'Rita is in and I have been so excited about this purchase. Now, after reading all the posts of MINI problems, Consumer's Report below average reliability I'm afraid to take ownership. I haven't had car problems since 1969 and wonder if this little car is an adorable, fun-loving MONEY PIT??? I ordered the 07 MCC with minimum upgrades (sport seats, etc. nothing "computer-based") because I was going to give her to my daughter when she gets out of college in two years. I don't think she'll be able to afford the upkeep. Even if I do an extended warranty, if I spend more time fixing her than driving her will I grow to hate her? Is it better to love this car from a safe distance? I live in Los Angeles and this will be my only car. Geez, when did I get practical?

 

You're is the old engine and drive train been around 6 years, I don't think you have anything to worry about. CR was talking about the R 56.

 

its got a great warranty.

 

NO, she ordered an 07. She should worry just based upon past performance of the company. Why do many people sell as soon as the warranty runs out?

 

CR may be good for toasters and irons, but they are not a good source of information regarding cars, especially cars like the Mini, especially the MCS. Take your lovely Rita and began what I am sure will be a long and happy relationship.

May all your roads be smooth,
Joe

 

I thought the '07 tin top was the only one with the new turbo engine, doesn't the '07 cabrio still have the old one?

Annette

 

Sorry, you are CORRECT.

For the OP, I suggest you read through the Cabrio forums and faults and fixes forums. You will see exactly the problems people complain about.

A short synopsis is that most people feel its worth having the fun car despite the reliability issues.

 

As has been pointed out above, you're getting the tried and improved original MINI design (which even CR has recommended -- look at last year's report, not at the '07 which is focused on the new R56 with the turbo engine . . . as are most of the MINI problems you're probably reading about).

The only recurring problem some of us have faced with the cabrio are white marks that appear on hinge points of the top. I understand newer tops are better, but keep an eye on that during the original MINI warranty -- MINI will replace your whole top even for a small mark (they have for me and others). AND keep in mind that most extended warranties DO NOT cover top replacement -- so don't get an extended warranty simply for that.

I must warn you, you will always walk around with a silly grin of pure joy after each drive in your new cabrio.

 

I have an 06 mcc and its very cute and great to drive. No major problems, but the little stuff is annoying. Very slow leak of radiator? fluid the dealer can't find, replaced back windows for scratches, now seat belt wont retract right despite "fixing" it. Some of it is dealer issues I know, but I will be selling come summer when the convert. should be worth a little more. The other reason I'm selling is the crowded space with the 2 kids in the back seat.

 

Also keep in mind that people (as a group) are more likely to post about things they don't like/problems than to get on here and say "nothing is wrong" every day. MINIs aren't perfect, but then no car is. I have had some minor issues that were taken care of under warranty, but nothing really worse than other cars I've owned. In fact, the car I had the most problems with was a Pontiac many years ago. It got so bad I got rid of it because I could NEVER count on it starting/running(and at the time was a top seller with high reliability reports).

 

They got the bugs out of the 1st generation Minis (which an 07 cabrio is) in '05 so you should be fine. CR, which is a very good source for reliability ratings, changed the Mini to "recommended" in 2005 I believe. They are just "predicting" below average reliability on the 2nd gen tintop (2007) since the engine & basically every single part have been changed

 

I read the CR review and chuckled. It's a good car and one that I intend on owning for many years to come. My guess is that they were referring to the problems that some owners had with the tops. Check out the various mini sites and you'll see numerous threads talking about problems with wear to the convertible tops. I've got an '05 with no top problems. In fact, I've had no real problems with the car. A bit of a squeak (that's back, but I know where it is) is the only complaint I've had. This is something that goes with being a convertible owner.

Otherwise, I've had zero mechanical problems.

Enjoy without any worries.

 

Don't put your eggs in CR's basket. Some of the worse products I've had over the years have been CR's recommended best buys. I'm no longer a CR sucker. They don't like my Suburban, and it's the best car I've ever owned, I've had over 40 vehicles. My Honda's and Toyota's had more problems than the sub. Worse car I ever owned was a Mercedes. Most favorite car ever was a turbo Porsche, didn't care if it had problems or not. MINI had some quality problems at first, but they have really gone after improving their product. I like mine just fine, hope it turns out to be my most favorite. Enjoy the ride!

 

Loved my '03 tintop - no problems with it at all.
Love the '06 ragtop - 8000 miles and no problems other than very slight squeal from pads recently. I do have very minor rub marks on the top, though haven't mentioned it to the dealer...if I hadn't seen all the posts about people getting their tops replaced, i probably wouldn't have noticed or cared.

However, I do NOT have experience with high mileage, out of warranty MINIs.
Just go for it - I think I can say that they are not dramatically worst than any other high mileage car.

 

You should have no problems with convertible. As for the top, you must take care of it to obtain longetivity. I know you can purchase convertible top products which will keep your top as good as new. One product is "303" fabric top cleaner and water repellant. You can purchase this at a local boat shop such as "Marina West". Get a big bottle to last you for a few months.

 

06 or 07 verts should be pretty problem free. 05's had a few teething issues. My 06 has 11,000 miles and not a single thing has gone wrong and I drive it year round in a lot of crappy weather and road conditions (snow belt). It's a tough little car, especially for a convertible. First car I've ever had that has not needed ANYTHING adjusted by the dealer in the first year. Besides, you have a 4 year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Relax and enjoy.

 

This is my second MINI. My first was an 03 MCS purchased in April of that year. In the 43,000 miles I put on it, there were several issues. The cooling tank was one and the frozen door handles was another that comes to mind. The thing I like best about this company is that they address issues. The coolant tank and the door handles were redesigned and retrofitted.

As somebody already mentioned, every car has its issues but I have found that MINI and their dealers to stand behind their product, which is really all I ask.

 

As others have said, I think you are about to learn the appropriate place to file CR info and complains read here and other places. Has some merit...but not the whole picture. My opinion? Forget the reported rating and issues and enjoy the heck out of your MINI. If something arises (you will know what to keep an eye on) sort it out via your nice MINI warranty. Don't worry...be happy!!!

 

. . . and don't be a stranger -- let us know about your first driving experiences and post pics.
Welcome to the MINI community!

 

Yes it does Annette! I have an 07 cabrio.

 

Nice ride Vics -- that really is loaded all the way.

 

I think CR is crap. But, even if you are worried, would you rather had a car that was relatively complaint-free and was as exciting to drive as a worn out couch, or something that you love to find excuses to drive, even if you have to get a few warranty repairs here and there? By far most of the complaints are minor things, easily repaired under warranty.

 

'Rita, don't let the negative comments of CR unnerve you. Like many others have mentioned, many folks come to a site like NAM to post their issues in search of solutions. Don't interpret that to mean that the MINI is inherently inferior. Your MINI has a great warranty, so relax and go motoring. Enjoy your new ride.

 

Those CR reliability reports always take a nosedive when a model revision happens. Not just for MINI, but for other brands as well. The nature of their reliability ranking is that it tracks long-term ownership costs and reliability stats. In the first year of a model revision, those are unknown quantities, so they err on the side of caution.

The '07 convertible is still using the original R52 platform, though, not the new R56. It's actually the most mature MINI model you can buy right now...the fruit of over half a decade of refinement to the original new MINI, and two years of tweaks specifically to the R52 convertible version.

Take delivery with confidence and enjoy your new ride. It's a great car!