So I happily ordered my first Mini ('07 MCS automatic) just a few days ago, after reading mostly stellar reviews on here and nearly every car review website I could find.

However, I keep seeing these threads on here about how the new cars are making funny noises, drivers stranded by dead engines, and all manner of strange little mechanical problems.

Somebody please tell me that the vast majority of new Mini's coming off the line are perfectly fine automobiles, and what I'm reading on here are basically a couple of isolated incidents of interest to our forum readers...?

 

Consider this: While internet forums can be very valuable tools, they also have a way of magnifying problems/issues/concerns. People don't come to internet forums to rave "My MINI was flawless again today" (and yet mine was just that today and has been for a long time).

Also consider this: my local dealer service department basically hasn't had to perform any warrantee service yet. If they have had an R56 customer in for service, it's been for simple things like changing their programming options.

Take delivery of your new MINI and enjoy it.

Welcome to the MINI Community and NAM.

Dave

 

The vast majority of the R56 is coming off the line fine...this is a site of dedicated enthusiasts and some make the occasional issue more than it is...

 

Yes

 

Have you spent any time on product forums before? What you will find are the problems. People with problems want to talk about it, see if others have similar problems, find out how best to deal with it, etc. The people who don't have problems rarely post about not having problems. It is the same with any product. Go to the Nikon DSLR site and you would think Nikons are junk. It is just that there are thousands of them sold.

Now, this is the introduction of a new model, so there probably will be teething problems. I bought a 1990 Acura Integra at the introduction of a new model. I still have it and it runs great. There were a few problems, but they got sorted out. The reliability of the European cars doesn't seem to be quite up to Japanese standards, but is better than American cars.

I think if there were a lot of problems with the 2007 MINIs, there would be much more noise here. Most of this forum is filled with talk about options and upgrades. If the R56 was a lemon, we'd all be preoccupied with those problems.

 

Don't sweat it... bad news travels quicker than good, and this is especially true on internet forums. The odds are far in your favor of having a zero issue automobile.

 

So true.

I heard somewhere when someone has a good experience with a company, they tell 2 or 3 people.

When it's bad the number is more like 13-14. (not the exact numbers, but pretty close)

The internet magnifies this ten-fold... since people see other peoples problems posted then tell 13-14 MORE people... and so on... and so on... and so on.

 

Order your car, suffer through the wait, and enjoy it!

You won't have any problems, and if you do - MINI will work to correct them, they won't bone you.

 

I had similar feelings when I was going to order my BMW, I was online looking for as much information as possible (opinions good and bad) to make sure I was making the right choice. I came to the same conclusion that all the others ahead of me on this post, bad news travels fast... One individuals car problem turns into 5 or more posts and it is now a big deal.

As stated by others order the car you want, if something goes wrong they will fix it...

 

My business partner always says "...good news takes the slow train, bad news takes the express." I think there is something to that.

dean.

 

Well that was a lot of encouragement in a short period of time since I posted... thanks for the advice! Sound words, indeed...

 

My Mini was flawless again today. 650 miles.

 

I have an 06 MC and its been awesome with no problems to date. Could not be happier with my choice of purchasing a MINI and hope to have this one for many years to come.

 

984 miles and no problems

Except that I want to drive it AND not have it go over 1000 miles!

 

Don't sweat it. Keep in mind that many threads start because someone needs help or advice on how to solve a problem so they can figure out the best way to approach it. There wouldn't be much to talk about or reply to if someone started a thread titled "I just wanted to let you know that everything is good with my Mini" so those kinds of threads rarely pop up

 

Do a search and you'll find my own thread--almost exactly the same title. I started it while I was waiting for my R56. Now it's here (one month = 2400 miles), and the wait was worth it. Only one minor problem--not even worth taking it in at this point. Relax!

 

Even on MINI 2 there are not that many problems, and the Brits have had their cars several months longer

1 month old, no issues

 

Don't worry about it. As everyone else has said, there are many, many more problem-free cars than problem cars, and you tend not to hear as much about them in forums. The '07 R56s will likely have more problems than the '06 R53s, just because it's a new model and that's what happens with new models. But a lot of the things that may sound like problems right now (funny noises and whatnot) are probably just normal characteristics of the new car that people aren't familiar with yet.

MINI seems to like to incorporate new technology before it's really ready; this happened with the electronic "drive by wire" throttle in R50/R53 cars. I don't know how many software reflashes some unfortunate guinea pigs had to go through before the annoying and dangerous "stumble" issue was resolved, and the overall performance of the car often suffered in the process. To me, that's something that should be worked out before cars are sold to the public, but the problem persisted through multiple model years, as did the windshield weakness issue.

Hopefully R56 owners will encounter fewer of these significant problems than early R50/R53 purchasers did. I think we'd all like to believe that MINI has learned from past problems, but I'm not sure there's been any evidence of this yet. It seems too early to judge how widespread the bonnet gap issue is, or the various issues that have Paul Mullett (MINI2 creator) exploring lemon lawing his R56, or whatever the equivalent is in the UK. In the end, though, the car is way too much fun for the problems to overshadow the fun for the vast majority of owners. Unfortunately, MINI seems to take that for granted, and sometimes drags their feet, thumbs their nose, and just says "tough luck."

 

If it was as bad as some people seem to interpret from threads on this site and mini2, it would probably be making news in one form or another; whether it was the nightly news or just trade magazines. You'll be fine, enjoy the car

 

MalteseFalcn: Had the R56 MCS stick for 2.5 days. Have had minor issues that I've posted ln other threads (like cruise dropout, faint buzzing, rear bumper tow hole flap is loose). And more issues might show up soon But these are minor issues and all covered under warranty (& lemon law if needed), so I'm not worried at all.

And I've been driving large 4dr automatic American built sedans for the last 6yrs, so the change for me is major and I'm loving every minute of it

 

Dunt(tm) sweat it. When something is wrong, people get all worked up over it. They rant and rave. When all is right with the world, they just smile a lot and keep on motoring.

This board seems to be a rather popular board for Mini folks. And yet there really is only an occasional burp about a Mini problem. I take it as a good sign. I am getting my first one soon. Its ordered.

About the only thing bothering me is the shaking hands, the sweaty forehead, and the general nervousness associated with "a kid waiting on his new toy Christmas morning".

 

I have put 1270 miles on my 2007 Cooper S since 2/26 and have been totally pleased so far. No rattles and eveything working as it should. Sport suspension has been a pleasant surprise (not too jarring) and the fender gaps are not out of whack. The car, so far, has been great!

Tim in VA

 

Ushue2, congratulations on getting through break-in! Now you can play!

 

Skuzzy, "the shaking hands, the sweaty forehead, and the general nervousness" came from taking a brand new car with 2 (two) miles on the odometer right into high speed frontage road traffic.

It took me a while before I could comfortably play with the car, and now that break-in is over (I'm at 2400 miles) she's a lot more fun!

 

Oh great Daffodildeb, I already have those symtoms. Now you tell me when I get in to drive my new baby the first time,..it will get multiplied! Dang it. I am an old fart. I hope my heart can take it.

She won't even be here for another 5 or 6 weeks!

I think I need drugs.

Ahh,.now look at me,..I am hijacking threads. Bad Skuz! Bad Skuz! Go to the corner! Uh-oh

Is being schizo a part of the process?