MINI Cooper - Car Forums

You have saved this page | See all saved pages

MINI Cooper - READ ONLY

2671 messages, Last post on Mar 31, 2009 at 2:03 PM

You are in the Hatchbacks - Archived Discussions Forum.

Your Host is pf_flyer

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hatchbacks Host for directions! discussion.

What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Hatchback

#906 of 2671 Here is the NHTSA notification by drivinisfun

Aug 12, 2002 (9:51 am)

( I would strongly suggest for you to frequent more MINI2.com Minicooperonline.com and Roadfly.com sites as these have much more up-to-date information than the dedicated topics here in Edmunds.com)

Recall Alert: MINI COOPER
Owner Notification Date: 7/26/2002
Number of Units Potentially Affected: 3,531
Component Description: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:3 SPEED:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V201000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description of Recall Campaign: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, the transmission shift cable connects the gearshift lever in the vehicle interior to the shift linkage on the transmission. It is possible for the shift cable to detach from the transmission shift linkage while the driver is attempting to change gears. If the cable detaches from the shift linkage, gear changes will no longer be possible and the transmission will remain in the last gear selected.
If shift cable detachment occurs and the transmission remains in any forward gear, the vehicle can still be driven in that gear only. However, if the transmission moves into neutral and remains there, the ability to accelerate or maintain speed will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect the shift cable and, if necessary, install a retaining clip over the end of the shift cable to prevent it from detaching from the transmission. Owner notification is expected to begin August 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464).

#907 of 2671 Drivin by seminole_kev

Aug 12, 2002 (9:53 am)

I guess some of us are too stupid to not buy "such junk".

By the way, saw my first MINI that was actually out on the road. Silver with black roof. Great looking car. Oklahoma City finally gets its first official MINI dealer

January of 2003. 'Bout time!

#908 of 2671 by drivinisfun

Aug 12, 2002 (10:20 am)

Kev, sorry about my early remarks re: Focus. Totally off the wall. But let me just say this....I had an opportunity to ride in a new Focus ZX3 over the weekend and was not impressed with the interior materials and finish. I had higher expectations for this car in terms of interior build quality and finish. It looks and feels very cheap. I almost felt like I was riding an old Renault or Fiat or even a Pontiac LeMans (The ones made by Daewoo).

I am sure the car is terrific in many other aspects but the interior is really Dodge Neon grade all the way. The ergomonics are a different matter all together.

Still, the Focus recall history and low resale value are its main deterrents amid very good competitors in its class. The irony of it all is that Ford did both good and bad to the Focus, by creating a world class small car and by at the same time destroying its quality reputation in NA at the same time.

#909 of 2671 It's ok drivin by seminole_kev

Aug 12, 2002 (10:37 am)

Hey, I'm not going to dispute that Ford's boned up the launch of the Focus, that's for sure! Really I think the interior is not as nice in quality as the Civic or Golf, but on par with the Protege, Sentra and previous Corolla. (I haven't been in the new Corolla, but hear that it is now the class leader in interior quality for inexpensive compacts).

To tie back into the MINI. I really dig the exterior and interior styling. Still see a few of the original Mini's running around town.

#910 of 2671 Kev by drivinisfun

Aug 12, 2002 (11:21 am)

Would you let go of your Focus for a new MINI?

#911 of 2671 if it was available as a 5-door by seminole_kev

Aug 12, 2002 (11:38 am)

most likely yes. I prefer 5-door hatches though. Even so, I was still tempted to say "screw the extra doors" and buy a MINI if I liked it, but alas, no authorized dealer here. There is a local import dealer that was selling them, but the thought of driving to Kansas City for warranty work/recalls seemed ridiculous!

Really If I could let go of the extra doors, it would have been between a Golf GTi, Mini Cooper S, and a SVT Focus.

Also, all of this would be dependent on what price I could actually get a MINI out the door for. Seems like the actual selling prices are all over the map for some people.

#912 of 2671 Mini and Oil Change Schedules by tonewheel

Aug 13, 2002 (7:34 am)

Just ordered the wife a new Copper with delivery in October.

I'd be interested in some opinions concerning the recommended oil change schedule. Mini's come with synthetic oil from the factory (recommended for regular use), and the first recommended change is at 10,000 miles. Every 15,000 miles thereafter. WTF? I maintain our cars myself, including oil changes (always synthetic), and go 5,000 miles between changes.

Thoughts? Comments? I can't understand such a long schedule. Don't tell me these engines don't create acids, sludge, particulate and dirt over time.

#913 of 2671 tonewheel by nyccarguy

Aug 13, 2002 (7:51 am)

The Mini has been developed by the engineering geniuses at BMW which in its own cars advises oil changes at 15,000 mile intervals. Believe me, engines are built better than well enough to withstand 15,000 oil change intervals (especially with synthetics).

Also, I know you chnage your own oil, but Free Scheduled Maintenance is included with the Mini for the forst 3 years/36,000 miles.

#914 of 2671 re: Oil Changes by tonewheel

Aug 13, 2002 (7:56 am)

Thanks for the info. And yes, I thought the included scheduled maintenance was a real bonus. (I can't get under the MINI anyway! Zero clearance!)

#915 of 2671 various and sundry by milwaukeeboy

Aug 13, 2002 (1:33 pm)

hi all,

random thoughts and questions on the following:

status of my mini - my s got built on 8/2 but it still is listed as awaiting transport (seems like dif's car slipped on the boat in front of me). oh well...

roof rack - has anyone seen one? does anyone have one? how much is your dealer charging (it is a dealer installed option).

toggle switches - what is the third switch from the right for? i've never seen it populated.

flag over sunroof - has anyone seen this? i heard it can be done.

oil - is that really included in scheduled maintenance? that sounds too good to be true.

motor on dudes and dudettes

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s):

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Learn More, Do More

Edmunds Community

Explore Edmunds