[sorry if you read this on MINI2...posting here for greater visibility]

My '04 Cooper S lease is up in a couple weeks. I have to make the difficult decision as to whether to buyout the lease, or wave adieu. It has 45k miles on it and 1 year left on the parts warranty.

Those of you with 50k+ mileage MINIs, how are the maintenance costs on the unwarranteed side of the fence? I'm scared by the stories of transmission failures and exhorbitant labor costs.

My MINI has not been the most reliable. In the three years I've had it, it's been towed to the dealer four times. The power steering motor was replaced. Cyllinder misfire. New windshield (dealer claims it was road debris; I dispute that). New accelerator pedal -- mine broke off while travelling to work on the freeway (motorway for you fellows across the pond). A couple other part repairs I can't recall offhand. A sound at idle which makes me think there's a hamster wheel powering the washer jets. And the most annoying, and sometimes life-endangering, the infamous power loss stumble which the dealer says "too bad, that's how the MINI is" and ECU upgrades have not fixed.

Of course, it's also been a constant blast to drive. Still, if the repair bills are going to continue to rise, I'm not sure it's financially reasonable to keep it. I've heard people mention $6k repair bills. Niggling problems is one thing, but major mechanical failures is something I want to stay away from. And the indifferent attitude of the dealer service staff hasn't really warmed my heart, either.

I'm considering buying out the MINI... I'm not feeling the R56 ... but I don't want to end up with massive repair bills. I know some people on here have already driven their MINI into the ground, so I wanted to get a better feel.

 

Buying the car now could make it an expensive experience. This must be decided on the final settlement figure against the cost of a trade in against a new lease. Personally I would go for the new lease as this will put you in a new car with warranty and no big bills to appear.

Bear in mind that R56's are not in the US yet and that once you see it all the hype and talk goes away.

 

My 2006 has been a great car so far. Admittedly I've only had just over a year & put 15,500 miles on the clock. I have to say if was me I'd turn it in & buy a 2006 MCS. You've had lot of problems & once out of warranty it's all your dime. Good luck on your tough decision.

 

car that has been returned 4 times... return it. no question.

 

What is the buyout price vs trade-in value?
Sounds like you will have an over-mileage issue, what about cosmetics and such; anything they will ding you for on return?

Not thinking about you keeping the car, but using it as a trade if financially prudent.

 

Why would you want to buy it now after all the problems you've had with it and having it towed back to the dealership four times? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Get rid of it and get a better one. That's what I'd do in a NY minute.

 

+1 - find a good deal on an '06

 

I bought out a lease once, and will never do it again. You will end up paying way more than the car is worth. If you already have had problems, then they are likely to continue. Possibly trading it in on a new 06 might be the best bet.

I have almost 128k miles now, and have had zero costs in repairs, but it also never went in for anything other than scheduled service before the warrenty expired either.

Good luck,

Nik

 

especially with some real nice cars coming out this year and next year
(including the new MINI's), i wouldn't burden yourself to keep it.

you will most-likely kick youself later unless you have a nicely modded
ride that you plan to keep until it falls apart.

 

I appreciate all the responses. I guess I figured that everyone else was having as many problems as me. The dealer's indifference to these problems certainly gave me that impression. I think I have some emotional attachment to this car...which I've never had with a car before. But you're right, it's probably best to let it go.

3cocinas: The buyout is around $14k, which would probably be the resale value after I paid it off in a couple years. I won't have any over mileage - I'm actually at 43k miles right now and have to turn it in in a couple weeks. They did make me replace the front rotors/pads for $500, and I'm sure they'll find something else to tack on.

I honestly have to say the dealer has sucked some of my love for the MINI brand out of my soul. The only reason I've continued to use them is for the free loaner, which has come in quite handy with this car. :/ And I'll be sure to tell MINI Corporate that.

 

I think what 3cocinas is referring to in the original post is what is the equity (curent market value less the buyout amount) in the car. If you have positive equity (buyout < current market value), sell the car and pay the buyout amount from the sales proceeds; the remainder is your compensation for enduring a crappy dealer experience. If the market value < than the buyout amount, turn the car in at lease end and move on to another car.

If you haven't completely soured on the MINI brand, you might check out another dealer - both for a new MINI to trade into as well as hopefully better customer service.