Not sure if this is the right place for this or not.

Basically, I've been doing some reading here on NAM and I'm a bit wary now, let's say.

I've had a history of buying very reliable Japanese cars, so a trip to the Stock Problems section of these forums was frightening to me.

Weeping windshield sprayers. Electrical problems. Transmission problems. Rattles. Engine problems. Arm rest issues.

I was hoping that I could just hear some /success/ stories from people who have had few to no problems with their car for, say, more than one thousand miles?

To be clear, I'm not asking for posts declaring how much you love you car /besides/ the problems. I've noticed a lot of those. I'm asking for people to chime in and say, simply 'My car is actually mechanical and electrical problem free.'

I don't want to be one of those folks who migrates from a Honda product to a Mini, then complains here incessantly, so I'm trying to do my homework. How many positive replies I get could really help me, so please know I am thankful for you even reading this far.

 

I've driven 300 miles with no issues (ok, I have weeping washer jets but that's not a real issue in my book). Not the 1000 you were looking for but still, that's 300 NY/NJ miles and the roads here are bad enough to equate to 1000 most anywhere else, bar Chicago by all accounts.

Plenty of people have "success" stories with the new R56's in both MC and MCS configuration and I'd guess if you go to the forums for those terribly reliable japanese cars you will find horror stories too.

 

Yes. Now and then a Honda has issues.

It's just between Forbes and these forums... well.

 

My 2007 MCS had one flaw: a clip on the interior lining of the rear deck lid either came loose, or was loose from the factory. It was repaired under warrantry at no cost to me. Otherwise the car has been flawless--and a lot of fun. Even so, I just got a 2008 Honda for my wife. It is better suited to her automotive needs than a Mini, but I certainly would not have hestitated to get another Mini if that was the right car for her.

Joe

 

Agreed...I've never had a reliability problem with either of my MINIs. Add to this this they are probably the most fun car around. The handling is so good it amazes me how little folks are willing to accept from their motoring vehicles.

 

4K miles on my April built '07. No issues except the smile on my face. Traded up from my '03 MCS.

 

I have no problems with my MC, I have not returned to the dealer.

 

02/2007 delivery, 9000+ miles. My first trip back to the dealer will be this week for Sirius install and oil change

 

07/2007 delivery, 4300 miles on my MCS and so far no problems at all except finding excuses to drive it as much as possible. This is my first Mini, it gets great gas mileage and is a blast to drive.

 

My car is actually mechanical and electrical problem free.

 

Other than my recent Bluetooth fiasco, my R56 MCS with 6k miles has been totally trouble-free.

 

Great!

Thanks. Just needed a little injection of some positive feedback.

Off for my test drive.

 

Have just hit the 1500-mile mark with no problems.

Oh, wait -- except the owners's manual, which, especially in the first few days, acted up with serious incomprehensibility issues.

 

Do you want to hear the bad stuff too, or do you just want to hear good things to convince yourself to get the car? Although I do like the car, due to my experience with it, I couldn't recommend it to anyone that doesn't live close to the service center.

So far the problems I've had were:
Sunroof rattling (fixed )
Auto lights stayed in auto mode no matter which position the stalk was in
Couldn't program daytime running lights, wipers and other options
Oil came up from where the spark plugs are (later I learned that the service people put a quart of oil too much during the oil change so that was probably the reason, however when I came it with the problem they changed the valve gasket without checking the oil level so I had to go again after I realized that there's too much oil)
Lower part of the chrome around the grill is coming off
Sunroof is rattling ( again)
Armrest is stuck, can't open it, it's totally empty so there's nothing jamming it from the inside.
And the service people used a squeegee to clean the windshield last time I was there and left very fine scratches in the glass. You can only see them when the sun is shining right at the windshield.

 

4500 trouble-free miles on my May-build MCS. No rattles, no squeaks, no warning lights, no weeps, no anomalies of any kind. Only required service: oil change (DIY, it was simple) and tire rotation. Still grinning, motoring on.

 

Just to reverse the equation a bit: I'm currently waiting on my MINI to arrive, as my TSX is due to be returned (lease). Reason I'm not getting another Honda or Acura? Problems, both major and minor.

Windshield that creaked due to defective clips, center console had to be replaced when the lights went out on it, rear doors creak, no matter how many times I've had them work on them. Both headlights got condensation in them. The worst by far was when the car had water inside a couple of times during heavy rain (they never did locate the leak). AC problems too. Many people on TSX forums have had many of the problems I've had (actually a lot of them are documented with service bulletins).

In short, there's always the chance you'll get a car w/ issues, regardless of the make.

 

Just do it. I wouldn't trade my MCS for two Hondas unless I could sell them and buy another MCS and keep the change.

 

I just ordered my "S" this past Saturday. I too was wavering between ordering or not. Posted a similar thread and searched others and the positives outweighed the negatives by a large margin. Any car will have examples that will be less than perfect. Do not overthink it!

Drove another "S while the salesman was finishing with another customer and that sealed the deal for me. Fun, economy and performance makes for a nice combination!

Can't wait for mine to arrive!
Waiting for a DS w/black roof. Rooster red cloth/leather with red colorline and piano black. Sport, cold weather packages.

 

Since delivery of Skeeter on 8/14 and as of this morning just passed 2,000 miles, no problems mechaical/electrical.

 

1250 and had no problems. i do have the weeping wipers but that doesn't make the car unreliable. i traded in my 2000 civic in august towards my 07 MINI S.

 

No reliability problems so far. Just over 3K miles.

 

2500 miles, no problems at all, zip, nada, zero...

 

... Of course, during the test drive on the Coop Cooper demo S, the engine light goes on.

The salesman along with the ride put on his poker face, and went into politico mode when I pointed it out. Mid acceleration trying to get to highway speed. Every punch of the accelerator after that was sluggish.

Fantastic ride up until that point, however.

 

2700 miles--no problems except a dash rattle. Dlr suspects secret compartment--parts on order.

No weeping wipers

 

2007 MCS built in April. ZERO problems. Now 10,100 miles.