After checking out so many of the posts here, I'm afraid to buy a MINI. It's the car of my dreams, but the reliability issues combined with dealer scumminess are seriously scaring me away from this car.

The dealer I talked to has not returned my email. Judging by the fact that he said the JCW package was $6,500, I'm beginning to think he's one of the dealers who adds exorbitant markups to the MSRP. I've read too many posts here that also complain of really bad dealer behavior.

I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.

When will MINI get their act together and offer a product and service I can really trust?

Chet.

 

On March 16, 2006. At precisely 14:13 hrs. GMT. Until then stay away.

p.s. In 18 months of use, no troubles.
_________________
BLUBELLE - 9/02 production 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley and CAI, Unichip PnP ECU, Moss Skid Plate, Rear Fogs, Chrome Trim Interior. Motoring since 10/18/02.
I V-1 do you?

 

Dvorak, the biggest problem I've had with my MINI was a bad seatbelt sensor and I've had Alice 18 months now, as a daily driver.
The JCW package will probably run about $6500 installed. From memory, it's $4500 plus about 20 hours of labour at around $100 an hour. 6 and a half grand seems to be the "normal" installed price. Of course, you can get the same mods without the factory warrantee for less than 1/2 that, but no pretty badges.
Which dealership are you dealing with? Check out the Dealer Ratings on here for some more info on your dealership (it's the 2nd link down in the "features" section of the menu on the left of your screen).

 

Chet,

it's true that there are some people have had problems with their MINIs, but the vast majority of owners haven't had that many issues, if at all. This is the place where people with problems come to get feedback and to find out what the best solutions are, so it's a given that you're going to get a lot more 'negative' posts than not. You don't see people posting every day "My MINI's fine. Another day with no problems." It just doesn't happen...

I have a Jan 03 build MCS, and have had very few problems. All but two of the issues I've had were so minor that I wouldn't have bothered with them on another car. The two I would've bothered with were not critical and I had plenty of time to get them taken care of. It also seems to be a trend that later build 03's and all 04's have improved build quality. This is normal and natural for any new brand/model, not endemic to MINIs alone.

Hope that helps.

_________________
My MINI makes me want to do the happy dance!

 

Have you looked at the Corolla?

 

>>After checking out so many of the posts here, I'm afraid to buy a MINI. It's the car of my dreams, but the reliability issues combined with dealer scumminess are seriously scaring me away from this car.

dvorak,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.

What you see here about problems is just a small sample of things that happen with any car. we are just much more vocal about it than most car owner groups. I have a Honda Odyssey with many more problems than my Cooper S but no one else knows about them except me and my dealer. Does that stop anyone from buying Odysseys? Nope, not at all because the demand is so high. The dealer wants to buy back my used Odyssey and sell it at some high price for those who do not want to wait months to get a new one. So why do I keep my Odyssey?,because it is useful and I just get things fixed. Having a really high resale value helps too.

I'd say the vast majority of MINI owners have minimal problems. That is what the warranty is for. To fix the problems not to have no problems. If you want no problems buy a Lexus or Toyota.

>>The dealer I talked to has not returned my email. Judging by the fact that he said the JCW package was $6,500, I'm beginning to think he's one of the dealers who adds exorbitant markups to the MSRP. I've read too many posts here that also complain of really bad dealer behavior.

Dealers vary alot. Dump dealers that do not meet your standards and steer clear of them when you can. First look in your area and check with your local MINI club to see where people have the best care. Purchase can be from any MINI dealer. People move around so they cannot expect everyone to buy and service a MINI in the same dealership all the time.

Check out classic MINI in Ohio and MINI of the Hamptons who are sponsors of NAM.

>>I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.
We are all in the same boat. Think less and enjoy motoring more.

>>When will MINI get their act together and offer a product and service I can really trust?
Some dealerships are quite good. Seek them out by word of mouth from other MINI owners.
Your results may vary. Good luck. I would not be afraid. I'd be smart. :smile:

 

I have had a MINI CVT since last July. Was a dealer test drive demo. Right there it would have been a "stay away from this one" car for most people. I picked it up ... drive it and abuse it daily in NYC stop and go traffic and have close to 10K miles on it.

BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE! .... for scheduled service for an oil change.

Of course what you will read on these boards are mostly complaints as people by nature will rarely write anything positive about their experiences.

I say, order the car of your dreams and don't look back. Problems can happen with any car.

BTW: What is ADHD?

 

Hi. :smile:

1. Consult the Dealer Ratings.

2. If you're on the West Coast or far away from a good dealer, consider ordering from Classic in Cleveland or MINI of the Hamptons on Long Island. MSRP + $500 shipping.

3. I have had zero problems with my '04 MCS, for waht it's worth.

4. You're at an advantage due to the info you've researched here on NAM. Lots of people get suckered becasue they don't know better.

5. Go for it, it's worth the risk.

 

Pick ant new car that has an enthusiast following and a dedicated web forum. Read it. You'll read lots of posts about poor quality.

It is just the nature of the internet for this kind of thing to happen. Find a dealer you are comfortable with, pay the price you are comfortable with, and understand that cars have a warranty for a reason.

If you really like the car, and want the car, get the car.

 

Yah, don't let it put you off. The thing to remember about forums like these is that they are places for people to come and bring their problems, seeking answers and some shared commiseration. There is therefore naturally going to be a greater percentage of dissatisfaction evident here than is actually the case on average. I encountered the same thing looking for hotels for my honeymoon. I couldn't find a single hotel in which someone hadn't posted an awful review on Tripadvisor, Fodors, or some similar site.

(Btw, you should get in on the Classic Mini Group Buy!!)

 

I can't tell you to buy or not to buy. I can tell you that this car is the only car that has held my interest past a one year time frame and I have owned many vehicles including 3 BMWs . I have had some minor problems but the fun factor outweighs any of these problems.

 

Chet - -
Take the large amount of whining that goes on here with a grain of salt. While it’s true that some MINI owners have experienced problems with their cars and their dealers, and there are minor problems with the cars that BMW has not resolved, IMO the MINI and its dealer support is above average. When you read the complaints make note of who the poster is and the tone of his/her complaints. The majority sound like whiners who seem to unrealistically expect a perfect car and Lexus quality support on a $20k car. The are a few people on NAM who have rationally dealt with MINI problems - - read and heed their posts and disregard the others.

I have owned 20+ new cars since 1956 and the car with the most problems and worst support was my wife’s ‘02 Mercedes. We currently own an ‘04 MCS/JCW MINI, an ‘02 Bimmer, and an ‘04 Lexus and I’ve never been dissatisfied with the MINI or BMW or their dealer support. Both the MINI and the Z3 put a big smile on my face every time I drive either one.

As for my MINI experience, mine broke down on the way home for initial delivery. The dealer arranged for flat-bed transport back to their shop and gave me a MINI loaner. The problem (a loose wheel speed sensor) was fixed promptly and with courtesy. No complaints on my part!

Don’t expect the MINI to be the perfect car, but for a fun ride it’s hard to beat!

 

Chet,as one of the chronic whiners(with # 6 windscreen recently installed) I feel the need to quote myself in one of my past windshield related threads" If I didn't love the car so much,I would just sell it in disgust and walk away"I need to state catagorically and without remorse,there isn't a day that goes by that I regret buying this car,I have owned roughly 40 cars (including a very fly 1968 mini cooper S)and in all that time I cannot say that I have enjoyed any of them as much as I do this one(2002 ,july build, mcs,bone stock for the most part).There have been some very good suggestions made here about checking out dealer ratings ,and reading between the lines of the people who complain the most,Take heed,and go with your gut,but mostly ,go for a few test drives and talk to the owners you will meet at the pumps or in the parking lots of America.God speed..............Jock

 

All cars have a percentile of problems, it is a fact. If you are going to look at other cars, make sure to do your due dilligence and review their forums also. I am sure you will find similar comments.

I could tell you a Saab story and the three water pumps it went through....in a year....or the seat they tried to fix 8 times.....

 

42k and only a couple of squeeks and rattles. Very well taken
care of by my dealer. I love this car!

Spend last Sunday driving a Mercedes SL55 AMG Brabus. 0-60mph
in 4.2 sec., top end 212mph. Man!!! That's a car!!! It also costs
close to 200k!!!

Point is, I still love my MCS! It only costs 25k!!!

Perhaps you will love this car too.

Godspeed.

 

2002 Cooper CVT, 20 months old, 22K troublefree miles

2004 MCS, 7 months old, 7K troublefree miles.


Still have any doubts?

 

I have 16,000 miles with the only problem being having the steering column replaced under warrenty. Niello in Sacramento has been great to deal with. The car is not perfect but it fills my bill. I kinda get the impression that some of the people who complain on a regular basis were expecting too much from their Mini in the first place. I try to avoid driving behind trucks and such to protect my windshield and been lucky so far. If you are afraid of the car or the dealers(there are some good dealers out there) go some other car but you will miss one of the great driving pleasures. Good Luck

HEY! IF YOU HAVE A GOOD MINI DEALER TO WORK WITH HOW ABOUT POSTING THEIR NAME AND LOCATION!

 

Want to be treated like this from MINIUSA and dealership? see page two for latest updates. any doubts? I sure have some now!!

_________________
Happy Motorin'

 

>>Want to be treated like this from MINIUSA and dealership? see page two for latest updates. any doubts? I sure have some now!!
>>
>>_________________
>>Happy Motorin'



Well that's not my experience. There are bad dealers for sure but there are also good apples from the bunch.

 

Niello in Sacramento, Assael in Monrovia, and Crevier in Santa Ana all get my recommendation as trustworthy and courteous dealers - - and I am most definitely hard to please - - just ask my wife!

 

100,000 owners in North America 350,000+ world wide
what % of that are on this forum and whining?
9 months yesterday and 16,000 miles,I use it everyday,and the MINI will drive through a blizzard,start at -40[yep-40]great at night on the highway,nothing dodges deer and other critters like my MINI.My biggest concern on the highway is that I will have to stop and those behind me can,t.Good heat in the cabin,big deal in the great white north
and NOBODY waves at an echo

 

Any manufacturer can have a car with problems, and there are good and bad dealers selling every brand. Do your homework. The dealers reputation is at least as important as the reliability of the car. Many people do a great deal of research to make sure that they buy the "right car", and then just buy it from the dealer that offers them the lowest price. Remember that if you ever have a problem with the car, the dealer will be the first person you have to deal with, and the dealer has a great deal of influence as to how the factory looks at your claim. You bought one car from the manufacturer and may someday buy another. The dealer will buy hundreds of cars per year from the manufacturer, who do you think the manufacturer is more concerned with making happy? You or the dealer? All that being said, I have been absolutely thrilled with the quality of this car. I bought it expecting it to be fun, but it is so much more. I have had asolutely no problems in 5000+ miles. No squeaks. No rattles. No loose trim. No performance problems. No paint flaws. Nothing. I am a very happy, satisfied owner.

 

>>I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.<<

I'd strongly recommend that you DO NOT buy the car. The frequency of people being screwed over by BMW/MINI appears to be increasing, not decreasing, and MINI is doing nothing to deal with quality problems like the crappy windshields and fragile 5-speed transmissions.

I don't see any reason to expect them to change their tune, ever. I will never again recommend this car to anyone, unless they're very wealthy and can afford to play BMW's game (i.e., bend over on a regular basis).

And I LOVED this car six months ago!

 

>>>>I've got ADHD. I do not handle the frustration of a poor product with poor service very well at all and I just don't think I could handle the ordeal that this car will most likely bring to my life.<<
>>
>>I'd strongly recommend that you DO NOT buy the car. The frequency of people being screwed over by BMW/MINI appears to be increasing, not decreasing, and MINI is doing nothing to deal with quality problems like the crappy windshields and fragile 5-speed transmissions.
>>
>>I don't see any reason to expect them to change their tune, ever. I will never again recommend this car to anyone, unless they're very wealthy and can afford to play BMW's game (i.e., bend over on a regular basis).
>>
>>And I LOVED this car six months ago!


I respectfully disagree.


My MINIs have been extremely reliable , haven't had any glass issues and the service received from the dealer has been top notch. Having the backing of a good dealer is what makes all the difference in the world.

I am not saying that some owners have had negative experiences but these have to do mostly with an incompetent dealer. When you have a good dealer to work with, most problems can be smooth out fairly quickly.

Believe it or not, there is an inmense majority of owners that are happy with the product and thier dealers. As an owner of noth a 2002 and 2004 MINI I can attest to the better quality on the '04 and how carefully built my car was.


Let's put this negativity into perspective folks. If you are unhappy with your cars, lemon them, sell them and move on. The whining is getting quite frankly tiring.

Some of you seem to like to play the "marthyr" game..well there are too many damn cars in the market outthere to chose from, so like I said, if you hate the car and the company, move on!


_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, MFSW, CD Boost, 15" 8-Spoke silver wheels.
'04 MCS CR/W, UJ Roof Flag, Aux Input, HK, Sport MFSW, Rain sensing, Auto dim mirror, 16" silver V-spoke wheels, Chrome grille, Chrome mirrors, OBC, front fogs.

 

I wholeheartedly agree that all cars have their problems - to varying degrees. I have had my MCS less than a year, and have had only minor problems. The car is a hobby car and only gets 500 miles put on the odo each month. Most of the people I've talked to who own one have had little to no problems with them.

The big issue for me IS the treatment from the parent company. Having just jettisoned an X5, I have had nothing but bad experiences from BMW. In fact, I will never buy a BMW product again, and I will make sure everyone I know understands what a rotten company they are.

Bottom line - the car is a motorized version of a skateboard, it puts a smile on my face everytime I get in it, and I love having it. The downside is that by buying one, you are putting money in the pockets of one of the most crooked and disgusting automakers on the planet.