I am thinking of buying a MINI Cooper S, but keep running into complaints online about the reliability of the MINI. Most of these complaints seem to be about the 2002 models, but they do worry me a bit. Recalls, transmission problems, problems starting the car in the morning, and lots of little things forcing people back to their dealer on a monthly basis. What has been people's experience with the 2003 models? Have the earlier bugs with the 2001/2002 models been cleaned up?

Also, the dealer here (Brecht MINI of Escondido) doesn't exactly get great reviews at this site, but that's another issue.

Greg

 

Welcome!

This turns out to be a favorite topic -- MINI reliability -- on this board. For the "what works" perspective, see the recent thread on people who haven't had problems with their MINIs.

Good luck on doing the research. I hope you end up deciding to go for a MINI!

 

One thing one must remember is that there are several people pointing out problems here or on other sites, but there have been over ten thousand MINI's sold in the US; The MINI is getting great write-ups in the Press and making a lot of '10-Best' lists - That wouldn't happen if Everyone was having problems ... Go get one and have a Blast!

 

I echo 8Ball's post and also wanted to point out that the dealer ratings are highly suspect. I've had terrific service from a dealer that is rated low on MCO and I suspect that there have been isolated problems at highly-rated dealers.

Get the car! It has a warranty for any problems that you might encounter.

_________________
Indi Blue Cooper w/ Black top & mirrors, sport seats and Prem. Pkg. Christened "Ringo".

 

>>The MINI is getting great write-ups in the Press and making a lot of '10-Best' lists - That wouldn't happen if Everyone was having problems ... Go get one and have a Blast!

Not so fast. The Ford Focus is a "Top 10" car in many lists like Car & Driver and such and it has 9 recalls and counting and is really an awful car.

People ARE having problem with their MINIs, but probably not at any higher rate than any other car on the market.

People are also having problems with MINI dealerships and their service as well. I see more postings and write-ups of people complaining about BMW/MINI service than of the quality of the cars themselves. I for one think MINI service stinks. I suspect service will get better down the road as it becomes a sticking point with people buying the car.

So by any means... the MINI is not flawless nor is it troublesome. I would place quality for the MINI in the averages. I wouldn't let anything scare you from buying the car though.

Keep in mind too, not everyone who owns a MINI posts on the internet. I suspect less than 10% post comments of their MINIs on the net. Most keep their "problems" or "positive raves" to themselves when it comes to their purchases.

 

I've had mine a couple of months with no complaints. See JDpower.com for reliability comparisons. Defects are usually measured in # per hundred cars, and the numbers are actually pretty high.

I've learned that I'm more forgiving of cars that I like, and intolerant of any problems in those I don't.

Jeff

 

As an owner of a first edition Cooper S, I've had my share of "bugs" to contend with, listed below, all covered by warranty. Despite this, it's clear to me that the MINI will be a very reliable car and these problems are most certainly related to the first-release of a new product. These "bugs" are definitely being worked out, one by one, so I would hope a 2003 model would be rock-solid.

Metaphorically speaking, 2002 models, especially first editions, are like version 1.0 software, full of resolvable issues. 2003 models are like version 2.0 software, with improvements and bug fixes. As a notorious early adopter, I'm more than willing to accept the inconvenience of fixing bugs. Those who have been patient for a 2003 model will likely enjoy supreme reliability and groovy features that I'll continue to be jealous of, like the MP3 input on the stereo.