little uneasy as I am not a big fan of Chrysler. I have narrowed down my option choices for a new 06 Cooper S, however I am now concerned about the longevity of the Mini engine and other major mechanical components.
I currently have a 1988 Civic hatchback with over 483,000 kms on it and have never touched the engine or transmission.
For those who own Minis, have you had any problems with the engines/transmissions in your cars, or have you heard of any major engine problems or other major problems with the Mini. I love the way the car drives and handles, and the looks are timeless. The steering feel is awesome.
I just hope you guys can put my mind at ease regarding the Mini's reliability.
cheers

 

don't worry, the motor is built in Brazil.

 

No problems overall...the engine has won several awards.:smile:

 

no problems so far

 

The current engines are bombproof. I wouldn't worry one bit about longevity. I currently have over 84000 miles (about 135000k) and have had zero problems with the engine or trans.

Stop worring, just drive...........motor


Nik

 

The TRITEC engine is perhaps one of the most solid and reliable engines in the market today. There are a few members with over 100K miles on them with no problems. I have owned 3 MINIs and ZERO issues with the engine or powertrain.

 

Here is the website for TRITEC motors in Brazil:

http://www.tritecmotors.com.br/english/index.html

2003 engine of the year award by Wards Automotive (Cooper S Supercharged 1.6L engine)

 

I could be wrong, but isn't the only chrysler vehicle sharing the engine a neon that is only available in europe?

Also of note is that the majority of the parts for the supercharged S version are specific to that engine.

 

Ive had two CVT transmissions replaced.

No engine problems.

 

My understanding is that the engine design work was done in a cooperative venture by Chrysler and BMW, back before Chrysler was bought by Mercedes. Anyone that remembers the old slant six's of the 70's or a Hemi 'Cuda thundering down the road knows that there isn't necessarily anything wrong with a Chrysler engine; in fact, they were known for their reliability. Being a modern design, and built in a modern factory, I would have no problem trusting a Tritec. No reason Brazilians can't build a decent engine.

No worries.

 

If reliability is you primary decision factor then buy a honda or toyota.....They are the best in the buisness when it comes to quality

Chrysler engines are very durable. The rest of the car may not be worth much but the engine will last as long as a toyota and honda from personal experiance. I had an 87 plymoth horizon that I rolled 800 miles a week on up to 200k and never had any engine or trans problems

With all that said you will never be happier with your purchase when you buy a MINI. The fun factor and resale is high and is one of the best choices you could make when all factors are considered with equal weight.

 

Hey Bullfrog, we had a 225 ci on the engine dyno at my University's Mech Eng lab. It had to be tough to take our abuse. Sad statement though, it pulled about 60 hp max on the dyno. What a slug.

As for reliability, absolutely nothing can approach your Civic Mav (I have one too), so just prep yourself that it is gonna be part of the experience of owning a European car. My Volvo was terrible, I expect my MINI to be on par. It was never the engine per se, it was always some accessory or electrical/injection/induction component (air mass meter, ECU, wiring harness, vacuum plumbing, exhaust/cat, etc). Just one of those things where the bad days are so bad they make the good days that much better in contrast.

 

Consumer Reports, which probably has the best database in terms of respondents, rates the MINI engine with its highest reliability rating (along with the transmission and suspension).

 

(how many is a brazilian? )


Moral of the story: you'll be stuck in the car when all the door cables break and the window regulators fail, your clock will flicker, your speedo needle will shake, your boot (and everything else) will rattle, your speakers will blow, your head unit and amp will go on the fritz, you'll stumble, lurch and dive, your AC will suck unbelieveable power, you'll get shafted at the dealership routinely but...

You'll have a smile on your face and your engine will be fantastic.

 

the clutch, thats another story..

i have only read of one supercharger failure so far.

 

From MINIUSA:

WHERE IS THE ENGINE FROM?
The engine is produced in Brazil as part of a joint venture with Daimler-Chrysler, which was initiated in 1996. A joint venture means that neither party "owns" the factory. It is a shared entity producing engines for both parties. This engine was designed by both parties with power output and global emissions requirements in mind. It is not used in any other vehicle in the US Market.
http://www.miniusa.com/link/questions/faq/carquestion

 

I will get the Mini and take my chances. When I look around at all the other small cars out there from Toyota, Honda, Nissan or the domestics all I see is generic, boring conservative styling. That's why the Mini appeals to me so much. It has the most distinctive styling of any car out there. I feel the same way with the VW bug and the Porsche Boxster and 911. They are all great styling jobs and the cars don't change much over the years....=timeless. I guess that's why I picked up an 05 Boxster this year. I loved the way it looked and the way it drove, but I need a second car for the winter and picking up larger stuff that won't fit in the Boxster
I thought about the new Civic Si but was told by an automotive journalist to forget about the Civic and go for the Mini. He said that the steering on the Civic was dead, while I found the steering on the Mini to be almost go kart like, so quick and direct. Can't wait to ge me a Mini.
Will be ordering the following:
6 speed of course
Gray exterior with black roof, mirrors and stripes
black fake leather interior
sport package-xenons, fog lamps, 17 inch wheels,
limited slip diff
rear fog light
auto dim mirror
anthracite interior
on board computer
multi func steering wheel
floor mats
boot mat
get my buddy to put on the 3m film full kit.
Total price-$24,300
Did I leave anything out????????

 

If you're anywhere it can get cold and/or you have a bad back, you want to get the cold weather package or just the heated seats.

 

I currently have 58,000Km on my '02 MCS with the Getrag 6 speed manual tranny with ZERO mechanical problems. This is a MCS that was a first year car built in August of '02. Have no fear, the major mechanicals are bulletproof.

Although there was one guy that managed to melt some pistons by over driving the supercharger by 18% and then giving it a 75 shot of nitrous.

Ohh, by the way. Don't bother to waste your money on the MINI 17" or 18" wheels if you are interested in preformance. They are very heavy wheels. Go with the stock 16" wheels, much lighter. If you really need the 17" or 18" size to make you happy then go aftermarket and buy as light as you can afford, most likely not more expensive than stock. Save the 16" for you snow tires.

zinvestor is correct. If you are anywhere it gets cold, go for the Cold Weather Package it is fantastic. Would not own another car without it.

 

I've done the slant 6 thing . . . to the moon and back with that engine. I also had a VW Rabbit pickup with a diesel engine built in Brazil. Now I always get Brazilian parts if I can. That engine far outlasted the odometer . . . but 8 years after the odometer broke at 200,000 miles . . .years where my kids visited beaches at both the Pacific and the Atlantic (and their grandparents) once each (we put seats in the back with belts) the diesel was still starting in the winter. The car was shot . . . being totaled (insurance) once when hit by a toyota driven by a dog (it can happen) and totaled again (washed out road) but still running fine. When we traded it and a 76 Sirocco for a Chrysler minivan (the boys grew legs) I drove it from Santa Fe to Baltimore in 40 hours for the trade in. I suspect the Amish in Pennsylvania are driving it now. Bottom line, Brazilians can build engines.

 

Obviously with nearly one half million klicks on your Honda, you'll be dismayed with an engine/tranny that may only last 250,000 miles (400,000+ kms). I'd just keep the Civic for another twenty years, and then go for the hydrogen powered hover vehicle (built by Honda no less) that will be available when you reach the one million kilometre mark. MINI by then will have Peugeot power (2007 introduction), and probably BMW power as well. Good things come to those who wait.

 

I second that!.....It used to be that rain sens wipers AND auto dim mirror was a $150 option together......since just the auto-dim is $200 the best option to have for the money is the cold weather package.

For $300 you get nice warm seats and ice free mirrors....after driving decade old cars until I stepped into the mini the cold pkg is wonderfull