Hey everyone, I'm still relatively new here. Some of you know already that I'm seriously considering a Mini to replace my current car. I've been reading a lot here on the forums trying to learn as much as I can about the car so I know exactly what to get if I decide this is the right car for me; and right now that seems pretty likely. :smile:

Unfortunately in reading so much, I have a tendency to concentrate on threads dealing with problems people are having with their cars. I would like to know that my new car would be largely trouble-free. Some of my bigger worries now with a Mini are harmonic balancer clicking, abnormal transmission (throwout bearing, selector shaft?) sounds, as well as the stalling and sputtering.

I've realized that many people will post to ask others for help when they do have a problem, but many will not post to let everyone know that their car is running fine. I'm hardly one to push a car to the limits, so I'm hoping the chances that I will have issues are slim.

I would just like to know who has enjoyed trouble-free daily driving from their Mini. Seeing as how I haven't yet decided between the MC and MCS, please let me know what year and model Mini you have. Additional information like how many miles you have and any mods you may have done would also come in handy.

Even if you've had some issues that you've managed to have reliably resolved, please feel free to fill me in on those as well. Thanks!

 

The only problem I ever had with my car was a result of crap work at the dealership.

1. They didnt put the oil filter seal on properly, lost all my oil.
2. They didnt put the windshield plastic on properly and it flew off, and they accused me of tearing it off. <-- that one is classic, I would seriously tear a piece off of my own effing car.

Apart from those 2 things, this is the best car ever. People are crazy for NOT buying one.

oh, answering your question, the car runs like a charm. 18k and no problems whatsoever.

 

Sorry to hear about the issues with your dealer, camelpilot. Aside from that, Mini experiences like yours are exactly what I was looking to hear about. Thanks

 

I've had my car for a month now and already 1900 miles. The only problem I have is keeping the bugs off the windshield .

 

DC:

I have a fairly early production car (an early '03, ~Oct. '02 build). It went back to the dealer three times for minor recalls--not unexpected for a fairly new model. One took care of a stumbling problem I had early on. I had some minor fit and finish issues, such as leaking in a taillight housing. My local dealership has been very good in taking care of these things.

My main gripe is that my MINI's paint seems scratch/ding very easily (and I don't think it's just because of NAM-inspired detailing consciousness!). Now that summer is here, I'm also more aware of how much power the air conditioner sucks up. And of course there are limitations that inherent with having such a small car. It doesn't feel small when I'm driving, but there are times when I wish I had a bit more cargo room.

That's it, those are my gripes. Other than that, the car runs like a top, loves twisties, and still gets a lot of attention. Most importantlhy, I still love driving it!

 

My main issues have been with the dang interior passenger doorhandle not operating properly since the car was about 2-3 months old. I had a dash-rattle which was repaired under warranty. But the doorhandle has been addressed 6+ times...and finally, my hubby repaired it for me...but it should have been handled by the dealership.

My early 2003-build MCS runs like a top and has carried me more than 48,000 miles on three cross-country and back again roadtrips! This car has been fantastically reliable and so much fun to travel in! I highly recommend it!


Clover

 

No real issues with my 03 MCS. The clutch only had air, and the under bonnet paint is fixed. The dealer gave me 50% of the warranty after warranty. And between you and me I believe it was my fault because I took it to a bad detailer.

Life teaches.

 

I have a June 02 JCWS Mini the JCW was added in 03. To date I have had only one issue with my car, the water reservoir bottle leaked about one month after taking delivery, the dealer replaced it and that was the end of it. The car since then has been trouble free. That said however, I only put about 750 miles a month on the car so after just about 3 years of ownership it has less than 23,000 miles. But hey, no problems at all I am a happy camper

 

My wife and I have had our mini '03 MC CVT since October and it's been nothing short of phenom. My only issue was a split windshield wiper blade was severly torn. It was INSANE!!! Alas I took it to the dealer here in Orlando and they put a new one on in less than a minute, restoring the full motoring potential. On a serious note, it's been the greatest car we've had. We drive it daily, mostly city streets and we put about 1,200 miles a month on it at least. The mini totally treats us right and we love it. The biggest thing you may want to ask people is if they'd buy a second one. Anybody can rant and rave about what they're currently not pleased with. But notice how many people are going back for seconds.

Those are my thoughts anyway.

Enjoy the experience,

Rob II

 

...but no problems at 651 miles

 

2005 MCS delivered 6/5 and already have 2200 miles.
No problems yet

My MINI is like no other car that I have owned.

 

early 02 'S with 36k - daily driver.

coolant tank and rear hatch latch replaced w/in a couple of months - was that a recall?

steering column replaced early on because there was a click ...

other than that, routine service per the computer. I'm just ending my days of included service.

minimal mods and minimal probs ....

I live near a dealer ... that sems to be a recurring complaint. People buy thinking 'free service' then realize that ain't great if they live 400 miles from a dealer; no, any BMW dealer will not service the car. And no, MINI does not provide loaner cars....some dealers do, and some do not. Dealer thing, not a MINI thing.

I happen to be near a dealer and they DO provide loaners. (However the time I got a Lincoln Town Car as a loaner I thought they were pulling my leg ..... why not a Hummer??? How do I park this thing?)

 

Other than the stumble which I can prevent (has to do with how
much rpm you have when you engage the clutch from a standstill),
my car runs fine.

I'll get the ECU reflashed for the emissions recall soon which
should take care of the stumble (Mine's a 6/03 build).
It had a ticking passenger door which I fixed.

Other then that, car runs like a champ. :smile:

 

2002 MC CVT delivered 9/7/2002: Some minor "first year" bugs with the ECU software and other things but the dealer took care of everything and the car has been rock solid reliable in 30K+ miles of service. No engine, transmission or electrical problems to speak of. Car is solid and tight as a drum, paint is glossy and interior still looks new. We have done over 10k miles of roadtrips on it and it is a hard working daily driver. Still on the original factory windshield.


2004 MCS delivered 10/3/2003: Had this car for 16 months and 17K absolutely troublefree miles. Daily Driver. ZERO problems and only 2 dealer visits: One visit to install UJ roof flag decal/AUX input jack and the second for the scheduled 10K mile service. Car was very solid and still had the original factory windshield. Sold it in early February '05 to make room for my upcoming '05 MCS hardtop.


2005 MCS delivered: 3/21/2005: ZERO problems in 3 months, 10 days of ownership and 2,400 miles traveled so far. Daily driver. Car has not been back to the dealer for anything and it is just as solid and reliable as my '04 MCS was. Very happy with it!:smile:


That's a quick recap from a satisfied MINI owner. If have more questions, feel free to ask

Keep in mind that the build quality and reliability of current MINIs is MUCH, MUCH better than those cars made in the initial production runs (2002-2003). Cars made since 2004 have been pretty much very solid.

PS: I owned Hondas/Acuras for 12 years and still think my 3 MINIs have been as reliable or more reliable than those BORING Japanese cars.

 

Definitely do it Kenchan. I had mine reflashed on Friday and it is so much better. I know it is early on, but the weather we have been having here in Maine (hot, muggy, high humidity) is exactly what always made it act up.

...awaiting Kaelaria's response saying it is all in my head...but it is not!
Doesn't mean it won't return but, for now it is gone.

Other than that...my '05 MCS has been a champ. No problems...12,500 miles.

 

Sept build '04 MCS with ~20K miles. The only "problem" was stitching in the passenger side seat (leatherette) coming loose, which was fixed under warranty.

 

04 MC... I bought it used, and it had it's minor issues the first week of ownership, and a couple things throughout the time. I think i've replaced everything i've read about having problms with, and have complained about every MINOR detail i think is wrong. They already agreed after warranty if it messes up, replaced for free.

Before purchase: nail in tire: they replaced tire.Chip in windshield, repaired. No ashtray for my smoking package. I dont smoke, it was for aesthetic reasons :P They gave me an ashtray.

Went back a week later:windshield wiper motor went out: replaced... but didn't fill the wiper fluid and left my coolant cap off and a tool wedged between my alternator and headers, and confronted me about the power steering fluid they found in the back of my mini. Remember, i went there to have my windshield wiper motor replaced. Just a bad service day.

My Windows started squealing. They fixed the passenger side but didn't line the window up properly and it whistled for a couple weeks until i could bring it back to have the drivers side window motor replaced. They fixed my passenger side and drivers side. Came back pretty. Although, after the passenger side replacement, i found a ding my first and only one.

the rest were asking about the dash rattle, bogging down with a/c, and abnormally loud power steering squeal compared to everyone elses minis. All of those they agreed if something were to REALLY go wrong with any of those things (especially the power steering pump going out) They'll do it as if i were under warranty. They said i have the "me too" syndrome. Read about other mini owners complaints and think somethings wrong with mine.

It sounds like the 05's are coming out much more refined than the 02-04 models... and i hear about far less complaints from 05's problem-wise. But regardless, it's an amazingly fun car, and i'd recommend anyone buying one regardless if you have to visit the dealership over little things. It's a good excuse to look at other minis

Oh, and i bought the car in march and i'm at 20,600 miles. It had 11,145 on the odo when i bought it

 

05 MCS daily driver, had it for 2 months, now at 2000 miles (that's A LOT of going to the shop, camel ).

The only thing it does is stumble 2-3 seconds when I start it in the morning, but I heard that was "normal". Other then that, really enjoying the move up from the Benz!

 

I have 2000 miles on my 2005 MCS with no problems. Drivability is great, no rattles or squeaks, I've even taken a couple of VERY hard stone hits on the windshield without damage (one hit was from a rock so big I saw it coming from 20 feet out and I KNEW it was going to crack the windshield... but it didn't).

 

Let me start with I love my mini. She was collected on June 4th and I couldn't be happier.

The engine/trans (6 speed manual) are flawless and they are the best feeling that I have ever owned or driven. I have had zero problems related to Mini manufacturing, they put together one sweet ride.

Now, for the negative, which soured my whole new mini ownership experience. Everything the dealer installed was wrong, they broke things, didn't know how to troubleshoot and/or only slightly cared about me. It only took 5 trips to the service department to sort everything out.

I started to vent and tell the history, but I won't hi-jack your thread. Lets just say, everything is resolved now. If you can resist dealer installed accessories, THEN DO IT.

I know this bad start will wear off with time and I know I will be happy in the long term.

Again, I love my MINI and the owners are TOPS! Hope this helps.

Cheers.

 

Hey, I got that stumble - glad to know that it is normal.


Thanks, I feel better now.

 

05 MCSC with LSD... Delivered March 18th and now has 7000 miles plus 6 days on the Tail of the Dragon . Figure about 10 passes on the Dragon I.E. 120 miles of Dragon!

Most perfect new car I've ever had. Not one issue.

 

Had mine for over a year....

1) I have the window squeak, woooo... big deal, I'll get that fixed no problem
2) I have a loose piece of trim that I will get fixed at the same time... very odd spot for a loose piece, I think it got bumped weird but it's not a big deal
3) The stumble.... just give it some gas

Love the car, wouldnt imagine giving it up

 

2005 S, November build. Picked it up in December, have already done 9000 miles and three track days. 100% trouble-free, not stumble, no stalling. My old S (2002) had more issues (stumble, etc.), but was still relatively trouble-free. You would be crazy NOT to buy one! :smile:

Aaron

 

September build '05 MCS, about 4600 miles. Zero problemos, perfect in every way