R50/53 Known safety issues with MINIs?

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Jun 13, 2005 | 11:32 AM

#26

Sticky Wicket

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From: Westchester, NY

Don't think so

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4

I have owned 3 MINIs and they have been better than the Hondas/Acuras I owned for 12 years.

My '04 MCS had only 1 scheduled service stop in 16 months and 17K miles of service. Sold the car early February and still looked felt like new. No rattles, no problems, ran like the finest Rolex.

My new '05 MCS has 1,800 completely troublefree miles in over 2 months since taking delivery. Very solidly built car. No unscheduled dealer visits as of yet.

The wife's '02 Cooper CVT with nearly 30K miles, still going strong and it is a hard working daily driver.

So my point is, not all of them are bad.

Hondas and Toyotas have problems too. Go to www.edmunds.com and read how people complain about them, from rattles and squeaks, to failed transmissions, sludged engines and peeling paint jobs. The grass is not greener on the other side I am afraid.

Good luck with your MINI, Once the engine light problem is solved, you'll experience a nearly bulletproof product that puts most of the Asian offering to shame.

I'm glad your having good luck with your Minis, and I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet, but there is no way anyone will tell me that overall, Mini's are as reliable as Toyotas. More fun to drive, yes. I and my family have had the same experice with Toyota that you've had with Mini, only over a much longer time and each car was driven well over 100,000 miles.
All cars have issues, but some have more than others. The only rating source I trust is Consumer Reports, because they accept no advertising revenue. The Toyotas are nearly always 1 or 2 on the list for reliability. Mini, so far, is way down on the list. This isn't suprising considering that BMW overall hasn't been rated well. That has changed in the last couple of years for some of there cars, but its a recent trend.
Looking at one website with individual complaints (like this one) will not give an accurate view of an automakers overall reliablity.

Jun 13, 2005 | 11:58 AM

#27

IanF

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: PA/NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sticky Wicket

I've had an array of problems with my MCSC since it hit about 2500 miles. The most persistent of which has been a chronically lit 'check engine soon' light. I'm in the process of arranging to have it brought back to the dealer for the 4th time. NO, its not the gas cap...that has been checked multiple times, with no leak, and even replaced once, because they weren't sure what else to do. Last time they did a smoke test and replaced the pump that pressurizes the system. 1 day after I got it back, there goes the light again. Doesn't seem to effect the driving, but....

Hmm... I'm sitting here wondering if the gremlin that affected JerseyGirl's '97 M3 jumped to another car once it crossed into L.I. last year...

It did the same thing and the dealer rhetoric was also the same "gas cap" or "you filled it with the car running..."

She eventually gave up and just drove around with the code-reader/reset tool...

Unfortunately, BMW's are somewhat notorious for electrical glitches...

Jun 13, 2005 | 12:38 PM

#28

Sticky Wicket

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Westchester, NY

God, I hope not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanF

Hmm... I'm sitting here wondering if the gremlin that affected JerseyGirl's '97 M3 jumped to another car once it crossed into L.I. last year...

It did the same thing and the dealer rhetoric was also the same "gas cap" or "you filled it with the car running..."

She eventually gave up and just drove around with the code-reader/reset tool...

Unfortunately, BMW's are somewhat notorious for electrical glitches...

In deference to my dealer (and I have some frustration with them for other reasons), it appears the continuing problem isn't for lack of trying to fix it. They picked it up for the 4th time this morning to fix a problem with the convertable top (new) and maybe the light. I need the car for the weekend, so they only have until then to figure it out and I'm not optomistic. The've agreed to re-imburse me for 1 month's payment, so that's in their favor.

Jun 13, 2005 | 12:57 PM

#29

not-so-rednwhitecooper

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From: Chardon, Ohio

you guys really need to find something else to complain about....

whats the problem today? AC slowing your car down on takeoff,
tomarrow it will be the gauges are too hard to read, next it will be the seat is to stiff, after that it will be the radio isnt easy enuff to use, too many stupid people to pick about stupid things.......its sad

i'm glad i got my car before people like you make things change

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:35 PM

#30

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by dominicminicoopers

Cracking strut mounting plates under normal wear. I've heard this from a few different people...and also mine were cracked and got replaced under warranty.

I guess I can take this off the list. The replacements are different and appear to be much much sturdier. Be sure to check yours!

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:37 PM

#31

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by CARdiac

There seems to be a link between Mini driving and some lower leg, shoulder and arm problems. It appears the study is focussing on the concern about swelling of the lower right extremity while driving and soreness developing in the shoulders and forearms.

I get the shoulder/neck problems on long trips (more than 300 miles). Never had the lower extremity issues.

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:40 PM

#32

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4

In this country there are groups of people that complaint about anything and everything.

I'm not here to complain. I;m here to bring awareness to safety issues and how to correct it. This is to save lives and save potential costly problems. If you have a problem with that, please go elsewhere.

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:43 PM

#33

jggonzalez

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dominicminicoopers

I guess I can take this off the list. The replacements are different and appear to be much much sturdier. Be sure to check yours!

So you mean the parts used on the latest model have been redesigned and beefed up to take more stress?

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:46 PM

#34

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sticky Wicket

I've had an array of problems with my MCSC since it hit about 2500 miles. The most persistent of which has been a chronically lit 'check engine soon' light.

Sticky, contrary to C4's perceptions of this thread as a complaint fest, this thread is for safety concerns that should be addressed by MINI. For example, I have a Jan 03 build MINI. The upper strut mounts (called Guide Supports) have a tendency to crack. This is, in my opinion, a very important piece of safety since it holds the top of the suspension to the chassis of the car. I could only imagine what might happen if it were to have completely failed!! Luckily the dealership replaced it. I'm very surprised that with the fact that MINI engineers reengineered the part to be much beefier, that they didn't do a recall on it! So I started this thread to let me and others have a place to post things that should be of a safety nature, so that others could see it, and possibly do a little research and determine if their cars have issues that need to be addressed.

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:46 PM

#35

Banned

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dominicminicoopers

I have no problem at all with that. But I do take issue with people that come up with petty complaints and nit picks. If you don't like the car, sell it.

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:48 PM

#36

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by jggonzalez

So you mean the parts used on the latest model have been redesigned and beefed up to take more stress?

That's what the dealership told me. I looked at it myself and noticed the difference. Then called the dealership and asked them. My MA, was unaware of the redesign, until my call prompted him to do some quick research where he found out that it was new and beefed up.

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:51 PM

#37

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by jggonzalez

I'm not sure what these look like. I'm pretty ignorant about things under the hood. Could someone post a pic so I know what to look out for?

jg, check this thread for pix... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=44710

Jun 13, 2005 | 04:53 PM

#38

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequence

There aren't any, are there? My insurance agent says MINIs are proving to be solid little cars that hold up very well in accidents. I think they have a 4 star safety rating, including offset. Jimbo

Jimbo, are you being serious? You really think the broken suspension components I've pointed out is not a safety concern? Or how about the stalling issues due to, the now fixed, programming of the ECU which causes cars to stall out in middle of intersections. Please explain....

Jun 13, 2005 | 05:00 PM

#39

dominicminicoopers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by bambam

Is this guy for real

Sounds like he doesn't know how to drive. Of all the 4 bangers I've owned the mini is least affected by the AC.

Come on over some day. You're more than welcome. I'll let you take my 2002 Dodge Neon 2.0l with 132hp and my 2003 MCS with over 175 hp (15% pulley and CAI) for a back to back test drive. The Neon's AC is artic cold yet doesn't seem to affect drivability (once rolling...see below for more info). Although is noticible when turned on, doesn't bog it down too bad. While the MINI's AC is cool, it has a tremendous effect on drivability. It really bogs the MINI down. However, I don't think that the drivability issues the MINI's AC presents is much of a safety concern. However, when the AC in the Dodge when it causes the car to stall upon launching, to me, would be a safety issue.

Jun 13, 2005 | 06:42 PM

#40

jggonzalez

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dominicminicoopers

Thanks, that's reassuring. I'm expecting delivery of an '05 MC in mid-August.

Jun 13, 2005 | 07:56 PM

#41

Sticky Wicket

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Joined: Dec 2004

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From: Westchester, NY

Complaining about complaining.

People whining about people whining. Thread ownership issues. I was wrong to bother posting again.

Jun 13, 2005 | 08:57 PM

#42

bambam

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Quote:

Originally Posted by flav

yes bambam, im for real. and out of all the 4 bangers i have ever driven the mini is by far the worst with the AC on.

your statement shows your complete and utter ignorance. look here and read up on your mini knowledge.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=44839

I was refering to your comment about the trouble you had getting on the freeway because your AC was on. It doesn't make that big of a difference. I used to drive semi and have never had a problem getting on any freeway. Its not a safety issue its a driver issue.