Talk to me about Mini Coopers

[gacook]

Thinking of buying one for my daughter. They're "cute" and I think she'd enjoy it...any good or bad stories, or things I should be looking for (or avoiding) specifically?

[Bill Douglas]

A new model or old model?

I've heard the new are a bit unreliable - electrical.

But the old ones are getting, well, old.

[gtc]

An English BMW. What could possibly go wrong?

[gacook]

Originally Posted by gtc

An English BMW. What could possibly go wrong?

Yeah...I've thought about that.

And I'm thinking something "recent" but not new. Think a decade or less old.

[techman1]

Wow. Unreal coincidence, my daughter just bought a 2019 Cooper S. Took delivery 2 hours ago. Had a 2009 Cooper S for 3 years.
I can chat about them if you want.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

A new model or old model?

OK, thanks. So not a 1966.

She'll either need a good mechanic or be an electrical expert herself.

[masraum]

I'm assuming you're talking about the newer models. There are several threads here that I always watch with interest. I've had miatas, so a mini seems similar but with more space.

Just based on what I've read on those threads (I'd kind of like one, cute, and great handling, fun little car) they seem like a BMW. You either get a good one that is reliable or you get one that requires a bunch of work to keep it going. THere are guys on the board that have said "never again!" and other guys that have said "awesome, never a problem."

[Deschodt]

Had 3... Tons of fun to drive, little go karts. Lots of go fast parts, cute, fun, surprisingly roomy... In BMW fashion the "service position" looks like the entire front end fell off the car, but still DYI friendly.. (kinda like a 991 in that regard, in reverse, where to replace an air filter you drop the entire rear bumper)
Same issues as other DFI cars with cleaning up the carbon buildup with walnut blasting or what have you... Not a honda, but I never had any big issues either. Lots of vendors, aftermarket, FYI, youtube videos... Worse issue I had was an annoying airbag seat sensor, but they paid for that. I have a soft spot for the earlier "new" ones, looks wise, the latest ones are a bit bloated but warranties are nice ! I even had a loaner 3cyl one and it was suprisingly OK.

[astrochex]

Redacted for not fully reading gacook’s posts.

Good luck on the search.

[Solamar]

I'm a big fan of teaching kids how to drive in light, responsive cars.

My first son bought a 2004 Mini Cooper S (the supercharged model) and second son bought a 2005 Miata.

The Mini is a super fun car to drive. But, I've been in "front end service mode" (almost entire front clip comes off) more times than I care to remember.

Spun rod bearing (fluke), bought a used engine with an unknown trashed, warped head. Third engine has been a charm!

The Miata? Oil changes and brakes (and lots of tires). Only problem with the Miata is my 17 yo son is faster around the autocross course than I am in my 911😲

[gacook]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Techman1, I'd love to hear anything else you have to add.

Daughter isn't a "new driver," this is just something I'm thinking about because she plans on moving in with me, and we aren't sure if mom is going to freak out and make her give up her current car (a POS Nissan Versa). Long story.

[Dan J]

Complete shyte, That is all

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by techman1

Had a 2009 Cooper S for 3 years. .

I'm sorry to hear that.

Forgive me for being a turd in the punch bowl but these cars really, really suck for any regular car owner. They are unreliable. Another way to say it is they break down like a boss.

Buy nothing older than a 2015.

Flame me if you want but unless you can wrench, you will want to hang yourself for purchasing one of these pigs.

[cantdrv55]

Dang. I had a 2005 and it was rock solid reliable for the entire 11 months I owned it. I sold it because my pregnant wife couldn’t get in it anymore.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

I'm sorry to hear that.

Forgive me for being a turd in the punch bowl but these cars really, really suck for any regular car owner. They are unreliable. Another way to say it is they break down like a boss.

Buy nothing older than a 2015.

Flame me if you want but unless you can wrench, you will want to hang yourself for purchasing one of these pigs.

^^^
I'm glad my brother, who recently bought a Mini S, isn't a member of this site. I ain't telling him!

BTW, my vote immediately goes to a Honda Civic or a Mazda 3. Next in line would be a Subaru Impreza hatchback

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by gtc

An English BMW. What could possibly go wrong?

LOL, says the who owns a Porsche. The only pile of shart that needs an engine rebuild at 100k miles and the Stolkholm Syndrome owners are ok with it, thinking that's acceptable and normal. You know what I've never seen? A BMW that needs a top end valve job or a tranny rebuild or an engine rebuild at 100k. Porsche is a streaming pile of Fiero turd next to a BMW.

[techman1]

The 2009 we bought for $4000. A lot of deferred maintenance done by me, and then nothing besides normal maintenance for three years. Yep service mode sucks, but not too difficult to do after the second time. The S has additional maintenance, that high pressure fuel pump can be expensive. It’s a small car if driven hard or repairs will be needed.
If you go this route definitely make her aware of all of the possible noises and what they indicate. Definitely need to keep an eye on the oil level.

Her experience was great, loved it so much, she just decided to get her first car loan, and get a 2019, with a year of warranty remaining.

Her 2009 is getting cleaned up and prepped by me and will be for sale soon.

After our experience? Getting an older one? She will need to tinker on it, or get a boyfriend who will. Or live near dad.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

LOL, says the idiot who owns a Porsche. The only pile of shart that needs an engine rebuild at 100k miles and the Stolkholm Syndrome owners are ok with it, thinking that's acceptable and normal. You know what I've never seen? A BMW that needs a top end valve job or a tranny rebuild or an engine rebuild at 100k. Porsche is a streaming pile of Fiero turd next to a BMW.

God damn, Sugarwood. So nice to hear from you.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by techman1

Or live near dad.

Lol

I resemble that remark!!!

[otto_kretschmer]

A decade ago I had a friend at work who's wife had a Mini Cooper with a manual tranny and the tranny died. I would get one but I'd stick with the plain jane non turbo/supercharged variant.