I'm about to pick up my brand new MCS this Friday, and have been reading these boards since at least August of 2002. There's been lots of problem reported and lots of helpful people to guide us through them. One thing I noticed about all of this is that most of this is not unique to the MINI. I currently drive a 1998 isuzu Amigo and have had the following problems:

1> Squeaky breaks when cold and not stopping hard
2> Engine stalling when going around a corner with clutch depressed
3> Stress cracked windshield
4> Faulty rear-door latch
5> Difficult to get into reverse (unless you put it in another gear first)
6> Broken Fog light from gravel/who knows

None of this daunted me with my current vehicle and none of the reported problems have prevented me from purchasing a new MCS. I'd just want to make sure new buyers take things into perspective when reading about all the issues posted on this board (and wanted to try and add a positive post!).:smile:

 

Yes Fooo, I agree with your basic point. Plus, I had an Isuzu in the late-80s (Trooper II) and while the engine itself seemed pretty bullet-proof, the build quality was GM typical. Pieces fell off of that vehicle from day one through my entire 8 years of ownership.

As has often been said on MCO, workmanship on a $25K car is probably not going to be sterling. MINI's may or may not be better than average (that seems highly debatable). But regardless, that's what we use our warranties for. I believe that the legitimate irritation with MINIs and warranty service is just that there are relatively few dealers which can do the service. This means that the typical "bad apple" dealers show up more prominently and owners don't have a lot of convenient choices to avoid the bad dealers and instead go to those they like.

I think that the bigger problem -- which we truly cannot ascertain at this point in time -- is whether or not MINIs will continue to require this level of service once they get past the 3 or 4 years of the warranty. IF these are just "fix 'em once and then you're set" kinds of problems, GREAT! If on the other hand my MINI turns out to be like my 88 Trooper (which needed to go in for something about two or three times a year EVERY year)...then that'll be bad. I can't imagine paying BMW service prices to do this type of constant service...and if so, then I'll be getting rid of my MINI pretty soon.

In the meantime, I'll have fun finding out over the next couple of years

 

I think the workmanship and quality is very good when compaired to other vehicles 16k to 20k Base price range. I feel most people think becuase they paid 25k with all the options the car should have no flaws (It is a $20,000 car with ad ons). All car have flaws, 50k mercedes have flaws. I work in allot of car dealerships and see things that your normal car entusiast might not ever see.

Good luck with your car Jsun. :smile:

 

I just want to be clear that to-date (6 months, and about 9,000 miles) my MCS has been on the good end of "typical" for other new cars I've owned. I've not owned any Mercedes, Lexuses (Lexii?), or other high-end cars new, so I can't compare my MINI to those. Rather, I've indeed bought in the $20K - $30K (in today's dollars) range...and among these, the MINI is average. I've been in 3 times for warranty service, and have a 4th visit pending to install a part that had to be ordered last time. Several other "problems" did not require service and instead could be remedied via reading info here on MCO or MINI2.

So, no serious complaints here yet!

 

>>I'm about to pick up my brand new MCS this Friday, and have been reading these boards since at least August of 2002. There's been lots of problem reported and lots of helpful people to guide us through them. One thing I noticed about all of this is that most of this is not unique to the MINI. I currently drive a 1998 isuzu Amigo and have had the following problems:

>>5> Difficult to get into reverse (unless you put it in another gear first)

I picked this "problem". Anyone who is old enough to drive non synchro first gear transmissions knows you ease it into a synchro gear first, then it slips into the non syncro first, or in your case, reverse. Not a problem.

 

All I can say, is that BMW, and by proxy, MINI, are really not in the busness of selling 'disposable' cars...

Rocketboy_X

 

example, my '93 325i, which still looks like it's off the showroom floor
My Bimmer - plug

Cheers,
Ryan