This forum is obviously worthwhile, but it's scaring the H*LL out of me. I was just about to drop an order for my first MINI, but not if these problems are not simply growing pains.

I'm seeing both serious engine and transmission issues being discussed as well as poor dealer support and MINI corporation bad attitude.

I realize that all cars have some problems, but should I conclude that it's too early to buy a MINI or does this board's distillation give a skewed impression of MINI reliability?

 

Bingo...you've got it!!! MINIs are great little cars. Don't fret. Many of us have more than one.

It's always been funny, for all the problems discussed here (and it's a great place to do that) owner satisfaction for MINIs tends to be off the charts!!! If you carefully search and read between the lines here on NAM, you'll discover owners who are totally and utterly thrilled with their MINIs.

So, if you want a MINI, rest easy and go for it.

 

Always remember that forums such as these can bring out lots of nit picking. But it also brings out lots of kudos. After being involved for a few months now I would tend to say the positives far out way the negatives in what people are saying.
Maybe I have a skewed impression

Buy.

 

or in other words....

90% of the people who post on sites like this one come from 2 groups

those really hard core enthusiasts who want to talk about there car, compare notes, find ways to get the extra 5% out of it and/or want to mod the heck out of it......obviously one end of the spectrem.

and those who are really really regreting their decision either because of simple buyer's remorse or having the misfortune of having something significant go wrong in the early days of ownership (time frame can vary considerably on 'early days') and are looking for a shoulder to cry on, a bat to hit things with or a class action suit.

Add in the few that are seeking serious answers or DIY help, the ones looking for dealer recommendations, or those who want their deal/loan rate approved (bad topic for this board imho) and you've about described the membership and activity here...at least the registered users.

There are a ton of other owners out there in the world who drive the car every day, simply follow the maintenance plan in the book (or not), have not had significant problems (or don't come here to complain) and who incidentally have NO IDEA why you wave at them . MAYBE 1 in 5 owners I end up talking to have ever heard of NAM.

There's quite a number of 02's still on the road I suspect. I know one sits in my driveway (when son is home from school) and there have been a few which I don't consider unreasonable for any first year production, 5 year old car being maintained on the factory schedule but driven "normally" ..... No one has yet put an early MINI in the same class as a Yugo or a first year Vega.

My opinion: since buying my 02, I decided to really punish myself with a classic which requires just a bit more care and feeding; and decided my 02 was reliable enuf and safe enuf to pass to my son who just left the driveway heading back to school - highway/turnpike all the way - and replaced it with an 07 (another 'first year' from the same company). I haven't been within 50 miles of the dealership since driving off the lot 4000 miles ago.

What's that mean? I dunno ..... but I'm happy...I think that puts me in group A

 

I picked up BowZer on 10/20/07, and have had ZERO problems! Just Fun, FUn, FUN! Over 5000 miles, and I still get a rush whenever I hit that Start button! (I find myself reaching for a button on my other car now... )

I too was concerned when I had placed my order, then found this site and read about all the problems. Trust me, the folks with serious problems are in the minority. If you go to any other cars site, you will find folks listing these same problem with their vehicles - it's just the nature of the beast!

 

This forum is like the news: the bad stuff makes news, and the good stuff gets ignored (for the most part). I'd agree that most of us are very happy with our MINIs, and the people with the problems are more vocal about them than those of us who are enjoying our cars.

 

I agree with the many others that say, it is more common for someone to complain about their car then start a post and say, everything is working just like it should.

I am one that has posted a few pretty serious problems and a few not so serious. I have had a great experience with the dealer, both where I bought the car and where it is serviced. ALL issues have been handled under the warranty.

I post here with the problems I come across not to scare others, but to help the few that may have similar issues. I know for me, an issue doesn't seem as bad if I read someone else has had it and it was taken care of by the dealer with minimal efforts.

In addition, although my R56 had the tranny, clutch throwout bearing and flywheel replaced (sounds really bad), it was replaced for little sounds, not catastrophic failure. If I continued to drive it, I doubt anything would have come to be from it, but thats just my personal opinion. I am sure that others could have these sound and not even notice it, but I did and it was my car, so they fixed it.

by the way... I LOVE MY MINI!!!

 

I had a minor problem on the second day I owned my Mini. I came here to find out info on whether anybody else had seen or experienced a similar problem. One of the benefits of a board like this is the ability to share that kind of information. A lot of people won't offer an opinion if everything is status quo, but on the other hand, they will go in search of info or just to vent when things go south. If that's all you have to go by, then yes, it will look like there's an inordinate amount of problems.

Despite my early issues, I still love this car. I've had cars that I've enjoyed driving, but before now I've never had one that I'll go out to drive around just because I love driving it so much.

Incidentally, I also own a motorcycle and am a member of an online owners group for that particular model as well. The same issue exists there ... to the casual lurker, it would seem that the bike is plagued with every problem imaginable, which is just not the case. On the contrary, it is one of the most reliable makes and models on the road.

Take a look at some of the other forums here ... I think you'll quickly see that the happy Mini owners far outnumber the unhappy ones.

Just go for it!

 

just do it...

 

Thanks, folks. I love the MINI's look and feel and was wandering around taking a second look at other cars on our dealers' row. Nothing even remotely comparable. To give up on the MINI would mean settling for a constant reminder of love lost.

I'll order the car.

RC

 

Like others I'm on my second MINI and between 2 cars I have only had very minor issues (thermostat needed replacing and I needed a new O2 sensor at 23K miles).
In almost 5K miles my 07 MCS has been flawless (though it does need the driver side window adjusted).

Go buy and enjoy.

 

Good decision!

 

TWON-

Your past is the 07 and the present is an 06?

 

I just put my MCS on order today!! It really does not feel like I just bought a car... as I have never "ordered" a car before. I just hope the wait will be bearable :impatient

 

Congrats! You've just taken your first step into a larger world.

Hate to break it to you, but for many the waiting is the worst part! Minutes become hours, days become weeks...

Good thing you have the support network of NAM to see you through this time. We'll do what we can to whip you into a frenzy.

 

Thanks... been surfing NAM since November and I have really learned alot!! I could not imagine trying to research MINIs w/o it!! I have found the forum to be really great so far..... a really good community here

 

Once again, congrats!!! A combination of NAM, calling ASK MINI eleventy billion times per day and just finding random things to busy yourself will certainly get you through. At least that's what worked for me...

How long of a wait were you quoted?

 

I'm there. And I'll be patient. I've got my 20 yr old Chevy Astro to keep me going. I'll savor for a couple of months more that familiar feeling of sitting above it all while looking forward to going 'nap of the earth' with new friends. Order time? Dealer said six to eight weeks now growing to four months by June.

 

The waiting is an interesting period of time. Everyone has their own way of coping with it.

 

Thought I'd better learn how to do the pictures. This one will have to do.

 

I'm one of those experiencing the cold-start rattle on start up. As it has yet to be properly diagnosed and fixed by MINI... so I would consider it one of the more "major" issues out there. I've also had a small handful of other minor issues (a rattle, trim detached, weeping washer jets). All of which have been easily fixed by me, or the dealer.

That said, I don't regret buying the car. It's been a blast.

 

YUP! and loving my "new" R53 now,

I got a great deal on it and the R56 was in the process of being bought back by mini/bmw (which they have been great about BTW!). So, I saved a bunch of money and am even happier with the R53.

Both great little cars!!!

 

They said the build is week 3 and I should have the car by the end of February. I already have a production number. It is now slated to be yellow, but should change to my order in a couple of days... I hope!

 

Sweet, not bad at all! You'll have a nice new toy for the Spring.

Now begins the process of obsessing over the OL and ASK MINI. I hope you have the former bookmarkarked and the latter saved in your cell phone...

 

There's a great R&T owners survey article in the Feb '06 issue - stop by a library, it's worth a read (look under "owners survey" HERE). Unfortunately, doesn't seem that they've posted it on their website.

In essence, if I can recall correctly, they found very polarized results - it seems more so than any other vehicle they've surveyed. There were lots of complaints about quality, problems and quirky issues with the car - enough so that it should have had a pretty poor overall satisfaction rating. However, on the contrary, it had one of the highest satisfaction ratings they've seen . Bottom line, they said, was that us MINI owners were willing to put with a lot of crap, just because the car was so much fun.

I had similar concerns as you, and got to read the article before I ordered my '06. I also knew the new version was coming out, but I usually rather get the last model year of an older version, than the first model year of new version, on the likelihood that most of the bugs have been ironed out.

Well, now coming up on 2 years ownership, I'd have to say that survey was spot on. My '06 has had its share of issues (although nothing really serious), more than any new car I've owned, and I'm not sure I'd want keep this car outside of warranty, or if I lived really far from a dealer.......

But damn, this still the most fun car I've ever owned (just sold my Audi S4 that just sat idle after buying the MCS), enough so that I still take the long way home, go for long drives with no destination in mind, lurk this forum, avidly recommend the car to my motorhead buddies, sometime have a hard time deciding between my motorcycle and MINI....and, when the warranty comes up, will probably trade it in for a new one .

I'm a glutton for punishment.