I have a 2007 MINI COOPER S and I love it, only when it does not need attention... Every since I brought the car, nothing but problems. Have been to the dealer many times for many different issues. Seem like the car is slowly falling apart!
* DSC light went off due to sensor got stuck.
* Engine light caused by high emission.
* Engine rattled when turn and on bumpy road.
* The rubber on windshield start to crack.
* Engine noise on cold start like and old diesel engine.
* And recently, engine light due to build up (gunk) in pistons... (used premium gas and only Chevron and Shell)
* Tires needed to be replaced.

All these problems with only 25000 miles on it. Does anyone have these many issues with their MINI? I'm thinking off trading in for something more reliable. I'm just afraid that once the warranty over, what's next...

 

My list is longer (since last summer/15,000 miles), but nothing as serious as the things you've had to go through. Mine are mainly little things like the emblem flying off and the tail light fogging up. The only thing semi-serious was the broken water pump.

 

I've not had that many issues, but I'm not up to 25,000 miles yet. Some of them sound like teething problems on a new model. Some sound serious. Some not so serious.

Did they fix the engine rattle while turning? Did they say what it was?

I've had the cold start rattle, which seems to have been fixed. Has yours recurred since the dealer dealt with it?

There is a thread about carbon build-up on the valves. Is that what you have? Or, is it inside the cylinders? Did the spark plugs foul? What is your driving style like? Auto or manual transmission? Do you drive with the Sport button on or off? What RPM do you cruise at?

New tires at 25,000 miles is not surprising. The choice between mileage vs. handling, braking, and safety is one you can make on your next set. Can't really blame the car for this.

If you do abandon your MINI, I'd suggest you go with Honda. There are a lot of other car brands with worse repair rates than MINIs. You don't want to jump to something that turns out to be as bad.

 

There seems to be a huge difference in the reliability of MINI's. I have an 07 MCSm R56 with 47,000 miles and it has been nearly trouble free. It does have a very slight rattle on cold start, but I can live with that. I got it from a gentleman who put on 20,000+ miles each year for two years with an oil/filter change every six months. The only repair was a replaced windshield.

If I were you I'ld keep yours until 30,000 miles and promptly get rid of it.

 

Don't live with it. Get it fixed. It is not a harmless problem. Every time you hear it, the timing chain is getting damaged. Eventually, it can get so worn that it causes the vales to hit the pistons and the engine is destroyed.

 

Thanks, I'll have it looked at.

 

They did fix my engine rattle while turning by replacing the brushing, but can't remember what cause it. I took my MINI in last month for the cold start problem, it's fixed but for how long *crossing fingers*. About the build up problem, they didn't provide a clear answer yet since I took it in yesterday. They did mentioned of build up on the pistons... Will update. As far as my driving style, I love my MINI so I took care of it real good. Don't really used the sport button that much.

It kinna hard to find something reliable and as fun as my MINI. Still searching...

 

It's hard to believe, but I think I got the bad apple out of the basket. :( you stated that you have some light rattle on cold start. I remember that I have the same thing and gradually turn into the very loud diesel sound. Since you have 47 k on your MINI. Take it in before you warranty expired at 50k.

 

Thanks, very good advice. I was planning to do just that. There are three MINI dealers in my region, and each is about four hours away. So it's a big deal taking it in. I was told by the local BMW dealer that MINI has restricted the number of their dealerships was why we don't have one here. But the dealer in Winston-Salem is in the process of opening one in Raleigh so I think the limit on dealerships is so much BS.

 

Unfortunately while British are famous for craftsmanship/coach/leather work they are equaly unfamous for their mechanical (lack of) quality.

 

R56 FTW!

 

Loved my Mini... First car I bought in 30 years with my HEART, Best buying experience EVER(other always with my head/wallet), gave it up at 39,000 miles , had enough after the dealer had it for a month with the dreaded CARBON build up issue , moved to my original 2nd choice(albeit slightly modified, wife can't drive a stick)Get out while the resale is high....Take a look at Winding Road "Hot Hatches" this month, Mini is there, I opted for the Slightly toned down version of the Mazdaspeed 3, granted it isn't the Mini, Gas mileage is down abit, but overall nice handling car with all the same options and more for $2900 less then I originally paid for My '07 MCS....good luck with your decision,...................

 

You can't really compare a MINI with other cars. Well, you can BUT technically it's a niche car. You don't buy it for the same reasons as other cars. While the MINI is an awesome car, you're going to have problems with a car that quite frankly is over engineered. If you try and compare a MINI with another car, let's say the Mazda Speed 3, it just doesn't work. Mainly because BMW didn't try and shoehorn a leviathan of a motor into the MINIs. The MINI doesn't try hard to do what it was designed to do. Hold some groceries, a few people, and give a very fun oriented driving experience. BMW didn't try to overpower the car. They gave it the amount of HP that would allow for one of the greatest driving experiences. Yeah, there are other cars that handle as well and surely best the MINI in speed, but at the end of the day, they lack the charisma that has become a trait of MINIs.

 

Don't get me wrong here... I loved the Mini........But I believe the Dealers are in "over there head" on these cars, "Supercharged", not so much, but the "direct injection turbo charged" seems to have these guys beat, not to mention the varied electrical issues( starters, air bag modules, DSC modules, fuel pumps, High pressure fuel pumps,sensors, and emission control modules) and the costs involved(after the "Bumper to Bumper" ).... Mini Maintenance will KILL ya after the warranty, I chose to "opt" out of the "Over engineered Car"(and it's cost), opting for an "engineered"....Yep I can't Rocket down to the store in a "unique" vehicle and grab a few bangs of food, But ,I can add the difference between "Mini maintenance and My car maintenance" to my Retirement plan and get a better "bang for the buck"......just my take......demographics of the Mini actually better matched my age and driving style, however I guess my wallet/ common sense actually won out in the end.........

 

So which of the 10 least expensive cars you can buy in America did you buy? The Hyundai Accent GS? The Nissan Versa 1.6 sedan? The Kia Rio? The Chevy Aveo? The Smartfortwo Pure? The Toyota Yaris? The Suzuki SX4? The Kia Spectra LS? The Hyundai Elantra GLS? Or perhaps the Mitsubishi Lancer DE? I'd say each of them is "engineered" to one degree or another. And since each one is $15,035 or less, that'd be a huge difference to put into your retirement account! It's all about the money, not the fun. When you retire, maybe THEN you can have fun.

 

I can understand wanting out of the Mini after all those problems, I had my hands full with my 07 too. I just couldn't think of what to get as a replacement so I got an 08 and it's been great so far after 1 1/2 years and almost 10,000 miles. Hope it stays that way...

 

Well kali4nia you must not have ever owned too many European and especially British performance automobiles. If you had your list of complaints would be shrugged off as no big thing. Having owned 2 MG's, 2 Austin Healeys, 1 Jaguar, 1 Triumph, 1 Austin Mini Minor, 1 VW, 2 Porches, 2 Alfa Romeos, 1 Volvo and 2 Lotus (race cars only they don't count as to reliability). In addition to those, assorted Chevy's, Fords, Mercuries, Olds, Buicks, Lincolns and 2 Hondas.

The only ones that performed absolutely without problems, the VW, 1 of the Porches and both Hondas. You wouldn't believe the list of problems that the rest produced, many of a major nature (ie big bucks) and more or less with monotnous regularity.

Perhaps the answer for you is a nice 4 cylinder Toyota Corolla manual transmission. It will give you reliability and last indefinitely, be quiet, and provide long lasting tires. Fun factor = Zero nada nothing

 

I've had nothing significant except annoying rattles (58K miles) that come with age. Wanted to replace with 2010 model. Mini Dealer came back with a "robust" $10.5K trade-in offer for my 2007 MCS!!! Car is pristine...except for the mileage. I think I'm outa-here.

 

Ive loved my 09. I guess you are right. You have been there and back with a lot of issues it seems. Maybe you just got a bad apple as you exclaimed. Unfortunately it is technology and that can happen sometimes :-\.

I think it also depends on what kind of car background you came from. While I have always chosen cars that are unique in some way, I am far used to the issues that can come from having a more uncommon car.

My last ride I daily drove my 93 VW Corrado VR6 with a T04S 60-1 turbo (didnt spool until 4100rpm lol), and that was a NIGHTMARE! I had to work on it every night in order to take it to work reliably the next day with no issues. After that experience, the mini is flawless to me! Ive had to get my waterpump replaced at 10K, and a few other small issues but its been extremely worth it.

Whatever journey you choose, there is always a car that will work perfectly for you .

 

Because of the trade-in value? If you're going to get rid of a car every 3 years, why not lease? Sounds like you just want out anyway.

 

Oh, well don't worry. I have nothing against Mazda. As a
matter of fact, we have an '07 Mazda 6 in our fleet, which has been a trouble free car. I agree with you about the common sense thing. If I had common sense, I would have gotten rid of Lilith a longgggg time ago. Right now I've got a slow leak on my rear main seal which is ruining my clutch. I don't have the money to turn this thing in to the dealer for repair. I will be doing the job myself. Once my MINI is paid off, I will buy a cheap Kia and then buy a '32 Ford for my project vehicle. I'm insane to keep dumping money into the MINI, but I love them. Including all the classics, I've owned 7 MINIs. It's kind of an addiction. My daily driver is my 1996 Suzuki Sidekick purchased brand new off the showroom floor. So far, I'm about to replace the original clutch, shocks and struts. Just replaced both front brake calipers today. Not bad for a 13 year old vehicle that I quite frankly abused. Never once did this vehicle have to go in for repairs besides normal maintenance. But this little truck is a tin can on wheels. Nothing exquisite about it. It's a body on a frame with an engine. The MINI on the other hand is an engineer's nightmare. I've always understood people who decide to get rid of their MINIs. So, to the OP, good luck. Keep us posted on your progress.