I'm a new owner of a 2009 Mini Clubman S. This site is so informative. However, one problem I find myself coming here is I head to the depths of despair. I’m left with the thoughts of did I just make a mistake in purchasing my Clubman? I love it don’t get me wrong. It’s like nothing else I have driven in my life. But, coming on here and other Mini sites I’m left with feeling I just bought a ticking time bomb of repair issues.

Can some of you share some positive stories of your mini not breaking down all the time? Long miles without a repair? How do you stay positive using the forums?

 

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I had a long story written about my Mini. I love my Mini, I really do. It has to be the most fun car I have EVER owned. But I do get a little depressed by it from time to time.

I deleted my story because I am not hear to make you regret your purchase, I am not hear to take that away from you. With some love and a some money you and your Mini can have a great long life together.

Between the problems I have had with my Mini, it is a VERY rewarding car.

The N14 engine is a unique beast and will need some love from time to time. I have learned a TON of info on this site and I have repaired every issue (less the timing chain, Mini did that) on my Mini myself.

The is site has educated me on what to look for and how to repair it. I have more time versus money so I do the repairs myself.

 

I could see that. I spent several months here before ordering my '12 MCS.

This thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...es-thread.html

is a fairly good read.

I enjoy a number of enthusiast forums; each has a large number of folks who've thought to join in once they had an issue they needed help with. Of course that's fine. But it does sometimes end up with "cars with problems" being over-represented, and that's true across VW Mazda Corvette and a couple others I participate in. On any of them, the "my car's running perfectly, just wanted everyone to know" posts are less frequent, and that circumstance doesn't usually lead to a special effort to find a brand forum to tell someone about it. In the way that "my car's acting up, wonder if anyone else has dealt with this?" would.

My opinion, formed after all this, is that these cars aren't too different from other Euro makes, but *are* somewhat different than Asian makes in the *amount* of maintenance that's called for, the cost of that maintenance, and then repair costs. These are complicated, mainly German-engineered autos that have a lot in common with parent BMW on all these points. So my eyes were open as I bought mine, and I've had a great experience so far. Being able to do maintenance yourself is quite helpful, both to be aware of what's happening with your car along with saving $$ compared to paying for service labor.

On R56s, there was that early issue with timing chains / its tensioner, the high pressure fuel pump, and thermostats / its housing. By these later year models, most has been figured out. Other stuff: parts wear out, and repairs on Euro cars are expensive. We'll see how it goes.

 

I made it to about 108k miles before having to pay for an actual repair. I did have a couple warranty repairs right around the 50k mark. Between 50k and 108k, just over two years, my MINI never even saw the dealership or an indy mechanic.

Since then I've dealt with the usual repairs - timing chain cartridge, HPFP (under warranty at 117k), water pump, turbo line replacements, oil filter housing.

Thus far I've spent about $4,500 - $5,000 in repairs over six years and almost 150k miles. All of that has been post- 100k miles and during the past couple years.

The MINI has never left me stranded.

I'd say the only vehicle I've had that was more "reliable" was a 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

 

There does tend to be a lot of negativity here. Besides all the complaining about issues, there are some who look down on any MINI that is not an R53 (first generation Cooper S hardtop), and others who are very negative about the Countryman (which I own) and Paceman. Just ignore that and focus on the good stuff here (and there's lots of it).

I am on my third MINI. I have had no issues with any of them. Well, actually, my first one (an '06) needed to have the thermostat replaced under warranty, but that's it. They're a blast to drive, and I've found all of mine to be just as reliable as any other car.

 

Well, this is a good story. Thanks for sharing.

Did your whole timing cartridge get replaced? What was the story on your turbo line and oilfilter housing?

 

Thanks for the thread! That is a good read.

 

I'm really enjoying driving my Clubman. Your right it drives like nothing else. The car communicates everything to you while driving. You feel the car through the steering wheel, pedals, seat, I could go on. The handling is fantastic….I should go drive …

 

Fairly long term member - don't post much but pay attention to the forums and read a lot.

Perhaps I'm an exception to the norm but I'm on my fourth MINI - first was an 02 Justa traded it at 50K on an 05 MCS - traded that with 80K miles on an 08 MCS and traded that with 80K+ miles on a 13 MCS. Have never had any major repairs on any of them most I had to do was replace brakes and tires and had a couple of recalls. So I've been and remain a happy camper and genuine MINI fan.

LSLMINI

 

Thanks for making this thread. I knew what I was getting into with my 2013.. but some of the stores of the N14 engine scare the crap out of me.

That said, I know that people tend to A>beat "sport" cars to death, and B>generally neglect cars. Sure the Mini has design issues, but most of them have (hopefully?) been fixed with updated parts. Once the new part is in, you don't really hear about repeat failures too often (they do happen.. but..)

And that's it, driving the car is fun. It really does make me have a good time behind the wheel. I would gladly trade a "problem" car that's fun to drive versus a sleeping pill that never broke down.

Forums will get both ends of the family, the problems, the horror stories, and the fanboys. Its also perception, coming from older VW/Audi cars I know those cars are also less than perfect. So I'm hoping as long as I can keep head of possible issues.

 

I've had $0 out of warranty expenses or problems. Keep on motoring.

 

I love my clubman.

 

Suggestion....
I have a gen1...a 2005 s i love...
Have known many folks who bought various gen2 cars (n12 -non-s.and n14/n18 s)....
My suggestion..if you want a car NOW...get a non s...
If you want a car...maybe 12 months from now...the new gen3 cars with better motors (we hope) will be around and have feedback......
While the prince motors can be decent.... They do have issues....and bmw has moved on for a reason....I would do the same...just not lots of good stories with the S versions of folks not having to spend lots of $$ longer term....things like carbon cleaning should not be an issue if engineered properly....the n18 is BETTER than the n14 in some respects....but net result is The $$$ you save at the gas pump is spent on parts and carbon cleaning.....
Styling is your choice...the 3rd gen imo is goofy....but the followon cars might have some of the items like huge tail light changed to make it more likeable.
Just my opinion....but pugoet is a failing company... The fact bmw trusted them to make a good motor for the mini is kinda sad....companies that are failing are usually failing for a reason......while the n12 motor has been generally ok...the direct injected motors have and WILL HAVE FOREVER ongoing carbon issues due to shortcuts taken in the design stages...say nothing of other issues......like timing chains....
Some get lucky....so in the immortal words of Dirty Harry "feeling lucky?!".

 

NOT what the OP was looking for. He said he OWNS one allready.

 

Yes, whole timing cartridge was replaced. One day on way to work got a CEL. Took it in, turned out a guide had broken due to the chain being stretched too much.

Turbo oil line leaking is a common issue. The OEM line has some rubber o-rings inside it that will eventually fail given enough heat cycles.

Oil filter housing gasket had to be replaced when it started leaking. The design and location of the bolts used to hold it on the block are not the best. Again, this seems to be a fairly common failure.

 

I came from VW cars as well. Had a 1999 Passat, that thing was at the dealer every month. Luckly, it was certified used. A couple of people hit me in accidents and had to get rid of it. Then I got a 2004 Jetta turbo wagon. I had great reliability with that car.

 

Sometimes people drive their Mini's hard, so there will be more repairs outside of any other reason, and then people will post about it but fail to mention their occasional hard charging driving style. There are lots of people that just putter around in their Mini who don't break stuff nearly as often and probably sell their Mini with gently used low miles with full OEM maintenance service records - they either never joined this forum or found anything frustrating to post about.

 

I think it's pretty much human nature. If all is well you don't come on a forum and shout it out. If you have a problem you do. Any time you have a car that is the type of car to be considered a 'performance' car you're going to have a larger than average number of owners who drive their cars like they stole them. That invites problems and those people will tend to blame the car and not accept the responsibility for the way they are abusing the car.

 

25K miles so far. One repair under warranty--the problem was caught at the annual service before I even noticed it, and it actually wound up being two of the relatively common repairs at once. (Oil pump solenoid leaked, which required replacing a wiring harness, which required replacing the t-stat housing with the newer version.) No other issues in another year and a half of motoring.

It's still a vastly entertaining car to drive. I really do need to get it out to the track some time!!

 

I would not even consider buying a Mini again.

 

Not many problems here...

 

There's tons of other Mini owners out there not having breakdowns, most won't make their way here until/if they do have a problem. Typically you'll hear more negative experiences. I talked with a Clubman S owner today that had 85k and I asked him if he has ever had a problem with his Mini.

He stated that he never had a problem with his Mini other than recalls, I did tell him about the thermostat housing issue and at least now he is aware of that fact. In fact he was there to have the tensioner checked.