I am *this* close to getting a 2008 Mini Hardtop. (Oxgen Blue with the white top, white stripes, and chrome line exterior in case you are wondering ) My dealer has one on the lot built pretty much how I want it!

I was all for it and then read about all the problems the earlier models had- the engine bay fires (this is what has me wigged out the most), a lot of electrical and transmission problems....... I also heard that some things haven't been recalled? I may be wrong on that. Anyway, I know a lot of the later models seem to not have as many problems but of course they probably do not have as many miles on them yet either.

I'm planning on keeping this car for 5 or 6 years. (although the dealer was PUSHING me for the "every 3 years" trade in thing ) Knowing that I will be keeping it, I do plan on adding the extended warranty and the extended maintenance to cover my butt in the later years.

Please put my mind at ease about this! I am super excited but nervous at the same time.

 

Check out the Oxygen Blue Owner's Club Forum...I am a Lifetime Member!! Molly was delivered April 19th w/500+ Miles on her now. I understand what you are saying about mechanical issues, and yes, the OBs are a bit newer. But I think if you stick with an Auto, and you will not have the option to get an S then I believe you will see fewer problems. Nothing is guaranteed, but good maintenance and Loving Care should keep your MINI running for the long haul. Molly is a PERMANENT part of our Family and you will read in the Forum that we all feel that way.

Good Luck!!

 

MINIs are great...not to worry. Coopers have always been pretty solid and R56 Coopers are spectacularly so. Proceed...you'll be glad you did!!!

 

All cars have problems, and MINI's are no better or worse than any other brand. What is important is the quality of your dealer. If you have a bad dealer, even the smallest problem becomes a big headache. A good dealer can make even big problems rather painless. Here in the Md/DC area we have some really awful dealers, and some pretty good ones.

 

The 2007+ Coupe & Clubman are significantly different than the earlier model. The engine is entirely new -- built and designed by a different company than the early engine. Body is new. Transmission is new. Faults in earlier models are probably not an issue with current models.

I would look at the mileage on the "lot" car. If it has more than a few miles on it, it may have been used as a demo. Demos tend to get used hard, rather than properly broken in.

I've not heard of any engine bay fires in the R56. Check out the 2nd Gen Stock Problems/Issues forum for possible problems, but realize that you are not hearing from the folks who don't have problems.

Since you want to keep the car for awhile, I would recommend changing the oil and filter more often than MINI recommends. Once after break-in (1,200 miles) and then at somewhere between 5,000 10,000 miles depending on the kind of driving you do.

 

Jaxsngrl,

I just took the jump from 15+ years of driving Acura/Hondas to my first Mini and let me tell you... It was worth it! Different feel, Different Drive, Different Car... But over all, AWESOME!

Every car brand is going to have some issues. It pretty much comes down to whether you get a car with issues or not. One of my Acura's had a major issue with the transmission yet, I never experienced it. At the end, it will be all about the Dealer and their service (if it ever happens in the first place.)

Also consider that for the first 4 years, you'll have complete coverage on anything that my happen. And after that, you can always elect an extended warranty. Remember, on average a new car now a day runs on average for 7 years without anything major happening to it mechanically. (Read that somewhere a few months ago)

I guess that's just my two cents...

Over all, you won't be disappointed with a MINI.

 

The earlier model's were actually pretty rock-solid cars. Sure they had their quirks (it was a british car afterall), but the engine was really well built.

The new model has a completely different engine that seems to be built pretty solidly too. There is a cold-start issue that some people have been experiencing, but that should be the biggest concern you have.

Browsing internet forums will always give you a skewed view on whatever subject you're researching. If you read the technical problems forum you'd believe that every car that came off the lot has issues, but if you follow that thought through logically, MINI would be long out of business.

 

And jaxsngrl is getting a Cooper...seems an MCS issue, no??

 

My other car is a 2000 M Coupe. I've seen reports of 5 car fires with this model between 99-00 about 3500 cars were sold. 5 out of 3500 is a much much bigger percentage than 5 (i'm guessing) out of 20000 sold.

I've seen more fords on the road on fire (older escorts, taurus) than probably any other makes in my short 20years of driving.

I would seriously not worry about a car fire occurring to me in any of my cars, MINI and my M Coupe ever.

 

Mine has been NOTHING BUT TROUBLE since day one! Since delivery, I've experienced chronic muscle pain in my face from smiling too much. I've had trouble spending time with my wife since I always want to drive my Mini. I've had trouble finding my way around despite having a GPS... seems I always take the long way around. I've had trouble controlling the urge to stop at every gas station I see (like I used to with my GTI) since the Mini gets 40 MPG on the highway.

TROUBLE TROUBLE TROUBLE!

The only thing that hasn't been troublesome with this car is reliability. So far, I've gone 4K miles in the month I've owned it (yes... a LONG commute) and NOTHING has gone wrong.

TROUBLE! Stay away!

 

Oh duh, yeah that's right, it's only an issue with MCS'.

 

Mine was delivered in October and now has 27k with not so much as a rattle!Go buy that MINI!

 

 

Thanks everyone! You've all convinced me!!!

I'll be sure to update all of you!!

 

KRIEG,

+1 VERY funny!

 

It's always tricky to be really sure what you might want in a few years. At first when I recommended that Amy buy a 2007 MCS and sell her 2005 MC she was like, "But I LOVE my MINI". However, her loan had $11K left on it and the car is worth about 17K+ in this area. So, it was actually well worth it for her to get a new car.

You can always buy an extended warranty later on. If you do buy it up front, be really sure what's covered. Most of the time (but certainly not always) an extended warranty is good for the dealer's profit but not so much for you.

I personally think it's a good idea to sell my MINI in about 3 years. All my my prospective buyers will have the comfort of being covered under warranty. And by then, I'll certainly want a MCS Diesel or 4-wheel drive Convertible, etc. Gosh it will be really cool to see what they will be selling in 2010 / 2011.

Jeff

 

im loving your color and stripe choice!!...yay, we will be twins!!!
by the way, if you do get the oxy blue, the first time you see another one on the road, you will probably sh*t yourself...we are an amazing rare color!

trust me, you will be extremely happy with your mini if you decide to get one! I wish you the best of luck!! and happy motoring!! hope to see you around the oxy blue forum!