I have owned 3 problem FREE MINIs to date (Sndwave, you are not the only one, HA!):

'02 MC CVT (August 2002 build, last of the '02s made by Oxford), 4 and a half years old, 40,500 miles, daily driver. Still has the ORIGINAL FACTORY WINDSHIELD. Been on numerous roadtrips within Florida (Disneyworld, etc) and 11 states, total and been to lots of shows and parades. This car ROCKS!

Will be replaced next year with a new '08 Clubman as we need an extra door for my baby boy.

'04 MCS (Built 9/2003), kept for 17 months, 17K miles, not a single problem, sold privately 2/2005.

'05 MCS 6MT Hardtop, 22 months old, 20,800 absolutely troublefree miles, not a single unscheduled visit to the dealer/warranty repair, other than the 10K mile scheduled oil service and every 5K miles tire rotations. Hard working daily driver and weekend fun car. its been to the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway once, numerous roadtrips within Florida, and a 8 state adventure that included a visit to the dragon and Nashville, TN back in May. Still on original windshield and original Dunlop SP5000 16" runflats. My car has been to lots of club shows and local parades.

(I can't wait to see a post from Chows, hehe)

 

My wife and I have put 20k miles on our MC in a year and a half now, and haven't had a single problem. If I really wanted to nit-pick, I could probably bring up a fit-and-finish problem or two in the interior and an unexplained wear issue with the driver's side cloth seat (noticed it at 4-5k miles, hasn't gotten worse since). We have taken it to the dealer once for scheduled maintenance, and I have changed the air filter to a K&N, gotten an autocross alignement, an aftermarket exhaust (had some problems with that, through no fault of Mini) and have had three different sets of wheels and tires on it, one for winter, one for summer, and one for autocrossing. Overall, as far as any repair or assembly issues are concerned, I couldn't be happier with the car.

-Keith

 

I had the leaky engine mount replaced under warranty, but I have not had a single driveability problem. I've driven almost 63,000 miles in 2 years and 1 month.

Sndwave, I think the EBs are assembled with Extra Love.

 

Zero Defects!

Awesome CAR!

POWER to the MINI's!

 

I consider my MC to be problem free. Owned since 07/03, and the only service call was to replace the electronic relay on the fuel gauge....nothing major, just a small electronic failure. I did replace the clutch, which they covered under warranty, but that was because it got burned out by Auto-Crossing . So, 3.5 trouble free years.

 

Well folks, just turned over 45,000 on the way home last night. "Newt" is a 03/04 build and I took delivery on 03/30/04. Newt is a daily driver and is garaged at all other times. I've been fortunate to not have any serious issues. Here is a list:

-Factory white tail light replaced after improper install caused it to leak.
-Ripped transaxle boot replaced. Still don't know how it tore.
-2 engine mounts replaced on 2 separate visits due to a rattling sound on sharp bumps in the road.
-Driver side bottom seat cushion replaced due to faulty seat heater.
-Still on original windsheild! No cracks.

2 things I'd like to ask some of you out there. First, is it just me or has anyone else ever notice a slight haze forming on the lense of the actual Xenon headlight, 02-04's. I'm not speaking of inside of the first plastic lense, but the glass portion of the actual headlight. If anyone has worked around new cars, interior plastics will emit chemicals during summer heat an a haze will form on the inside windows. I'm wondering if the heat of the light, engine, sun, etc has caused the plasitc outer headlight cover to emit the same type of chemicals thereby causing the haze. I know it sounds ****, but there is definately a haze on my Xenons and I'm beginning to worry if it will eventually effect their clarity. Warranty?

Second, is squeaking brakes normal on MINIs? I drive my MINI with spirit, but I never race or beat on the car and my brakes squeal sometimes just before coming to a stop. Classic MINI says "they all do it" and that my brakes are fine. Any thoughts on these topics would be appreciated. I will never get rid of my MINI and plan on getting a Clubman/Traveller in 09 or 10. Cheers and long live the R50!

 

Mine has been almost trouble free. 25k now, and the only real problem has been the reverse light switch went out. Of course the nearest dealer is some 300 miles away....

Also have the cold start problem on hot mornings in the summer.

 

I've got over 23,000 on my 2003 MC, took home in early September 2003. Never been in for anything other than routine service. I am waiting for my gearbox to explode, preferably before my warranty runs out, but so far it has been rock solid.

 

I don't want to jinx myself but so far @ 39,000+ miles, zero issues. Just a fast running clock in the dash. I'll take it. ;-)

 

It's great to hear (and confirm Consumer Reports' article) that the Mini's are trouble free. I should be finally getting mine this weekend!

However, I would like to hear from people with over 50K and no problems. My current (and soon to be ex-) car is a VW Cabrio 98 which is VERY trouble prone. Still I had no problems till the car hit 60K, then it all went downhill pretty fast... so, not to rain on anybody's parade, but at 20-30K having no problems should be fairly standard for a well made car.