After six months and eleven days and 9,386 miles today I traded in my ’03 MCS for an ordered ’04 BMW M3. I will miss the crisp and forgiving handling of the MCS but I won’t miss the many irritations of ownership.

I could live with the ensemble of rattles and buzzes, the windshield trim coming loose three different times and the radio needing replacement due to a faulty display but the ongoing electrical problems and the subsequent tow to the dealer due to a dead battery, the car being at the dealer a total of 14 days waiting for parts and their inability to totally rectify the problem after three dealer visits was the straw that broke the camels back. I had had enough.

I must say that for the price, the MCS is a lot of car for the money, there is nothing that competes with it in its price range for pure driving fun, features or available options. However, I was very disappointed with its overall quality and the subsequent problems that ensued. I know there are a lot of very happy owners on this forum but you don’t have to look far to find many disappointed (and vocal) owners with unresolved problems as well.

I do hope BMW and MINI are able to rectify the current problems that are well documented on these forum pages. I was lucky. I had no stumble, no yo-yo; it always started on the first try and had no bog (except at extremely low rpm). I still had the original coolant tank and windshield (though it is extremely pitted for a car with only 9,000+ miles) and my leather seats still looked like new except for a little sagging on the driver’s seat bottom. So I don’t know if I actually had a good MCS but am just lacking in patience and proximity to a qualified servicing dealer that doesn’t display an obvious double standard in service treatment between the BMW and MINI customers or I had too high of expectations going in.

BTW, the M3 is fabulous and the SMG gearbox adds another dimension to driving, but it would be silly and unfair to compare the MCS to the M3 as they are two totally different automobiles in entirely non-competing price ranges. In a nutshell, the MCS is a lot of bang for the buck, it ranks right at the top of my all time driving fun list but was a disappointment in overall quality and dealer service, mainly dealer service. If BMW wants to keep the number of selling dealers low, they could at least approve more authorized repair facilities and also eliminate the blatant two tiered level of service between the BMW and MINI service customer (buy a deeply discounted BMW 325i and get a service loaner, buy a MCS and pay WAY over MSRP and not get a service loaner). Finding GOOD authorized service for some is a real problem.

 

Just placed my order for MCS and I am starting to think maybe I should cancel. Between Jerrygee's post and all the stumble/yo-yo issues, I'm having second thoughts. I did consider BMW 3 series prior to the Mini order, as well as Audi & Infiniti. After the test drive of the MCS, I was satisfied with the choice. That was before I started reading all about the service/dealer issues in regards to fixing what seems like an on going problems. I am nuts about rattles, my wife's Vovlo 850 sportswagon drive me crazy with rattles and last thing I want from a new car is annoying rattles.

Any thoughts?

I am from the Boston area an MINI was placed with the Peabody dealership.

 

jerrygee, sorry to hear about all the issues you had with your MCS. The M3 is a sweet car. You will enjoy it. I have noticed the difference in treatment only at a few dealerships. I've noticed that certains reps about some of the BMW dealerships doesn't always apply to the MINI, it is strange and hard to explain.

mikebike, we love our cars, I've been lucky with one of the first builds of the MCS. It seems the quality assurance is running from one extreme to the other, so it is hard to say what to do. I believe most are great and when they are not, it seems to be really bad. Only you can make the decision.

Good luck to you both.

 

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I sold my 98 M3 for a 2004 MCS, and I just got it two weeks ago after waiting for a year to get it. I am in southern Cali. I must say that I too was kind of scared about my choice, but since I have had my Mini, I have been smiling non stop. I think that most of the kinks have been worked out by now, and for the price, you can't beat it. Like many people here have stated before, you usually only hear from the people with some problems, but not from all of the people with nothing to report because their cars are running perfectly fine. Its all relative, I'm sure the proportion of people that are totally happy with their cars totally outnumber the people that are not. :smile:

 

Even if it's a relative bargin, the price of an MCS is a lot of money for a car you have doubts about. I'd say go for something else.

 

just got my '04 JCW mini and there's no rattles,no yo-yos,no stumble.....I am a very satisfied owner and I'll do it again if I had the chance!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats on the M3 Jerry!
You are going to love that car!
BJ in Austin

PS - I'll miss you on the boards so you have to promise to stop by to say "HI" !

 

Well shoot, if I could afford double the cost, I'd have ordered an M3 too!
You're comparing apples to oranges.

I've always loved M3's but they are way out of my price range.

 

>>Well shoot, if I could afford double the cost, I'd have ordered an M3 too!
>>You're comparing apples to oranges.
>>
>>I've always loved M3's but they are way out of my price range.

Read my post. I don’t compare the MCS to the M3; in fact I make a point to say it would be silly and unfair to compare the two dissimilar automobiles in non-competing price ranges. And it's not double the cost but closer to two and half to three times the cost.

 

jerrygee - A nice choice on your new car - enjoy!! :smile: I'm sorry the MINI didn't work out for you...
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

mikebike
>> I am from the Boston area an MINI was placed with the Peabody dealership.
There are many happy MINI owners.
Personally I do not experience the strumble in my MCS (built 01/10/03). If I have the a/c on, the engine is a bit sluggish from stationary - but we don't need it on much in New England recently do we?!
The "yoyo" shows itself for me as a slight oscillation in 2nd as the car accelerates. It is not anything I would dream of rejecting the car for.
I do have a couple of "quiet" vibrations - but the interior has been removed and refitted so often when I was trying to get the stereo upgraded ...

Maybe you can get a longer test drive to re-assure you. Keith at MINI Peabody *owns* a MINI (as does Hrach).
And if you are somewhere near Gloucester, make direct contact with me ...

 

sounds like you had a dud MINI Jerry, too bad :smile:

 

Yep I could tell from some of your former posts that it would only be a short while until you dumped the MINI.

 

>>
>> And it's not double the cost but closer to two and half to three times the cost.
>>

Oh well, excuse me. My mistake.

 

>>>>Well shoot, if I could afford double the cost, I'd have ordered an M3 too!
>>>>You're comparing apples to oranges.
>>>>
>>>>I've always loved M3's but they are way out of my price range.
>>

>>Read my post. I don’t compare the MCS to the M3; in fact I make a point to say it would be silly and unfair to compare the two dissimilar automobiles in non-competing price ranges. And it's not double the cost but closer to two and half to three times the cost.
>>

>>
>>Oh well, excuse me. My mistake.
>>

The way I see it, you made two mistakes in your original post. One was for flaming me for comparing apples to oranges, which I clearly didn’t and the other was the price difference.

 

Easy, man! Sounds like you're beginning to compare apples to sour grapes. I love my E36 M3. Every experience I've had in the E46 M3 makes me certain you'll love your new M3. Bummer that you had such an unpleasant experience with your MCS. Just try not to pee in the pool on your way out.

 

>>Easy, man! Sounds like you're beginning to compare apples to sour grapes. I love my E36 M3. Every experience I've had in the E46 M3 makes me certain you'll love your new M3. Bummer that you had such an unpleasant experience with your MCS. Just try not to pee in the pool on your way out.

I went to great lengths in my original post not to be overly critical of the car in general. Yes I had problems but they were exasperated by dismal dealer service which was my main complaint. I have nothing but accolades for the handling and fun factor of the car and expressed them in most all my posts, including the one that started this thread and I made a point of not comparing apples to oranges. No sour grapes here, I just don’t like getting flamed for something I didn’t say and I don’t like quotes being edited so as not to tell the whole story. I don’t consider that “peeing in the pool”.

 

jerrygee - I'm sorry that you were unlucky enough to end up with a pain in the *** MCS and a crappy dealer. I guess I can't blame you for not just ordering a new '04 and hoping for the best. Obviously you'll enjoy the heck out of the M3! I'm sure we'd all be interested to see a pic of the new steed. Just curious, do they recommend a 1,200 mile break-in like MINI does? Man, that was painful enough with my Cooper; I can't imagine babying a new M3 for that long!

mikebike - there are more lucky, satisfied MINI customers than unlucky, unsatisfied MINI customers. I would think that your chances of being in the former group are pretty good, since the car is only improving and yours won't even be built yet. I think that the Cooper/S is an outstanding enough car that it's worth the risk. I'm sure that you realize that resale values are through the roof.

_________________

 

Now that all the flames are out... Congratulations again on your new acquisition. When do you take delivery?

Having spent a track day in an SMG-equipped M3, I can only say that you're stepping into one of the nicest pieces prowling the roads today.

After you've gotten accustomed to your new ride, please be sure to let us know how the handling compares. You probably can't safely explore the limits on public roads, but I'm particularly curious to see how effectively BMW conceals the weight of the M3.

 

I took delivery of my M3 around noon today. And yes Chris, there is the requisite 1,200 mile break-in period PLUS a 1,200 mile service. If I hear a knock on my door I know it will be the “Break-on Police” wanting to have a little talk with me. The power is intoxicating and the SMG technology begs you to drive the car aggressively.

The MINI is a great driver’s car and there are definitely more totally satisfied owners then those with problems. Those of you still waiting to take delivery are in for a real treat. The biggest problem you will have are the facial muscles on your face getting sore from you silly little grin you develop from driving your MINI.

 

Sorry to hear about the bum mini. I love my Cooper s and have very few problems with the car. i do have a bit of a yo yo thing goin at low rpms. I just rev the car a little higher. The M3 is an awesome car! I don't really like the look of most modern cars but the current M3 looks awesome. The Cooper s reminds me a lot of my old BMW 2002 tii but with the performance of the very rare BMW 2002 turbo. I'm currently looking for a real clean 02(68-73) for an M3 e30 engine conversion. The car will be monster fast and look very original. Look out next time you rev your engine at a stop light! I believe this car will kill almost any Cooper S, 70's muscle car, rice burner or current M3.


Cheers,


J

 

Congrats on the new car. One question, the dealership that you mentioned doesnt happen to be in Santa Ana does it? Seems as most of the headache you had was from the Service Dept.

 

Congratulations on "graduating" up, I know if I had the chance after I got used to the Mini and felt confident that I'll yearn for a more powerful car that demands more respect. Enjoy the M3

 

wow jerry, sounds like you have a major chip on your shoulder. not sure why you are even posting here any more, other than for attention, if things got that bad for you. No one was flaming you, I even said I would love to have an M3(read envy). But my response was meant to be more like "duh! of course an M3 would be better than a Mini quality wise...or at least I would hope so for paying over twice as much".
You shouldn't be so quick to jump on people or get on the defensive.

 

If you can afford a new M3 that's great - I love that car. Hope to see you at a FL autocross event where I can whoop you