Hi all,

I'd like to get some owner feedback to guide me in my decision.

I'm considering selling my trusty Tacoma (V6, 4WD, ext cab, 5spd) that has absolutely never let me down in 184,000 miles (and still runs like new), and picking up a used MINI (02-04).

I've driven a couple of MCS cars, but never a standard, and don't think I would be happy with the lower powered version, but I do plan to try a couple of them just to see. This would be the same reason I opted for a 5spd V6 - gotta have some power.

Any way, I have a few key questions:

1. Reliability. I see numerous of concerns on the various forums that leave me questioning these cars. I do all of my own work and always have. We also own a 528 E39 Sport (now with 116000 on the clock) and have found the BMW to be a joy to work on and a clearly superior driver's car to the average Camry or (fill in the blank). I've had to replace the front suspension and the entire cooling system (known defieciencies of these cars) as well as a few other odds and ends and still wouldn't trade it for something mundane just for the sake of reduced maintenance. Would this be an applicable comparison between a MINI and a Civic, or are the MINI's just plagued?

2. Fitting Children. This is a primary reason for selling the Tacoma. Right now, we have a nearly 3 year old, and we all fit in the Tacoma (with my wife's knees in her chest), but are expecting a second child early next year. Two kids will not fit in the truck, as I cannot drive with my knees in my chest . To clarify, my car is primarly a commuter vehicle, and the wife's E39 is the primary family hauler and vacation vehicle, but I want to be able to put the family in what ever I opt for to take around town or short trips. Is this a reasonable expectation, or should I drop my MINI dreams now?

3. What should I watch for when looking at used MINI's. I'm talking about unique issues relatively specific to MINIs, such as mushrooming, rusty door openings, yo-yo effect, etc. I have a solid enough background to know the general issues to watch for. The car I buy will likely be at the end of its warranty period or just out, as I prefer buying cars who have already suffered the heavy depreciation.


Thanks in advance for your help.

Justin

 

If you are going to have a baby then dont get the mini and plan to have the baby in the rear facing seat and still put a person in front of it. My rear facing seat caused me to push my passenger seat all the way forward. My 6 year old has to sit behind the driver. When I drive with both kids my big one has to sit with legs crossed. Very uncumfy.

 

Get the Mini, sell the kids.

Get your priorities straight man!

 

I have owned an 04 and loved it. As to your first question, I do not believe MINIs are plagued. You get a skewed view here because people post to get info on problems thay have to address. Given your experience in working on cars I doubt the MINI will present you with problems you couldn't readily handle. As to your second question, the MINI can definitely and easily fit two kids in the back seat. The only caveat I have is that if you are the sort who feels the need to take half your home with you when you go somewhere, you will not have room. Nor will you have room for those humongous strollers. Finally, other than what you mentioned in question 3, I would not get the cvt and be aware of tranny noises.

 

Ninjamini,

Do you have a large rear facing infant seat? I know our son's first car seat was abnormally large, as it was part of a combination setup with the monster stroller, but more compact seats were available. I just don't know if they are compact enough.

 

LynnEl,

Thanks. I tend to take forums with a grain of salt. Just go to TTORA (Tacoma Territory) and look at all the complaints, then compare that to my experience (practically zero problems).

I would not intend to load family and a weekends worth of stuff - I'll take the E39 if the trip calls for that (or get a roof rack). I just need to have a car that can fit the entire family with some semblance of comfort. We will be fitting two 5'11" (but slim) adults, one child in booster, and one infant in rear facing seat (atleast for the first 12 mos or so). I don't mind being a little cramped on those occasions, I just don't want to be pressed against the steering wheel.

I plan to go test fit the three of us this evening or tomorrow, but I cannot test fit 2nd child and seat, as they have yet to arrive .

 

Since you have an E39, if you ever have to work on a Mini, you'll feel right at home (BMW does own and did design the cars... the radio in my R53 is the EXACT same unit as the one in my wifes' E46 325...)

I bought an '06 R53 (Cooper S with a stick) and love it...
I can fit 3 adults comfortably enough for a 20-30min run somewhere... I'm 6'0 so there is *some* space behind me, but not THAT much...

I'd goto a dealer with both the rear-facing car seat for the newborn and the current seat for the 3yr old and try it out... I bought mine CPO, so it has the extended 50K mi. warranty...

My car is now almost 2yrs old, and has been to the dealer 4 times... twice for delivery, the first oil change, and service 1. (the car had 8200 on it when I got it, and now its closer to 15,000 about 3mo. later)... and I've had no problems.

That being said, I have no kids, but can fit more stuff from Cosco than the wife can in here 325... so I usually leave the seats down (to get that little extra exhaust music

 

Yeah, I noticed several familiar parts the first time I popped the bonnet on a MINI (after I found the release lever - true to its British roots). Power steering reservoir (sure to leak down the road), strut bearings (sure to crack), and anti lock brakes controller (pretty stout part) just to name a few. In my opinion, it is too bad they didn't drop a bavarian engine in there too. There is nothing smoother than a BMW I6, but I can't complain about the SC'd I4 - improve, sure, complain, no.

I guess I'll have to go ahead and buy that new rear facing car seat just to answer the fitment question.

I know the question has been asked before, but any suggestions on a well fitting rear facing infant seat?

 

The comparison between your 528 and an Accamryord is pretty much spot on. I have an 05 MCS/JCW that I bought new and it is about to turn over 60K miles. I had the power steering pump replaced under warranty, and when I did a brake job a few weeks ago I upgraded to the JCW Brakes and Suspension. Aside from that, all I've done is change the oil every 2500 miles. Chows and several others on the forum (maybe you too) agree with MINI's 15000 mile oil change interval...I prefer to keep my oil fresh and clean.

I had no signs of the dreaded mushroom when I disassembled my suspension despite hitting a monster pothole the first week I had the car. I also do all of my own work and have for over 20 years. The MINI is not a finnicky hard to maintain car, but statistically it's probably not as reliable as a Honda or Toyota. Whatever the yo-yo is, I haven't seen it either. The only thing to complain about is that the front tires only last about 17K miles if you drive spiritedly in a mountainous area. You COULD use a cheaper and harder compound tire and make it last longer, but there'd be a lot less grip...so I grin and bear it....

I am a bachelor, so I can't comment on the child seats...keep the 528 for that stuff

Good luck

Rawhyde

 

Entirely do-able.

I've got a 6 y/o in a Britax Parkway booster seat, and a 7 m/o in a Britax Roundabout rear facing seat. I'm 6'-2", and my wife is 5'-8". Everyone fits in, albeit a bit compact, and the baby seat fits behind me if I move the seat forward a bit. Get a Quinny Zapp stroller which fits in the boot, and you're good to go. We've gone on a few shorter trips & MINI runs this way. However, for longer trips, we take The Tank (SUV).

 

Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure my mind is made. Now I just need to find the right one - this is the fun part! I wish I could hang on to the Tacoma, but the wife will not let me have three vehicles (plus hers), so something has to give and the 65 Mustang 'vert isn't about to go anywhere.

 

Why not wait and get the wagon when it comes out ? You'll get more space
and the new engine should have any problems worked out by then.

 

Because that would be a "new" car, unless I hold off for another three years. I simply don't buy cars less than two years old. With careful selction, I've never ended up with any unexpected issues, and it saves a lot of cash. Maybe the second MINI will be the wagon.

BTW, we test drove a std cooper last night. We didn't have a rear facing seat to test with, but my son in his enormous seat, my wife and I all fit very comfortably. It also confirmed that the S is the only way to go, for me. The car handled very nicely, but I had to drive with my foot to the floor to keep up - forget passing.