We've all read on this forum about the problems with the MCS (cold-start rattle, carbon fouling, high pressure fuel pumps, hood scoop melting, etc.)

My question is this: what are the most significant problems you've had with your 2008/09/10 just-a-Cooper? I'm trading in my MCS this week and will get a j-a-C with automatic transmission and no sunroof, so I won't have problems with clutches or sticky sunroof.

I'll be interested to see if there are a host of serious j-a-C issues...thanks!

 

The only two I've seen much recurrence of are the leaking water pump thing, and some rattles.

My justa automatic is approaching 7K and it seems to be settling down to be a very good little car.

If I have any second thoughts on mine, its whether I would have bought the sun-roof. Mine seems to be more of a nuisance than anything else. It has caused no problems, but it lets a lot of heat in and after having driven a non-SR model, I think that the car is just a lot tighter, and a bunch lighter "feeling" without the sunroof.

The only other thing that I had second thoughts on was the chrome grill -- it had to go. But the rest of the car is great.

Have no concerns with the MCa.

 

My std trans cooper has not had any issues.

 

A few times the power windows forgot their position and sunroof has needed to be adjusted a few times, too. The only engine issue I have had is a leaky o-ring on the water temp sensor (slowly loosing coolant) and before the first oil change I lost about a quart of oil.

I am now at 31k miles and drove home 4/1/08. The engine sounds exactly the same as when I bought it and the tranny is running as good as new (I got to compare it to a new loaner recently).

I feel good about the Just-a and auto after reading about the MCS issues.

Almost forgot, the first year (winter) I did have two occurrences of the cold start rattle or something very similar. Did not happen this winter at all.

 

So far, so good. Over 24 hours since I posted the question and more than 100 people have viewed it. Only 3 responses:

 

I wouldn't pass on the sunroof just because of sticking issues. If I recall correctly most of those issues were due to hot external temperatures and things binding. Ive had MINIs with and without sunroofs...my latest MINI (2010 Cooper WITH sunroof) seems to be doing just fine!

 

There don't seem to be any Cooper-specific issues, but all of the S issues not related to the turbo are still possible. Your list has most of the issues that would not apply.

Adding to what ALTA_Jarid said above, even though I have had my share of problems with the sunroof, I like having it.

 

I have a 07 JAC, automatic bought it used in july 09 only had 8,200 miles on it I now have almost 31,000 miles on it. No issues, I did have the sunroof stick on a hot summer afternoon but just for alitte bit. I love this thing.

 

I have the Justa is cool, issues here and there nothing major (the cigarette plug fuse went out bc of the "GPS i use" they say is only for cigarettes) I dont buy that but oh well. Next MCC will be w/o SR, just bc I think the car will be a lot quieter, cooler, stiffer, and safer IMO. There are a lot of crazy kids throwing rocks fromthe overpasses

 

Yes, the 2009 MCSa which we are trading for the 2010 JAC has a sunroof. We like it okay, but seldom use it. It stuck a couple of times last summer and the dealer lubed it and it hasn't stuck since then (nor has it been warm outside since then). It also seems to make the car much hotter inside in the summer time (with the a/c on and sunroof closed). According to this forum, a lot of folks make or buy a sunblock for the sunroof in summer, which seems to defeat the purpose.

It just seemed like an expensive option, with the possibility of sticking and leaking, and since we seldom open it anyway, why bother? Maybe if we drove the car after dark, it'd be nice to have it open in the summer, but we seldom do.

 

Well I read the post and you asked for "Justa Owners Only" so I did not respond as I have an S.

But as other have said many of the problems occur on both models. Like the sunroof problem. Some have had it but many have not, I being one of them have never had a sticking issue with my sunroof even in 100+ degree down to -10+ degree weather.

And windows, door locks, trunk/barn door issues, "well actually everything except turbo related issues will really be the same".

Just my .02 cents

 

Not a single problem during the previous 2 years other than the constant need to wash this silly car every few days. Judging by the myriad complaints on this board I must've got the only two perfect MINIs the company ever made.

 

I've only had my JAC for close to two months so there better not be any issues with it yet. But I do have the sunroof so when I park it at work all day I put those zippee carshades on it to keep the car cooler. Otherwise so far so cool.

 

I really have nothing bad to say about the S. It's just that reliability is very important to me and the turbo-related issues I've read about seem to be much more critical (and expensive to repair) than the other issues. I can understand why people who are able to take advantage of the turbo value it highly.

(The reason I posted this thread is that for the last 18 months I've owned the MCS and haven't paid much attention to threads regarding the JAC. I was just trying to see if I had overlooked some major issues.)