I just picked my 08 Cooper last Saturday with the purpose of having a automatically equipped car that gets good gas mileage and has some reason for wanting to drive it, for my 80 mile commute. 40 miles each way. I've got the 6 speed auto, with 16 inch runflats. I absolutely love this car. If I had to travel 500 miles, I'll leave the mini home and drive my CTS-V, but for this commute, this car is awesome. It being a non S, has left me very surprised. I would have never thought a car with 118 hp could feel quick. It's awesome. Driving it in manual mode in the sport setting and manually shifting it with the paddle shifters is actually fun. This little car is fantastic!

 

For the past several months, I've been driving mine almost weekly from TN to NJ and back... drive up, work a couple of days, then drive home. Overall, it does a great job. I wore out the runflats early this year and replaced them with 215/45-17 Continental ExtremeContact DWS. I can't complain about the ride at all. And since I got the leaky sunroof fixed, it is actually quiet enough to hear the stereo.

 

reliability = none - why risk getting stranded with a failed high pressure fuel pump - water pump - cam chains??? - and with that daily mileage you will be out of warranty and out of pocket quickly

 

Just put my winter wheels and tires on. My first experience without the dreaded runflats on the car. The difference is like stepping from a hard concrete floor onto a plush padded carpet. It's VERY obvious that this is the way these cars were meant to "roll". I can almost feel the whole car sighing in relief to be rid of those cruel punishments we call runflats!

I can say this: runflats will NEVER go on my car again.

 

I hope MINI doesn't turn the car into plush, smooth the rough pavement kinda car. I understand the complaints about the rough ride the runflats has (keep in mind it's a MINI, small, stiff suspension), but if there is one thing that everyone should be complaining the runflats about should be the lack of grip. It lacks grip, doesn't help with torque steer, bump steer. Worst when turning at uneven pavement.

Steering is overboosted for my '10 (can only speak for '10 because that's what i own now), it feels too light and not connected to the road, compare to my 03. I wonder why the change? The first gen had one hell of steering feel (weight perfectly) and connectedness. There had been a lot of discussion about runflats for years, from year one till now. We've heard the negatives. MINI is small, the runflats makes/helps the MINI mini possible. Imagine if you're running a non runflats and you have high #'s of flats occurring, guest what the complaints would be? As much as many of us hates the runflats, i'm guessing that many outnumber us by wide margin liking the idea of the positives the runflats bring.

This might sound like a rant but it's not. Be careful what you wish for peeps. Last thing we need is a mushy ride in a MINI.

 

The MINI's stock suspension is already mushy... definitely a compromise for those who buy the MINI because "it's cute." Unfortunately for us curve-lovers, most of the ride harshness comes from the runflats, not from a high-performance suspension.

 

And from what I understand, the sport suspension tries to be the best of both worlds, but succeeds at neither. I don't have a real problem with it, but I've heard a lot of others say to go either JCW suspension or stock; not in-between.

 

I wouldn't qualify the MINI's stock suspension mushy, although "NOT" high performing it's still great but it's also harsh. Non runflats is definitely an improvement in ride, not "JARRING" but still harsh. "AGAIN", my biggest complain is the grip. Important for times of pushing the car to it's limits. For daily driving specially 130 miles a day? I'd say leave the runflats. It lacks grip but in no way it doesn't grip. So if you think the stock suspension is mushy now, wait till they mess with it like they did to the steering. I wouldn't be surprised if they already had since the first few years of production. WHich leaves me to my point, don't wish for something you might regret later.

 

Thanks to the complainers. It was much simpler back in the day haha! You got regular stock (back then it was complained to be too harsh and owners advice to future owners not to even dare go for the sport) and sport. Now it seems there so many configurations.

 

out of the 3 you listed only the HPFP is likely to strand you - if it happens. Water pumps and chains give noisy warnings well ahead of them completely going.

HPFP one of the most "common" faults - but common is still only <3% of the S models out there.

"high" number of failures on NAM does not equal high chance of it happening to an individual mini owner. Only the people who have a problem squeak. The ones with no problems have no reason to talk about it. People often only seek out forums when they have problems.


The high mileage/warranty may be something to consider - however you are still talking about a low percentage of people having problems.


Get a justa and enjoy the awesome gas mileage and great reliability and phenomenal handling - or get the S and enjoy the great acceleration in addition with slightly reduced gas mileage/reliability.

 

Well we have had all of these issues plus the hood scoop warp in less than 20k! And the water pump can strand you we know...

Glad this is a lease!

Hate to be out of warranty with this car

 

Not trying to downplay that you had problems but:

you would never have joined or posted in this forum had you not had problems. That is what I mean by people with problems post (they hunt for places to research and/or complain) and 99% of those without problems have never even heard of this forum. Your case is a classic example of this. You joined over a YEAR and a HALF ago and you posted nothing but your problems. All "4" of your posts were about them.

 

Pros: So much fun, REALLY good gas mileage. If I drive somewhat conservatively in my JCW, I still get about 37 mpg on the highway.

Cons: None.

 

I've only had my MINI for six months, but I have had no problems with it. It rides great, even with run flats, no rattles and it gets great mileage. I'm glad I bought it!

Dave

 

Would I buy another MINI, NOT A CHANCE, I plan on keeping this one until I croak! Way too much fun, good gas milage, excellant colour, did I mention FUN, oboy what else, oyeah, no problems so far, I've still got a warranty, and when that runs out I've got most of the tools to keep it going myself.
Motor on .

 

Well the mini is not our only car just the most problematic I also frequent the Audi, jeep srt 8 and mustang cobra forums with many posts all mentioning positive experience for many years. Not saying those vehicles are problem free but sure have not suffered the same mechanical and build quality issues of the mini. I am not happy to write only negative comments but that has been our overwhelming experience with this car and brand.

This is our experience - your miliage may vary

 

There does seem to be a wide variation in build quality in these cars, from one car to the next.

 

I post on a lot of different car and bike forums. On all of them the main threads are stuff falling apart and breaking. That has not been my experience with any of my cars or bikes. Many people go to these forums when their car breaks or to learn performance tips.

I've noticed that the performance enthusiasts are the ones who stay for years on theses forums and the people with problems come and go. Though there are many more looking to solve problems.

Dave

 

I have had my Mini Cooper S for about 9 months now and I had to take it back to the dealer once for water condensation in one of the rear fog lights. It was replaced and I havent had any other problems or adjustments needed. I have owned a Mazda, Toyota, Volvo, Honda, and a Jeep and every single one of them had more problems in the first 9 months than my Mini. I read the reviews and I know how expensive Bmw products are to maintain but my wife is on her third 3 series and I bought the Mini because there isnt any other small car on the market that feels and drives like it does, To some people a car is just a car, but the first time I sat in a Mini and felt how solid it was I was intrigued, then after a test drive I was sold. You dont buy a Mini because it is going to be the most trouble free car on the road, but then again it just might be in your case. Not everyone is going to be happy driving a Honda Civic.

 

This is very true. As reliable as household appliances are, you wouldn't want one as a car. ...And from the opposite point of view, thank GOD all modern cars, including all recent versions of MINI Coopers, are far more reliable than the typical home computer!

 

like a typical home computer, the reliability of a car appears directly related to the maintenance and care thereof.

 

Just an update...

My 2008 just racked up 45K miles and the check engine light went on. Apparently, the car had dirty valves so they had to remove the cylinder head to do some cleaning. Thank god it was covered under warranty. I guess more frequent oil changes, despite what the computer says is a must. I'm also thinking about an oil catch can now too.

 

your oil change schedule has nothing to do with it.

 

get an oil catch can ASAP!

 

I completely agree, I got rid of the run flats on mine they day I got my MCS since they were bald in the rear, picked up 5 performance bridgestones and another MCS wheel for cheaper then performance runflats I'd rather carry that extra weight then run those tires, the sidewalls are seriously 2-3 inches thick and a sob to get off the rim!