Basic scenario is this...

50k
All maintainence done regularly
$16,000 (US)

So what do you guys think? I am hearing owners with of problems from these years, but then there are some without any at all. So what I need to look out for?

Currently I have a 2000 328i which I'm selling, and wanted to give MINI a try.

Most I am willing to spend is $18,000k

 

Is the MCS modified at all? Any service records of what has been done to the car? Maybe something to look or watch for.

 

Well I would do a little more searching. I just picked up a 2003 MCS with 30K on the clock for 16 out the door. Still has a year of warrenty and another 20K Miles. I would keep searching and get something with less miles for a better price.

 

I have lots of little (and one not so little) problems with my 03. Pretty typical stuff (window motors, door locks, sensors, etc), but not anything I would want to deal with post warranty.

By the way, 16K is a bit high. I'd keep looking for a 04 or newer MC. Heck, you can get a new one for about 20k!

 

From personal experience: if it's an early '03 I'd avoid it like the plague.

But I have fun with it regardless. And heck, since I'm not going to have kids I may as well spend their theoretical college education on repairing my car.

 

I have an early build 03. I love it. I have dealt with a few problems though, Rattling, electrics, computer, power steering fan, 2 coolant reservoirs, new clutch, ratlling, door locks, rattling (I think I have just phased out the rattling instead of trying to have it fixed anymore. It might just be the junk in my glove box). I have a service list the size of websters dictionary. But everything is good now, thanks to the 50,000 warranty I purchased. Well, except for the Xenon headlight I've got to pay for that myself since I'm out of warranty.

Truthfully I love my MCS. And I knew going into it I would be buying a brand new model vehicle that had only been out a year in europe and about six months in the US. So, it hadn't really been road tested. Like I said I knew that I would have some sort of issue with a new model car and I was willing to take the risk. With that said I have loved the car begining when I took that first test drive and placed the order. Ok, I have to admit I did hate the 6 month wait. I ordered in October 2002 and picked it up April 2003.

Many refinements were made during the 2003 model year. Dependebility went up, rattles started to go away, electrical plugs were put back in. You say that it is an 03 or 04, which is it? As I stated quaility went up later in the 2003 year and into 2004 and on into the newer MCS's and MC's. Down fall is we may see some of these problems again with the introduction of the new MCS/Turbo. You can see through the forum that there are many people with problems that span through all model years and you either learn to love with all it issues, or you hate it. It's definitly a crap shoot on whether you get one with or without problems.

I doubt I've answered your question on reliability, but if you are really worried about it and are willing to spend an upwards of 18K you could get it from the MINInext program which is MINI's Certified preowned program with an extended warranty (http://motoringfile.com/2006/06/29/m...owned-program/ ). I can't say that 18k will get you into one, considering that certified preowned vehicles are a little more expensive the just buying used. Just like your beemer it's not the cheapest car to maintain if you get serviced only at the dealer.

But if you have the itch and really want this MCS I would ask for all service records and look for potential problems.

I've had my share of problems but I would still call it dependable.

Good luck.

Oh, by the way my ODO reads 75,254 if that means anything.

 

All problems people have been minor, more like annoyances than any sort of real product failure.

 

^^ not all. Some decidedly un-minor and exceedingly expensive.

 

Well, my 2004 has had 1 power window motor, 2 oyygen sensors, 1 power steering pump, and 1 seat belt latch replaced. While all of these events were covered by the warranty, they would have been very expensive to have done out of warranty. I think it is likely that I'll sell before 50K miles if I don't get too emotional about keeping the car, because I do love it

 

I think basic reliability is good. Most of us had warranty issued to sort out here and there but overall reliability doesn't seem to be much of a question. No one knows much about post-warranty costs yet but we sure will as time goes on.

 

Thanks a bunch guys. I appreciate the feedback. Whenever shopping for a new vehicle that I know nothing about, I found fan forums to be extremely helpful. Magazine reviews can only do so much, but real world long-term ownership is a true indicator. Now trick is to find a decent price!

 

I LOVE my '04 - I have 25K miles on him now. I have never loved a car before. And I am IN LOVE. But! Does it have its quirky problems? You bet. If reliability was my #1 concern, I would have bought another Honda. (I had a Civic before the MINI)

 

Found one with 25k for 18 with all options w/o navigation. How does the warranty work on this? Does it cover everything other than wear & tear? What about 2nd owners?

 

I think the waranty is fully transferable to 50k with the option to purchase the extended scheduled maintenance to 50k but I would check.

 

Here is a link to someone who has transferred a warranty. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rable+warranty
Try the phone number in the thread, post #5. They might be able to help.

here's another link
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rable+warranty

 

If you haven't already done so, you might want to look in the NAM Marketplace. Maybe there's someone close by with something close to what you want.

I would think NAM members would in general be a bit more fanatical and caring of their cars than your typical MINI owner.

Right?

 

I have an April build '03 MCS with 30,000 miles with absolutely no rattles, issues, or problems. The more mods I add I find the Mini just gets better.

 

Lucky!

 

Just about everything went on my 2003 MCS, but I was very good about getting it serviced. If you buy from someone who was very diligent about repairs I bet you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

I had a 2004 MCS which I bought new and kept for 17K miles. Not a single problem with it and it was a very solid car.

My '05 MCS with the same mileage has also been 100% troublefree.

We still have a 2002 MC CVT with nearly 40K miles and the car runs like a champ.

 

What have I done? Little Bit is a 04/04 build and I just bought her two weeks ago. MC with CVT and 60K miles. I thought I bought an exceptionally reliable car.....I guess I didn't due my due diligence!

 

I think exceptionally reliable is a bit of a stretch...that is Honda Civic territory. That said, the basic powertrain of the MINI does seem to be quite solid. Don't lose sleep

 

Well I need to bump my 328i first...getting new pads & oil change done on it today, and then it goes on sale! I am getting more and more excited about MCS under warranty!! No more losing sleep as was said above.