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Mini Cooper: BEWARE!!!! There aren't parts ..
I have a 4 month old Mini Cooper S convertible. It has less than 4K miles. I am the original and only owner ~ I had it made. The interior of the car suffered some water damage in early March. To date I don't have my car and the earliest estimate on delivery is END OF MAY. MINI DOESN'T HAVE/STOCK REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THESE VEHCILES. At best, I am looking at a 3 MONTH repair ... nearly 3 times longer than it took to BUILD the entire car.
There is NO URGENCY to fix my car on ANY LEVEL. MiniUSA is TOTALLY unhelpful, my local dealership is worse.
The stress/financial burden of renting a car for an unspecified/extended period of time while Mini remanufactures parts for my brand new car is simply not worth any enjoyment I may have derived from driving it.
Without equivocation I would recommend NEVER buying one of these vehicles. It's simply not worth it.
There is NO URGENCY to fix my car on ANY LEVEL. MiniUSA is TOTALLY unhelpful, my local dealership is worse.
The stress/financial burden of renting a car for an unspecified/extended period of time while Mini remanufactures parts for my brand new car is simply not worth any enjoyment I may have derived from driving it.
Without equivocation I would recommend NEVER buying one of these vehicles. It's simply not worth it.
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Comments
I have run into the same problem with Range Rovers. The car ends up being down for three months because the part was just not avaliable. That particular part never broke so there were no spares in the whole country.
This would be a TOTALLY different matter IF MiniUSA had been upfront about the challenge of getting parts for these cars while I was in the purchasing process, MiniUSA/the local dealership was willing to assist in ANY manner with transportation while I wait AND/OR I felt Mini was upfront about this challenge with prospective new buyers. You'll never see "hard to get parts for" in any mini marketing collateral small print because whether or not its TYPICAL of european made cars, its definitely NOT a compelling selling point and MiniUSA knows it. I suspect thats why Mini hasn't been particularly upfront about it when I've inquired. Knowing what I now know, I have specifically asked Mini dealerships and have been repeatedly told "NO WAY, getting parts for these cars is not a problem" That's completely untrue. I would have reconsidered the purchase if I had THOUGHT to ask the question and been told the truth while I was buying. I want people to be AWARE, because I was not. I also want people to be WARNED if they ASKED and were told no.
Additionally, the general manager of the dealership has told me on no fewer than 4 occasions that if it were HIS Mini, the dealership would have recommended it be totaled. Since the car belongs to me, I can't even get the dealership to recommend replacing the interior parts that were submerged in water. Why would his car be treated better/differently? I'll point out, although its unlikely I have to, that if the dealership HAD recommended my car be totaled, I could have ordered, purchased and would now be driving a NEW MINI in the 8 weeks I've been waiting.
Other people should be aware of this situation. It seems to be the position of MiniUSA to turn their backs on their cars/customers once you've handed them your money.
What's the deal with these Brit cars? They can make them but they can't fix them. Don't they no that mechanical things break and they need to replace parts or don't they care once they sell the vehicle and they have our money.
DON'T BUY ONE UNLESS YOU HAVE SPARE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do we have another Jaguar on our hands from the Brits?
Richie "C"
No Parts Yet!!! Dealer says 3-5 more weeks for parts to fgix my mini!!!
What's up with that Mini?
Everyday I see more and more Mini's on the road/around town. As long as the money is coming in, BMW will NEVER hear complaints or address them. All things I wish I had known before I had purchased. I'd never make this mistake again. Buyer beware!
Everyone is washing their hands of this car - Minicooper and the dealership in Minnesota. Is there no recourse when everything falls apart on a car. Everything has been replaced at least once except the engine block - some thing s have had to be replace up to three times. Thanks, Michelle
Recently when in Europe I was amazed at the number of incredibly old Minis motoring all around town. Sadly, I knew my Mini will NEVER EVER be around that long. Sadder still, after the experiences I've had - I DON'T WANT IT TO BE. I'm seriously considering importing a much older model.
My AC still continues to be an issue, I have to have the absolute precisely right combination of bass/treble for my speakers to NOT rattle/hiss and my seat warmers have minds of their own. In the winter I'll appreciate this, in July in Florida, I do not.
I'm developing a marketing campaign to help formally communicate consumer problems on these cars to the car buying public. If you'd like to contact me away from the forum to participate, please contact me at DONTBUYAMINI@aol.com.
I'm waiting delivery of "Don't Buy A Mini" shirts. If you'd like one, let me know.
IMHO
That's probably very sound advice. But the new MINI (especially the S) is tempting. With the added space, features, and refinement, it is almost like BMW 3-series hatchback at a discounted price!
My advice is very simply - DON'T BUY A MINI. MINI's ARE fun to drive, but they're a nightmare to own.
I never had any problems with my MINI and neither has the person I sold it too. Most of the people I know who have a MINI have not had any problems.
You got a BAD car which can happen to any person with any vehicle.
I have never had a single problem, electrical or otherwise, besides basic maintenance which for the most part has been covered under the free maintenance program. My Minis have ranged from 800 miles to 30,000 miles.
I do not doubt that some of the writers have had problems with their Minis which is a shame. But you would think if there were significant electrical or other problems I would have encountered some of these problems with the 15+ Minis that I have driven and sold. I keep in touch with my customers and I have never heard from any of them about problems with their Minis. I currently have 5 beautiful Mini S models for sale but believe me I would not acquire any more if there were significant problems. I have found the Mini S to be a very reliable and fun car that the consumers seem to love.
Since I have been into this forum, mostly I found only the problems occured with this model car. But I've hardly seen any good or support comments of owners.
If you have any suggestion to me pls light up the way for me. I will be appreciated. If you have your own business website, pls let me know. I 'll check it out. Thank you very much.
Most of these people complaining I am sure have legitimate complaints. But I have also seen consumers have complaints that are unjustified and unreasonable. One person even wanted Mini USA to reimburse him because he wanted to take his Mini to his mechanic because he no longer trusted the Mini dealer. That is an unreasonable expectation.
To find positive comments or reviews from the public you will have to go to websites like Edmund's and look under reviews. They usually will have a long list of positive as well as any negatives. There are other sites as well.
My local Mini dealer is part of the local BMW dealership. They have given me excellent service. They give me a free loaner if they have to keep the car overnight and they will sometimes do the warranty service while I wait.
I wouldn't be afraid to purchase a new '07 Mini or even a nice low mile used one. I have had great luck with all of mine and I have many happy customers. Good luck with your new Mini.
Cons:
1. When we took delivery of the car we notice the big gap between the bonnett and the main frame, then we checked out other MINIs on the lot, they are all the same. Contacted our dealership and MINIusa to see if they can adjust it. Told us we have to pay for it. I finally got mine adjusted at a local body shop.
2. I have notice an increasing noise under the hood recently. Much lounder than our lexus and honda.
3. The factory maintance is a bit weird, especially if you own the car and plan to keep it in a long run. Other mfg suggest the first oil change in 5k, but our local MINI dealership won't change the oil till the 'oil meter' reachs below 1k, still have 3k+ left, so that brings the first oil change at about 10k+. Not sure if it's a good way to maintain the car.
4. Paint chips, the shape of the hood made it weak against flying rocks on the freeways. I have 2 big ones and 5 smaller chips already. Although, i tried to keep distance with the cars at the front.
Pros:
1. Of course, the cute looks. I bet you get more eye balls than any conv Benz or BMW in a MINI.
2. Fun to drive, just like a little GO cart.
3. Easy to park.
4. Haven't test its resell value yet. But my 71 MINI is worth 2x more than I paid 5 years ago. Can't beat that.
Asked the local detailers, they charge about 200-300 for the job. Decided not to go for it: 1. it doesn't look too good. 2. it won't last more than a year. probably cost less to repaint the hood after couple times.
I didn't think you can eliminate the gap between the bonnet (hood) and the fender. That's always a problem with a clamshell style of hood. IMO, the '07 is even a worse problem because the hood edge follows the curve of the wheel well opening, so you see the gap along the whole edge. Almost looks like the hood is ajar! :sick:
I researched the heck out of the MINI before getting my used 2006 cabriolet [non-S] a few weeks ago. Mine has the five speed manual, cold weather package, leather interior, premium sound, silver interior package, lights package, and a host of other options.
Yes, avoid any model older than 2005, with the CVT [or automatic transmission.]
Based on all the negatives I saw, I decided to look for a 2005 or later, with a manual transmission.
As timing would have it, the 2008 Consumer Reports Annual Auto issue came out just before I bought and was conducting research. The MINI did quite well in the ratings. In fact, the MINI got red donuts which means above-average in terms of reliability.
I do recommend buying as late a model as you can afford and to get one with some manufacturer's warranty remaining [not those bogus extended warranties, but the MINI warranty.] Mine has two years and 27,000 miles left on the warranty so that is a comfort.
This last weekend I put the car through its paces and gave it a wash and wax. Also scrubbed the interior and conditioned it.
So far I have not found a thing wrong with it. So after 23,000 miles I can report the car appears problem free. It shifts perfect, all electronics work, the climate control works, the car runs straight, it does not rattle, etc.
Yes, there are some cars, no matter the brand, that will malfunction or that have their share of problems, but that exists in any car. I have seen sites badmouth Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, and Mercedes Benz.
On my BMW 740i that I paid almost $80k for, a fuel leak developed in the engine compartment. Fuel was dripping on a hot exhaust manifold. It took two trips to the dealer to have it fixed under warranty. No, I did not think that BMWs are crap and that my experience meant BMWs should be avoided, even after my 325i needed a new radiator at a cost of $600.
And before my BMW I had a Mercedes SL. After it ran out of warranty, that car cost me about $2500 in repairs every 8 months or so. And before that I had a Mercedes sedan that blew a turbo and also needed a new transmission.
After my SL personally I did decide to never buy Mercedes again as I had the most trouble with that brand.
I mention all of the above to emphasize that some people posting their negative MINI experiences does not mean that the MINI is a lemon or flawed vehicle. Here in San Francisco I see a lot of MINIs on the road and not in the shop.
I love my mini and cant wait till the next on is in port!
How reliable are these cars? I see a lot of negative and I don't want a car that ends up in the shop immediately after I own it. All Mini's can not be bad cars, tell me it's not so!
I smile everyday I climb in it! Enjoy!!!
P.S. I test drove an 09 last week... I'll order a new one as soon as I can bring myself to part with this one.