2007 was a new generation, the first generation had two problems engine made by chrysler/daimler and the auto trans CVT both not as good as the newer models. Remember preventive maintenance is the key to any car going trouble free. Oil changes (I would not recommend the 15k as MINI does but 7000-7500 miles is best with a top quality synthetic like mobil one extended life which is guaranteed to 15k and MINI OEM filters)

 

I thought I'd chime in since I'm also relatively new mini owner, 2011 justa manual. 2500 miles no problems, however it's a totally different experience then my last car which was a 2007 vw jetta manual. 1st the manual transmission of the mini is totally unique to anything I've driven before and I've driven all kinds of manuals, subaru, vw, ford and even porsche. After 2nd gear i find that i dont need to give it any gas when changing gears and if I do it sounds harsh, also the throttle mapping for 1st gear is a little soft and i find im almost clunking out. So i get the RPMs to about 1500 before i get her in 1st. The mini takes some getting used too but man is it fun to drive. I got the Harmon Kardon upgraded stereo but I often turn it off and roll down the windows so I can hear the engine better for gaging when to shift gears. 2nd; noises, there are all kinds of strange noises coming from the vehicle at any given time, but so far I have determined that they are normal for the mini, here are a few examples; gas tank knock, various rattles and a whine from the engine when idle. so just to some it up, it's a very different beast then any other vehicle on the road, but so much fun your gonna love it.

 

I thought I'd do a brief followup on MINI reliability.

I have been doing continuing research and checking other forums (gasp!) and the consensus is, MINIs are pretty darn reliable, especially so after '07.

I read one post somewhere that JD Power had given the MINI a mediocre review simply because people complained about interior wind noise. It is a reminder how reviews can get skewed by inaccurate data.

So thanks everyone for their comments. NO car is perfect, even so-called reliable ones, but the MINI seems to be better than average.

And it's a blast to drive.

 

The people who complain about MINIs should be driving either a toyota prius or a honda insight.

 

I'd say the people that pay $30k for a car and are plagued with HPFP problems, rattling timing chains, cold start issues, groaning clutch, and carbon buildup have every right to complain about it.

 

agree!!!!

 

Three MINIs = no problems.
Five Toyotas = no problems.
One Subaru = many problems.

 

 

The most reliable will be a 2012 Cooper (manual or automatic) with no sunroof, no auto climate, no CA, no Harmon-Kardon, no Xenons. Just as base as they come.

 

The CEL sucks at 400 miles but with thousands of parts it's not obscene to get a dud part somewhere in the mix. I've had my moonroof stick in hot weather, I guess it needs frequent lubrication. I helped it up and haven't had to do so since.

The nozzles all weep, annoying. Not sure what your A/C noise is.

What's the clutch noise?

I'd wait on the issues and have them solved all at once every six months instead of bringing it for each little issue.

 

True, but it's also important to remember that at its heart, the MINI is really only a $20-24k car. The fact that you can easily throw on $5k, $10k, or $20k in options is irrelevant and doesn't change the basic build quality of the car.

My MINI was $36,500 after I got done optioning it out, and that was without the "big three" options for 2006 (JCW, NAV, DPSM). With those, it would have been closer to $50k, but that doesn't mean that it should compare to a $50k Lexus in terms of fit/finish and build quality.

 

If my experience is any indication...it's 50/50
My wife and I each own one - '04 justa and an '07S
The '04 has had the brakes replaced...that is it
The '07 has had its share of "new model ills". However the dealer here (Keeler - not far from you) has been fantastic about taking care of things. It was even flatbedded from Stowe last winter (fan belt went - odd problem) with the Mini service and fixed under warrantee.

One thing that several people have said about asking about reliability on a forum like this...people are more will to complain than compliment. But then again, things like the high pressure fuel pump shouldn't go out in 15K miles, but they will fix it under warrantee.

The one consistent thing you will read on here is how fantastic these cars are to drive...that will keep you smiling for a long time.

BTY - these cars are really good in the snow, especially with snow tires.

Bottom line is - you bought it...now enjoy it...don't look for issues as they may never happen and that worry will detract from your fun.

 

Thanks Eddie - I agree.

And we contacted Keeler for our MINI, but they couldn't find the one we wanted. Great to know they are good to work with.

btw: I work in Stowe, glad to know that they will flatbed it that far!

 

Yes they are. I have just a Cooper 09 base model. Not a glitch. Covered lots of states. Thinking of AMVIV10


February in Burlington, Your State

 

Love it!

And I love the color of your MINI - what color is that if you don't mind my asking? My wife liked the yellow but I wasn't crazy about it - but yours looks really nice.

 

It's Mellow Yellow. They retired the color in Sept 2009 I jumped in last production slot. Love the color will paint my airplane using the yellow and bunch of checkers like this





Now she befriended every yellow plane at Princeton Airport

 

Very nice. Too bad they discontinued it tho - it's a winning color.

 

My ski club has a house in Waterbury Center next to the cider mill. The car died 2 miles away from it, in January. Used AAA to get it to the house. Next day it snowed, the Mini tow cancelled so I went skiing with friends. The following day I road a flat bed home (Keeler is about 5 miles from my house - I know, not all of you are that close to your SA. Mine probably wishes I wasn't). They fixed the car that day. Interestingly, the tow guy told me that Mini service pays them more than AAA does. So for them it is good money in the bank to take these tows. Go Mini. I think it was Polar Bear towing from a town north of Stowe. Great if you ever need him....He also knows all of the service shops in the area (from the way he talked for a good 50 miles around) good and not so good. I figure he would be a good resource to find a good shop in the area if you need someone in a pinch.

Remember, snow tires for you in that area. I got by with all season tires but I am done with those because some of the snow I've been through they were bearly enough. Get a set of stock wheels off NAM and you will be all set. The stock wheels strong and will stand up to the winter roads there. If your car has the 15" wheels, stick with those for the winter.

...enjoy

 

Thanks for the input.

Really great to know that MINI stands by their cars with towing, etc.

And yes, I will be getting snow tires as I hope to commute to Stowe every day (a 30 min drive).

 

Thank you! Well said.

If you love your MINI, great -- most of us do, as far as how they drive and look; But MINIs DO have overall reliability issues, and there's not a single thing wrong with admitting that even if you haven't had any problems yourself yet. I love driving and looking at my MINI but it's the worst built car I've personally ever owned. Take a deep breath and relax! Even if I got a "good one" I wouldn't have any problem at all seeing reality and owning up to the fact that they're hardly the most reliable cars out there.

There's a reason why Consumer Reports took the MINI (I forget which model) off of the recommended used cars list.

But you know, this argument goes back and forth, over and over and over again on this and other forums. So let's end it:

FACT: MINIs have average to below average reliability/build quality marks in most major surveys/reports out there.

FACT: This does NOT mean that yours will definitely have problems. It also doesn't deny the fact that some people will get MINIs that are good.

FACT: These facts don't mean that you need to defend MINI like someone is insulting your family! It's a car made by a corporation, a car that many of us love to drive, but still just a car made by a corporation. You have every right to enjoy your car while still acknowledging its ongoing issues that others or yourself might have.

 

To me the cost thing is a bit irrelevant. All of my cars before the MINI were sub-$22k cars, without a single problem besides regular maintenance (1992 Honda Civic Si, then a 1997 Subaru Outback). The build quality of those two cheaper cars exceeded my MINI (including the fact that both had nary a rattle for their entire lives). Fit and finish is another thing, of course -- I think MINIs are more than fine for their price in that regard; they just need to up the ante as far as quality control and build issues.

 

I think people are missing a fact about "fit and finish", you are driving a 2600lb car, not a 3600 lb car. There are trade offs for that nimble driving and quick moves...

 

I'd say so too. It's one thing to buy a used vehicle and halfway expect various problems but I couldn't blame any person for complaing about any new car having any problem, no matter what excuses are given or heard !!

 

I wrote that fit and finish are fine for the price range. Build quality/quality control/consistency, however, are other issues.

This is a losing battle, so I'm gonna stop posting about it. Enjoy your cars, folks, and I hope that you can be some of the people who get a good MINI!