except I dread untrained dealer professionals being amongst the dealer professionals that I can't discern...

"There is no such thing as a free car wash !"
Winston Churchill
(or maybe not....)

 

I picked my '05 MC up in mid March and have about 1800 miles on it. (I've been out of the country...not much driving going on!) The AC takes some of the spunk away, and I've had some weird thing that sometimes happens with the iPod adaptor (don't know if it is an iPod issue or a MINI issue at this point). Other than that...perfect! It is everything I hoped it would be!

 

2004 May build MCS - 11K miles and no, I mean no big troubles - KNOCK ON WOOD.

And to be honest, I had fully expected to have a couple gremlins by now. But nope - runs superb! And from what I have read of things going wrong, they are nothing that will leave you stranded on the side of the road. And even if it does, call roadside assistence.

 

Mine is a sept 02 build (03 model year). This week I turned 75000 miles. Its only been to the dealer twice, for its scheduled maintenance. First trip they replaced a suspension bolt that was a recall item, and the second time replaced the coolant bottle. Other than that nothing. I've been running the alta CAI for about 70k miles, and the 15% pulley for about 45k miles. I replaced the belt last weekend (just because) and it still looked fine. This car has been as, if not more, reliable than any cars/ trucks I've previously owned. And alot more fun to drive too .


Nik

 

with 56,000 on it. No big issues. Some very minor ones (rear hatch adjust, one fuel sender bad). I beat the snot out of my car, and it keeps taking it!

But I tinker, and there are a few "freebies" that I did that may make me happier....
1) Adjust the by-pass valve on the SC (mine was wayy off).
2) Vacuum Gain System. Some say it helps with yo-yo, but I never had any.
3) Hot air intake (OK, not really free)
4) Brake Light mod. (So, no power, but the price is right!)

Matt

 

We have 2 Minis, an '04 MCS and an '05 MCS. No problems here. Just miles of smiles.

ripley.

 

My 2003 Cooper has around 16,500 miles on it. The only problem is the occasional sputter / stall upon cold start. And terrible A/C lag at times. Very minor issues really. These have not been fixed, but I am not actively persuing them to be fixed. I will mention them at my next scheduled service. Other than those minor annoyances, the car has been perfect.

 

2004 MCS built September 11, 2003.

Daily driver treated very tenderly on the local streets. No perfomrance modifications.

Regularly taken to road race courses and parking lot events for excercise.
This causes excessive wear on the front tires, so I use an extra set of tires for that.

The Dealer said one front suspension part was out of spec. and changed it under warranty.

The drivers door froze once, but I dried it out and it was fine.

The Dealer changed a deffective back up light switch under warranty.

Comfort ? We drove from Atlanta to Chicago, 850 miles in 15 hours with no complaints, and I am an old fat guy.

Seems like a pretty reliable car to me.

John

 

10000 miles, no problems

 

Picked up Plane Jane MC last week. As of today 1500 miles. Runs like a champ. Small buzz in Chrono glass at 65/70. I will have that looked at when there is more of an issue. There is not a better car for the money with or without any issues. Buy One you will thank everyone!

 

I picked my 2005 MCS up on 6/17 and have 2600 miles on it... (Honestly though, my BF has put maybe 300 of those miles on).


Not one single problem with the car, and unless my BF did something bad last night while he was driving it, no dings or rock chips yet, either. He went to the gym, and about 10 minutes after he left the severe weather sirens were going off. I told him if it started hailing to throw his body over the car.

 

February 04 build

No problems 21,000 kms

Some character traits:
minor yo yo - has corrected itself over winter
frozen door lock - use de icer or WD30 after winter washes (duh?)
Hot weather window squeal - live with it.
stumbles - occaisionally
Rough idle - only once
willing engine - every day!

Of the wide variety of cars i've owned Audi's, MB, Triumph, VWs, Hondas, this is the only one that after a year I will just go out and drive. If I haven't been out in it for a day or two I start to miss it!
All in all I would call it better than perfect. How can this be? It has character and personality, as well as working flawlessly.

 

I have a pre-spec '02 built on 03/01/2002 and currently have over 73,000 miles. My MINI is my daily driver and aside from the typical early production issues, I have had no complaints. Here are a few of those early issues (some of them have been mentioned on this thread already):

- Leaking coolant tank (covered by dealer)
- Rear hatch rattle (covered by dealer)
- Bent transmission linkage (covered by dealer)
- Loose rear grab handle (covered by dealer)
- Cracked and chipped windshield (welcome to the club, right?)

I love my MINI!

 

July '03 build... Took delivery Aug.12th '03. No problems at all.

I've owned a '91 VW GTI (bought new - tons of build problems, one problem allowed water into the car whenever it rained!! ) It was stolen in '94 and never recovered. Also owned a '94 Acura Integra LS** (bought new - minor squeeks and crap like that) which was a great car. Had 274,000 miles on the Acura when I donated it - and it still ran like a swiss watch!! (**See Pic.)

I'd have to say my MINI has been the most problem FREE car I've ever owned, as well as the funnest to own. Go for it!!! The sooner you order, the sooner you'll be a happy motorer :smile:

- - Michael

 

My '02 MCS has been a pleasure to drive since I bought it.
I had some of the "normal" troubles:
Boot latch rattle
Coolant bottle split (after 3 replacements they got it right)
Sunroof rattle (after 3 attempts I just live with it)
Problem starting
My driver side window would not open for 4 months but it cured itself.

I have a daily commute of approximately 100 miles and I get to drive all different roads (4-lane freeway, 2-lane highway, twisty backroads and city traffic) each day. This car is great!

I'm thinking of ordering a MCSC and giving this car to my son. I think that's the best recommendation I can give it.

 

'04 MCS that has been on the road for a year and a half with 18K miles. No problems and has never been to the dealer for anything.

 

May 04 build. Only problem has been some flaking paint on the roof, which the dealer fixed under warranty (they repainted the whole roof). My only compaints with that was that the the dealer is 3 1/2 hours drive away, and the loaner car they gave me was a freakin' giant SUV.

 

'04 MCS, 12,000+ miles. No issues!

 

You might want to read this http://motoringfile.com/2005/06/30/2...in_reliability

 

I thought I had a problem last week when a horrible screeching started in the front end, but I was wrong. Jacked the car up, removed the left front wheel, removed a small rock caught between brake rotor and dust shield, replaced wheel, removed jack. Problem solved in five minutes!

 

That happend to me about a year ago. Pulled off the side of the road, took the front tire off, removed rock w/ pocket knife. On the road again in no time....

Nik

 

May '03 build MC here with almost 35,000 miles on it.. No mechanical problems at all..

I did have an issue a year ago with the driver's seat getting jammed, thanks to a detail shop who didn't know how to work the levers..

 

I guess it depends on what you call a "problem." I've had the same "character flaws" on both my 03 and 05 MCS which are the usual rattles and squeaks. The only major problem I had was from the moron who hit me Other than that no major mechanical or major issues.

 

I've had the opportunity to enjoy some pretty nice rides, but my new mini MCS 05 has me and my girl hooked on it. I will definately buy a second one in a couple of years from now...if we have the space back in Manhattan .

 

Have an '04 MCS, bought in Jan '05 with 19K on the clock, now showing almost 39K (almost 4,000 fun filled miles a month) and we got a cracked windshield, had the creaky liftgate repaired, minor rattles, and nothing more. Great, fun, comfortable, reliable transportation. I can do hours and hours in this car and get out feeling great. Oh, and I'm smiling from ear to ear, too!

Can't let a few bad stories scare you away from one of the greatest thrills on the road today. . .