With proper maintenance and care, I see no reason my 2011 MCS cannot make over 100k. It may cost me a bit more, but the FUN factor is well worth the added expense. IMHO. And...here's to hoping that my 6-year Hendrick extended warranty purchased when I bought my MINI used from a BMW dealer will do all it has promised, if ever needed!

 

If thrilling driving takes precedence over reliability and cost of repairs is not an issue, the Mini Cooper may very well be your cup of tea. But I'm sure there are many other brands out there that can provide a thrilling drive and have a better reliability rating than the Mini, fwd or rwd whatever. My personal preference would be to own one that would provide both thrilling drivability and reliability.
No doubt that proper care and maintenance will increase the odds that your Mini will not be plagued with the reliability issues others have faced but it is not a guarantee, just a little added insurance to go along with that extended warranty.
Our other car is a Toyota Sequoia fwd (four wheel drive) and we are absolutely thrilled with how it drives, but of course we don't plan on tracking it. As others have mentioned on this sight, it is a shame Mini didn't partner with Toyota rather than using the Prince engine.
The bright light (hopefully) is that the new Mini's will have a BMW engine to replace the Prince.

 

The thing is that there are very few, if not no other car brands that will provide the same thrilling drive as a MINI will. As to the reliability question, From my own experience, MINI is just as reliable as any other auto brand.

My MINI is the most reliable car I have owned, it has had zero issues.

Dave

 

Each has their own perspective and from yours I'm sure you are correct to the extent of your experience.
I'm certain others share this same perspective just as there are others who don't.
The value of this forum is to provide those different perspectives so that the uninformed can draw their own conclusions over the different issues that may or may not plague the Mini Cooper.
But in the end, each must discern for them self's what the pro's and con's of Mini ownership may be and draw from this their own conclusions based (in part) on information garnered from this forum.
As always, buyer be ware applies when making any large purchase.

 

Bottom line is this: If you're purchasing or leasing a Mini and intend to follow the factory recommended oil change intervals because "the factory knows best," I strongly suggest you choose a different vehicle.

These cars require a little more attention than your average Corolla. But, they are much more rewarding to drive.

 

All else aside, they are indeed a fun to drive.

 

+1.

I think a lot of buyers see the price and fuel economy and expect Japanese reliability. While some of the R56 issues are certainly defects and manufacturing/assembly error, in general the Minis in my life are on par with BMWs for maintenance requirements.

A little preventative maintenance and extra cost is undoubtedly worth it for me over the reliable but absolutely dead driving experience of... any Japanese car built since the early '90s.

 

The absurd oil service intervals are the most common basis for internal mechanical failures of these engines. When you have a car come in that is rattling like it has no oil in it and it has just been to the dealer where they say that it is not yet due for oil service you know that going by the book or by the ear are two vastly different approaches. VW/Audi faced a similar problem on 1.8T motors in the late 90's and into the 00's when they specified regular oil at 10k mile intervals only to eat a lot of warranty claims for clogged oil pump pick ups and turbo oil supply lines. Result: larger oil filter, synthetic oil and 5k intervals. Problem solved. What looks like inexpensive maintenance boasted by the manufacturer can often come back to haunt both the user and the builder. Oil is cheap, motors are not!

 

My 2007 MCS is running well. I had the timing belt issue dealt with early on at MINI's expense. I've used SeaFoam to clear out carbon a few times. Do my own oil changes with Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30 European Formula. Did oil changes more fequently (5-8K miles) when the engine was new. Recently a Blackstone analysis indicated oil was still good when I inadvertently let it go about 15K miles.

So yea, if you take care of it, the engine should be just fine. I think there were some bad batches of fuel pumps, but mine has been good.

 

All part of the master plan my fellow enthusiasts. These are rolling appliances now.
Keep the cash flowing on the sales and service sides. If you work in the auto repair business then u see this across most lines, especially high line brands. With some simple mods and learned modified maintenance strategies we can eliminate some of the issues.
I'm having one now where I blow the waste gate flap out the exhaust. Oh what fun!!!

 

It does. There is only one type of car that is reliable: one with warranty.

Miata's are supposed to be reliable right? 1st engine died at 102K, 2nd engine died at 70K on my NB. While enjoying the car less than the Mini.

I have yet to find a car that provides equal or more smiles per gallon

 

I seriously don't know why this subject has been brought up. Hasn't this been fought to death already?

 

Am I doomed? I bought my '07 a month ago with 100k. It does have a new turbo and appears to have been well taken care of. I plan on doing 5k oil changes and keeping a close eye on things.

 

In many cases, these MINI's are NOT ticking time-bombs. Sure, if an owner followed the "recommended" oil and filter change intervals, and/or beat the snot out of it, you may end up with a big BOOM. But a properly maintained MINI, I feel, can be nearly as reliable as any other car in it's segment. And that segment is quite thin, a high MPG car with a sporting intent. The idea of a MINI is driving "enthusiastically", and still getting great MPG when the loud pedal is not abused. These little cars started out as world-beaters in the Rally-racing field. They are what they are...light and nimble "race-cars" for the street. I have a 67 Chevelle, and she does what she does. Goes fast in a straight line, handles well with my suspension upgrades, and gets about 8-10 MPG. I have a 71 Chevy pickup with only 83k on the clock, and she does what she does. Hauls stuff to the dump, moves massive amounts of furniture or whatever "stuff" in one shot. MPG? LOL. My point is this....my MINI does what she was designed to do. It is no Honda or Toyota, and I knew that going in. I wanted a quick little corner-carver that would put a smile on my face every time I drove it, and get decent MPG on my daily commute. Done deal. I will put up with a bit more maintenance, expense, and a bit more "attitude", just to have that smile plastered on my face each and every time I get behind the wheel of my MINI. I would hate to have a Honda Accord (etc.), and pull up at a stoplight right next to my EXACT same car sitting next to me. Same color. Same options. And yes, I have seen that right in front of my own eyes. And laughed a bit. How unique do you feel RIGHT NOW? "Special Edition"? LOL. I have NEVER pulled up at a stoplight and had another MINI just like mine next to me. That alone is worth the possible higher costs to feed and care for my MINI. I like to be "different". Motor On!

 

What I don't get is why BMW thought they couldn't make an engine for it.

Didn't they build the highest performing turbo engine in formula 1 history? 1500hp from 1500cc ?

 

I have a 09 MCS cabrio 6sp with 68k miles. I do oil changes every 5-8k. I have noticed a rattle recently (I thought heat shield or something). As it is very cold here in Ohio I was going to wait till it warmed up a little. What should I look into? is there a link to "known issues"? I drive mostly highway but get spirited on the back roads.

I got rid of my 06 with 120k because I thought the supercharger was going to go.

 

With that mileage, you are due for carbon cleaning and new spark plugs. If you haven't done carbon cleaning it can create havoc with an otherwise normal engine.

Have you ever had work done with the timing chain or tensioner? Those are known issues for this engine. If you get a rattle on startup, it is likely the timing chain.

There are threads here on how to replace the tensioner, do some searches. There is a 'stock problems' section of the site, as well as a 'how to' in the modification section.

Keep an eye out for leaks, either under the car, on top of the turbo (the oil line), or on the top of the transmission (under the air intake plastic pipe).

Mike

 

They certainly could--after all, they now are! But they didn't because it would have pushed the cost of the car higher than they wanted it to go. Remember, if the price gets too high, people stop buying the car. (Just ask VW about their "Phaeton" model...)

 

BMW have always had a 4-cylinder in their engine line-up though ???

 

Despite just leasing a Countryman, as I get older I realize the value and tradeoff of having a car that will go much further than 68k miles without issues. No matter how fun it is to drive. There is something priceless about knowing your money is going toward something that will be there whenever you need it for however long that is. I've had an FJ, scion xB, BMW 128i and a Nissan 350z and all were arguably "fun" to drive, but Im confident all would have lasted well past 200,000k miles.

Good luck to you!

 

The Miata's seem to be pretty reliable and with the new 2016 model using a tried and true Mazda engine, I think driving one of these would definitely put a smile on my face.

http://links.mkt2473.com/ctt?kn=9&ms...I3S0&mt=1&rt=0

 

That's what influenced my choice as well. Frequently see used Justa's with high miles. I'm looking forward to eventually trading up but will wait to see how these new 3 and 4 pot engines work out.

 

1990-93 Toyota Celica GTS…

Limited production ALL-TRAC Turbo - most sought out Celica ever!

 

That's not FWD, that's AWD.

 

Ever heard of four wheel drive (fwd)?