Friends,

As I slowly abandone my "lurker" status and get closer to ordering my $40,000 MINI, I have been PM'ed by more than one NAM member and warned that my "dream car" is a sheep in wolf's clothing so to speak... not because it doesn't perform well, but because of the frequency of breakdowns and quality issues... excess trips to the dealer for repair.

My old dream car a Porsche 356, would also have required many trips to the mechanic, as well and would have cost a fortune to drive & insure - and would have no warranty.

Maybe it's just me, but isn't someone who expects a state of the art Automobile in it's performance category to be more maintenance free like a Toyota (or something) expecting something unreal? After all The MINI has many features both electronic and mechanical that put it at the top, and make it a coveted piece of automobile excellence... does it not?

MINI could have gone the safer route and built a car with less cutting edge features or a less powerful engine or whatever... But I do love this car and want one very much. I have owned an MGA (bubble-top) coupe and a Triumph TR-6 and feel I'm ready.

However, I'm interested to find out how many members feel the MINI has more than it's share of warranty and/or maintenance & quality issues than it's deserved share based on it's State-of-the-art status.

People have indicated that the pain, may not be worth the pleasure... What do you think? Is there anything like a general consensus that the MINI has abnormal maintenance issues?

Jay Rephan
Nashville, TN

 

We have 2 MINI's. One is a 2003 MCS with 56K miles on it and the other is a 2006 Cooper with about 7k on it. The new Cooper hasn't had even the tiniest dash rattle. My modified and hard driven MCS has had only a couple minor issues. The biggest problem was a faulty rear brake caliper that took a few trips to get fixed correctly, my MCS has been great. This week I am replacing a cracked upper strut mount, but the new upgraded part should fix that early build problem.

When comparing our "old" and "new" MINI's, the 2006 does feel much better put together. I would not hesitate to order another today if I were in the market.

 

Jay,

You are obviously a man who knows what he likes. As you say, your MGA and TR-6 ownership makes you well qualified for any issues short of a lemon.

I've waited 4 years to get a MINI so I've tried to follow the ins and outs of MINI ownership. By the price you're saying you're in for, I'm guessing its at least an MCS, maybe a convertible. Since I am getting an S myself, the only issue that I am a little worried about is the windshield. Some '02 and '03 owners had to replace their glass 4-5 times, with quite a few others having the fatal crack only to get it replaced and then been good. Rust in the lower door jam has also popped up as a concern. Might be a design flaw with the rubber seal. But the '06 is arguably the ultimate version of the 2nd generation MINI so it should be the best.

I don't know of concerns with convertibles.

But, the driving experience professed by all owners is second to none and I cannot wait for my car to arrive.

Good luck!

 

Funny.....I tend to think that, based on cumulative posts covering several years, that MINIs have fewer maintenance issues overall. Unless there are some special conditions others are commenting on, I'd say go for it!!

 

Jay- i honestly feel that the ECU on the MCS is not state of the art...the
inconsistencies make this car feel more like a pet with its own moods than
a precise piece of machinery expected from a modern automobile.

but for a weekend car that's actually wat makes it more fun to own...

 

Windshield problems are a thing of the past once you replace the OEM glass with aftermarket PPG.

 

I think you have one of the best attitudes for a Mini buyer I've seen in awhile. Like you, I've been immersed in British cars: an MGB (still have it) and a pair of MGC's. Those cars were reliable for me, because with their old technology, I could fix any part on the car. There really weren't any sealed, throw away components. Since I was an autocrosser and a tinkerer, I'd notice potential problems before the car broke. So I didn't grow-up in an age of super reliable cars like Hondas, Toyotas, etc. Well, VW Beetles maybe!

I don't have what I think are unrealistic expectations of my Mini. I will view "Gromit" as the British car that it is, BMW engineering notwithstanding.

I can't wait!

 

This may be true, but for $40K isn't Jay going the JCW route? I always felt that was a huge improvement.

 

This was one of my concerns as well, but my MA assured me thet the issues were addressed with the 05/06 gen. Anybody had any problems?

After doing extensive research I felt the MINI came down on the "well worth it" side of the equation. Yes, you may be in to the dealer for some wierd things, but as someone else pointed out on a similar thread, the percieved huge number of people who report problems may well be due to the fact that they have problems to report. The many many others who have been driving trouble free cars have nothing to squeak about, so their voice is not as loud. Plus, the cult of the MINI has created sites like this where people get to share all the issues, and you hear much more than you would if you just talked to 2 or 3 other people you knew who owned MINI's.

Yes, it is a performance car, and you should expect some maintenance beyond that of a honda, but you also get to blow out the honda's doors, a smile plastered to your face.

my 4 cents...

 

I am one of the ones with a trouble-free 2005 MCSa. My only complaint is the absence of a JCW package for the MCSa. But, there are options in the aftermarket....

 

oh yah, forgot... i bought the cheap one...

 

10/02 build, original owner, 74,000 miles, plenty of it at high speed on autobahn.
No mechanical problems, ever.

dan

 

hey minibeel except for the mileage and color we could have the same car, i miss the look on the face of the porsche driver when i pass him...he then usually blows my doors off but their face is worth it nonetheless right

 

2 MINI's + 60,000 miles = 0 service issues, NONE. 3rd MINI (JCW) on the boat almost here. Get it!

 

After 5 MGBs and a 69 XKE as well as a 78 911 my MCS is a swiss watch......

the 06s I have driven are very refined and the design has been around long enough that the "techs" have "seen it all"..... besides.... it is just a car...not a wife..... if you feel you made a mistake getting out is not hard.....and it won't keep your house

Go for it......still most grins per $

 

 

I put a hard 28K on my 04, and never had any trouble. I went to the track often and it was pretty much drivin like I stole it. Needless to say, my new "garage queen" hasn't had any trouble either.

 

MY '03 HAS HAD A 'FEW' ISSUES...ALL RESOLVED QUICKLY AND
EFFICIENTLY BY MY DEALER...I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS WITH THIS
CAR...SHE'S A DREAM COME TRUE..!!!


"THAT'S TWO THUMBS UP!!"

 

My bought-new 06, 4 months old, has developed an internal engine noise that sounds suspiciously like a bearing in its death throws.

If it turns out to be something for which the engine needs to be opened up, I don't care if it's covered under warranty, putting my new car in the shop for the time it takes to order/install a new engine sucks.

I didn't do my research on this car, I'll admit. I had no idea this was a Chrysler/beefed up Neon engine.

Live and learn.

 

2003 MCS...lost my warranty last week when I crossed 50k...used it once for a replacement HK amp

 

The mini is well engineered and executed... I would not worry about any major problems... There are always exceptions and things do break... The mini is pretty sophisticated and complex... so things do happen.
Toyota's are reliable because they are slow and boring.. they don't have the power and are not setup for "fun". The mini gets a workout and things do break from time to time...

 

I'm on my 3rd MINI. They've all had a few minor issues, but it clearly hasn't stopped me from buying them. Then again, I also have an entirely trouble-free Audi.. which are notorious for having issues.. so I might not be the best to listen to

I do think that my 2006 MCS is much more solid/well built than my two 2003 Coopers were. Its been a fantastic car.


Have people seriously PM'ed you just to complain about issues?? How odd.

 

I'll be 1 year and 16,000+ miles for me in August. Every time I see my Mini I can't help but think what a sweet ride it is. I can't say that for any other car I've owned. Without a doubt this is the most fun car I've ever owned. For anyone that is a true car e[FONT='Times New Roman']nthusiast[/FONT] the Mini is a must have. The only problem we've had was the HK door buzz that was promptly fixed by Mini of Nashville. Honestly we've had more tire related issues than anything else. I've had to replace 3 of the 4 tires due to picking up nails and such. My tire warrenty has paid for itself.

Your previous car ownership should have more than prepared you for 99% of the issues reported on NAM. Outside of the few major mechanical issues reported, most seem to be trim related issues. I know that after the door speaker buzz I was more critical of my Mini than before.

Stop sweating it and get one already!

 

I can only relate my experience. '05 MC, 23,000 miles, no problems whatsoever. But it was only $19k. Oh, except a faint rattle somewhere in the back. Haven't found it yet.

 

Jay,

With a MCS, MGA and MGC all part of my rolling stock, I think that its safe to say that you should have no major problems with a MINI (although $40,000 is excessive and extreme, the car is really only a $20,000 - $30,000 vehicle IMHO). The majority of problem areas have already been addressed, and either the dealer network through the warranty system or the aftermarket have cured almost all of the MINI's woes. There are items that are require maintenance / periodic replacement, but there are on all cars. I recommend changing oil every 5,000 miles, along with tire rotation at the same interval. Scrap the runflats and get a set of summer performance tires and winter snow tires. Replace your front suspension bushings at about 40,000 miles as they are designed to wear out at about that distance, etc. , etc. There are lots of threads on this forum regarding the MINI's shortcomings and strong points. Get one, you'll be glad you did!