI for making this thing. I get it, some have had some great luck with theirs, but it shouldn't be about luck, but about great engineering. I've owned Oldsmobile, Mazda, Dodge, Mercedes and this one is the only one that has spent this much time in the dealer.

Early last week I sent it back to the dealer for a fuel related issue...ended up being the high pressure fuel rail (which was already replaced by them so that is covered). During their inspection, they've uncovered a crack in the transfer case (up until today I was only told it was a leak) and that it needed to be replaced...$2,200.

Today, I start up their loaner only to be met with a CEL. It's a freaking 2016 Clubman....WHAT THE ABSOLUTE HELL!!!! I call them immediately to let them know, and at this point there isn't anything I can do other than drive to them to swap it out. I just can't take the time off of work for that.

All this with Christmas right around the corner, literally, moving into a new place which is a small scale fixer upper, and now this. I'm trying to remain optimistic but I'm just losing it! My GF is already paying out her nose for a lot of the costs upfront because i'm looking at this repair cost.

NOW, I get a call back from the SA and he says some oil seal leaked and impacted a wiring harness which almost got to the DME... and now all is $2,600+! Merry Freaking Christmas to me!

I do have to state the luck I did have with having an extended warranty from the get go, because otherwise this thing would be sitting at the bottom of a junk pile.

So here is the list of everything major that has been replaced and you all get to guess on what will go out next...ready?

Turbo
High pressure fuel rail (twice)
Fuel Pump
Engine
DME
VANOS solenoid
Transfer Case

(I'll classify this as maintenance )
Some wiring harness
some seal

 

Did you buy it new? Certified? How many miles. What a bummer man. Sorry.

 

Yah, it is a bummer, because i love that thing. It's the first care I've ever done any mods to...well, start to anyway.

Bought it in Aug of 2014 from a local BMW dealer with somewhere between 60k and 70k miles. Not many options for MINI in my area so I jumped on it (I was already looking for something of the sort, but it was my fault for not doing more research). I needed something that could haul my photography/videography equipment around while enjoying the gas mileage savings, after having driven a Mercedes E430. It had one owner and was a great car until all this started. It spent a lot of time between home and the dealer from Sept 2015 to March 2016 for one thing at after another. So, in all reality, weeks after a year of owning it, it started to throw codes, shutting down, limp mode.

Now another year, or so, after all that, I get to deal with it doing the same thing and then some.

Just bummed I don't have my car and pissed that MINI USA made such a crap car the first time round with the Countryman.

 

The 3 golden rules of buying a used vehicle. Research, research, research. Particularly when its the first production year of a brand new model for any manufacturer.

 

Might be a good idea to bring to an independent mechanic or a true MINI mechanic to see if the first dealer was pulling your leg and trying to rip you off.

 

Frank I have had all the exact same problems with a 2011. My transfer case just got changed today. $2900 but I have an extended warranty. Same exact items you have had.

I was really looking forward to buying the 2017 Countryman new in the summer but now I am on the fence because its the first model year of an essentially new car as is my 2011 and I don't have confidence in the product.

Consumer Reports buying guide which just came out in Oct lists 2011 2012 as AVOID (Countryman)

 

This is one of the reasons I bought a 2016. I knew it was the last year of that body before the 2017 came out and even thought the new Clubman All4 and 2017 Countryman were tempting just for the new tech and new look, I just didn't trust they would be solid. I think with Mini it's best to buy 3 years or so at least into a model design. I've read that the Countryman never worked out the kinks until 2013. Sorry this is happening to you, hopefully it gets sorted

 

I have a 2014 Countryman with 51,000 and it's been in the shop more than the road. Good logic but not true unfortunately. Sell your car once the coverage is up.

 

I also bought a 2nd hand 2011 Countryman with (44,xxx then) with now 50,460 miles on it.

I've replaces
HPFP,
Valve Cover and the Gaskest
Coils
Sparks
Friction Wheel
and LPFP
all withing 4,000 miles

Wife wants me to sell it but after all the repairs it's driving perfect. I feel your pain.

 

We bought the longest extended warranty Mini sold just out of sheer nervousness about the cost of repairs. If the car proves to be a problem I'll sell just before our warranty expires. Hopefully it'll be fine, I really like the car

 

I get it. I'm pissed right now. Bought my used at a premium price and found out a mini backed albeit 60,000 mile more warranty on a 51,000 mi car for $3,300 is actually sounding like a good idea...

 

Ive always wanted a Mini. This is my first one and part of the appeal is it has a proper back seat and I have a family. But until now I've been a Japanese car guy loving reliability. The Mini was more of an emotional purchase, but I've never viewed them, or BMW as a reliable brand. Sometimes you buy things for joy, even if they don't entirely make sense. I still smile when I drive it. I look at the car a lot and admire it. That's worth something. My practical side made me buy the extended warranty even though I suspect they are usually a waste of money (never bought them on my other cars) because I just knew Mini may be trouble and I didn't want my love affair soured by repair bills

 

I hear you there, but they were the one MINI indi shops was the one ripping me off from the beginning. In 2014, when I first purchased my CM that was where I took it. My personal opinion about that place was that they were the only place around and I'll have to deal with them because they are. In my area there aren't many MINI specific places around. I started taking it to my Mercedes indi and that's where I've stayed since for my basic services and the likes. There they are honest and have been upfront on how there will be things they can and can not do.

I just wish there were more MINI indie's around to consider...

 

WOW! Didn't think about the 2017 like that, but you're right! Let's just hope MINI has learned a thing or two about building a reliable CM.

For now, the list of items left to replace, as far as power train goes, is fewer than the things that have been replaced. I'm really trying to remain optimistic going forward seeing as it's basically a rebuilt car. She drives like a dream now! Especially since i just threw in a cold air intake!