Are Mini's that bad? - Page 2

Rot 911 · 12-22-2014, 07:29 AM

My wife is on her second one. First was a base 5 speed. This one is a JCW 6 speed. No serious problems with either.

Deschodt · 12-22-2014, 07:31 AM

Had one... It was very reliable for me, a lot of fun to drive, retained its value very well, but the seats just killed my back for some reason! But at 185K miles, it almost doesn't matter what brand it is (other than an aircooled flat 6 with good compression), you are playing russian roulette...

Rednine11 · 12-22-2014, 07:40 AM

I had an S model. I had nothing but trouble with it. In fact I even had trouble selling it. but man I was glad to see it go. It sure was a blast to drive though.

flipper35 · flipper35's Garage

I would trade for one of the classics.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 12-22-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deschodt

Had one... It was very reliable for me, a lot of fun to drive, retained its value very well, but the seats just killed my back for some reason! But at 185K miles, it almost doesn't matter what brand it is (other than an aircooled flat 6 with good compression), you are playing russian roulette...

you can add W124s to the other than list.

Manny Alban · 12-22-2014, 04:15 PM

I'm on the lucky so far list. 106K miles and it runs great and has had just maintenance. Lots of fun to drive. Bought it used, so maybe the previous owner sorted out problems. Of course I have the pokey 02 non S model. It is a manual. Perfect vehicle to practice momentum driving.

wayner · 12-22-2014, 04:19 PM

We bought a 2008 just out of warranty with 60,000km on it.

In 2.5 years I spent over 6k on stupid **** including a water pump AND $500.00 thermostat job...TWICE!!!

David · David's Garage

I've never worked on one but my buddy who's a nationally ranked racer and pretty good engine builder had his son's Mini top end apart and said it's a joke. By far the worst engine he's ever seen.

astrochex · 12-23-2014, 08:35 AM

Lots of apples and oranges here. You can't compare the '05 to anything outside of '02-'06. Past '06, MINIs are entirely different cars, particularly the drivetrain.

My '06S daily driver is at 150K and I just replaced the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel. Stuff that is guaranteed to need periodic replacement includes the (plastic) thermostat, the water pump, and the front control arm bushings. At 186K the crank dampener and supercharger might need some love too.

If it checks out mechanically and the price is good, it would be a fun weekend car because they are a blast. But as a daily driver, there will be repair in your future.

Don Ro · 12-23-2014, 08:49 AM

A few months prior to my buying the '13 Fiat Abarth, I was looking at used Mini's...I went online to some Mini forums to see what others were saying.
Well...........

GothingNC · 12-23-2014, 04:23 PM

06 MCS owner here with 110,000 miles.

I picked it up 3 years ago with 65,000 miles.

Only issues was replacing the Harmonic Crank Pulley, Idler pulley, belt and tensioner at 94,000 miles and the LCA bushings are soon to be replaced.

Stick with the 05-06 1st generation or the 2011 to 2013 with the upgraded engine for the second generation.

Love the sound of the SC

Jeff Alton · 12-23-2014, 08:39 PM

Shaun,

Our courtesy car at Turn3 is a 2006 Cooper S JCW. Finish on it is cheap and certainly not up to German Standards at all. It only has about 50K miles on it now, but it has been quite reliable. It gets the crap driven out of it by clients and the only repairs we have done is to replace the power steering pump (common) and one engine mount.

I don't care for it, and would never buy one as the ride is not great, power only adequate (even JCW) and ours has POS runflats (which are great for a courtesy car). But, it has been a good car.

We service quite a few of them, and contrary to what others have said, they are easy to work on, quite straight forward and simple.

Cheers

jwasbury · 12-24-2014, 05:12 AM

Hmmn, quite the mixed bag of responses. My wife is on Mini #2. The first was an '06 S model, final year of the supercharger. Fun car, had a few small issues but only once left her needing assistance (when the harmonic balancer/pulley failed). I'm still not sure how a pulley fails, but its apparently common on these. Car had run 80k+ miles when she traded it for a '13 JCW model, many of them abusive city miles in and around the greater NYC metro area. Many of the bu$hings in the front end had been replaced, and the front shock tower bushings were just about to fail and were replaced as well. Muffler hanger hardware in the rear was the bane of my existence...I replaced multiple parts back there, but it seemed like every few months something else failed. Eventually I rigged up something using universal muffler hanger parts from my FLAPS and that seemed to put a stop to my semi annual ritual. I HATED working on the car and my feeling was cemented when I tried to bleed the clutch. I could not bleed that clutch to save my life. I can successfully rebuild a 911 engine from the crank out, but I can't bleed a clutch on an '06 Mini...even the dealer took over 4 hours to do the job!

I didn't want another Mini, but I left the decision up to my wife 100%. Her car, her choice. I won't lay a finger on the '13 JCW other than to drive it. If it needs any mechanical attention, she takes it to the dealer, I want nothing to do with it.

Nostril Cheese · 12-24-2014, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

I'm still not sure how a pulley fails, but its apparently common on these... I HATED working on the car and my feeling was cemented when I tried to bleed the clutch.

The pulley is a two piece design with a rubber core holding it together. The rubber dries out and cracks, causing the two halves to separate. I change them often. More damage occurs when people put solid underdrive pulleys on.

There's a trick to bleeding the clutch on these. You need to remove and compress the slave cylinder fully, then bleed. BMW has a special tool for this, but a steering wheel puller works fine.

Reifle · Reifle's Garage

We have owned three MINIs - 2 Coopers and one S. The Coopers were driven by my wife which she enjoyed immensely but they were always in for service - Trannies in both, always needed a new flash, the seats fell apart, the headlights wouldn't work, power steering failure (both at least twice!). The first one we had trouble with the front suspension - all of a sudden the wheels were going in different directions. The S was just as much trouble - ate front tires constantly, two trannies in one year. The S/C had to be replaced A lot of interior bits kept falling out/off. Electrical issues were a constant. Once I showed up at the dealer everything worked. I don't remember how many letters I got from MINI regarding a new flash for the S... Great to drive and so much fun... I did not track any of the MINIs as I was afraid if something broke. We are back with VWs now...

twobone · twobone's Garage

We picked up a 2014 Cooper (the new model). It has a nice little 3 cylinder turbo.

We test drove the old model and the new model and the difference was significant in terms of ride quality, interior finish, etc.

We only have 10,000 miles on her but all good so far. It gets great mileage and has lots of get up and go when you stomp it. Got my fingers crossed they got it right with the redesign.

I did end up leasing it though (4 years) in case the gremlins start coming out we can give her back.

jwasbury · 12-24-2014, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

There's a trick to bleeding the clutch on these. You need to remove and compress the slave cylinder fully, then bleed. BMW has a special tool for this, but a steering wheel puller works fine.

I did the "trick" and compressed the slave cylinder...it still wouldn't bleed. No matter though, I have no plans to ever try again.

Vipergrün · 12-24-2014, 09:23 AM

I was chatting with a guy who runs an indy bmw/mini repair shop. He said the mini engines are all Peugeot POS. Maybe that explains things....

astrochex · 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I was chatting with a guy who runs an indy bmw/mini repair shop. He said the mini engines are all Peugeot POS. Maybe that explains things....

Not true. 2002-2006 are Tritec's, originally a joint venture between Chrysler and the Rover Group. The Peugeot "Prince" powerplants are in cars from 2007-2013.

70SATMan · 12-24-2014, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I was chatting with a guy who runs an indy bmw/mini repair shop. He said the mini engines are all Peugeot POS. Maybe that explains things....

Not the 2014-On. They went to the 1 series all BMW motor I believe. That's why the platform size increased. Supposedly a better motor.

We bought a '10 MCS HT and the coking issue cropped up right on cue at 30k. Luckily we sprung for the 6 yr extended warranty up front. Have had two water pumps replaced, thermostat, the heads de-coked, the HP fuel pump replaced and had it re-flashed which addresses the coking problem but, I doubt it will keep it from coking up in the future.

I love driving it as a DD commuter through the Santa Cruz Mtns into the Valley, gets great gas mileage but, have been disappointed with the initial reliability. On my second set of tires and I rotate them contrary to the service instructions.

I really, really dig the small platform, the retro styling and the go cart handling and like others, I would suggest the supercharged GenI, though the interior finish is inferior to the GenII. In the GenII I'd look to the '11-14.

I really want to like the new Mini as I hear great thinks about its drive train but, I'm rightfully gun shy. I'm also a bit ambivalent on some of the new face lift. Currently I'm on the fence on either trading it in on another type of mountain carver or keeping it and going a light weight GP coup sleeper concept.