Hi guyz, being a MINI lover I'm thinking of buying an 04 MC but when I read the threads in the forums I realized that a lot of people have problems with their new MINIs. And there are more than a couple of problems, I've read about the cracking windshield, the oiltank leak, the stumbling, and etc.
So I was wondering that if my decision of buying one is right or wrong considering other choices (makes) that are available in the market.
So all of you MINI owners let me know if you're happy with your decision or not and help me out plzzzz.
thankx

 

11.8K+ troublefree miles since 9/7/2002. 2002 MINI Cooper CVT an absolute awesome car!

Adding a second MINI in october, a 2004 MCS.


Get it, you won't regret it.

 

Level of Build Quality = Low
Level of Fun Behind the Wheel = High

If these two balance out in your mind, you don't mind a few extra trips to the dealer, and can handle the possibility of being stranded by the side of the highway, then get one. Otherwise, there's always the Corolla.

 

Owned a new car every year until.... my MCS!!! 31k miles in 1.2 years! Love it, minimal problems, all taken care of by expert service staff at Bill Jacobs, Naperville IL. Some dealers are not as good, others have had serious problems with the car.. read some more of the forums here, and you will see, it is true love, or never meant to be.. you must make the choice.
Welcome to MCO!

 

>>Level of Build Quality = Low
>>Level of Fun Behind the Wheel = High
>>
>>If these two balance out in your mind, you don't mind a few extra trips to the dealer, and can handle the possibility of being stranded by the side of the highway, then get one. Otherwise, there's always the Corolla.


No offense to you, but I could not possibly disagree more with your post. I think the build quality is extremely high, especially considering the price. This is a really great car, and contrary to the high frequency of negative posts, this is a VERY trouble-free car. It's been said elsewhere more eloquently, but those who have problems post, those who don't generally don't feel a strong enough reason to post. I'm on my second MINI now and I have loved both of them. I do have the "stumble" with my MCS, and I'm not happy about that, but I know that it will be fixed, and all in all, it's been an INCREDIBLY trouble free car, especially considering that the brand itself (in this current iteration of course) is only a year and a half old!

It's a great car. If you've driven one, and you like the feel, then you will NOT be disappointed, regardless of what you hear on this board or others. Furthermore, even if you are not too happy, the resale value is unbelievable, so you can always flip it in a year.

Enjoy!

 

As time passes, the bugs are getting beaten out of the MINI. Fewer complaints about the '02s than the '01s, and less still on the '03s compared to the '02s. The nature of the complaints has shifted from more serious problems to less serious annoyances. Also, keep in mind that MINI owners in general LOVE their cars, and with an enthusiatic fan community feel free to post about every little nit. The car is so close to perfection on the emotional level that any flaws are agonized over.

Do other car makes get anything at all like the magnifying glass attention the MINIs get on these forums? I doubt it.

 

I have an 02 MCS with 6300 miles. The only problem I have had is the water pump seal that the dealer replaced quickly.
I find the build quality to be very good and I enjoy the car a great deal but my MCS is not my daily driver and I do put it away for the winter so it doesn't get that much use.
Other cars in the same price range don't come close to the fun factor or road appeal that the Mini has.

 

Don't let the negative threads scare you. Most people will talk more about the negative than they will positive. Because the MINI is such a remarkable car, the positives are a little heavier than normal, but still...

So. My windshield and coolant tank are fine, but you don't see me (or thousands of others) posting that they are fine. On the other hand, I can bet that just about everyone who posts on this board and has HAD a problem has POSTED about it. I have had no yo-yo or stumble, no broken hatch latch, no nothing. Car is fine after about 10k.

See?

04 will have even more of the quirks worked out and the quality will be 1 year better.

So go get one! And if you do have one of these problems, go with the flow - that's what warranties are for.

 

My MINI is tops. No problems at all after 6000 + miles. Only time I went to the dealer was for installing more options ...fin, etc. I'm also going next week for an inspection. I too strongly disagree about low built quality. Take a look at some american cars and their build quality for instance. They don't compare. I was just fooling around on edmunds.com the other day and looked at a new pontiac sunfire review. It was pitiful. The car was just "restyled" and stuff and they absolutely hated it. Seriously though, the MINI is built to BMW quality standards. That should speak for itself. Get the MINI, there's nothing like owning one.

 

I feel better now. I was so disappointed that I totally changed my mind about changing my car and getting a new one.
thanx now i can order mine with peace of mind

 

:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:

What car doesn't have trouble??(rhetorical guys!) The MINI is the best for your money when you factor in all the added bonuses the "feel good" zone gives you. The problems are being worked out. I am not yet an owner, mine is being built next week. If it rattles, leaks, lurches or stumbles I still know I'll love this car.

My beetle has the stumble and I thought it was just something it did when the air conditioning was on, I didn't know the problem had a name! :smile: :smile:

MINI Cooper - it's a mindset, not just another car. :smile: :smile: :smile:

***quickly adds disclaimer*** Yes I know new cars should be trouble free, but heck nothing's perfect!

 

>>So I was wondering that if my decision of buying one is right or wrong considering other choices (makes) that are available in the market.
>>So all of you MINI owners let me know if you're happy with your decision or not and help me out plzzzz.
>>thankx

Hiya! What other cars are you considering? I test drove no less than 10 cars before giving the MINI a shot and I can tell you, the only other car that comes close to how much fun I had in the MINI was the Infiniti G35 coupe.

While that car doesn't have many problems, it is at the very least 7 grand more plus another $300 a year at least for insurance, and a very high upkeep cost - constant replacing of brakes and tires, and only 19 mpg.

Weighing it all out, I decided a trip or two to the dealership was no big deal.

All of the other cars I was considering needed new trannies and/or clutches very frequently, or were so boring to drive I'd end up killing myself from falling asleep at the wheel!!!

Yep, a few MINI owners have had more problems than most, but it remains to be seen how much trouble the '04 model will have. And I can guarantee the FUN and GRIN factor will outweigh the fact that you may have to replace a coolant tank or deal with power lag in 1st gear.

Hope that helps!

 

The only mistake you can make is letting any comments here scare you away. I have an 8/02 MCS with a slight yo-yo, have had to replace the coolant tank, and a
few squeaks that vanish as quickly as they appear. Most importantly, this car is major FUN, very SAFE.....a unique driving experience. Go for the gusto!

 

>>Level of Build Quality = Low
>>Level of Fun Behind the Wheel = High
>>
>>If these two balance out in your mind, you don't mind a few extra trips to the dealer, and can handle the possibility of being stranded by the side of the highway, then get one. Otherwise, there's always the Corolla.


What???

Are you on crack????

Our '02 Cooper CVT has NEVER I repeat NEVER FAILED TO START OR LEAVE US STRANDED "BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD".

Nice try, but I betcha you don't even own a MINI! (So how's your new "Corolla"?)

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT
On order: '04 Cooper S (Est production date: 9/5/03)

 

>>My MINI is tops. No problems at all after 6000 + miles. Only time I went to the dealer was for installing more options ...fin, etc. I'm also going next week for an inspection. I too strongly disagree about low built quality. Take a look at some american cars and their build quality for instance. They don't compare. I was just fooling around on edmunds.com the other day and looked at a new pontiac sunfire review. It was pitiful. The car was just "restyled" and stuff and they absolutely hated it. Seriously though, the MINI is built to BMW quality standards. That should speak for itself. Get the MINI, there's nothing like owning one.


Yesterday I drove a '03 Pontiac Grand AM 3.4L V6. Yeah cheap interior for sure, but that car with 11K rental driven miles ddin't have a single rattle or squeak, had an excellent A/C, very good stock radio, a responsive 4-speed slushbox and a very torquey engine. Not bad for $12K after rebates. Not my cup of tea but was surprised at how solid this "junker" felt on the road.

Last month I sold my '01 Chevy Impala LS. That car was in showroom condition and di not give me a single problem in 21K miles of ownership. Solidly built and tight as a drum.

I think American car companies have addressed the 1980's problems of rattles, reliability and body integrity. Now their problem has to do more with the ownership experience and the desirability of their products. American cars or today are at large unfairly bashed (Cavalier and Sunfire are execptions).

But...I am very happy with our MINIs!

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT
On order: '04 Cooper S (Est production date: 9/5/03)

 

>>Level of Build Quality = Low
>>Level of Fun Behind the Wheel = High

I disagree. My 03 MCS has been very high on both. No problems except recall for some suspension bolts and one leaky coolant bottle. No other trouble in 5500 miles. The car is very reliable and is 20 times more fun to drive than a corolla.

The other aspect is product quality control or consistency- this is nothing new for "new cars". Some cars are done well while others have nagging problems. I think the minority of owners have trouble. If it were consistent you'd here about it at MCO.

I do use my car as a daily driver and have had no regrets. In my area nearly all other MC and MCS owners feel the same way. There is an occasional person with a few problems. About 550 sold in my area since the rollout.

 

Thank you for asking, Cooper4us, but no, I am not currently on crack. And thanks for the completely unprovoked and groundless personal attack. It's people like you who make MCO such a great place to hang out.

My '02 MC has left me stranded twice with a major electrical problem, and has had a number of minor problems, roof trim falling off, rattling hatch latch, etc. Aside from an early Saab Turbo, it has been the most problem-plagued car that anyone in my family has ever owned.

In terms of problems per 1000 cars, my guess is that the early-build Mini's are way below Toyota/Honda/Nissan and their luxury marques.

AND THAT'S OK!!! (as I've said before...)

The Mini's no-compromise suspension and steering, combined with it's stiff body and relatively light weight, make it something very special among contemporary cars, even those costing much more. It rocks. Period. But some Minis break. Period.

I've driven 80 miles a day in my Mini for nearly a year now and am still excited every time I climb into that (very creaky) driver's seat.

All I'm saying is that if you have any doubts about buying a Mini after driving one, then move on. You just don't get it, and will just get frustrated once the little plastic bits start to fall off. Hence the Corolla reference. Personally, I would sooner stick a fork in my neck than drive a Corolla, but some people love them.

 

*snip*
>>My '02 MC has left me stranded twice with a major electrical problem, and has had a number of minor problems, roof trim falling off, rattling hatch latch, etc. Aside from an early Saab Turbo, it has been the most problem-plagued car that anyone in my family has ever owned.
>>
>>In terms of problems per 1000 cars, my guess is that the early-build Mini's are way below Toyota/Honda/Nissan and their luxury marques.
>>
>>AND THAT'S OK!!! (as I've said before...)
>>
>>The Mini's no-compromise suspension and steering, combined with it's stiff body and relatively light weight, make it something very special among contemporary cars, even those costing much more. It rocks. Period. But some Minis break. Period.
>>
>>I've driven 80 miles a day in my Mini for nearly a year now and am still excited every time I climb into that (very creaky) driver's seat. I'll I'm saying is that if you have any doubts about buying a Mini after driving one, then move on. You just don't get it, and will just get frustrated once the little plastic bits start to fall off.
>>

Again, X, I'm not trying to pile on here, but I feel strongly inclined to mention a couple of points:

1) If your MC has had that many major and minor problems, you really should consider filing Lemon Law. It is very out of the ordinary for any car, but much more so for the MINI. And I would like to agree with other posts: the '02s were much more prone to this sort of thing (the creaks and rattles). Naira would be ordering an '04, which should be damn near perfect.

2) As far as problems per 1000 cars, especially for the 02's, it had a very heavy dose of minor problems, but an incredibly low number of major problems.

3) Some <<insert name of any car ever made>> break. Period. It happens. MINIs break. Cadillacs break. Mercedes break. Yugos break. AMCs break. Anything can break. But if you look at the wider statistics, the MINIs are way out ahead of the pack in their overall reliability.

I'm not sure what plastic parts and bits you're expecting to fall off, but I haven't seen that happening a whole lot just yet. I guess I'll be pretty frustrated when my doorhandles, sunroof, steering wheel, glove boxes and NAV system start to fall off in a few weeks, but until then: I love my car, warts and all.

Maxwell

_________________
<DIV ALIGN="center"></DIV>

 

>>Again, X, I'm not trying to pile on here, but I feel strongly inclined to mention a couple of points:

No worries. Please go on.

>>1) If your MC has had that many major and minor problems, you really should consider filing Lemon Law. It is very out of the ordinary for any car, but much more so for the MINI.

One major problem that I am battling to get fixed properly, rather than band-aided. Everything else has been just minorly annoying. Don't think I'm even close to lemon territory.


>>And I would like to agree with other posts: the '02s were much more prone to this sort of thing (the creaks and rattles). Naira would be ordering an '04, which should be damn near perfect.

Absolutely. I assume quality is improving every year and the 04 should be much better, but nobody that I know of has gone beyond 50k miles yet and left the warranty zone. There's just no data.

>>2) As far as problems per 1000 cars, especially for the 02's, it had a very heavy dose of minor problems, but an incredibly low number of major problems.

I would totally agree. Mostly minor problems.

>>3) Some <<insert name of any car ever made>> break. Period. It happens. MINIs break. Cadillacs break. Mercedes break. Yugos break. AMCs break. Anything can break. But if you look at the wider statistics, the MINIs are way out ahead of the pack in their overall reliability.

Some percentage of all cars break, definitely. That number is close to 0 for some makes (e.g.Toyota) and a bit higher for others (e.g. Mini). This can change over time, and I would hope that Mini's is going down fast.


>>I'm not sure what plastic parts and bits you're expecting to fall off, but I haven't seen that happening a whole lot just yet. I guess I'll be pretty frustrated when my doorhandles, sunroof, steering wheel, glove boxes and NAV system start to fall off in a few weeks

That would definitely be bad, but stuff has fallen off my car or at least come very loose - all fixed by my dealer. I would advise you to keep an eye on your roof trim, the plastic covers on your pillars, and the front wheel arch trim pieces.

>> but until then: I love my car, warts and all.

I am fully with you. Peace.

 

I normally plan on keeping a car for the majority of the factory warranty before getting another car, but I look forward to taking delivery of my ’04 BMW M3 coupe with SMG II in late October and trading in the MCS. The fit and finish on my March build, April delivery ’03 MCS has been less then stellar. No major problems, just numerous little annoyances that have taken a lot of the fun out of ownership which is compounded in the difficulty of facilitating repairs due to the relatively small number of authorized dealers. I can’t fault the car for its fun factor in the driving department however, especially when you factor in the price of admission.

 

I also look forward to taking delivery of an '04 BMW M3 Coupe in October. As of yet I have no evidence that this will happen, but I will continue to look forward to the joyous event.

 

Cooper4us, actually I wasn't picking on GM cars or American ones. I just used the Pontiac Sunfire as an example of horrid quality. See here on edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/pont...ent...Pontiac* . I was at disney world a couple weeks ago at the test track thing presented by GM. After the ride, they let you sit in some of their cars. I was impressed w/ the GM offerings there. They had a nice saab, a comparable cadillac, the new grand prix was ok, etc. Although I'd take my MINI (or most imports) over these any day, they do have satisfying offerings. I was just trying to make the point that the MINI is fairly high up on the quality scale compared to most cars. You know about the sunfire example. I'm sorry if I affended you b/c I didn't mean too :smile: . Any japanese, american, or similar car co. have quality issues. I have to say though, after seeing the test track exhibit, I was proud of GM. I'm also very proud of my MINI, what it has to offer, and its quality.

 

I have only had one major problem with my 02 MC. (Tranny) However, MINIUSA gave me a $500.00 credit for MINI accessories/parts. That really eased the pain of not havong my MC for a few weeks! I never had any other dealer do this with prior cars that I had problems with!!

 

I've had two '02s...a Coop and an S.
I now have an '03 S. I love Minis but
I don't know if I'll buy another for a
variety of reasons. I think BMW quality
is way over rated and that is a problem.
It may sound like heresy but I wish Honda
had built these cars.

 

>>Cooper4us, actually I wasn't picking on GM cars or American ones. I just used the Pontiac Sunfire as an example of horrid quality. See here on edmunds: http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/pont...ent...Pontiac* . I was at disney world a couple weeks ago at the test track thing presented by GM. After the ride, they let you sit in some of their cars. I was impressed w/ the GM offerings there. They had a nice saab, a comparable cadillac, the new grand prix was ok, etc. Although I'd take my MINI (or most imports) over these any day, they do have satisfying offerings. I was just trying to make the point that the MINI is fairly high up on the quality scale compared to most cars. You know about the sunfire example. I'm sorry if I affended you b/c I didn't mean too :smile: . Any japanese, american, or similar car co. have quality issues. I have to say though, after seeing the test track exhibit, I was proud of GM. I'm also very proud of my MINI, what it has to offer, and its quality.

No offense at all!


Cheers.