Some of the things you listed are known shortcomings of the car's original build specs. And an argument could easily be made that Mini should have built the car to withstand the very forces it is engineered to produce.

I've had similar experience with my '03 R50 except I've paid for all the work. I spent nearly $5,000 on repairs between 45k and 65k miles replacing many of the things on your list. As for owner neglect, the two Mini specialists Ive taken it to (Zblyut's in Hadley Mass and Greasy's in Worcester) both said it's the nicest '03 they've ever seen as far as how well it's been cared for. (FWIW)

I've got about 87k miles on it now and just added up my recipts the other day: $6,500 in repairs/ $8,500 when I figure in routine maint. like oil and filters, one set of tires and a new battery.

Averaged out, that's almost $400/mo in service since I bought it in June of 2010. Or a total of nearly nineteen thousand dollars to drive a nine year old Mini.

As much as I wish it were different, I'm not complaining. I love this car more and more each week. Even knowing that I'll need to spend another $1k in the weeks to come to change out the PS pump and whatever else he finds while he's in there.

 

Carmichael,
We'll keep our fingers crossed that a steering problem never arises. When you say "precise and confidence-inspiring", those are my thoughts exactly. I'm no mechanic and there's no chance of my ever being one but I'd just about gladly sell my body parts, for this little car.

 

I've had my '02 Justa since September with 197,000km, and unfortunately I think it's going to be my first "problem" car (this will be my 10th vehicle). I'm not necessarily blaming the car - many of the problems were from previous owners.

Replaced so far:
- cylinder head (cracked) and all upper engine gaskets/seals
- radiator fan assembly
- PS fan
- passenger steering knuckle, ball joint, tie rod end
- suspension springs (one broken)
- oil pressure switch
- broken bolts/nuts
As of April 13 - new radiator :-(

Things needing to be replaced:
- clutch (starting to chatter)
- battery box
- both front wheel arch trim pieces
- engine mounts
- other trim bits
- ripped driver seat (just from normal wear)
- fog light lenses

I seem to have a problem with post-2000 cars and how fragile their parts are. I've owned/restored 60's, 80's and 90' cars, and have never come across parts so fragile/delicate before. I'm not a particularly strong person, and I know/use most techniques for working on corroded/stuck/stripped parts, but MINI bits seem to fall to pieces in my hands.

And I hate Torx.

But I still do love my MINI :-)

 

I have 82,000 km on my 2006 MCS and had the thermostat fail at about 65,000 km (under warranty) but that is it so far regarding things needing fixing. It is scary and unfortunate to hear some of the problems you guys have had. I do plan on keeping my R53 until it starts bleeding crap loads of cash

 

Brought my '06 to a Car Show today and met three other MINI owners, one a GP owner, one another R53 owner, and one the proud owner of Clubman.

Enjoy your Minis!

 

some encouraging stories and some sad stories!! but one thing in common = everybody loves their cooper...

 

2005 R53, second owner, I bought it in 2007 with 20k miles on it and it now has 82k miles.

Things fixed under warranty:
Water Pump @ 40k miles

Things I have fixed:
Front brakes $50
Rear brakes $50
Starter $382 (actually getting fixed right now)

I was in an accident 5k miles ago and the insurance company fixed:
Radiator
Intercooler
A/C compressor

I change the oil whenever the computer tells me to, I don't do track days and I drive mostly freeways. All in all I have roughly $1k in repairs/maint. in 60k miles and 5 years of ownership. Since I paid cash for the car that comes out to $16 a month! Yea, I'll be keeping it for a while.

 

Have a 2004 MINI cooper got it with 91000 on it and put 1000 on it already. Feels great and hope to have it for another 100k

 

Hmmm, seems like a mixed result. I probably won't hold out from getting another one though.

 

160k on my 03 Cooper S. Still love it. Just posted about my experience with it at https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3507921

 

I'm the second owner of an 04 MC with 50K miles. The prior owner had the window regulators and windshield replaced under warranty. I've had the PS pump (and wiring harness that burned up with it), oil pan gasket, crank sensor o-ring seal, lower control arm bushings and 1 axle replaced (under aftermarket warranty) during my 3 years of ownership - but all that work was done in one shot last month. So in 3 years, it has stranded me once (at a winery - so I didn't mind).

My brother bought a used 06 MC in 2010 that was a lemon and got rid of it when the dealer said it needed $6K+ in repairs... he is now in a leased '11 MC.

 

I've got 155K miles on my 04 just a hatchback. Our 8th anniversary (LOL) is coming up next week. Most of my issues have been minor cosmetic ones: the little tabs on the dome light buttons broke off a few years ago, and my radio control button on the steering wheel has partially broken loose, and it seems I've lost the black MINI insignia off of a hubcap recently on the off side...also, what gives with the rear wiper blades? I can't believe that refills aren't sold for it. Advanced Auto tells me that I have to get it from MINI.
Mechanically, I've replaced the brakes for the front and back one time. I had some P300 code trouble last fall due to some old spark plugs/wires and oddly, it was related to a run in with the belt tensioner failing after my local MINI dealer and my regular mechanic both told me that it was fine and the belt was fine--and then the belt shredded half way between Lubbock and Amarillo, TX three weeks later. Fortunately, nothing catastrophic resulted from the belt disintegration. The P300 codes stopped after the belt/belt tensioner replacement.
Since that event last fall, the car has been fine, except for some minor belt squeaking from time to time. And then, last night it threw a battery light. I was able to drive it to my regular mechanic last night; this morning I'm expecting to hear that a new alternator is in order. :( Still, for 8 years worth of driving, I'm not complaining.

 

One brake job in 155k miles?

Does this car have the Fred Flintstone modification in the floor for your feet to help stop the car?

 

Nope. I don't drive like I used to when I was younger. Now, I expect to do the front brakes again before the summer is out, and will need to replace the rotors when I do.

 

That's got to be some kind of a record! Are you saying you only went through one set of brake pads in 155K miles?

 

06 MCS , just hit 79,000 miles

I picked it up in January with 72,000 on it, since then only had to replace the upper motor mount, fix the PS fan and an oil change; piece of cake

Prior owner had a few issues-all under warranrty

Flywheel replaced twice
Shifter Cables Replaced
Clutch Slave Replaced
Gear Box Replaced at 55,000 with a new flywheel,clutch and pressure plate
Wheel Sensors replaced
Steering sensor
P/S airbag sensor-twice
DCS control module
rear boot seal
rear MINI Emblem
T-Stat
steering wheel airbag cover
D/S seat bolster replaced

Brakes serviced at 58K


Just before i picked it up the water pump, D/S front wheel bearing, D/S Ball Joint, brake fluid, coolant were all serviced at MINI in W/S NC by the PO for a little over a grand

 

No--we changed the front pads at 90K, and I think it was around 120K when I had the rear ones changed out? Anyway, I'm estimating it will be time for the fronts again before the summer is over.

 

2003 MINI Cooper S hatchback (R53) with 175,000 miles.

Purchased new in June 2003. Original engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, and clutch. Synthetic engine oil has been changed every 10K miles. My one and only "mod": I added Koni FSD shocks at 90K miles. Had to replace the manifold/catalytic converter section of the exhaust system just this month. Various minor electric glitches over the years with windows and door locks. Original windshield finally cracked - spontaneously! - after about seven years. Seal around rear license plate light leaked, so it needed minor body work to repair the rust on the hatch. The power steering pump was replaced at about five years. After my *fourth* expensive Zenon headlamp unit died last year, I swapped them out for plain old thirty-dollar halogens. I have a set of 185/65-15 snow tires on 15x6 steel rims that I use from December through March each year. My summer tires are 205/45-17 on the original 17x7 rims. Right now I'm on my third set of snow tires and fourth set of summer tires, and only the original summer tires were run-flats. Car only uses about a half quart of oil between changes and still gets 34 MPG at 75 MPH with A/C on during long road trips.

I love this car. I might give it to my son, but I will never sell it.

 

I have had similar experience: there is minor oil seepage around the oil pan, but nothing worth actually fixing. And it seems that the car gets better MPG than when I first got it. I adore this car.

 

I don't think mine's dripping since I don't see it on my driveway. The oil's just being used up as it oozes past the valve guides and piston rings, I think. But the plugs aren't fouling, so it can't be very much.

 

Not unexpectedly my justacooper (05) is showing signs of impending power steering pump death... seems to be almost right on schedule based on the local shop that has seen a zillion MINIs come through..

 

how many miles on your Mini? my PS Fan went not too long ago, and it was fixed under my warranty plan. I am however, worried about the PS pump itself, and i would like to know if its going to go before i hit 90k on the car... im at 76k right now.

 

2002 MCS with 135,xxx miles. I'm the second owner and bought it with about 25,000 on the clock. It seems like it's always in some state of repair. When it's 100% it doesn't stay that way for long. I have a 3 ring binder with receipts for parts and repairs that's about 4 inches thick. I swear I've replaced everything at least once (except for the clutch... knock wood!).

The highlights would be... Supercharger rebuild- ported and 15% reduction pulley now. PS pump, lines, & fan. Lower control arm bushings twice- have poly in there now. Struts and strut mounts- Koni's with Hotchkis springs now. Window motors. Coolant tank. Motor mounts. Wheel bearings. Countless brake jobs, tires and windshields. Etc. Etc. Now it has an oil leak... not sure where from just yet.

It's a good thing I love this car and can do most of the wrenching myself or it would have been gone long ago! I do enjoy taking the **** out of it though.

 

My fan is fine best I can tell, the pump just did the "i'm not working" thing when I turned the car on the other day. He said from what he sees, the pump is gone within a month

My car has a little under 81k and otherwise drives strong so it's going in Wed for a replacement... sigh. But I want to trust the car so...

 

I have a early "03 MCS. This December it will be 10 years old. Where has the time gone? Anyway, it has been a good car. Only has 47k miles on the oddometer. PS pump, flywheel replace early on, front and rear brakes once, been lowered, been on the track, been to Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, Denver, Memphis, so far, so good.