A Barrons article about GM in last weekend's edition contained a table with JD Powers results of owners survey indicating the percentage of of owners who would buy the same make again. I was very surprised that mini was way down in the list with a very low percentage (in the teens if I recall correctly) saying they would get another mini. This is inconsistent with what I read here and have heard elsewhere. Any explanations? (I don't think the magazine gave the date of the survey.)

 

There is another thread on this here.

 

Also, keep in mind that the people on here are a tiny fraction of all MINI owners.

 

It's no surprise to me. The build quality on Minis is inconsistent, to say the least. Worse, however, is the dealers' attitudes. In the unlikely event that they concede your car actually has a problem that is not your fault, they act as though they are doing you a huge favor to condescend to look into it. Then, they may fix it, if the mood strikes them. But they are more likely to just tell you it's normal for the car, or that they couldn't find a problem at all. I am giving MoS one last chance to behave properly with regard to my car's issues and if they don't, there's no way I'd buy another Mini.

 

A few thoughts. I don't think it has so much to do with dealer attitudes, rather with the style of the car. Remember, up until now, Mini only had one car - the Mini Cooper! If you have a BMW 330i and you have a family, you can get an X3, X5, 5-series, etc. If you have a Mini and need something more practical, you have no choice but to look outside the brand.

Also think it has to do with the types of clients that buy them. Perhaps people who want a fun car, and then move onto something more practical. I'm sure there are a lot of people who just want to have a fun car, and then the excitement just goes away after a couple of years.

I think that if gas prices stay high, and with the introduction of the Clubman, Mini's loyalty will go higher. If the population generally starts driving smaller cars, then for practically, it will no longer be compared to an X3, but rather to a Yaris.

 

The results surprise me.

I'm on my second MINI, the first was a 2003 MC, and now I drive a 2007 MCS. I've found the MINI to be as reliable as any other car I've owned, maybe even a little better, and the dealership service and warranty work (what little I've had) has been great.

All of this plus the engineering, fun-to-drive factor, mileage, and high resale value keeps me in the MINI fold.

-James

 

It doesn't surprise me, the MINI is just too small for most people and I can see them wanting something larger. I'm getting my Clubman S for highway trips only, mostly for the mileage. It will be my 4th vehicle. For most of my arrands I'll still be in my 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab.