After 3 months of not-so-patiently waiting, I will be picking up my MC next Monday. I am very excited, but things are feeling a little surreal. In addition to that, I feel much like the bride or groom right before the big day. I'm having cold feet.

I am concerned about what appears to be an awful lot of problems being reported about the MC and MCS. Perhaps these problems are blown out of proportion by the mere fact that we have a venue to voice the problems. When I purchased other new vehicles, I didn't know any other person who purchased the same car/truck. I might ocassionally run into someone somewhere and we'd nod to each other or ask how it was going. That was it. Here, people can actually connect the dots.

One of the reasons I chose MINI (well, hell, I fell in love with it, but other than that) is I figured it would be a reliable, sturdy, dependable car. I'd read all about the classic mini and its problems, but BMW had purchased and completely redesigned the car. BMW's engineering reputation is widely known, so I felt pretty safe.

The problems I've read about repeatedly are: 1. shoddy door paint 2. cracking windshields (repeatedly) 3. inability to start 4. loud clunking sounds 5.interior design flaws 6. rattles galore 7. streaking on the windows from road salt or wax-sealant that has gotten into the door wells

There seems to be a lot of problems for a new car. Now I've driven jalopies. I had a 1980 (in 1997) Toyota Corolla whose hood was held down by a bungee cord but that thing was dependable like you wouldn't believe. I couldn't have KILLED the thing. I still see it driving around town (I sold it years ago).

Despite these problems, I am SURE I'm still going to love my MINI. And, I have a second vehicle, so I won't be without wheels if need be. I'm also going to say a little prayer to the Auto Gods that my car will be missed by all these flaws and I'll be one of those people who writes in and says, "22,000 miles and not a problem so far!" I just think it would be great if everyone could write in and say the same thing.

Just got cold feet at the alter, but the wedding is going on as planned and, hopefully, I'll look back after the honeymoon and say, "Now why was I so worried??"

Anyone else out there go through this before they got their car?

Here comes the bride....


Needler

 

you will soon be too happy to let any little imperfections bother you!
most are fixable b.t.w.!
enjoy and congrats!

 

Well, as you know - I'm expecting my car as well. I'm going through this right now. I'm worried because it's going to be my primary car and I can't take off work anytime I like to get my car fixed. That's one of the reasons I'm getting a brand-spanking new car. I am scared as well. I'm going through with it but I hope it doesn't turn out to be a bad decision.

 

I did not go through these issues - I got my MC on May 31 2002 and I did not even know this (or other) MINI web forums existed back then!

It is the nature of web sites that you will see the bad side more than the good side; people simply do not post "hey - everything going well" on a regular basis. Look at the newspapers and try to find good news.

I have had NO problems with my MINI ... yes a couple of times it did not run well for the first 1/2 minute on really cold days here in Boston. But neither do I :smile:

I will be getting my MCS next week (hopefully) to replace my MC; I am a little concerned that I will have trouble - but it is my nature to always imagine the worst. I waste a lot of mind energy planning for trouble that never occurs.

There are more than 20000 MINIs in this country now - and loads more in the rest of the world. If there was a big issue, you would know about it BECAUSE the newspapers love to print bad news.

Look forward to enjoying your new car - almost everyone will be happy. The chance that your car will have a problem is minimal, and is the same no matter what car you buy.

 

I'm sure you know this, but there are no guarantees no matter what car you buy. That's why they come with warantees. You can cut your risk and buy a nice, boring honda or toyota. but then where's the fun in that.
We all take our chances buying a brand new model, from a new manufactuer but it's a hell of a car.
Good luck

 

:smile: :smile:

My feet were ice-cold, but I made myself power through the fears and came out on the other side HAPPIER THAN I EVER IMAGINED!!

Go get your baby and enjoy her/him! The vast majority of issues are minor compared with the happiness and glee of motoring in a MINI!

 

>> :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

I understand your cold feet. Reading about repeating problems can certainly stir up anxiety. Keep in mind that many of the complaints are from earlier production, and these problems have now been solved.

According to the forum chatter...

Windshield glass has been upgraded and many cracks seem to be caused by metal burrs on the frame left in manufacturing which have surely been taken care of by now in production.

Inability to start has been solved, as I understand it, with a software revision. There have been very isolated instances of electronic/connection failure, but this is rare. It even looks like they FINALLY have the CVT transmission working perfectly.

Some of the clunking noises have been traced to the brake system performing a self-test. There may be others, however, that you are refering to.

What interior design flaws???

Rattles are slowly being worked out in the production line. The new cars are much, much tighter than early production. A few rattles such as sunroof have easy fixes and will surely be implemented on the production line. Again, you always need to make note of how old the car is when these posts are made concerning rattles, etc.

The salt thing concerns me, but doesn't seem to be universal, so hopefully it was a batch of bad seals (sorry to those that received them). I haven't been able to find a definitive answer to what is causing the problem, but salt in an electronic door is not good.

I have a MCS on order, and I have FAITH :smile:

Keep in mind, also, the warranty is a good one and lasts for a long time, so any problems that arise will be dealt with. I think by ordering this late in the game, we'll see few, if any, of the problems that the early adopters experienced.

See ya,
JS

 

Needler,
Hanging around here you are bound to hear every little
complaint. But you haven't heard, out of these 5500+
people, too many ready to sell have you??
Relax and enjoy your wedding night. Just be gentle for
the first 1200 miles or so....... after that, wham, bam,
thank you MINI!!!

 

>>Relax and enjoy your wedding night. Just be gentle for
>>the first 1200 miles or so....... after that, wham, bam,
>>thank you MINI!!!



You're KILLING me!!!

 

>>[quote]

>>
>>What interior design flaws???
>>

 

>>>>[quote]
>>
>>>>
>>>>What interior design flaws???
>>>>
>>
>>There were complaints about leather looking badly after just a couple of months, ACC blowing constant and out of control, feet constantly slipping off pedals, etc. They aren't necessarily all design flaws per se, but problems with various things inside the car. Oh, and I have read very little good about the run flats.

Other than that, I appreciate your post and your addressing each issue.

Hear the sigh of relief??
:smile:

Needler

 

>There were complaints about leather looking badly after just a couple of months

Yep, I have heard this and BMW and the mfg have been battling it out according to one ex-insider. Evidently, BMW is not willing to spend what it takes to get a really nice leather seat. I guess you take your chances or go for cloth or leatherette. If it really gets bad quickly, you have the warranty route.


> ACC blowing constant and out of control

I've heard mixed reviews on this one. Some ACC systems sound like they work perfectly. I wonder if it has been changed recently. I just read a report today on the system that described it working in very complex ways in regards to adjusting fan speed. But, keep in mind, you can always reduce the fan speed, etc, if you don't like what the ACC is doing. It's certainly no biggy in my book, especially since it comes with the premium package. To me, it's a freeby (almost). I wouldn't order it alone, but I like everything else in the package, and WHAT-A-BARRRRGAIN. :smile:


> feet constantly slipping off pedals

I think this is very isolated. A few cases have been confirmed where the rubber pads came off. If you are getting the MC and not the S, I doubt you'll have any problems with your feet slipping off. The S pedals I can see, maybe, since they are metal and have the rubber inserts. I really wouldn't worry about this at all. If it becomes a real problem, there are several aftermarket pedals, but I really don't think it will be a problem for you. If foot slippage was a problem for most people, there would have been recalls by now, because that would be a HUGE safety concern.

> Oh, and I have read very little good about the run flats.

Well, they will likely not last much more than 25K miles, so when they go, get them replaced with regular tires. The only problem with runflats is that they are stiffer and don't absorb road interference as well as a regular tire. To me, I don't find them harsh. In fact, coming from a Jeep, I found the ride in an S very nice with runflats, and the S has a stiffer suspension than the MC. Surely you test drove an MC. If it was OK during the test drive with runflats... :smile:

The other issue with runflats is service. It is true that finding someone who can change a runflat is not as easy as finding someone who can change a regular tire. I do think this will change in the next couple of years.

Just remember, out of thousands of members of this forum, there may be 5 that had the pedal problem, 3 that had paint problems with the interior, and 100 that had rattles...OK, all of them had rattles

 

>>*For **** pedantic statisticians on the forum who want to take everything literally...

Hey, who you callin' pedantic?

Simple solution to this problem... Stop reading this forum!

 

I can feel it already - I'll be freaking out too the few days before delivery!

I'll take a few sedatives and still run a marathon to the dealership 35 miles away

Be sure to bring along all those checklists everyone's posted (in the past, I don't feel like linking!)

Ok fine, here's one I already have uploaded:
MINI Stuff

 

Thanks Ryephile !!! This is great !! I'll have to make sure I actually bring it along come time to get my Mini otherwise I'll be so intent on driving off that I'll forget many of the details.....

 

YOU! Now, put up your dukes. :smile:

See ya,
JS

 

Needler,
I felt the exact same way before picking up my MINI. I was a nervous freak - before, during, and for a couple weeks after. Anyone else have strange MINI paranoia dreams?! My knees were knocking and I was afraid to drive off the lot! I could have used some of Ryephile's sedatives. :smile: However, 2 months later it's all worth it and I wouldn't change a thing. I love my MINI.

 

The only anxiety I had was "Would they let me have the car when they saw the crazed look in my eyes?" I have had the car two months as a daily driver in all kinds of conditions. It is holding up better than most other cars I have purchased new. I may buy another and have a matched set of MINIs.

 

"...In addition to that, I feel much like the bride or groom right before the big day. I'm having cold feet.

I am concerned about what appears to be an awful lot of problems being reported about the MC and MCS...."

Hmm - an awful lot of problems? Some cracked windshields, some rattles, a few cracked plastic coolant tanks... for a brand new launch that's just not much to report.

As others have said, you will hear only the complaints, and that's a pretty damn short list. My April 2002 MC has been near flawless. sure, a seat latch on the back seat broke, the fuel door fell off its hinge, and both items were fixed cheerfully, quickly and free by the BMW folks.

For a different perspective, check recent news from VW and Audi - a recall on ALL 1.8T engines world wide because of faulty coils. My business partner has 2001 Acura coupe that has had a new tranny, new wheels, radiator, moonroof, center arm rest... this from the pinnacle of Japanese reliability!

So rest assured that you WILL enjoy your new MINI, it is simple enough that you shouldn't experience much trouble, and BMW will stand behind it. Happy Motoring!

 

I'm picking up my new little British friend this Friday at Rasumussen MINI in Portland, Oregon (Nov. '02 order, PS/B, all packages, Remus exhaust, drop-in air filter, chrome bumpers, driver's side parcel shelf, shorty antenna, rubber mats, parts for later installation of black aero grill) and I've had many of the same thoughts about potential problems. I actually feel like I've been a MINI owner for a couple of months now, after reading the forums day in and day out. MCO has certainly helped keep the wait bearable. while raising the level of concern about defects, but the owners' love just keeps shining through Thanks, MINI people.

 

Hey Needler,
That was a well written thread topic. I applaud your courage to state what so many have probably felt along some sort of path to ownership. I bought my MC in late Sept., as it was an August build. I've only experienced the rattles of the sunroof, and then only when the temperature got cold. So, I can live with the rattles, because I get SO much satisfaction from this car. It's a real crowd pleaser, and I really enjoy the handling of this car. In short, I fell in love with the thing, the same way you did. The marriage is barely 6 months young, and i'm still looking at the thing through the window during the day. You are among friends....
Jim

 

I agree with iancull. The negatives tend to come out. No problems at all with mine. When I had bought my previous car in 1990, there weren't any message boards...no chat rooms to go to..etc. My only real source of info was Consumer Reports and word of mouth. Take it all in and make an informed decision. :smile:

 

>>I'm picking up my new little British friend this Friday at Rasumussen MINI in Portland, Oregon (Nov. '02 order, PS/B, all packages, Remus exhaust, drop-in air filter, chrome bumpers, driver's side parcel shelf, shorty antenna, rubber mats, parts for later installation of black aero grill) and I've had many of the same thoughts about potential problems. I actually feel like I've been a MINI owner for a couple of months now, after reading the forums day in and day out. MCO has certainly helped keep the wait bearable. while raising the level of concern about defects, but the owners' love just keeps shining through Thanks, MINI people.

I also had misgivings after reading this forum, but I think we are really getting an unbalanced view because of the very fact that people can express their complaints to a wide audience. I carried around a gallon of antifreeze the first month and kept checking for leaks in my reservoir. Finally put it back in the garage when nothing showed up. The only real problem I have encountered was a stuck rail for the passenger seat and Ann at Rasmussen had the part in within a couple of days. This was the first time they had seen this problem. Just one of those glitches that happens with any production item. Seat slides back and forth like a charm now. Don't worry. Whatever crops up will doubtless be minor. So far there has only been one official recall on the early MINIs for shifter problems. Later builds have had that corrected.

I had the carpets in mine but bought the rubber mats a few weeks later. They are very easy to keep clean and look pretty decent. I think the carpets will be saved just for summer use.




_________________

 

All misgivings and second doubts went flying out the window as I left the dealer got on 580 and went through the gears, windows down, sunroof open..............