Hello,

I've been considering purchasing a MCS but have become a little cautious due to the issues of hard starting, low-rpm stumbling and low-rpm power loss discussed here.

Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?

 

>>I've been considering purchasing a MCS but have become a little cautious due to the issues of hard starting, low-rpm stumbling and low-rpm power loss discussed here.

Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?<<<

A couple things to remember here. One, these are not problems with every car out there. Second, the majority of the cars that had the problems are early build ones. The later ones have improved a fair bit.

 

Well.... hmmm.....

I'd say that you are reading a disproportionate number of "complaints" on a website such as this, as it turns into a support group of sorts for those of us with "problems". That is not to say that the issues are entirely trivial, though. Speaking for myself, I'm madly, insanely, overwhelmingly in love with my MCS and I'm willing to forgive it it's stumbling issue because I know that it will eventually be rectified. I would (personally, mind you) rather have had the extra 4-going-on-5 months with my car knowing that it will one day be aboslutely perfect. If you're infatuated, you're infatuated. And my issue really doesn't bother me as much in real life as it might seem on MCO--it's just that I know there are sympathetic eyes and ears lurking here so when they frustrate me, I get to rant a bit.

So, I suppose you have to weigh your desires. Waiting is good for the peace of mind, but if you want it, you want it--and if you're like me you want it as soon as possible

 

>>Hello,
>>
>>I've been considering purchasing a MCS but have become a little cautious due to the issues of hard starting, low-rpm stumbling and low-rpm power loss discussed here.
>>
>>Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?


i have a nov 02 build mcs, absolutely 0 problems :smile:

good luck on ur ventures

 

You'll see a disproportionate number of problems here, because anyone with a problem will post it to see if its happened before, and how was it resolved.

Drivers who don't have any problems seldom post here just to say, "everything's OK." Although a couple of folks have started threads along that line, just for perspective.

So, keep that in mind. Then go for a test drive, if you haven't already, and make up you own mind (heh, heh, heh).

good luck

 

>>Drivers who don't have any problems seldom post here just to say, "everything's OK." Although a couple of folks have started threads along that line, just for perspective.
>>
>>

yup i posted about my flawless car, i will try to bring the post back

 

>>Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?

Hello woody650 :smile: and wecome to the MCO!!!

All I have to say is, if you're worried about these problems, take a few test drives in the MCS at your local dealership...or take an extended test drive. You'll get the feel of the car and wether or not you notice those issues. Some people simply wouldn't notice things like some of us critical ones (myself included) here on the MCO.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I understand that forums like this do not necessary provide a balanced view of the overall Mini experience.

I guess I'm primarily concerned about the lack of dealer/manufacturer response to these issues and others (e.g. the windshield).

Some Minis have problems, others (probably most) do not. But I haven't seen anything that suggests these problems have been systematically corrected. Getting a good car/bad car is essentially by chance. And no definitive solutions have been provided to owners who do experience problems. In fact, these complains are often answered only with excuses, delays and promises.

I'll definitely take a test drive....but considering most S models where I live are built to order, this doesn't help assure me that the car I purchase will be free of major defects....or that the dealer will provide a solution if the car does have major problems.

Thanks again....I'm leaning towards waiting to buy until I hear that cars with these problems have been successfully repaired...

 

>>Some Minis have problems, others (probably most) do not. But I haven't seen anything that suggests these problems have been systematically corrected. Getting a good car/bad car is essentially by chance. And no definitive solutions have been provided to owners who do experience problems. In fact, these complains are often answered only with excuses, delays and promises.

I've had a 2k2 Dodge Neon for a year now. Ever since I got it it has an engine management issue. Dealer confirmed it and even captured the ECU doing "bad" things. Dodge has not yet addressed this "known" issue that according to the dealership ALL Neons have. So even big name American car manufacturers have problems with the software that controls their engines and also a lack of desire to fix known issues.

 

No problems HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ron

 

Woody650,

It is my understanding (and my personal experience) that ALL MINI Cooper S models with the latest software are experiencing the stumble, which is related to engine management software and summer gasoline formulas. In fact, older cars that are upgraded to the latest software begin stumbling where they didn't exhibit this behavior in the past.

But, if you order a car now, chances are by the time you get it built, new software will come with the car, and it'll run fine. It better, anyway. I don't want this problem for more than a couple of months at most.

I hope I don't make any enemies on here for saying this, but please don't wear those MINI blinders so many seem to have been issued. This forum is not inflating the problems. Many MINIs have had problems and do have problems. That's a fact. Sure, there are some that have had no problems, but almost everyone I have spoken to in person has admitted that they have had at least a couple of problems with their car.

As I've stated before, most of these problems are either cosmetic or rattle-related and most can be quickly rectified by the dealer, but I think the chances of getting a flawless car are a lot lower than the chances of getting a car with some minor flaws.

I am still glad I bought my MCS, and I'm having fun driving it, and nothing has been serious enough to get me back to the dealer, immediately (no catastrophic failures). I do have an appt on Jul 8th to fix 20+ problems. Many small, some fairly major. My MCS is an April '03 build. Delivered in May. Production does seem to be getting better all along, with the exception of this unfortunate software glitch causing poor performance, stumbling, bogging down, yo-yo, etc.

The MINI is a very fun car, the handling is great, the styling is great. If you want it, just go in with your eyes wide open, knowing what to expect, and if you get a flawless car, well, so much the better.

That's my take on things.

See ya,
JS

 

There are far more MINIs that are totally problem free than there are MINIs with problems. There are several wonderful threads about going thousands of trouble free miles.

 

>>>>I've been considering purchasing a MCS but have become a little cautious due to the issues of hard starting, low-rpm stumbling and low-rpm power loss discussed here.
>>>>
>>>>Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?

No-you should know that these are possible problems.

>>i have a nov 02 build mcs, absolutely 0 problems :smile:

I have an October 02 build MCS and have driven 4800 miles since 2/10/03 and I have none of these problems ever.
Never. Nada. But I did have a leaky coolant bottle once and I was fixed with the beige bottle and has done very well.

 

It's ok, we don't really want TOO many MINIs on the road. You should just buy a Ford Focus SVT that way you'll learn what a piece of crap a car can really be... plus we can kick your butt at the autocross.

 

>>It's ok, we don't really want TOO many MINIs on the road. You should just buy a Ford Focus SVT that way you'll learn what a piece of crap a car can really be... plus we can kick your butt at the autocross.
>>:D

Cheers!
Clover

 

my MCS and I'm willing to forgive it it's stumbling issue because I know that it will eventually be rectified. I would (personally, mind you) rather have had the extra 4-going-on-5 months with my car knowing that it will one day be aboslutely perfect

just when will it be rectified and when will it be absolutely perfect....I have been waiting 13 months and have had every ECU upgrade, including last Monday's latest when my MCS was in for service.....the issue seems to be low end torque, not defects in ECU software which seems will always be there under 3000 rpms. Almost every car publisher has addressed this one negative aspect of the pentagon engine, including the MINI Book which addresses this negative of the engine for both the MC & MCS. The book puts a positive spin on the issue by stating the MINI was designed for the enthusiast to keep the rpms in the 3 to 6 rpm range and the MCS helps to do that with a closer ratio 6 speed. Turning off the DCS, keeping the rpms over 2500 rpms at the start certainly helps, but IMP that shouldn't be necessary. Unfortunately I think this is just an idiosyncrazy of the pentagon engine, unlike the original minis....I'm sure it will be solved with the coming Puegot engine in 2007...

 

>>There are far more MINIs that are totally problem free than there are MINIs with problems. There are several wonderful threads about going thousands of trouble free miles.


i wholeheartedly agree with this :smile:

also minihune and orbhot nailed it on the head

 

<<<just when will it be rectified and when will it be absolutely perfect>>>

Oh yeah... don't you think I'd be the goddess of this board if I knew that???


Additionally... If it's just an issue with the engine in general then why don't all MCS owners experience the same thing?

 

While web pages like this are great to let you be aware of possible problems. it is true you will hear about problems way more than cars running fine. So, to help you a little bit...2002 MCS 8/2002 build 9/2002 delivery. 13,000 miles including upstate NY winter and ZERO problems. The absolute most fun car I have ever owned (30 Years of cars!). As a matter of fact, when it comes to these threads about problems, most of the time, I'm wondering what the Heck everyone is talking about! :smile:

 

You are right to be so cautious, but I'd simply go with your instinct...as mentioned by the large # of responses, the problems are real, but there are SO many that have not weighed in that are not suffereing from the software. Good luck!

Jim

 

13000+ problem free miles on an 02' MCS. Test drive it, if you like it get it, if you're not sure get something else.

 

>>>>Hello,
>>>>
>>>>I've been considering purchasing a MCS but have become a little cautious due to the issues of hard starting, low-rpm stumbling and low-rpm power loss discussed here.
>>>>
>>>>Should I wait until these issues have been resolved?
>>
>>
>>i have a nov 02 build mcs, absolutely 0 problems :smile:
>>
>>good luck on ur ventures

How many miles ? I was okay until 13 K........had 2 ECU upgrades to rectify......hmmmm

 

>>
>>No problems HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>
>>Ron
>>
How many miles ? Mine acted up at 13 K.......hmmmmm 2 upgrades later, now ok....except when I get on it in first gear......stumble is back.....living with it until ?????

 

:smile: I now have 13+K miles on the S and she has been the best and funnest car I've ever owned or been in...and I've been driving since 1968! Tee hee! So...I've motored more than 25K MINI miles in less than a year!!! :smile:

Cheers!
Clover

_________________


MCO HOST - LOS ANGELES Digging my ride! Wicked Wanda: '03 All Jet Black MCS!!!

 

Thanks all for the (mostly) fair and even-handed replies!

Part of the reason I'm looking at the Mini is quality. I know it's a low price point, but I'm hoping that BMW build-quality will be inherited by the Cooper. I have an SVT Mustang Cobra (which I'm keeping) but I've become somewhat unhappy with Ford quality. I also have a Moto Guzzi motorcycle, and Italian motor vehicles also suffer from notoriously poor quality control.

The Mini would become my primary car and I'd like to avoid multiple trips to the dealer or months of waiting to fix numerous (if not serious) quality problems...I've already been around that block with the Ford and the Guzzi....

So perhaps waiting until the "glitches" have been worked out of this new design would be prudent, as I'm not at a loss for fun stuff in my garage!

Thanks again!