If it spends two more weeks in the shop, I'll seriously consider it, but it hasn't met lemon law criteria (yet).

Greg

 

Aren't most lemon laws based on three visits for the same issue qualifies the car as a lemon?

 

3 attempts for the same repair or 30 days in the shop within the first 18 months of ownership.

Greg

 

I have a little over 17,000 miles,not one problem.Q

 

My MINI is in the shop has been every month since we got it and it is a 2008 MC We picked it up on April 25th was in for service the end of May, twice in June, once in July, once in August and back again. Would I recommend this car absolutely not. The thing is I checked my VIN to see how many records of service my dealership only reported 3 and it has been in more than that. How can they do that?

 

You need to check with the State - some are different. I think California states more than 4 visits for the same problem or out of service for more than 30 days (cumulative) since delivery. This is only for the first 18 months or 18,000 miles.

Nearing 1500 miles and no problems so far (fingers crossed).

Good points all around:
1. This is a MINI 'enthusiast's' site for the most part.
2. Most people (except some of us crazy MINI lovers) don't talk about how much they love their cars (I think the reason for this is obvious) but if something (or a lot) goes wrong - well, it's natural to want to vent.

 

I love my Mini but I think I got a Lemon (Mellow Yellow)

* check engine light comes on car goes into limp mode, Mass Airflow Sensor replaced
* loud noise when clutch is not depressed, took to the dealer, they added transmission fluid noise not so bad
* clutch noise has gotten louder, goes away when clutch is depressed, Flywheel replaced
* Windshield Wiper Sprayers leaking, fixed
* Outside trim falling off, replaced
* found huge puddle on passenger and small puddle in driver front and rear wheel well, found condensor cracked and drainage tube crimped, car totally torn apart, still in the shop after over two weeks.

Owned 7 months exactly today and has been in the shop for 37 days, has approx 8200 Miles on it.

I love my Mini and will probably another one, hopefully I won't have anymore issues once I get mine back.

 

I feel so badly for those of you who have had lots of trouble with your new Mini's. My '02 had the dreaded engine stumble and I had to live with it for ten months before it was fixed. But it was fixed and never recurred. I still filed a Lemon Law suit and and got a nice $$$$ settlement for my troubles. I suggest that others do the same especially if your problems are not remedied and aren't sufficient to warrant replacing the whole car.

 

My wife's car now has 7200 miles on it and it has been perfect.
My car now has 5200 miles on it and it has been perfect.

I've taken my car on 3 Mini Ralley's and run the shorts off it. Still perfect. My wife's car sits in the garage during Mini Ralleys. Hey it's an automatic.

Pat

 

I have a pair of '07 MCS (his and hers) with 50,000 miles between them. Hers has been flawless, mine had the morning start "death rattle" timing chain tensioner problem, cured 3 months ago with the latest repair bulletin. Other than that, no problems.

 

58,000 miles since March 28th 2007 on an 07MCS. Only problem was a stuttering that was cured by a set of plugs.

 

For what it's worth...

My 07 MCS/6sp manual has 25,000 miles. It is a daily driver, and I drive quite aggressively. So far, I've had it in the dealer's shop for:
1. Paint peeling from rear bumper -fixed under warranty
2. Rear hatch opener/mechanism thingy quit working - fixed under warranty
3. Driver's side sill plate attached off-center - fixed under warranty
4. "Death Rattle" (experienced about 2-3 times in 2.5 years) - New chain tensioner fitted under warranty.

Also, standard maintanance has been performed under warranty, though I do have the oil changed more often than "recommended".

Conclusion: Fantastic car, dealer has taken care of problems, and tremendous driving experience. Probably not in the same reliability league as Honda/Toyota, but then again, not nearly as anesthetizing either...

 

I've owned a 2005 MCSa, and my 2010 MCS. So far, I think the 2010 is a far better vehicle - the 2005 rattled like mad when new, the 2010 rattles far less (although the fact that it has rattles with 500 miles on the odo is a bit unnerving).

I think the newer Minis are better cars than the 1st gens (although I miss a lot the supercharger whine and a bit of the go-kart feel of them). I've had lots of very small problems with my cars (popped off items, rattles, misaligned hood, etc)., but nothing really severe. Here's hope this car will perform as it should.

 

I have about 2500 miles on my car and it's running really well overall. I've had the cold start chatter 4 times since I took delivery. I'll take it into the dealer after the temps cool off and get the full service done under warranty. The sunroof won't open when it's extremley hot out right away. If I wait a couple of minutes, it opens right up. Not really a big deal. Other than that, no real problems to speak of.

 

I HAVE 13000 ON MY 2009
IT STARTS EVERY TIME
NO COMPLAINTS

 

_

 

I came to my MINI from a Lexus ES300 (I had 2 in succession) - - and I wouldn't say reliability wasn't an issue with the Lexus. It was good, but not great. Reliability degraded rapidly as the cars aged. Repairs cost a fortune. Fuel tank and brake lines rusted out and needed to be replaced. Parking brake kept seizing up, screwing up the rear brakes in the process. Rear suspension rattled and clunked - bushings were shot - and Lexus doesn't sell bushings, only all new suspension arms at astronomical cost ($250 - $300 each... and there are 4! ... plus labour to install). Instruments burned out - can't be repaired. Lexus dealer mechanics don't repair anything, they only replace worn components with hideously overpriced Toyota parts, at hideously expensive shop rates.

So don't think that the old "Toyota/Lexus = bulletproof reliability" adage is true. They have just as many problems as any other make of car. They have a band of fanatic owners who overlook all these issues and buy into the myth.

Anyway, to answer the original question: I've driven my '08 MINI just about 30000km (18000miles or so) in 13 months. A total of one dealer visit for its only service. A few minor things I'd asked the dealer to look into were all attended to with no questions asked. Based on my experience so far, I'd have no problem recommending a MINI to anybody. Very reliable, economical and great fun to drive. What else could you want?

See my comment above re: Lexus owners. Same thing.
I am not blindly fanatic - I would tell if I had problems!

I had two! An Elan and a Europa S1/S2. Talk about a love/hate relationship with a machine! They were fantastically thrilling and at the same time incredibly frustrating - often at the same time or in the course of the same day.

Fond memories of them - but I'm sure they also contributed to my prematurely grey hair.


__________________________________________________ ___

 

My Elise has had far fewer issues in the 3 years and 35k miles I have driven it than my R56 has in 1.5 years and 22k miles.

 

Every car has it's issues and so does the R56. That doesn't stop people from owning one and having the time of their lives. Don't forget that many people love to complain and it isn't in their nature to praise products or say positive things. I'd also like to say that Toyota/Honda are absolutely the most boring, ugly, and uninspired vehicles on the road.

Think about this... YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE. BUY A MINI.

Think about this...

 

Well, your Elise is a different animal than the Elans/Europas/7's of the '60s. It has to be. No responsible company could sell a car like one of those '60s Lotus today. They were all death traps, if I'm being honest. The best of them was probably the later Elan S4 models. They would only probably kill you one day, unlike the others that would certainly kill you.

Love the Elise - never driven one but I'd love to. Too many painful "Lotus" memories for me to ever think about owning one though, I'm afraid.

Too bad about your MINI, but my experience does not echo yours.


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They are boring in a way... they never break down, they run forever, cheap to mantain... it may be boring to think of your car as an appliance that starts every day, no matter what

Seriously, though, I sold a Civic Si to get my Mini. Even though the Si had more power (200 HP) it's really surprising how... boring it was. You had to rev it 'till it hurted to bring out some power, and it never let you forget you were driving a Civic. If you didn't rev it to 6K, it was as fast (or slow) as any other Civic out there. And if you took it on a highway trip, you had to keep downshifting all the time to get some passing power.

I don't know what they did to Minis, but they are the complete opposite.. like an hiperactive puppy that wakes you up every day jumping on top of you and begging you to play with it.

 

I have an 07 6 spd MCS, with 23K miles which I've had for the past 6 months. I've put on 8K of the 23K miles it has. In my short experience with my MCS, I am honestly worried about it's long term (and now short term) reliability. The problems I've had so far are:

1) Speed sensor/speedometer shows my speed at 3-4mph SLOWER than what it should be.
2) Windshield spray nozzle loosened up by itself.
2) Cold start problems on several occasion within the past few weeks (and I live in Sunny SoCal where it shouldn't be an issue).
3) And just two days ago, my check engine light pops on.

I took it to the dealer today and they serviced my car and checked the problem...turns out the engine's misfiring in cylinders 1 and 3...GREAT! Now I have to make another 1.5 hour trip to drop off the car to have them check it out this week since I didn't plan on leaving it there today. Sadly I won't be able to get a loaner car since I didn't purchase it from that dealer. This is my daily driver and it's bone stock. Mini's aren't getting a passing grade in my book so far. Luckily I still have my 96 240sx that has 196K miles and cranks over without a hitch!

 

I would ask for a loner anyway. It should not matter that you did not buy the car from that dealer!!

Pat

 

7500 miles, very few minor, if any problems-- boot latch, minor rattle in headliner above toggles, cold start knock once 5K ago.

Compared to my 2005 MCS, my 2009 is a gem. Much better build quality all around.

 

yeah well yr Elise has a Toyota mill, correct??