Hey, I'm really interested in buying a 2004 Mini Cooper, but I have recently read the consumer reports and NHTSA reports and there are numerous bad reports about Minis One in particular is that the car stalls alot, especially when accelerating from a stop, and its not just one report, its about 7 or 8 of them, also there are reports that the windshield is very fragile and cracks easily.. has anyone expierenced these problems? Im a relatively new driver and was hoping the mini would be easy for me to drive and to park..

 

i don't really consider those big problems... i had an 03 SVT Focus... light's stopped working, took to dealership 7 or 8 times.. never fixed. bearings in shifter went bad and clutch was messed up after 3k miles. I consider that a problem.. As for the cooper, it's never stalled on me, it'll stutter for some odd reason every now and then but nothing major.

 

IMHO, I wouldn't say the car stalls alot.. There are several threads, historical and current detailing the "stumble" issue, and also a phenomenon called the "yo-yo" affect.. but having said that, and as a person who has driven cars equiped with a standard transmission for many a year, I will admit this car does present some idiosyncratic behavior that takes a little getting used to.. When I received my car, the lot guy stalled it backing it in to the showroom.. However, on the test drive before, and the first time I drove car home in heavy Friday traffic, I did not stall the car.. I think you could argue that this car seems to be a little more sensitive as to the timing of the clutch work and throttle.. it's different.. Honestly, I love this car and there has not been a day since that I have felt even the slightest twinge of regret... even though I realize there are many others cars that have more horsepower and lower in cost but none with the same style or wow factor..

So, if you are prone to granny shifting and new to standards, you might want to drive one a couple times..

You can search on the terms above and read up on the 2 issues described above.. last I saw they may be close to resolution..

Cheers..

 

I have had my 04 MCS for the past 7 months, and have had zero problems with the car, nothing (knock on wood) I think that many of the little problems the car had have been worked out for the most part. Except for that annoying yo yo. I heard that they even came out with an even stronger windshield, even though I think that I still have the older version. You really have nothing to worry about, because the car is under warranty for four years, unless you void it

Ryan

_________________

 

Not that I have put many miles on mine (Only 34oo since october last) but the car has't said "boo" to me. all systems go and I SMILE every time I drive it......

 

Okay, as usual Consumer Reports misses it on the details. They assign their little stars, or red circles, or black dots but don't go too far beyond that. The two specific issues you mention are well known to us and have probably driven a few of us quite mad. Why? Because we LOVE our MINIs and go at these problems again and again til its right. Windshield and stumble (car stalling?) seem to occur in MCSs. It is being straightened out and there's been a lot of debate, speculation, and head-scratching between owners and MINI over this. That's what's leading to a solution. But its also led to Consumer Reports waving a flag. They're about 8 months behind the curve. Same with windshield cracks....lots of warranty-replaced windshields out there, but better glass formulations seem to be coming forward now.

I have an Cooper and have had neither problem. (...soft paint, software upgrade, and deteriorating foam on cowl vents are my current issues.) I'll sort these out painlessly.

Thing is, the car is awesome to drive!!! So much of it is-spot-on-just right! We're sorting out the rest and MINI is slowly coming along, too.

 

>>Hey, I'm really interested in buying a 2004 Mini Cooper, but I have recently read the consumer reports and NHTSA reports and there are numerous bad reports about Minis One in particular is that the car stalls alot, especially when accelerating from a stop, and its not just one report, its about 7 or 8 of them, also there are reports that the windshield is very fragile and cracks easily.. has anyone expierenced these problems? Im a relatively new driver and was hoping the mini would be easy for me to drive and to park..

Get a Toyota.

 

I was actually going to get the CVT transmission one, but on the NHTSA page it has a person who gets the stalling with the CVT transmission..

 

Welcome BP,

I've had my MCS for 17 months, the only time it has stalled is when I've abruptly lifted the clutch without giving it sufficient gas to accelerate smoothly. I'm on my original windshield, however I do have a small "star" from a rock in the upper corner. My car has been 100% reliable since day one. I know that there are some who have had problems, however I have had none. Get a MINI, you'll be glad you did.

 

>>
>>Get a Toyota.
>>
With great respect, I don't think that's really fair. The guy has a right to wonder what MINI reliability is really like. Would you tell anyone concerned about reliability/durability that the MINI experience is wrong for them? That suggests it's only for rabid purists who are willing to overlook big problems, and I don't think that's true. MINI owners do expect nominal reliability.

The fact is that while the MINI is maybe the best-styled, best-handling, most-fun-per-dollar car in the US market, the jury is still out on MINI workmanship. The '02 teething problems you expect in brand new platforms have given way to long-term issues with badly designed windshields, engine stumbles, software upgrades that don't take, a bunch of premature component failures (engines and transmissions going out at 10k or 15k, etc.) that ought to raise eyebrows. My own car has had nothing that serious outside of the cold-start stumble, but a bunch of little things that shouldn't go wrong in a new car. And knowing what BMWs cost to maintain after the warranty runs out, that has me wondering how it'll behave -- and what it'll cost -- three or four years from now.

You get a MINI not because it's going to be as reliable as a Toyota but because it's more fun. That fun comes with a bunch of mechanical strings attached. It's pretty darn clear by now that build quality is not world-class, and BMW doesn't know exactly what to do about that, but they better figure something out or the complaints about execution will start to drown out the accolades for design.

I think it's reasonable for MINI loyalists to expect and demand better than the car has shown us so far... and not dismiss prospective buyers voicing worry about these issues as automatic Toyota customers.

 

>>the NHTSA page it has a person who gets the stalling with the CVT transmission.

I have not heard of this or seen any posts on it either. Most CVT owners seem to love them. Anybody???

 

My CVT seems absolutely bulletproof to tell the truth...

Granted I'm not past the break-in yet; but the closer I get to that elusive 1250 miles the more "open" and "willing" the engine/transmission seem.

Never a single stumble, yo-yo, or any other such problem. And, due to the nature of the CVT, my passengers are constantly amazed at the glass smooth acceleration. Hope it lasts ...

 

I'm working on 14K, have had my PS/B MC for over a year, and am very happy w/ the reliability. I've had a couple of rattle fixes and a seat seam which had to be restitched, but nothing else of note. I'm expecting my second MINI in the next 4 or 5 months.

 

Thing is with MINI owners, if you ask them what they'd change about their cars, you'd get a list of "items." We talk about these "items" endlessly. NAM is a good example. We talk, talk, talk...which is all part of building a great community.

But if you ask a MINI owner what they like about their cars you don't get a list per se...just general statements about handling, twisties, or joy, or something. If you really were to demand an itemized list of what MINI owners like about their cars...it'd be a phone book OR they'd just glaze over, drool, and mutter ecstatic gibberish.

The car is awesome, but Consumer Reports doesn't collect data on drool or gibberish...just on cup holders or our lists of "items."

 

03 June build. 10,000 miles. Been running with 15% Alta pully, Alta CAI, Powerchip ECU remap, Milltek header, Borla Race cat-back exhaust, H-sport springs, Rogue rear sway bar, cross drilled rotors, Red Stuff pads, H-sport camber links, CP8-R forged wheels/Parada, MSD coil, JR wires, Rogue short shift mod, etc, etc.....Driven hard on nice days and never been back to the dealer since bringing her home. ZERO PROBLEM even with all these mods Take your chance...it's well worth it!

 

>>>>
>>>>Get a Toyota.
>>>>
>>With great respect, I don't think that's really fair. The guy has a right to wonder what MINI reliability is really like. Would you tell anyone concerned about reliability/durability that the MINI experience is wrong for them? That suggests it's only for rabid purists who are willing to overlook big problems, and I don't think that's true. MINI owners do expect nominal reliability.
>>

Whatever. I was just being succinct instead of vomiting four paragraphs of needless verbosity into a reply. If a potential car buyer is highly concerned about quality or reliability, he or she should get a Camry. There are already far too many MINIs on the road.

>>
>>I think it's reasonable for MINI loyalists to expect and demand better than the car has shown us so far... and not dismiss prospective buyers voicing worry about these issues as automatic Toyota customers.

Good luck with your expecting and demanding from MINI.

 

Stalls alot????? I'm having problems with traction

 

I had an '03 MCS, now I have an '04 MCS. Both had/have perfect reliability, no breakages, never leaving me stranded.

The two issues you bring up have both been solved by MINI. The first, "the stumble" was fixed with software back in December. The second, the fragile windsheild, was just fixed with a new glass temper. The only major issue left is the Yo-Yo, which is Cooper S only, and even then, only a small percentage, I feel. MINIUSA is currently finishing up a fix for this, due out in about a month.

Finally, don't listen to Consumerless Reports! :smile:
Cheers,
Ryan

 

my MCS has never stalled or cracked a winshield.

ConsumerReports is not a good source for info...especially not cars.
Its like letting a guy make reviews on fondu utensils... or something
he would have no idea about.

 

Not sure which mag...Automobile, EVO...anyway MINIs are repeatedly rated best in their category! MINIs have gotten WAY more cheers than jeers.

 

"...easy for me to park and drive".

You probably need some seat time with the MINI's sport handling. This car will change lanes if you sneeze. This is a drivers car with rally heritage. Not a cute, couch soft forgiving econo-box.

The concerns you have should allow an informed decision. Mainly if sports suspension ( read buck-board) and twitchy steering is something you expect and desire. I have an '04 - love it but knew exactly what it is (an MG on steroids) before I laid down the deposit.

Go to your dealer and drive, drive, drive.