This is for all the car techs out there (the peopel that get under the hood)

How good is the Mini. I always hear things that the Mini is above average but nothing to really back this up - other then the brakes are BMW . But nothing in detail.

So how about the other parts. Is the water pump above average, is the brakes system above average, anything. If you work on car and have worked on a Mini, you may know.

Thanks. Also, any web site out there that goes into detail..then of course I don't know what is above average in parts.

 

Welcome to Lake WobeMINI, where the Women are strong, the men good looking and the MINIs are above average.

 

Lemme see. Would you call a car that engenders rabid enthusiasm, has been in production since '59, and is generally driven like a bat outta hell "above average"? I do just on general prinicipal. It's not bullet proof, it's not a monument to machine durability, but I doubt you'd ever confuse it for a Yugo (remember the buy-a-second for spare parts auto?).

I work my MINI harder than any other vehicle I've ever owned. So far, no complaints from the car. Compared to my other/past vehicles (Mazda, Saab, Toyota, Ford and Land Rover), it is indeed above average.

 

Some people buy cars because they are reliable. Kind of like appliances–like that refridgerator in your kitchen. Solid dependable, but definitely not something you venture out in to conversation by saying, "Hey man, check out my new fridge, it's totally cool. In other words, it ain't no Camry. It's a driver's car, a real bonafide automobile for around 20k. Hard to beat in my opinion. So some of us may have a car like the Camry in our garage–I know my wife wants one, but it ain't what the MINI is about.

But I think the quality will only get better. Think about it. BMW bought the old Rover plant, retooled it, even invited some of the original Mini staff that produced the original car, and then started building the new MINI. I think that's a hell of an undertaking. Redoing a factory and redoing an automotive icon that's only 3 years old and some 50 years young.

But if I had to say one thing about the MINI, I would say it's the handling. Like a go-kart, it feels like you're going faster than you actually are and that's what I think makes it fun.

 

ToekneeC67,
Even though the MINI has basically a chysler engine it is above average overall. Power, torque, weight, basic suspension, transmission, brakes, wheels. The total package for the cooper (normal aspirated) as seen in Autocross beats the competition usually- that looks like much better than average. Good mpg too. That's better than average. Price is competitive.

In the Cooper S you add intercooler and supercharger so much better than average in the total package. But also heavier and costs more. Again in autocross it can do very well so better than average.

If you want the tuner mechanic's point of view try calling RandyBMC or Eric from Helix13 and both have raced in MINIs and do extensive engine work on them.