Here are a couple stories on the 2004 Consumer Reports auto issue.

Oh, so now we're savvy in reporting problems? How come our dealers don't treat us that way?

It doesn't take someone overly savvy to see their windshield is cracking repeatedly, the car stumbles and yo-yos, and it takes 3-5 times to start in the morning (Cold Start problem on 2002 production Cooper S).

 

>>Mini spokesman Andrew Cutler says that's because Mini owners are more passionate about their vehicles and, therefore, more likely to report problems.<<

Mr. Cutler has mastered the simultaneous compliment and insult to our intelligence.

 

Yeah, that's pretty funny Dave.

Corporate speak is BS. It's the owners fault for being passionate and reporting problems.

BTW, CR focuses on practicality. They don't get what it is to be a car nut.

 

so basically, too many smart people buy MINI's? wha? huh?

 

Just to play devil's advocate:

I have often argued in favor of people purchasing a MINI through discussions on this site (and elsewhere). People often claim that there appear to be tons of problems with MINIs, but many of us have pointed out that enthusiasts are more likely to post complaints than post praise. I think the point that this guy was trying to make is that MINI consumers tend to skew toward the enthusiast side of things, and thus they're more likely to notice minor things that the guy driving the '84 Aries K might not notice. I'm not saying that MINIs don't have problems, but we're certainly a group of people who are more likely to note whatever problems any auto might have. Incidentally, I've never owned a car that didn't have all sorts of problems during the couple of years I owned it. Maybe us "savvy" folks actually just have some sort of tendency to gravitate toward cars with which we might have problems?

 

Gee Dave, didn't your mom ever tell you that no one likes a smarty-pants?


Memo to Andy from Munich: "Now go out there and find us some stupid ones!"

 

>>Just to play devil's advocate:
>>
>> Maybe us "savvy" folks actually just have some sort of tendency to gravitate toward cars with which we might have problems?

 

Thanks Dave for the quotes.

I think MINI will make it back on the recommended list, but that may take several years first for the reliability numbers to go back up before it shows up in CR. Won't they? I say this because MINI has fixed the several problems. Except windshield, but I just heard they are coming out with a new design. Oh, also there is yo yo, but they are continually coming out with new ECU's, aren't they. And there are intermittent problems of different sorts. Ok ok, there's also the CVT issues on some cars, but most don't have that issue. You're right I forgot about the annoying rattles, but are those problems CR is concerned with? Well, maybe they won't make it back.

Seriously, I think MINI is trying. But being of BMW design, they like to use cutting edge technology, which can have more problems. At least the engine is a simple design.

 

I think he meant to say savvy AND good looking.

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

 

I've read Consumers Reports Review and I've read Consumers Guide Review of the Mini, both completely different from one another. I see the situation as that they are both right. The car itself is great but without it's faults.

The faults are pointed out thanks to the fact it's an enthusiasts automobile. I'm not an enthusiast, but I'm a driver, and they know what to look for and know what to point out when there's a problem.

 

blaming the customer for a faulty product is a shame...

 

I've had my share of problems with my '02 build, '03 MC.

But, when I wake up every morning, there is a MINI in my driveway. Bet most of the folks at CR can't say that! And I know that I've had 43K+ miles of pure, unadulterated motoring over the last year too.

That's good enough for me!