Hello to all, #1 I test drove a clubman last night and absolutely loved it. It was a pleasure to drive and felt great compared to the base 2006 civic I have. Now I'm hearing mixed reviews with minis a out long term realiablity. But it seems that these are all pre 2010 models. Did something at all change since then that I would not have to worry about problems. FYI I am coming from my civic (which I don't like too much but was stuck with it) and it has 211k with just a transmission. Am I looking in the wrong place for the same mileage?

 

Glad to see some of the other posts haven't scared you off!! Here is my opinion and you can take it for what it's worth, my opinion lol. These are amazing little cars that are asked to perform at a very high level for a 1.6L inline 4. As such it is very important to maintain them like a high strung crack addict. You need to do regular maintenance in between you scheduled maintenance intervals. I change my Oil every 3k miles, and before and after every track day. I check my oil every time I fill up the tank and top off accordingly. If you treat these cars with respect and give them some love and attention they will return the favor.

-Brian

 

I just bought a 2013 even after reading all about the reliability issues. I drove really easily with varying speeds during the break-in mileage. Still havent driven it hard, only going full throttle a few times and only when the motor is warmed up. I plan on doing the maintenance religiously, oil change at 1500 mi and then every 5000mi according to the OBC. I'm in this for the long haul, but am realistic in recognizing that I most likely wont get 220K+ like I did out of my trusty 91 civic. If i get to 100K without a major issue, it will be a real (pleasant) surprise.....

 

More like 15K miles if you wait for OBC. Interval would probably be sooner if they didn't offer free maintenance for first 36K miles ;-)

 

What I meant was I would look at the OBC countdown and do it every 5000mi.....So when the OBC says 10K to oil change, I would do one. Then when the OBC says 5k to oil change, I would do one.....

 

National surveys of automobile warranty claims show MINIs are just "average" in reliability. However...

Remember, today's "average" score would have been "class leading" just a few years ago.

But still... I change my oil (and filter) every 5-6K, and I bought an extended warranty just for peace of mind (recent experience with my daughter's Mazda-5 changed my mind about the value of extended warranties).

 

My '13 wanted a change in 10k miles the day that I drove it off the lot. I'm at ~5200 miles now, and it wants one in 3000. I'm not sure if the cold weather has something to do with it, but it has been dropping faster since then. I wonder if MINI revised the system for '13.

--Matt

 

My MINI mechanic told me that he now has the tools/ability to reset the OBC to 5000 miles so at my next oil change he is going to do that so I get the reminder from the computer at 5000 instead of 15000

 

Generally, the Clubman would be a more reliable ride than the Clubman S.

 

But, not as fast nor as much phun....

 

Definitely not as phun, but it is phun enough!

 

I have a 2009 Clubman. Best car I ever owned...and i've had Porsches, Suburus, MGBs, Toyotas and VW bug. Don't give up. it's a super terrific great little car!

pinkltink

 

I have a 2009 Clubman, standard shift. Best little car i've ever owned, and I've had quite a few. Don't give up. It's terrif.

 

You betcha!

 

I just brought home a 2013 Clubman S. Absolutely love it. I leased it for 3 years, 45K miles. My own two cents is that I wouldn't want to keep one past the warranty period.

 

The only thing I'm worried about is how much I travel and drive. I had a car for 6 years and put over 200k on it. I'm a avid skier that unfortunately lives in New Jersey so I do a lot of Vermont trips. I am only looking at the normal clubman don't believe I should own a turbo. I just wish there were less mixed reviews. 50% say "do it!" 50% say "don't" worst thing is I fell in love driving it.

 

Drop the S and go for the Cooper. We had one for about 3 years and loved it. Had I not driven and been tempted by the S I know I'd have Cooper and be just as happy. Stick with your initial decision...it's yours and you'll be happy with it

 

Motorworf how many miles you get to see, doesn't seem often there are 100k+ people on here.

 

First a Mini is not a Honda Civic. If reliability and long life is you primary goal, stick to a Honda Civic. The new 2013 is really nice and improved over the 2012. I own a Mini Clubman (2011) and am happy with it and have had no problems, but it will never outlast a Honda Civic. But it is a more unique car and with the Clubman you get much more room to carry stuff. For my use, I prefer the Clubman, it fits what I need.

 

I rarely keep a car for over 70k miles, but the 2nd owner of our 2003 is now well over 100k miles and still smiling

 

If you need a car for ski country, I'd go w/ a WRX. I drive my Mini in San Diego.

 

Your new MINI, like all BMW's will not tolerate missed services, unlike the run of the mill s#*t box. That said our 3 have at least 100k km on each and run like a trio of Swiss watches. We change the oil at half the recomended intervals but we don't do track work either. We bought BMWLL01 in bulk for them.

 

The standard clubman will get better mpg and reliability than the turbo S version.