If you haven't yet read, and might desire some additional anecdotal information re Mini-Cooper QA/QC issues, check out a similar thread under this forum, entitled, MINI Quality Control/Quality Assurance.

Seems these type concerns have been expressed repeatedly in recent years by Mini owners,. And yet the delivery of poorly made products continue to plague new customers. It appears nothing has been done to rectify the manufacturer's sagging reputation in this regard. Moreover, it would seem that the Mini/BMW establishment aren't too disturbed about complaints that have been registered on these forums and otherwise by product owners. Why should they? The sales have already been chalked up and the revenue collected. Perhaps the Mini/BMW VPs would be more concerned if their new car sales figures began a long and deepening plummet due to world-wide market concerns about the shoddily-made products coming off the lines in Oxford. --Vim






reputation

 

Poor initial quality?? couldn't tell it by my MCS.......although the cover for the tow hook kept falling out.......took the Service Writer a full 2 minutes to put a new one on, never even wrote it up. I guess I've always been lucky taking delivery of a variety of different new cars..... I've NEVER had any of the problems other people seem to have had.

 

I gotta wonder who these mental slobs are who don't own a MINI and lurk on a MINI forum for the sole purpose of bad mouthing the brand. Must be General Motors employees, workers for competitors or losers who cannot gather up the money to qualify for a loan to buy a MINI.

Fact is all cars have problems. [See my other posts if you want].

But an additional example is my friend who in 2007 bought a new $90,000 Mercedes [some 2 door coupe something or other.] About 3000 miles into it he was on a trip to Los Angeles and the tranny went out. The dealer was going to do a warranty replacement of the tranny, but my friend [who is a business lawyer] said "No you're not, you are giving me a new car." The dealer contacted Mercedes and they gave him a new car.

And BMW does listen, they do make improvements and they are trying. See below.

Like any new product, the MINI too had problems with the first models to come out. But to my knowledge MINI has addressed flaws and redesigned problem areas. If MINI did not give a rip, as you say, then my MINI [a 2006] would not be an improvement over the first year models.

Painting BMW as some kind of Y2K Yugo manufacturer shows you don't know what the hell you are talking about. I have had every fine car made. The MINI is right up there with the other brands in terms of quality. And just like every new car, there are going to be problems when the new owner takes possession and drives it for a month or two.

Frankly, cars are so complex I am surprised that so few of them have to be returned to the dealer for fixing this or that soon after one drives a car off the lot.

Sure, no one can compare to Japanese quality. In fact I wish the MINI was a Japanese car, but it's not. But that is not to say the MINI is junk and that the English are con men laughing all the way to the bank.

 

Permit me to react to "QUALITY" of your diatribe:

 

Some of the rating may be due to the level of "owner expectation". For example, do you think a Kia owner would complain about a minor quality issue lika a cup holder prob;em? Not! Their expectation isn't as high as the expectation of a MINI owner who gets great joy just being in their car and wants it to be perfect!

 

Thank you, MichaelSF! You've said it well. "...No one can compare to Japanese quality. In fact I wish the MINI was a Japanese car, but it's not."

That's precisely why I sold my BMW and purchased a Lexus LS. And, that's why I no longer wish to spend $30K + to trick out an UK built MCS that may be fun to drive indeed, but a pain in the **** to put up with because of manufacturing short-comings. For the same dollar expenditure one might be better off purchasing a previously-owned Infinity M35/M45, both of which are fun to drive and they're quality products! Yes, certain Japanese auto manufactuers have established a benchmark in quality that's hard to match. And once you've owned their products it's difficult to accept less, especially when the price is as high or higher for cars composed of less quality workmanshp such as the Mini-Cooper.

Admittedly, no car manufacturer can match the MARKETING prowess of BMW. And that's what draws the crowds, creates the ownership desire in the pits of our stomachs, and rapturously draws us into the showrooms and cockpits (i.e., webs). By then we're smitten, and the rest becomes history real fast. I've been there, but managed to keep my powder (i.e., wallet) dry long enough to see what current and previous Mini owners were saying. Luckily, I disengaged from the BMW/Mini sponsored fantasy-trip just in time. I may be among the very few in this forum who fail to acknowledge that the emperor is wearing new clothes.... But he is not! And that's how I see it.

My hope is that one of the big 3 Japanese auto companies (Toyota, Honda, or Infinity) will in next few years produce an all electrically powered minicar that will rival the Mini-Cooper in maneuverability/handling. Now that would be worth the wait. Meanwhile, I'll be that much the wiser, and not again be seduced by that formidable European siren -- BMW/Mini. --Vim

 

Are all Mini owners receiving the surveys?

I'm only 60 days into ownership.

 

What the hell got into you?

You have a very weird view of the world the MINI is not "a pain in the **** to put up with because of manufacturing short-comings" for the vast majority of owners.

 

As I said earlier in this thread, my 1990 Acrua Integra had more build quality problems than my 2007 MCS has had.

EPA estimated mileage: 16/23 & 14/20
Not really a comparable car. It would cost you about twice what it costs to have fun in a MINI.

Japanese cars have become boring as they attempt to satisfy their view of the American driver. They’ve gotten too much like Buicks for my taste.

Lots of companies can match or beat BMW's marketing prowess. Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, and Fiat are all much larger companies and can spend vastly more on marketing than BMW. If you are talking about brand prestige, Mercedes, Jaguar, and Porsche can match it.

BMW didn't get its reputation through marketing. They got it with the cars they built. In the 1970's they started getting noticed by having a relatively inexpensive compact car, with better than American reliability and build quality, that was peppier and more fun to drive than the competition. They continued that reputation by continuing to make cars that were great to drive and built well. Look back through Consumer Reports and car magazines. BMWs were generally well liked. They took a few missteps through the years, but most car makers do.

Sounds to me like you make your car buying decisions purely on an emotional level. Many car buyers are a lot more careful and logical about their choices.

500 all electric MINI Coopers are scheduled to come to California next year. It's a start.

 

Now all that's left to do is for you to go find something else to do, because it can't be to find converts on NAM hoping to take them with you.

Don't you have other Forums to pester with poorly written cheap shots.

Would you go away if we promise to give you a proper burial.

 

Hey, hey, let's calm it down! Wait...

What the heck is the point in posting in a MINI forum when you don't have/don't plan on purchasing a MINI anytime soon?

You don't see us going to the Lexus/Nissan forums and crafting paragraph after paragraph on the ability and prowess of the MINI. To me, the MINI is a superior vehicle for FWD, but I still can't toss out RWD too often! Good thing my wife loves RWD... I'll just borrow hers every now and then!

The MINI is a fine vehicle. It is small, fuel-efficient, and amazingly fun for such an environmentally-sound automobile. What other cars get the gas-mileage of the MINI Cooper (even S models?) Honda FIT, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris... now go test drive those. I have, except the FIT (which I heard was pretty fun to drive, but nothing spectacular), and they were just plain-Jane boring. The Toyota was crap, but the Nissan had a nicely appointed interior. A commuter car, I'd say.

I purchased the MINI for good, clean, and cheap fun. It is and incredibly exciting automobile, proving that you don't need to spend $50,000 to have loads of enjoyment. Besides, I respect a nice vehicle when I see one, and I won't go to their forums trying to convert them over to the MINI Madness. I know an M45, M3, IS350 are nice cars. I'd never pay that much for them, but some people would. To each their own, I say, and try to have some good motoring in your new Lexus.

 

Why are you all feeding the troll.

JD powers is a joke.

Japanese cars are great if you don't want to think about your car, and are just trying to get from point A to point B.

Personally, all I do is think about my cars so that doesn't sound like something I'll enjoy.

 

I love my Mini, and would not trade it for a dull Toyota product, however I guarantee you that BMW is taking this survey very seriously. No manufacturer wants to find themselves behind Land Rover and Jeep on any quality survey, no matter how much you may want to question the methodology used. When Mercedes found themselves in the same position they spent millions to correct the situation. I think the survey will provide a wake-up call for BMW.

 

I test drove every all wheel drive car a4, is350, 3and 5 xi g35x subaru. when i was at bmw i tried mini and had so much fun after test driving i bought one. I could see that i was giving up luxery and a bit off quality. But the car is what it was meant to be and im happy with that. The 4 year warranty calms my fears. I also saved almost 10 grand. Personally after 5 months of engagement with my mini ive noticed why jd rated it so low but its still worth every penny i paid for her(slavery is still illegal rite}

 

Who is this doorknob and what ricer forum did he get kicked out of to end up here?
I'm old. I know things.
I've owned a lot of cars in my time -Japanese, European, American- and have had my MINI for over six years. Quality not appreciably worse or better (but mostly better) than any of the other cars I've owned with the exception of the Camry. My wife's Toyota is well put together and exceptionally dependable, and I'm glad it's her preferred method of transportation. But I'd rather drive a couch. Japanese and American cars boor the spit out of me and I might as well take a bus -they're just transportation.
As for BMW (I've owned a couple); it's not about marketing, silly man. They made it their goal to produce a driving machine and they accomplished that in spades. The Japanese continue to chase after them and copy to an unholy extent. You can own a Picasso or own a picture of one, your choice.
It is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.
Now kindly go back under your bridge. That is all. My rant is done.