Ask the Car People.SM


MINI Cooper Care & Maintenance

393 messages,  Last post on May 06, 2013 at 3:44 PM

You are in the MINI Cooper Forum.

What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Hatchback

Messages Page 39 of 40

#377 of 393 Re: Bluetooth [lodolsen] by kandrive

Aug 20, 2012 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: lodolsen (Aug 20, 2012 10:38 am)
I have a 2012 Mini Cooper Countryman and don't know much about the earlier models but on the radio controls, there's a "mode" button. I selected this choice (out of a few others, like "Aux", "Satellite", "Radio", etc.) which shows up on the radio readout screen - "Phone" being one of them. That's how I paired my android phone to my Mini. Mini Connected is a different set up and I have the standard.
 
One of the best Mini forums/sites I've found is North American Motoring. There are lots of posts about this issue for your year of Mini. Check them out, ask a question and I'm sure many 2006 owners will be able to hook you up.
 
Good luck! (By the way, I absolutely ADORE my Mini - one of the best cars I've ever owned! Can't ever wait to get behind the wheel everyday - the handling is fantastic!)

#378 of 393 Re: Bluetooth [lodolsen] by katyknock

Aug 20, 2012 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: lodolsen (Aug 20, 2012 10:38 am)
It is my understanding that the phone features only work in European cars and have no functionality in the US. So it depends on where you are driving.

#379 of 393 Re: Bluetooth [lodolsen] by busiris

Aug 21, 2012 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: lodolsen (Aug 20, 2012 10:38 am)
Dunno about the 2006 models.
 
My wife has a 2005 Mini convertible with the phone controls on the steering wheel, but they're only for "show". There isn't any Bluetooth functionality in her car. The buttons do nothing...

#380 of 393 Re: Bluetooth [busiris] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 21, 2012 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Aug 21, 2012 12:51 pm)
I think you need to have the Mini module installed to make those buttons work--so if you didn't order that when new, you probably can't use the buttons. I have heard that people do buy bluetooth kits, like from Parrot, but I haven't seen an installation so don't know what's involved.
 
You can be sure that if you buy the module from MINI, it'll cost an arm and a leg and a head.

#381 of 393 can anyone tell me if it a good idea to buy a mini cooper countryman by hwrightt

Sep 17, 2012 (7:23 am)

Hello I am looking to buy a new mini cooper countryman BUT my dad has been telling there are a lot of problems with the car and with mini also. I right now have a Volkswagen TDI Jetta that has so many problems i want a new car. I when to look at them this weekend they drive like a Volkswagen bug. But what concerns me is what i have been reading about them Care & Maintenance of the car. I'm not looking to have to spend 2 to 5,000 to keep the car up-keep.
 
If someone can please help me on this thank you

#382 of 393 Re: can anyone tell me if it a good idea to buy a mini cooper countryman [hwrightt] by ljmattox1

Sep 17, 2012 (11:38 am)

Replying to: hwrightt (Sep 17, 2012 7:23 am)
Really, only you can make that call. Some info that may help you...
 
a. my opinion is that forums for a particular make are very helpful. True, you'll have problems over-reported a bit (comparing percent of people who join a forum to research a problem they may be having, versus percent who join just to say things are swell). But by reading them, you'll get a feel for the various trouble spots and know what to expect. A very active one is North American Motoring, you can google for the actual site.
 
b. saying "MINIs have a lot of problems" is like saying New York has a lot of crime: it depends. Distilling the common things: the Countryman model had a thermostat / temp sensor issue at first that caused a lot of warranty work. New ones have the new unit. Countryman models also had some trouble with peeling chrome trimwork, again repaired under warranty but a PITA if you had one, of course. MINIs, not Countryman models, had a timing chain / tensioner problem with the 2007-2008 models that wasn't helped by those first years of 15,000 mile oil changes (and people thereby not even checking their oil level). Again, much warranty work to remedy, and some not, unfortunately. MINI made production revisions, of course.
 
c. All that said, there are many who report "normal" ownership...routine maintenance and no problems otherwise, replacing parts that wear out like tires and brake pads, etc.
 
d. You voiced a concern about spending "2 to 5,000 to keep the car up-keep" but didn't say over how long a span. MINI includes 3 year, 36.000 mile maintenance in the price of the new car. Many owners choose to pay for an "extra" oil change in-between scheduled ones (originally 15,000 miles, now 10,000 miles apart). MINI "major" services are scheduled at 30,000 mile intervals, can range from $450-850 for this service, from what I've read. If you plan on owning the car for a while, these services would add up.
 
e. Most people purchase these for their unique performance and driving qualities, and they're full of expensive German-engineered stuff that makes them that way. You can save a bundle by doing your own maintenance, of course, of all these moving parts. But (in my opinion) they won't ever be the appliance-like vehicle you might get with a Rav4 or CR-V (to name a couple of alternatives that are roughly similar in size/shape/utility). I own a MINI, and love driving it. My eyes are open that I'll need to maintain it, and repair/replace things that wear out that are complicated and more expensive than normal, really just like any other German-engineered car. I am capable of most normal maintenance, so that helped my decision.

#383 of 393 Re: can anyone tell me if it a good idea to buy a mini cooper countryman [ljmattox1] by busiris

Sep 19, 2012 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: ljmattox1 (Sep 17, 2012 11:38 am)
I agree with your assessment.
 
A Mini will cost more than a Corolla to maintain, but then again, a Mini isn't a Corolla.
 
My wife has a 2005 non-S convertible, over 70K miles, and no significant issues.
 
She loves the car today as much as the first day she got it.
 
Every make and model has its issues and weak points. The thing I learned with buying a BMW product it to NOT purchase the first year run of a model. Typically, BMW products run in 6-7 year life cycles, with mid-cycle refreshes. By the time the series has hit its third year production run, they're pretty solid vehicles.

#384 of 393 Re: can anyone tell me if it a good idea to buy a mini cooper countryman [hwrightt] by kandrive

Sep 21, 2012 (7:43 am)

Replying to: hwrightt (Sep 17, 2012 7:23 am)
I agree with what others posted but wanted to add that, for 2012, the "S" models have had some issues with recalls but not the "Base" models (like I have). But, because of the warranties, people are having a great experience with MINI/BMW service and it hasn't been a huge deal.
 
When we decided on the Base Countryman, we knew that the "S" models had more problems (plus they were a lot more $$), so we chose the Base. I've said it here before, and I'll say it again - this car has been absolutely awesome, is faster than people give "Justa's" credit for and a blast to drive. The handling can't be beat, even with run-flats. I drove every comparable car out there and nothing came close to the joy I felt being behind the wheel of my Mini, plus I get all the cargo room I need, safety features, 34 mpg and comfortable passengers to boot. Yes, I'm a fan of the MINI Countryman ... yes, I am.

#385 of 393 Mini Cooper 2003 Problems w/ transmission by dolphinhos

Oct 30, 2012 (10:53 pm)

Hi, I just found your forum and need some help with my 2003 Mini. IO am a teacher, don't understand what is going on with my Mini, and I need help. I asked my mechanic if I need to replace the transmission oil, and he said that this car doesn't need it.
I replaced the clutch a year ago. Now a new serious problem and my mechanic can't diagnose it, he is sending me to the dealer and i am in panic. About a week ago I started having problems with power when in 1st and 2nd gear, the car wasn't responding, going 6 miles an hour. Today my mechanic did a scan and can't find a problem. I drove back home *Unsafely because every time I stop and put on first the car struggles to move). After a 10 minute drive the car was overheating badly. Please tell me it is something easy, thanks.

#386 of 393 Re: Mini Cooper 2003 Problems w/ transmission [dolphinhos] by ljmattox1

Oct 31, 2012 (5:36 am)

Replying to: dolphinhos (Oct 30, 2012 10:53 pm)
Hi, I don't have a definitive answer. You mentioned overheating...MINIs have a coolant sensor that's tied into the engine management software, so that may be part of the issue. Your check engine light is on? Your MINI dealer will have equipment to read the code(s) that the monitoring system should be storing to help diagnose the problem.
 
A dedicated MINI forum like "north american motoring" might also have more info for you. Good luck!

Messages Page 39 of 40

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement