Wife wants a Mini Cooper - what do you know about these cars?

cantdrv55 · 05-18-2005, 06:31 PM

What's their reputation for reliability? I've looked at a couple of Mini websites but really no info regarding recalls, problems, etc except for minor stuff. I guess I expect them to be problematic since it was a British car and now sort of a BMW. They can be had at pretty reasonable prices with 20K miles on the odometer. I'm looking at the non-S model because of gas mileage. They are cool looking cars.

I test drove one that was driven hard and put away wet plus the PO must have smoked like a chimney. Smooth accel, nice interior, well appointed, great AC and heat, 40K miles, 2003 for $16K. There are plenty in the SF Bay Area that are in better shape and priced competitively but I just don't know enough about these cars yet.

Does anyone here have first-hand experience with them?

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

I have not owned one but a couple of guys on the board have them. I have driven and evaluated them for a variety of things. The S is an awesome car. My only dislike when I looked at the 2003 is that the reverse on the shift was a little tough to get in gear but it could have been because it was a new car. I also hated the markup on them new from the dealership. However if you are looking for a used one and know a good BMW mechanic you should be fine. I say this because the original design was designed by BMW. If I didn't have a Porsche, I probably would have purchased a Mini.

stomachmonkey · 05-18-2005, 06:58 PM

They're cool.

VincentVega · 05-18-2005, 07:14 PM

I had an S for a year, great car. If I didnt need the money I would never have sold it. My only gripe was the auto A/C only worked on max fan; I know, small but that damn blower was loud!

Jared at Pelican Parts · 05-18-2005, 07:16 PM

I just dont like the center mounted speedo

Tim Walsh · Tim Walsh's Garage

on this end of the country they're going for a fair amount more than 16K. I looked at one, but didn't even drive it, it was way too plasticy and for the same amount of cash for an 04 I could have gotten an 03 BMW 330 coupe. No comparison there.

Steve Carlton · 08:33 PM

I factory ordered a late '02 and I might have qualified for a lemon buyback. It used to die right after starting, sometimes die after driving 20 feet. It also lost power on the freeway a couple of times. Every time we brought it in, they would retrieve an error code and either do a software update or wait for one. One time they replaced the complete engine wiring harness, amongst other things. Sometimes the driver's window wouldn't notch down so you could open/close the door.

I think it was more an issue of early teething problems, after all the trouble it seemed to calm down. So I'd be leery of the early ones...

It was a really neat little car, it was my wife's (at the time), and had the CVT transmission. If you get one with Nav, the speedo joins the tach above the steering column.

I think they still sell for over MSRP, but there are some dealers that don't do that- Pleasanton & Sacramento, I think. The prices start out low and can really climb when loaded, so you may want to compare a potential deal at MSRP with just the options you want to a used one price-wise. It might require some patience to get an ordered one at MSRP.

MINI has a great website at www.miniusa.com

wludavid · wludavid's Garage

Quality was complete crap before MY04. They have amazing resale value. Used '04s and '05s cost about the same as a new one - and you get to special order all the gizmos you want.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Buddy has an "S" model. Fun to drive and very tossable. He hasn't had any problems that I know of.

However, IMO, the Faux carbon fiber (or whatever they're try to imitate) looks amazingly cheap. Lots of plastic inside. Initially I thought it was aluminum when looking from afar but once inside I was disappointed.

Let's not get into what happens if you tangle with a Suburban with an inattentive driver.

tchanson · 05-19-2005, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
Let's not get into what happens if you tangle with a Suburban with an inattentive driver.

I'd imagine that the Mini would fare far better than an '80's 911 tangling with that same Suburban, given its similar 2,700 lbs or so weight, but with standard front, side and head impact airbags.

And that newfangled ABS to help avoid the big Chevy in the first place...

Tim

RickM · RickM's Garage

Tim, from the head on perspective I'd agree. Put passengers in the back and there is almost nothing to protect them.

rcm · 05-19-2005, 07:32 AM

Factory ordered via Princeton Mini in NJ. Good bunch there by the way. Got the convertible S w/ JC Works. So far so good, has 3500 miles so not really a good barometer.

My wife drives daily and loves it. She says it's the most she can have on the road, in a car. (just to be clear) The car goes like stink. Lots of aftermarket availible now.

BTW, I drove to work today. Lunch will be tossed salad....

tchanson · 05-19-2005, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
Tim, from the head on perspective I'd agree. Put passengers in the back and there is almost nothing to protect them.

...or whirring flat 6 being propelled towards them.

All things considered, I'll make the presumption that a recent safety cell/collapsible unibody design by BMW is perhaps at least the equal of what Stuttgart designed in 1963...when the DOT didn't yet require seatbelts.

But in an original Mini it would be an entirely different scenario

Tim

EdT82SC · 05-19-2005, 07:57 AM

I have two friend who have them, and both love them. One is the base engine, and it is kinda slow. The other was a 160 hp S, but he added some stuff to bring it up to 215 hp, and it is fast. The back seat is more usable then a 911, but at 5'10" I don't fit back there. Neither of them have had any problems, but Consumer Reports rates the Mini poor for reliability.

Jims5543 · 08:51 AM

I have an '03 CooperS with the John Cooper Works kit. I describe my driving style as spirited.

It has 15K miles on it and has never given me a single problem. I have Autocrossed it a few times and just did an open track day with it.

I upgraded the suspension and brakes. I also took off the run flats and put on some lightweight Kosai K-1 rims with Yoko tires.

Here is a write up including what happened during the open track day. I was actually able to run down a C-5 Vette with it. Can it handle any better??

Over on NAM there is a member with 131K miles on his. He has had no issues with the car and it has given him his 1st problem the gas guage is sticking. His screen name is Pilgrim.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/

There are a couple of instances where MINI's have been in some pretty bad wrecks and the owners walked away with out injury. One was a rollover at a track day and the car was in very good shape. Another was a Suburban and MINI getting tangled up on the freeway. The MINI driver walked away but his car was totaled the Suburban driver had a broken nose and 2 broken legs.

Here is a thread adressing your concerns.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10797&highlight=Suburban

Good luck on your decision. I love that little car, its a blast of a car makes my drive to wrk each day very enjoyable.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jims5543

There are a couple of instances where MINI's have been in some pretty bad wrecks and the owners walked away with out injury. One was a rollover at a track day and the car was in very good shape. Another was a Suburban and MINI getting tangled up on the freeway. The MINI driver walked away but his car was totaled the Suburban driver had a broken nose and 2 broken legs.

This is good news. I didn't intend to knock anyone's choice of vehicle.

Jims5543 · 05-19-2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RickM
Let's not get into what happens if you tangle with a Suburban with an inattentive driver.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16992&highlight=Suburban

Jims5543 · 05-19-2005, 08:58 AM

Rick no offense was taken.

89911 · 05-19-2005, 09:23 AM

Wife wants a Mini Cooper - what do you know about these cars?

That women are the ones that usually want them!

Deschodt · 10:45 AM

Got one - commuter car...

Best handling car I've ever owned, bar none (and that includes a bunch of 911s and a boxster). Power wise it's perfectly fine under way, but taking off from a dead stop sucks a$$! I've recently put an induction kit (Ok, a fancy K&N filter) on it and it transformed the sound of the car, very cool. Last, those cars retain value like you would not believe. I can sell my 30K miles 2004 for practically what it cost me (tax excluded of course) - in fact I probably will soon, when I move closer to work ;-)

PS: what other car under 2000cc gets away with wearing racing stripes !!