My mom is considering buying a Mini Cooper when she can afford a new car.
After reading some posts in various boards, we have a couple questions.
Are there a lot of instances of Minis that seem to be lemons?
Are the more recent models less lemon-prone, or is it the same for all years?
Does anyone have any comments on the dealership(s?) in Connecticut?

Also, I think I read about three different cars having a problem early on. Not being the gearhead type, I forgot what it was, maybe something with a radiator, or at least something water/liquid related. Is that common in the first months?

What about the windshields? I was reading about that being a problem, too.

I have become so focused on Minis that now I've made my mom want one too, but we can't deal with a car that constantly has to be fixed. Any opinions or info you can give us would be great. We want to here it from real owners, not the dealers trying to make their sales, and we don't know one person with a Mini.

 

I have 2 MINIs. A 2002 Cooper CVT (Automatic) and a 9 month old 2004 MCS. The '02 Cooper CVT (Belong to my wife) has 23K miles and the '04 MCS (Mine) has 8,600 miles. Both cars have been extremely reliable and both are used as daily drivers.


The '02 had some initial quality control glitches but these were promptly corrected under warranty. The MINI's first year in the US was 2002, so those cars will have more problems than average. As time has gone by, MINis are getting better and better with each build (See http://www.motoringfile.com for an interesting article). The '02 has been otherwise cold stone reliable...no problems with engine, transmission, electrical...nada. The car is solid and we have put over 10K miles in roadtrips alone.


My '04 MCS is BANK VAULT SOLID and has not seen the dealer for anything since I took delivery in October 2003. No rattles, no squeaks, absolutely ZERO problems in 8,600 miles.


Both cars have the original factory windshields. No problems there either.

So there you go. Buy with confidence. MINIs are great cars and truly a world class product made by a world class company: BMW.

_________________
Come and check out our new club:

http://www.minisofmiami.com

 

The production quality of MINIs has improved each year. Most of the "big" complaints happened during the first 2 years of production. There are still some issues out there, but nothing all that UNusual for a brand new car that hasn't been on the market long. Some the persistent issues deal with our windshields breaking prematurely.

Personally, I'm in my 17,000 miles, 9 months of ownership of a 2003 MC, my problems have been pretty minor. I did replace thw windshield once, and my leather steering wheel did peel. Other than that, it's been perfect. I love my MINI and neither of these issues would make me give up my MINI.

Now, there have been complaints about clutches, and transmission issues, and it seems to depend on where you live and how experienced a driver you are, and whether you plan to do AutoX. Cold climate areas seem to have more issue--which I imagine Conn is one of those areas. Since I live and work in sunny California, maybe I'm just lucky cause it's ideal MINI weather. LOL.

If you look at the number of MINI's sold, look at the number of people who post on this forum, and then look at the number of complaints about lemons, the number is very very small. But it only takes a few loud people to make it look like the world is crashing down, since it's in human nature to voice a complaint rather than post a compliment or praise.

Just my 2 cents.

_________________
Octane Guy

c3:Lets Motor for a Worthy Cause :::
Or Find a MINI Motorer near you!

 

hey, I want two, three, more, more MINIs. I've had Brutus since9/02, he was built 7/02, so he's one of earlier models. The problem with him was the coolant tank, it leaked at the seam of the tank. No problems since it was replaced. I'm with a local club here in Cali. and never had any MINIs breakdown or any thing like that on the drives we go on.
The MINI is a way cool car, my first new, but favorite car ever. Some have problems, some do not, just like any other car out there. The odds are in your favor I'm sure. take care! let us know :smile:

 

I can only agree with the previous posts. My MINI has 18,000 miles of fun, and before that I had an early '02 MINI which gave me over 8,000 miles of pleasure before it was traded in.

I live north of Boston, MA and can say that my MINI performed admirably through the horrible winter we just suffered. I know people that switch to snow tires in the winter but I did not (yet) do that.

I believe there is a well respected dealership in Hartford - you can read about them in the Dealer Rating System here on NAM.
Of course I would encourage you to drive north to MINI Peabody, everyones favourite dealership (including mine). Here are their ratings.

By the way, more than 130 MINIs will be gathering at the base of Mount Washington in New Hampshire in two weeks, for MINIsOnTop; you will miss us this year, but maybe you can join in next year :smile:

 

GreaterOdds,
I am a new owner ('04 MC purchased 2 weeks ago). This is by far the most solid car I have ever owned...and one of the most solid I have driven. I had a great experience with MINI of Fairfield County (ask for Fabrizio). I drove nearly 3 hours each way to do business with them, and am glad that I did! Send me a PM, and I will give you the details.

 

Ditto for me. Over 11,000 trouble free, bank vault solid miles so far.

 

Thanks for all the insight... hopefully we can get one...
What about the pre-MOT event at Yankee Candle? it's a day I should have off, and I was considering driving up to ogle and drool over all the Minis... unless the special parking area will be cordoned off to non-owners.

 

As mentioned above some of the early production models had problems, as with any new model. Also, remember, people tend to complain more than praise. I have had my MCS since Dec of 02 and have had very few problems (one recall on a suspension bolt), and now have over 41,000 miles. Its been to the dealer twice for oil changes, and that is is. It is the most reliable/ predictable, well built car that I have ever owned. My wife and I just decided this weekend that it was time for our 97 civic to be replaced because it is dying. Without any hesitation we agreed that the only choice is another MINI.

Get one, and enjoy,

Nik

 

I have a 2004 with 0 problems to date. I have had my car since last Oct. and have about 8,000 miles on it with no visits to the dealer for anything.


Cheers, Ryan

 

I've had my 03 MC 11 months next week and have over 21k miles on it .
Daily driver 100 mile round trip commute to work,even at-45 ,in lots of snow.
The car has had some minor issues ,but always starts first crank,runs smooth,
Warm in winter,get the heated seats,very comfy.
My windscreen is pitted but I travel on gravel roads,and they spread so much gravel here in the winter,any cars windsreen would get pitted

 

18K+ miles and the only serious problem I had was when they installed the JCW kit on my S; somehow a wire got fried and my power steering went out. I can't say enough about how much fun the car is, nor how well everything fits together. I would highly recommend you find out about your dealer, though, that can make a world of difference. I was lucky in that my dealer cares about customer satisfaction more than taking my money - although they do love to take my money.
-Cor.

 

Over 2 years and just over 30k miles. Only a couple of minor problems, both fixed under warranty. Buy a MINI, you'll love it.

MB

 

Greaterodds,

I think you will be fine with a 2004 or 2005 MINI of any type.
You can read here more about the differences between the MC (mini cooper) with 5 speed and CVT transmissions and the MCS (cooper S) with 6 speed transmission.

If your mother drives only automatic then it will be the MC with CVT unless the CVT goes to the MCS for 2005.

Most small problems have been worked out. Windshields were worse before but mostly in certain areas of the country. In Hawaii we hardly have windshield problems.

You might try to contact the local MINI club in your area, just check the regional forums on NAM to find out more or go to the nearest dealership to find out any info on a MINI club or BMW club that has MINI owners as members. Then you can meet people and see the MINIs up close.

Don't forget to test drive everything so you know what it is all about before you buy.
Don't over look the MC with CVT, it is quite good. And for your mother, it's likely that the MC will be the best choice of performance and general drivability. Stick to the non runflats when you can as the runflats ride rough but give additional safety for flats.

Good luck and happy to see you post here.

 

Get your MINI! 04 MCS bought 4-24-04, 3900 miles, no problems. Most fun car I have ever owned. An absolute blast. Many mods, my dealer has been cool.