I Love driving, but hate owning my Mini
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
Its NOT a British car. Its a German car. They only assemble it in England. Its made up of parts that come from all over the world.
I would not compare the current MINI to the original Mini, MGs, Jaguars or any other 60s or 70s British car. Definitely not the same thing.
See they got you with that retro car thing.
I would not compare the current MINI to the original Mini, MGs, Jaguars or any other 60s or 70s British car. Definitely not the same thing.
See they got you with that retro car thing.
When I sold my TDI, it had 87,000 miles on the tires, and they were FAR from bare, although they were hard, and slippery in the rain. They were fairly inexpensive Uniroyal Tiger Paws from Walmart. I do agree that 73,000 is pretty amazing for an OEM supplied tire, though. I also got over 100k out of the second set of front brakes, and 155k out of the original rears.
I've got several fit and finish issues with my car. Fortunately, knock on wood, no mechanical issues yet, but I only have 1100 miles on it. I had an '08 BMW 335i, built in Germany, that had no fit and finish issues at all. I know two is a very small sample, but I can't help but wonder whether we'd hear as much about fit and finish issues if MINI's were assembled in Germany rather than the UK.
Anyway, I do like my MINI, and put up with it's idiosyncrasies as part of the entry fee. Onefish2 is right in the sense that I bought this, in part, to rekindle my youth. My very first car was a 1967 Mk1 MGB roadster (later got smart and upgraded to a GT, both BRG/black with laced wheels). In that sense, I'm intentionally fooling myself, since a classic Brit sportster is not what I really want for my nearly 30k mi/year commuter duties.
I've joined this forum to research MINIs, and have gained a lot of insight. One welcoming post acknowledged that I seemed forum-savvy (I am, fairly) and that like most forums, I'd read about more Mini's with issues seeking help vs. trouble-free ones. And that's been the case.
There does seem to be quite a bit of variability in MINIs that are a joy to own, vs. those that are not. And like an earlier poster in this thread mentioned, an assessment of problems boil down to a certain handful of things (on the R56s at least).
I'm paying most attention to things about the 2011+ MCS that seem to cause issue, since I'm pondering a new build-to-order purchase. One thing: those "indexing" windows. Our Corvette has them, and an owner can reprogram this function if it "forgets". Does such *require* a dealer visit on a MINI?
Still reading and researching...though I have built 2-3 MINIs on the mfr site.
I've been probably most forum-active for our Z06 and our Mazda 5 Sport 5MT dog hauler. *My* 2010 Mazda 5 has 56k miles, one issue since new: an errant piece of road debris "knocked a wire loose" for the auto A/C's external temp sensor and needed repair. It's factory Toyos were cr@p, Conti DWSs have been the bomb as replacements. Reading the Mazda 5 forum, though...others have had premature tire wear (06-07s), squeaky rear sway bar bushings, failing front sway bar bushings (mine are just now starting to "clunk" a bit when cold). Also: similar tales of clueless dealers / lengthy repairs. So were you Mazda 5 shopping, a forum-read would put you off some, I'd imagine. Same with the Corvette forum: LS7 needle bearing rocker arms are mentioned a lot (and seemingly confined to a particular model year at most).
My takeaway from this forum would be: extended warranty is your friend, just in case :-).
There does seem to be quite a bit of variability in MINIs that are a joy to own, vs. those that are not. And like an earlier poster in this thread mentioned, an assessment of problems boil down to a certain handful of things (on the R56s at least).
I'm paying most attention to things about the 2011+ MCS that seem to cause issue, since I'm pondering a new build-to-order purchase. One thing: those "indexing" windows. Our Corvette has them, and an owner can reprogram this function if it "forgets". Does such *require* a dealer visit on a MINI?
Still reading and researching...though I have built 2-3 MINIs on the mfr site.
I've been probably most forum-active for our Z06 and our Mazda 5 Sport 5MT dog hauler. *My* 2010 Mazda 5 has 56k miles, one issue since new: an errant piece of road debris "knocked a wire loose" for the auto A/C's external temp sensor and needed repair. It's factory Toyos were cr@p, Conti DWSs have been the bomb as replacements. Reading the Mazda 5 forum, though...others have had premature tire wear (06-07s), squeaky rear sway bar bushings, failing front sway bar bushings (mine are just now starting to "clunk" a bit when cold). Also: similar tales of clueless dealers / lengthy repairs. So were you Mazda 5 shopping, a forum-read would put you off some, I'd imagine. Same with the Corvette forum: LS7 needle bearing rocker arms are mentioned a lot (and seemingly confined to a particular model year at most).
My takeaway from this forum would be: extended warranty is your friend, just in case :-).
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: WA
Would any X3 or X5 owners care to chime in? All X3, X5, and possibly X6 (I don't know about that one) are manufactured in South Carolina, Mexico, and I've heard Africa, but cannot confirm that. So my question is are those vehicles lesser because they were not imported from Germany? My guess is no.
Anyway, I do like my MINI, and put up with it's idiosyncrasies as part of the entry fee. Onefish2 is right in the sense that I bought this, in part, to rekindle my youth. My very first car was a 1967 Mk1 MGB roadster (later got smart and upgraded to a GT, both BRG/black with laced wheels). In that sense, I'm intentionally fooling myself, since a classic Brit sportster is not what I really want for my nearly 30k mi/year commuter duties.
Anyway, I do like my MINI, and put up with it's idiosyncrasies as part of the entry fee. Onefish2 is right in the sense that I bought this, in part, to rekindle my youth. My very first car was a 1967 Mk1 MGB roadster (later got smart and upgraded to a GT, both BRG/black with laced wheels). In that sense, I'm intentionally fooling myself, since a classic Brit sportster is not what I really want for my nearly 30k mi/year commuter duties.
I can tell you my Z4 M manufactured in SC is not "BMW Quality" in terms of panel gaps and interior fit and finish (lots of squeals, materials not pleasant to touch) I knew this going into the car (had a Z4 before my M3) but it's still the most fun car I've driven for under $100K.
I have a 2011 X5. This is my 3rd BMW and first that was built in the US. No issues at all what-so-ever in the year that I have owned it. Great fit and finish. Coming up on 13,000 miles. I am bringing in for its first service next week.
I got an email the other day from BMW stating your car told us that it needs to be brought in for service. The car sent data to BMW telling them it needs service. Now that is very cool.
I am pretty sure that X3/X5/X6 and Z cars are only built in Spartanburg, SC and no where else in the world.
I got an email the other day from BMW stating your car told us that it needs to be brought in for service. The car sent data to BMW telling them it needs service. Now that is very cool.
I am pretty sure that X3/X5/X6 and Z cars are only built in Spartanburg, SC and no where else in the world.
So with the few comments to the US built BMWs, I'm seeing some may lack in fit and finish, but no one is saying they are problematic. Granted no manufacturer produces every example of every product perfectly. If that were so, there would be no need for warranties. And with no mfg. warranty, the purchase price would be lower, since the maker needs to factor that in to the purchase price to remain profitable. So those of you with the trouble free examples are paying for those who have issues. Kind of like welfare. In my case, I always buy way out of warranty, and assume the risk on my own. Makes for some late nights in the garage, but I can afford to go out and eat a lot more than if I bought new :-)
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, CO
I bought this 2010 Clubman non-turbo 6 speed new in November of 2009. The following mileages are approximates, but close enough for this discussion.
The very first thing I noticed after delivery was on cold start it sounds like a diesel (dealer said was normal) the passenger seat back wouldn't tuck and slide (dealer replaced cable ) and the LH front speaker popped at low volume levels (dealer replaced). I also told them on that visit that the rear wheels blacked with dust way before the front which seemed odd to me (dealer said normal, but more on that later).
At 7k I took it in and told them the rear brake problem seemed worse and that the heater had quit due to low coolant level (dealer replaced water pump and said brakes normal again.
At 11k brake service light came on (dealer replaced rear pads and again said normal wear)
At 28k I pulled up to work and had a trail of oil and the rh side of the car and RF wheel was covered (dealer said T-chain tensioner was loose and allowing oil to escape)
At 33k I took it in to have a service done and I was told the car needed nothing.
At 39k I took it in to the dealer for another puddle (dealer said it was old oil run off from the leak and gave me a 2 page list of service items to be performed, coincidentally my maintenance contract had expired. None of these things needed done 5500 miles ago. Brakes, air filter, cabin filter, wiper inserts and on and on)
Today she has 43k and a clear blue coolant puddle under it, I am headed to the dealer now and they will patch it together and hoPe I run it out of warranty soon.
If anyone asks me, I would never buy another one. I love driving it, but it is going to be a money pit after its out of warranty. I have a 98 BMW 318I that has 268k on it and hasn't had near the work done to it this car has. I am disappointed to say the least. Avoid Mini's they are a lot of fun, but unless you just like giving away your money there are better quality cars out there.
My 2 cents, Stacy Hughes
The very first thing I noticed after delivery was on cold start it sounds like a diesel (dealer said was normal) the passenger seat back wouldn't tuck and slide (dealer replaced cable ) and the LH front speaker popped at low volume levels (dealer replaced). I also told them on that visit that the rear wheels blacked with dust way before the front which seemed odd to me (dealer said normal, but more on that later).
At 7k I took it in and told them the rear brake problem seemed worse and that the heater had quit due to low coolant level (dealer replaced water pump and said brakes normal again.
At 11k brake service light came on (dealer replaced rear pads and again said normal wear)
At 28k I pulled up to work and had a trail of oil and the rh side of the car and RF wheel was covered (dealer said T-chain tensioner was loose and allowing oil to escape)
At 33k I took it in to have a service done and I was told the car needed nothing.
At 39k I took it in to the dealer for another puddle (dealer said it was old oil run off from the leak and gave me a 2 page list of service items to be performed, coincidentally my maintenance contract had expired. None of these things needed done 5500 miles ago. Brakes, air filter, cabin filter, wiper inserts and on and on)
Today she has 43k and a clear blue coolant puddle under it, I am headed to the dealer now and they will patch it together and hoPe I run it out of warranty soon.
If anyone asks me, I would never buy another one. I love driving it, but it is going to be a money pit after its out of warranty. I have a 98 BMW 318I that has 268k on it and hasn't had near the work done to it this car has. I am disappointed to say the least. Avoid Mini's they are a lot of fun, but unless you just like giving away your money there are better quality cars out there.
My 2 cents, Stacy Hughes
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