just checking to see who uses their MINI as a daily driver and how its doing as far as being reliable.
Im going to be using mine for my main car and was interested in your
feedback.
db

 

2002 Cooper CVT (8/2002 build) used as a hard working daily driver since 9/7/2002. 30K troublefree miles and no problemos!

(Oh! and still on the original factory windshield!)

 

Jan 2003 Cooper...tip-top shape, runs super, 30K miles. Awesome as a daily driver....reliable and a BLAST!!!!! Only car I ever drive.

 

Just to quickly clarify.... 2001 MINIs were only sold in Europe. '01 was the Europe launching year (July 2001 to be exact). Oldest MINIs sold in the US are 2002 model year (March 2002 onwards).

 

oct 02 build early 03... still running strong!

 

Nov. '02 build '03 VR/W MC. Just hit a big one today:


So far, short of weird first year build stuff (boot latch, seat belt connector, multiple software updates, transmission replacement, seat back replacement and almost my third windshield) doing pretty good so far!

I just did the math tonight, and I'm averaging 744 miles per week! WOOHOO! I should hit 100K miles (fingers crossed) sometime in late September 8)

 

56k and running strong. No real issues. Some minor stuff (rear hatch alignement, a couple of windshields, all rock caused). No biggies yet. And a bunch of mods....

Matt

 

Daily Driver
62,000 miles
problem free for the last two years and 30,000+ miles :smile:

 

Drove first MINI, a 2002 Cooper, 14,000 miles in 8 months before trading her in for Wanda, my 2003 MCS. She just turned exactly 48,000 miles on the odo this evening! She's carried me back and forth across the United States the past three years and I've had no problems with her reliability at all!


Clover

 

Should we submit this thread to our friends at Consumer Reports?

 

Aug 2002 build. Coolant leak, power steering pump fan jams every few months leading to overheating, transmission just failed at 86k, driver side window doesn't always work, passenger door lock solenoid failed, airbag sensor failed again (SRS light on), maddening dash rattle, various other squeaks and noises. Right now it's in pieces in my garage waiting for a replacement tranny. If I wasn't doing the work myself and using a trans from a totalled car the whole operation would likely have cost upwards of $5000. Good luck to all the owners that will soon have to fix these cars themselves sans warrenty.

 

July '03 Build 5 Speed MC picked up in September 2003.
40,440 miles so far
Daily driver

Ditched runflats at 19,000 miles for Yoko's and soon after that began my mods. ECU, plug wires, Intake, Exhaust, Brake Pads, Sport Link. Next on list is Super Blue brake fluid, Stainless Steel Lines, and PS Rotors. Been doing my own servicing which is a joy. Shine courtesy of Meguiars NXT products.

Drive my MC pretty agressively though I don't abuse it. I cruise at 4,500 rpm in 4th gear, and downshift to 3rd for passing at 6,000 rpm. 1st gear take offs to 6,700 rpm are common for me--giving me an overall gas mileage of about 24 to 25mpg--much better than my wifes 17mpg in her Lexus IS300 SportCross.

Only warranty fixes have been boot latch rattle and peeling leather MFSW and ECU emissions update. Otherwise everything has been normal!

 

Aug 02 MCS and was trouble free until the dealer installed the v40 ECU update. I now have a very rough running, stalls when I start it and lack of power MINI.

I know my MINI is still a great car, but have to do something about this v40 problem to get it back to the fantastic machine it was before the flash update.

My MCS is not only a daily driver, but the only car I own.

 

2003 June build. I'm the 2nd owner-- purchased at 14000 miles a year ago. 36000 miles now. Great car... faster than my totalled 02. Minor issues except for MINI-abandoned CD NAV system..now dead and going to Dr. MINI next week. Still love the car.:smile:

 

2003 mcs 44,000 miles. great car! and my only car. a few rattles and the pitted windscreen glass are my only complaints.
a few mods: short shifter, h-sport rear bar and springs, 15% pulley, nology wires and denso plugs, alta cai, ps brakes tomorrow and probably a new clutch, rps. maybe a lighter flywheel and miltek catback.

running v40 software, very smooth with lots of power!

 

Go go Wanda! Ollie rolled 48K on Friday

Ollie, my Dec.'02 build '03 MCS, is doing relatively well. I wouldn't necessarily call him "reliable" in the strict sense of the word (he's had the teething issues some others have mentioned - windscreen #4, boot latch #3, cold start/stumble and subsequent barrage of software upgrades, bad amp resulting in trashed tweeter, etc.)

BUT

I have never worried that he'd leave me stranded somewhere. In fact, mechanical stuff (oh please oh please don't jinx me here) is what Ollie does best.

 

I got a tad over 17k 06/03 build. :smile:

 

Jan '03 build MC bought used in '05. Had 10k miles when I bought it and history report showed only a windshield wiper issue. It's been absolutely perfect for me. Have 15k on her now.

 

October 03 build '04 MCS, 16K miles.

One cracked windshield, one mandatory software update, one leaky runflat no other problems (knock on wood).

 

August 02 MCS, 31k.Water pump seal and ECU reflash. All else good. No mods yet, but the pulley is coming. Daily HARD driver. Avg 25mpg city, 32mpg hwy, 3 tickets, 3 sets of tires.

 

Sept. 02 build (03 model year) MCS, daily driven at least 140 miles, 74,400 tolal miles currently. Third set of tires, fourth oil change (last week) and original windsheild:smile: . There were three minor warrenty issues taken care of on the first service... coolant bottle, rear suspension bolt, and hatch jammed at the dealer when leaving.


Nik

 

Early 03 [9/02] MC-CVT. I bought it used in April, 04, with 2200 miles on it. It now has 17,000 FUNNNNNNNNNNN, SPIRITED, and WORRYFREE miles, and I never plan to give it up.

 

thanks for the info, I thought there might be some Brits on here.

Looks like most ppl are happy, theres a lemon in every other batch, 2001-2002 seem to have the usual early production kinks all manufactures go through. the New Beetles had some of these same probs.
I only have 20k on my car, Its at the dealer getting the seat belt conector/airbag light, boot latch rattle sorted out
and an oilchange & an overall going over.
I live a ways away from them so I want to get as much out of them as possible.

the biggest worry is the tranny issue (see below), what exactly is happening?
is it that you have to baby the tranny due to the super charger being hard on it (wink wink) or an actual manufacture defect??

whats the deal with the windshield cracking???
Mine had a crack in the upper left hand corner, I made the car lot I bought my car from replace it.

what kind of software update is needed?

Like I said I live a long way away from the dealer, should I try to get them to replace the trans, not sure they would replace it at this point if its not acting up now. I've only driven the car for 2-3 days so Im not sure what it would feel like, what are some of the syms, popping out of gear???
I asked the dealer about the retainer clip issue and he acted like he didnt have a clue, but Ive read about it all over the net. I think it was a recall?

I was told the runflats only last 20k & very pricey, the car has new tires but I was worried I would have to replace them with the same tire? I assume from OctaneGuy's post that you can use non-runflats???

thanks for answering all my annoying newbie ?'s.
db

 

My windshield has never been an issue, nor has the ECU upgrade, but then, I have a MC.

My CVT is flawless and performs just great, having run the Dragon twice now. I also just finished a Phil Wicks School at Putnam, and it posed no problems at all.

I have runflats and yes, they ARE noisy and clunky...but, they DO ensure the feeling of safety [not having to change tires on busy roads or out in the middle of nowhere]. You can find them on eBay, since many drivers prefer normal tires to them and get rid of them ASAP.

My car has been VERY reliable. It still is under warranty and the dealer is 80 miles away. So far, they have been marvelous and have even given me decent loaners when I have had to leave my car with them [ie. '03 M3, '02 Jetta].

 

windshiled crack depends... i had one done last winter when the weather outside was -40 or so!

we listing problems we had? hm.... stumble, cold start, yoyo.... still have reminants of it...

coolant leak, had the coolant tank replaced twice, one windshield crack, several recalls including the rear hatch, hood rub against the inside... one place has now worn down to the metal.... ill need to spray it soon before it rusts!