....failure of a Getrag transmission is a result of abuse...period

 

Except this is a 2003 Cooper with a Midlands..sooo what's your point???

 

There is no way the above is a true statement, even if the 03 MC had a Getrag, which, of course, it didn't.

RonP, does your MINI have a Midland 5-speed or a CVT?

The comment that the extended warranty company won't fix the tranny points out the all to obvious risk assumed with extended warranties. What is the name of company that won't honor the warranty....and does MINI/BMW actually offer a factory backed extended warranty?

 

He's got a 5 Speed. Check out these threads:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...16#post1926416

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...66#post1918366


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...14#post1933314

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...85#post1931385

 

Yep, 5-speed Midland. Aon (not sure of the spelling) is the extended warranty company. This isn't over yet. The management at CarMax is working with the management of the warranty company. This will get covered, if not, I'll pay and then sue.

 

Exactly, and as you linked to, the Midlands has a history of being a glass transmission. There have been many reports from NAM members with stock MC's replacing multiple Midlands transmissions.

 

Have you driven an '08? It's far from slow, I like the fact that it's heavy and solid and I find it to be a very sharp, sleek looking car.

I'm not looking to replace my MINI with a car that is like a MINI. I want something much more soild, heavy and secure feeling. Racing is something I don't do, I drove my MINI like a baby 95% of the time.

Here's a link to the Eclipse Coupe. Other then it's kinda big back end, I think it looks very impressive.

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/j...x.do?loc=en-us

 

Best of luck with the Eclipse, it's not on my list of cars to consider but this is why companies make so many different cars!

 

Looks good to me...but then one of my most wanted cars is the new GTO, (the one that looked a bit like an inflated Cavalier). I like the looks of it, the 400hp Corvette engine, nice interior, and I'm hoping a used one could be had for around 20K. I am, however, talking about in addition to, not instead of, my 03' MC.

 

If you could live with a 5-door Eurohatch layout, don't mind driving a revolting-looking car, AND have money to waste, then the 2008 STI might be something to consider. You would get performance-oriented AWD with SI Drive (along with several manual center diff settings), 305 HP, mileage allegedly no worse than an RX-8, and Japanese quality (supposedly).

You would be trading your stylish MINI for what is essentially an overweight, overly-tall Subaru station wagon with very-poorly-thought-out fender flares, but the power gain would be substantial and there is no substitute for getting power to all four wheels.


Ah, missed this. Someone beat me to it: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2&postcount=23

 

Goodbye.

 

My first convertible was a brand new 98 Eclipse Convertible. When we started having troubles with it, Mitsubishi wasn't there to help us. Before we got our MINI, we went to test drive the brand new Eclipse convertibles and it started raining. We took that as a sign to stay away!

 

AWD MINI? Do you mean the planned Austrian-built SUV MINIbus thing?

 

The older Mits had their fair share of problems, there's no doubt about that. But these new ones are doing much, much better. I've been on board some Mits fourms and there are not too many threads with the later models having problems.

Like MINI these cars get better the newer they are. CS rates the 2006 MINI very well, while the 2003 like mine has quite a few black spots.

 

You know you COULD go with an 05-06 Mini, and have none of the problems you've had.

I live in northern CA, which has a LOT of Minis, and I haven't seen one yet on the side of the road. Countless Japanese cars, yes. Minis, no.

 

I've thought about that but at this point I'm over the MINI, at least for now. This car really put a bad taste in my mouth, so to speak. Plus the fact I want somthing sleeker, faster, heavier (more solid) and more plush.

 

I think this says it all (reliability wasn't even in your list of wants, lol).
Goodbye and good luck!

 

Is the Eclipse really faster? I need to look at one up.

If it's more plush I'm pretty surprised as I thought it was a sporty car.

From what I read, you want and Audi A3 or A4:
1. Sleeker? (well that one is hard to judge)
2. Faster? About the same with he 2.0T but can be easily chipped
3. Heavier? Oh yeah, try 800 lbs!
4. Plush? Without the sport suspension definately, however you will feel it on every curve too.

 

Faster as compared to my 2003 MC (non-s).

As for the Audi "A" class, they all have 4 doors, that's a no go. The TT is nice but about $10k over my budget.

 

i cant really say i agree with the unreliability of the minis relating to current bmws althought bmw has engineered the mini. we've had the 750il (sold at 70k miles), e46 330i (sold at 45k miles), e90 330i (sold at 55k) and still do have the x5 4.8is (has 115k), 535i (has 25k, and the x5 4.4i (has 77k). BMW's are reliable as maybe the first gen. mini's may have some problems. I really don't think the build quality is in the same league. Each person in my family averages 40-60k a year and our cars have never seen problems, just proper maintenance bills. Anyways good luck with your findings and it really seems like you need something like an STI. The subaru's have great reliability and superior performance and handling to most cars on the road. Their technology is simple yet very advanced (their awd system and the boxer engine for example). I believe the wrx's of last generation got very high ratings from consumer reports. Good luck with looking for your new car. I'm sure it will be a fuuun experience

 

Enjoy your new car and sorry the MINI was a disappointment. . .

 

I just had an Eclipse V6 Coupe as a rental for a month, definatly missed my MINI, and drove the 8 in auto-x at a Mazda event, I was more impresed with Miata.

 

OG- a tranny blowing up at only 43K is far from being "reliable."

 

well, if one's looking at mitsubishi's that's an aspect (feature) they can't deliver either.

 

Sounds like a Mini might not have been the best choice to begin with.