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So, be careful when purchasing. If you have a few MINI dealers in the area, shop around. Tell them you got a better offer from one and see if they will match it or go lower. They will budge on price.
Buy extended ONLY if you are going to be keeping your MINI for over 5yrs.
Brake replacement and oil changes will be worth the price ONLY if you negotiate with dealers. Find out how much full brake replacement and a couple of oil services will be, and work off that number for negotiation.
Good luck.
.
I'm sure 40 years ago it was normal to burn oil at 80k. But not today with much tighter manufacturing tolerances and better materials - unless the manufacturing or materials are cheap.
Mine do, and they love the cars. It's a Porsche shop that just took on MINI. Why was that? So that they could expand their business to include cars that attract enthusiasts.
First off, then---- with any car, one must differentiate between models, years and generations before making sweeping statements about reliability. With the MINI, the model you pick and the options one chooses make all the difference.
Secondly, of course the MINI costs more to maintain---it's a different class of car than a Civic. It's built to the same standards as a BMW.
Last of all, it's fun, it's fast, it handles like a go-cart, it's cute and it has great resale value. I, personally, would not be happy in a Civic or Scion. I know, I've tried.
All cars to their purpose, and all cars to their owners' needs.
There is certainly a class of car that is fun to drive but costs a great deal to maintain. Alfa Romeos, and old Jags were like that. Its unfortunate that they, and BMW's and Mini's standards of quality are so low. People are paying a high premium for poor build quality. That is the reason it is leaking oil.
I'm glad you are happy with your Mini. I could not afford to own one - (and I found the interior very cheap compared to most other cars).
Alfa Romeos were very good, well-built cars. People often confused them with Fiats, or had experienced with one or two badly neglected examples. Old Jaguars do suck, I agree, but here again, that was due to the notorious XJ6 models.
The MINI is a very solid car. Having owned a Scion xA and a Subaru, I can say that build quality, interior materials and driving feel are like night and day.
If you check resale value on a MINI, you'll find that the general public is not as discouraged as you might be. I'd encourage you to give one a try after you've sifted through the pros and cons and picked the best possible year make and model.
I like a supercharger because, even though they require a belt drive, they also require less plumbing---the SC also gives you boost right from idle speed on up, whereas a turbo has a spool a bit.
My personal preference is for superchargers on small engines and twin-turbos on larger displacement "V" configurations.
In terms of doing modifications, I think turbos offer more options for the enthusiast.
I have heard that Mini's are not to the same standard as BMW's and that is a sales ploy to say they are. Curious where are Minis made, same factory, same country as BMW?"
MINIs are solid little cars. I haven't found anything "cheap" on them so far. Certainly not cheesy like my Scion was. (which to be fair was a helluva car for $13,000 brand new).
Is the MINI 2X that car for 2X that price? yeah, I think so.
Of course, all cars these days use plastic parts, and if you ram your front air dam into the driveway like I did, it's gonna break.
This is my first Mini, and with my other cars, (I've had a Honda a Saturn and a Suzuki), if it was below the top mark, or somewhere in between the two marks, I would put in oil accordingly, but with my Mini, I'm afraid to do it especially since my car's sensor is telling me the oil level is fine. I've read that depending on the way that you drive, you could use up more oil than other people, but no one says what to do about it...whether it means I need an oil change sooner, or whether I need to add some oil, or whether it's fine until my next oil change?
Does anyone know. Thanks!
MINI has a very good aftermarket, with corrections for some of the early model's defects/bugs.
I've installed the following corrections:
1. re-inforcement plates for the shock towers
2. metal stone-guard for the power steering pump cooling fan
3. new circuit board to allow one click UP for power windows
4. new circuit board to allow automatic disable of traction control (allows the default to be non-op, with me the driver selecting to use it)
5. sun-roof wind deflector to alleviate punishing wind turbulence with the panoramic sunroof open
6. additional cupholder on the passenger side console rail
7. removal of run-flat tires to the trash heap
8. installation of iPod-like outlet and USB port in the sound system
9. installation of sturdy front license plate holder
10. installation of rubber protector pad under the tailgate loading area.
My wife has a 2005 MINI convertible, 60K miles (purchased new) and loves it. It has had a few issues, but our local dealer has been great to work with, giving allowances on out-of-warranty repairs.
No, its not as reliable as a Toyota Corolla (few European cars are...), but then again, how much fun can one have in a Corolla?
3. new circuit board to allow one click UP for power windows
Mr_Shiftright, can you tell me where you obtained the items mentioned above?
Thanx!
Thanks!!!
I'm finally in a position to own a modern Mini Cooper and wanted to know if anyone has experience or knowledge regarding the annualized normal repair costs for the Cooper.
In my reading I understand there have been problems with some of the older models (new on the market/ first year woes). Also, I live in snow country and want advice on driving in the winter gushruts--how does it do? (I believe it is rear-wheel drive.)
We have only one dealer here (a drawback) and pending warranties on the car, I'd have the car repaired by a trusted mechanic. Can he get parts and does he have to have dedicated tools?
Thanks,
chknltl
There are quite a few special tools required to work on MINIs so I would think there are some repairs your mechanic is simply not equipped to do---but he should be able to do most maintenance items by buying just a few special wrenches, etc.
What you want to avoid is the early cars with base engine (non supercharged) and the CVT transmission. If you get a well-cared for Cooper S with the 6 speed automatic and supercharger, or the 2nd Generation 2006+ turbo Cooper with stick or automatic, you're ahead of the game.
For the supercharged cars, watch out for:
1. deformed upper shock towers ( you can buy a brace for this)
2. power steering fan shield (replace plastic shield with aluminum one)
3. the "Chewbacca Noise", which is a screech early MINIs make when you let up off the clutch in first gear with a cold engine. This is due to a glazed flywheel and does not harm anything--it's just annoying. To repair, one must replace the flywheel and clutch, which is $$$
4. Avoid cars with run-flat tires if you can, or plan to replace them---they are brutally hard-riding and very noisy.
5. Buy an accessory cup holder that fits on the console rail on the passenger side
6. Buy an aftermarket arm rest for the doors
7. Buy an aftermarket arm rest for between the seats
You can find many parts for these cars through MINIMANIA.com and MOSSMINI.com
I've worked on too many superchargers (one French, two German and one British--which I think was a blower) which, while great when they work and are probably much more reliable now (?), are also customarily in itsy-bitsy spaces ensconced in too hard to get to places and are also $$$ to repair.
I'll probably be looking at an auto base model. Love to have a stick but I have one dead knee and the other doesn't feel well so clutching too tough in heavy traffic.
Nice to know they are FWD--hate 4 wheel and all wheel too quirky. High snow drifts are never an option--(i.e. drive something else, stupid).
Again, thanks for the reply and I feel well equipped to face the prospect and happy possibility!
How does one classify if they got a lemon? How many repairs should there be in the 1st 5 years?
including...
Under Warranty
Thermostat
Air Conditioning
Door lock mechanicsm
Oxygen sensor (twice) - This does have a lifetime warranty now.
Low tire pressure indicator set - it didn't work the first flat I got, I'm not sure it works now, the tire has to be completely without air before it comes on!
After Warranty
$250 for an oil change! Does this mean the $70 oil change at my local mechanic is really not quality? What could possibly be the difference?
Brakes finally needed attention at 48,000 miles, but should the rotors really need to be replaced. I know I live in the midwest but I grew up in Wisconsin and drove cars for 6 - 7 years (not purchased new) and never had to have more than the rotors resurfaced!
Reattachment of trim that came loose
Windshield replacement
It seems like I've beat up my car, but I haven't! I actually love it! Did I just get a lemon of a mini? I'm have such bad luck, but when it's not one of these items, it seems I wouldn't trade it for much less than another BMW or Mercedes.
By all means have a private garage do your oil changes, as long as they know how (it's a cannister type filter, and you also have to replace the oil drain plug each time) and the type of oil (synthetic).
Not sure why the rotors need replacing! Are they warped or something? If the dealer told you this, get a second opinion at an independent shop. Most any shop that works on BMWs should be able to do most maitenance things on a MINI. Brakes are considered expendable items and really shouldn't be thought of as a "defect".
Host & Owner of a 2003 Mini Cooper S
I've read that that is nothing to worry about, but the temp gauge is indicating that the car is running hot after a short 5 - 6 mile drive in 50 degree weather. I popped the hood, and see or feel no indication that the engine is overheating.
Any ideas on what could be going on? Could any of this be related to the oil change?
I'm in a remote location about 100 miles away from a dealership and about 200 miles away from my hometown mechanic, and of course I have to drive home tomorrow (Sunday) and can't call either of them.
Extend my trip by a day, or take a chance and drive home tomorrow?
If you ARE low on coolant, the thermostat housing is always suspect on this year MINI--it's a slow drip so hard to spot. Usually you can only see if after you pressure test the cooling system.
the temp gauge on these MINIS show "hot" if there's low coolant, even if the engine isn't overheating. It's a bizarre system but that's what they do.
As for run flats, they, too are getting better but I think you'll probably dispose of them after the first set runs out.
My car was hit from behind in the 1st year I had it, the next summer my air conditioning was found to have a cracked line (after I had settled for having the car repaired) and it was covered. The big thing I think the extended warranty may be good for is if it covers maintenance. My dealer charges about 250 for an oil change. Lord only knows what else might cost. I have had the thermostat replaced and the oxygen sensors twice.
I spent much of my first few years with the car in the shop - not completely due to the model, I truly love my car but check what the extension covers, you may find it worth it!
You have been getting raped!
My local MINI dealer does a. Full oil/filter change, fluid check, even washes and vacuums the car for less than $90.
Also the dealer informed me that with these run flat tires, if one were to take them off the original wheel and place them on a new wheel, one runs the risk of decreasing the life of the tire. Is this true???
If someone told you tire wear would increase, I would ask for evidence showing such additional wear as well as which tire company makes that claim.
There are also other choices besides the ez lube places, ask around there are ussuallly very good independent shops that specialize on Mini's or BMW's that are less expensive and IMO better than the dealer for these things.
RM
I get the oil for $6.50/quart and the filters for $9.92/each, with my BMWCCA membership discount.
In fact, I was a bit high on my oil change fee... That last oil change at the dealer cost me $76.70 (filter-$10.46, oil $31.25, labor $34.99).
Generally MINI safety ratings are consistently quite good but the dynamics of auto accidents are very complex.
Reliability ratings are so-so.
There were recalls for electrical fires but not related to collision--these were on parked vehicles and 7 incidents were recorded in the UK.
I don't suppose you'll ever know what happened unless you paid for automotive forensics, but it doesn't seem related to the recalls.
Hopefully the rest of your comments are colored by having just had a family member survive what had to be a terrifying trauma. "Death traps", really? A recent recall did involve water pumps and fires on turbocharged models. They're replacing all of those parts, as someone pointed out, as the fault could cause a fire on parked vehicles.
Impact safety testing? A Google search pulled hundreds of "hits", like this one from the IIHS.
IIHS MINI test results 2007-2012
Was it ever determined what caused the fire in this case? Ruptured oil line, or ?
It doesn't matter how much a car 'folds up' or looks after a collision. If the passenger compartment remains intact, the front and side air bags deploy and the driver escapes serious injury, then that car has done its job superbly. Whether it is sent to the junkyard after that is irrelevant.
If anyone has knowledge that they'd share on this model of MINI, I'd really appreciate any good (or bad) feedback. Thanks!
I don't think you need an "S" model for normal driving, unless you or hubby really like to race around.
The run-flat tires are a bad idea IMO, so I'd plan to ditch them as soon as they wear out---they ride hard and you'll hear them, too. If there was an option to delete them, I'd do it.
As for reliability, MINIs have gotten better, it's true, but the early ones were pretty spotty. After 2006, they changed a lot of things.
Also like most German cars, as they age, plastic bits will fall off and break and weatherstripping may deteriorate, but that's far down the road.
Oh, sunroofs---they are a mixed blessing. No, they don't usually leak but they can break and if/when they do, they are expensive to fix. I like the airy feeling but I had to buy a windbreak, aftermarket, because the wind noise was just too loud.
They are very comfy to drive long distances, and they have plenty of room and great visibility.