Were there any changes done to the MC's between the 2002's and 2006's that would cause the earlier models not to be considered part of that list?

Also, how does a 2006 car make a most reliable list when it's not even been out for a year?

 

Getting rid of the crappy Midlands 5 spd tranny would be the biggest improvement that comes to mind.

I may be wrong, but I think that may be projected reliability - that or the polled in the first two quarters of the year.........

 

But that's not near enough time to consider any car reliable, you need years to determine something like that, not months.

 

Clo, I have to disagree here. They test ALL kinds of cars. S2000, ranks above the MINI. I would find it hard to believe that anyone ranking cars doesnt understand the rides are harsher, etc. BTW, cupholder are important to the masses and the magazine is pointed to the masses, not just enthusiasts.

When you look at the magazine and the car years and you see all black marks for different areas, I really dont think they made up the data. The only arguement I could see is that their sample size might not be large enough to reflect the entire population of owners but they have to know the statistics thing to stay in business.

Skip answered this. The fact is that when CR said MINI was poor, everyone said Boo. When CNET says its poor, everyone says Boo. You just toss it out because you dont want to hear it.

Hes not going to understand your joking (I assume) and our banter. Curmedgeon, purveyour of laws, and PI ... Yup.

SO, I will say this to be perfectly clear just like I did when I posted about selling 6 weeks ago ...

Love MINIs... Period. In no way am I angry or hate them. We'll probably get an turbo convertable when they come out. The MCS was simply TOO UNRELIABLE to trust for my wife being HER daily driver. I'm not going to rehash the dealership issues but the mere thought of Cold Start Problem and I had enuff. Thats just WAY too touchy for any car. I am NOT going to let her drive a car that goes into limp mode, throws codes for no reason I can see, silly idiot lights going off, etc. My decision, not reliable enough for MY wife. Since CR is discussing the MC ... I dont see MCS in there anywhere.

Take a look at the new thread "Nothing Works in My Mini". Of course the squeaky wheel gets the grease and ppl complain about things ... but the number of things, IMO, is abnormally high ... Cold Start, Mushrooming, engine fires, rust, yo yo, limp mode, BPV valves, etc. My position is that is WISE to know all this just so you know what MIGHT happen. Otherwise, you got your head in the sand. Read the limp node threads, not just here but on ALL MINI boards ... how some ppl are truly frightened when they get up to speed on a highway only to .... limp ... its just plain dangerous. Will any of this happen to you? Maybe or maybe not but forewarned is forearmed.

Even C&D or R&T, forget which one, destroyed their engined because they were in a little puddle. Thats just sad ... I dont think I have ever read that from a car mag on any other car.

You've totally missed the point. The site is for MINI enthusiasts (regardless if they own one or not). I know Most of its quirks. Do you? Experience some of them? Have you? Have you seen the rust under your door sills? Know where to look, etc.? Do you know the recent resale market ... what sells and what doesn't? What mods are worth money and what throws away your money? I'm not saying im an expert at anything, only that I had experience and I'm not saying you dont know either (Cause I dunno). Giving BACK to the community is just as important as walking into the community asking questions.

Its a year old, how much longer do you need? They only look at last years models anyway, this is MF 2007. Just because MINI is starting late doesn't mean there aren't other 07 cars out there.

 

Oh heck, Chows, I have driven my 2003 MCS cross-country 10 times and it has been superb!

To think that you felt your wife was unsafe in hers really baffles me. Doesn't she have a cell phone, Roadside Assistance, and/or auto club membership?

There have been some lemons, as there will be with any make of car, but my MINI has been the most reliable car I've ever had. And as usual, you will read more complaints in a forum like this, as folks are looking for assistance and others' opinions in diagnosing issues when they do arise. That doesn't mean the MINI is shoddy or unreliable. And yes, in the early days, folks DID complain about cupholders and the "harsh" ride. That was before your time here.

 

Ron, maybe they based it on the improving trends in 04 and 05.....

 

Clo, I actually think it would be GOOD for all of NAM, to actually host such a poll. Ask the question who has had what major issue ... by year. I think you might be surprised by the results (or maybe not ... maybe everyone complained got the lemons!).

 

Have any of the people who talk about the CR surveys actually ever filled one out or even seen one? I am a subscriber & I fill them out. Their survey is long & it covers many, many items (cars, computers, appliances, etc...). I have never seen a CR survey that covers only cars. I don't think people with a beef about their cars are the only ones to fill them out. I tend to think people like me who want to provide honest feedback on a wide range of products represent the majority of survery filler-outers

 

Bamatt:

In the past, and I think Chows can back me on this, this was one of the reasons that JDP and CR recommendations/rankings were deemed worthless on this board..................because people are more apt to fill them out to complain.

I'm not saying I agree with this, it's just one of the ways past low Mini ranking on CR were explained away.........

 

The overall picture of the Mini is really illustrated by the number of TSBs - there were 130 of them in a 5 year run. The reliability issues of the electrical system, the Midlands tranny, the dual mass-flywheel, the power steering, the coolant tank really are just examples of poor componentry.

A pillar trim falling off, and the myriad squeaks and rattles are more in line with shoddy workmanship.

The car fires, the cracked windshields and the rust issues fall somewhere else.

Chows and I got Friday-build cars......Clo apparently got one built on Tuesday.

 

I could care less what CR and JDP have said in the past and what they say now. I've debated this with you before. What I've said on multiple occasions is that these reviews are poppycock and useless; even when the give positive marks for the MINI. You, however, have used both of those reports to back up your claim when it was convenient (see our argument in First Gear). Now when JDP and CR give the MINI high marks you change your tune about these publications. What, now they don't know what they're talking about?
You and skippy need to understand something here. Most of us don't give any more credibility to CR now than we did when they last reviewed the MINI. But, regardless, the reports are in. More and more of these publications are giving the MINI high marks on reliability. That's just the way it is buddy, and until you get your own magazine there isn't a damn thing you can do about it.

 

What - you're speaking on behalf of NAM now?

.......and what makes you think either Chows or I have anything invested in this? We don't own Minis anymore. We're malcontents - we're haters - we should be banned from belonging to NAM - right?

If you can toss out the past reports of bad reliability, toss out the unresolved rust issues, the engine fires, bad trannies, stalling issues, stumble issues, bad wiring, cracked windshields and an average of 25+ TSBs a year - well I suppose you're right - the R53 is one damn reliable car!

BTW:

I can believe CRs results. The cars were extremely troubleprone their first few years and they've made some changes for the better - and this has been reflected in their reliability recommendations. But you don't give any credibility to CR - right? The one publication/real rating agency that actually proves your point and you just informed us that you don't find them credible.

Hope that helps!

 

Yes, I've heard that. The complainers complain, the rest say nothing. However, I would add that even if thats true, that doesn't account for all the RED marks on Hondas and Toyotas meaning somebody ... probably Bama, said all was OK.

Actually, it was a Friday at 3:00PM before a long holiday

Now when JDP and CR give the MINI high marks you change your tune about these publications.

Whoa, wait a sec. Show me exactly, which post, I said I was changing my tune about CR? Where did I say that????

I AGREED with Skip when he wrote:

everyone around here talks about how irrelevant CR is and how cars that make their lists are boring and have large cupholders - until your car makes the list - then it's a badge of honor........

The people changing their TUNE are the MINI owners who are now jumping on the CR bandwagon ... OH LOOK, WE MADE THE LIST (well the MC made the list). I have no idea about the originator but if you bashed CR before and NOW jump in joy ... then that is hypercrosy. SKIP was correct. Many ppl said CR or JD was irrelvant. Now somebody posts a thread on how a MC made the list. What Happened? Now its relative? As Skip said ... you can't have it both ways ... its either MOOT because you don't believe in them or you care ... thats it

So show me where I ... ME ... said CR was not relative ...

You and skippy need to understand something here. Most of us don't give any more credibility to CR now than we did when they last reviewed the MINI.

Uh, OK, so what? Many Americans do ... their reliability rating are pretty accurate specially when it notes such and such car has, for example, body problems ...

OK, you don't care ... others do. And so?

 

You said it, not me.

 

Wow, you just dont get skips humour.

 

Actually - I got lucky this morning , I finished installing my hardwood floors today, and I found out today my Xmas bonus is going to be very large.

I'm turning over a new leaf. I want to be accepted. I want to be loved. I'm going to start with you.......

ma78 - All your points are valid. Chow's negativity and general ugliness has unfairly prejudiced me against the Mini. My attempts at being logical were thinly veiled contentious stabs at drawing you into a fight because I immediately understood the unassailability of your position.......

I love you. I need you to love me back. Let's stop the hate. Let's start with you and I. Let's show them how it's done....

Take my hand.

 

This started out with someone being "happy" about a favorable reliability rating. Why does the thread have to degenerate into "yes it is - not it isn't" crap.

You guys that argue for and against have all made your points over and over again. Let it go! Some of us just happen to love the damn car and really don't need to have the negative aspects of it pounded into our brains. Some of us may even have the delusion that the car is "supreme", but the gods have spoken, so we can't have that, can we?

 

Only if I can buy you a coke and sing together with you in harmony.

 

Tongue placed firmly in cheek, I assure you.

 

It's a date!

 

Stop being so negative and stop rolling your eyes at me......polytheist.

We've all made up. ma78 and I are on our way to putting this to rest. Don't you go stirring the pot.

 

Check the time stamp, I wasn't aware of the olive branch. Of course this all could have been done via PM so I could have spent more time worshipping and less time "stirring the pot", then too, the original flavor of the thread could have maintained. Oh well.

 

Can I get you a coke?

 

You're mine! Don't go flirting with the pot stirrer.

 

That would help.