I'm seriously considering a Cooper, but my biggest dilemma is that I live 2 hours from the Motorwerks dealer in Minneapolis. What do you guys think? Would that be too big of a pain for service?

How often, generally, would they need service? Are the service departments open on the weekends? Is anyone else in this situation? I've seen 3 or 4 MINIs in town, so I know someone is going a long ways for service... unless someone else knows of a closer place (doubtful).

Angie

 

I am in des moines and I have to go to Kansas City 200 miles one way to the dealer. I have had a couple of issues but nothing to deter me from buying another one. The service dept is open on saturday's down there, don't know about the Minn dealer. 1st scheduled service is between 9 and 10 thousand miles.

RAT

 

Welcome aboard, miniAng,

I'm sure the stats are kept secret but I'd guess that about half of new MINIs sold have to go back to the dealer in the first few weeks of ownership.

If I lived 200 miles from the nearest dealer I don't think I'd buy one.

But, as with many things in life, you pay your money and you take your chances.

 

>> I'd guess that about half of new MINIs sold have to go back to the dealer in the first few weeks of ownership.
>>

bigbud,
I seriously doubt that your pessimism is accurate.
My MC went back to the dealer after 5000 miles - for an oil change (my choice).

If you were right, the MCS I pick up soon will be a rogue. Seems unlikely ...

 

I live 3 1/2 hours form my service dept., but for me it is not a big deal i have family there and hey if i need something loked at I GET TO DRIVE MY MINI!!!! so its all good :smile:

I live in Austin TX, Dallas is where i get service.

I have had to go in for service (windscreen crack). I have 7000 miles on her in 7 weeks, and the windscren has been my only issue. :smile:

 

>>>> I'd guess that about half of new MINIs sold have to go back to the dealer in the first few weeks of ownership.
>>>>
>>
>>bigbud,
>>I seriously doubt that your pessimism is accurate.
>>My MC went back to the dealer after 5000 miles - for an oil change (my choice).
>>
>>If you were right, the MCS I pick up soon will be a rogue. Seems unlikely ...
>>

Ian,

I hope your MCS will be defect free and that you see you dealer for nothing but maintenance.

But I think a 50% return rate is a good guess.

I happen to work for a large international news agency. Our Detroit correspondent, who covers the auto indurtry, is currently putting together an article about the high rate of defects in the new MINI.

Even for BMW, which has a reputation for high defect rates in new models, the MINI seems to go above and beyond.

That said, there are many good reasons to buy a MINI: looks, handling, safety. But if freedom from defects and proven reliability are paramount to you, there are better choices.

 

>>I'm seriously considering a Cooper, but my biggest dilemma is that I live 2 hours from the Motorwerks dealer in Minneapolis. What do you guys think? Would that be too big of a pain for service?
>>
>>How often, generally, would they need service? Are the service departments open on the weekends? Is anyone else in this situation? I've seen 3 or 4 MINIs in town, so I know someone is going a long ways for service... unless someone else knows of a closer place (doubtful).
>>
>>Angie

When you say "service" are you talking regular maintenance ie oil and filter changes or are you concerned about warranty work. I will have all my regular maintenance done by a local shop because it is 225 to 250 miles to a dealer I trust.
If I need warranty work done then the dealer that is 250 miles away is open on Sat. the closer dealer is open Mon - Thu (?) and I can trade days off to get there. I have had my car for 6 weeks now and will take it in on Mon. for 2-3 non-critical issues and get an ECU upgrading if the dealer thinks I need it.
I sure wouldn't let dealer location keep me from having a wonderfully fun car like the MINI! :smile:

 

>>When you say "service" are you talking regular maintenance ie oil and filter changes or are you concerned about warranty work. I will have all my regular maintenance done by a local shop because it is 225 to 250 miles to a dealer I trust.

So, just to clarify (I'm new gimme a break), I can get my oil changed anywhere? I've never had problems in the past with any work needing to be done to a car - only oil changes, new breaks and tires after so long, etc.

I'm waiting to hear back if the dealer in MN is open on Saturdays (for warantee work, if needed), their website doesn't say yes or no.

 

Buy it! My MINI is the best thing I've ever purchased. You'll have so much fun driving it, you won't mind the drive for the checkups. As for problems with the cars, EVERY car has issues.


Craig

 

Yes, if it were any other car...maybe not. But if any car is worth the trouble, the MINI is. I think oil changes can be done "almost" anywhere, but its really best to find a shop "sympathetic" to the MINI as most shops won't have parts readily available. You may have to order simple parts, like an oil filter, yourself in rare cases. We're lucky to have a MINI owner here in our area who owns a shop, so that's a good alternate option for us. The only problem would be cases (rare cases) where the car would need to be in the shop overnight or longer. This is a hassle with any vehical, but 200 miles is quite a distance! If the dealer knows you're driving so far, they should understand this and help you out as much as possible...that would be a good thing! It's great that you're thinking things through now, and please don't be timid about getting answers here at MCO or elsewhere. Pound us for info 'til you are satisfied!!!!!

 

>>So, just to clarify (I'm new gimme a break), I can get my oil changed anywhere? I've never had problems in the past with any work needing to be done to a car - only oil changes, new breaks and tires after so long, etc.
>>

MINI uses synthetic oil ... a change will run you $60+.
MINI includes "free scheduled maintenance" which translates to first oil change at 10000 miles. You will not be able to get it free if you go somewhere else :smile:
If you get runflat tires, you might find some tire places cannot deal with them - but this will change as they become more common.


bigbud,
I look forward to reading more about the MINI issues ...

 

Thanks so much for all of the information! I love this site. I've been spending WAY too much time here lately!

I'm going to be going up to the Twin Cities in 2 weeks and am thinking of test driving my first MINI. The Motorwerks website has a link to book a test drive. Do I really need to reserve a time? Are they that busy/overwelmed/etc?

BTW, what are the chances that they would have an automatic to test drive? I haven't driven stick in over 7 years and won't get the chance to refresh my skills before we're up there. Although, I probably would buy a manual...

 

When I went to test drive mine, they (Bill Jacobs MINI in IL) had a wide variety to choose from. I'm sure your dealer will have manuals and autos to try. Be prepared to be hooked!

Also, is there such a thing as spending too much time here?



Craig

 

Maybe I won't even tempt myself with a test drive. I just got an e-mail back from the dealer and the service department isn't open on Saturdays! I don't think my purchase is going to happen if I can't get it serviced over the weekend.

 

>>Maybe I won't even tempt myself with a test drive. I just got an e-mail back from the dealer and the service department isn't open on Saturdays! I don't think my purchase is going to happen if I can't get it serviced over the weekend.
>>

I'm not going to try and convince you to get a MINI. You MUST have passion for the car; a "I must have that car no matter what."
I don't get the feeling that you have that passion. You find all the reasons to not buy one. To make matters worse your dream "Silk Green" has been discontinued; you can't order a Silk Green now and would be VERY lucky to find one on a lot somewhere.
For what it's worth the 3 dealerships in the Chicago area: Bill Jacobs MINI, Patrick MINI & Knauz MINI are all open on Sat 275 to 300 miles from you. MINI owners with a passion for their cars would not let those distances keep them from buying.

 

Motor City Mini charges $129 for an oil change ...!!! Yikes....