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Lost Control! Had an accident Mini cooper S 2008 - READ ONLY

17 messages,  Last post on Oct 14, 2008 at 5:09 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, MINI Clubman, Accidents

Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by busiris

Aug 06, 2008 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 01, 2008 12:51 pm)
I've now read that if it needs a repair there are no spare parts and it has no effective stability control as advertised
 
Don't believe everything you read. My wife has an 05 convertible and has been hit twice. Repair and return time was no longer than any other vehicle I have had repaired. The only unexpected delay was for the backup sensors mounted in the rear bumper, and that was less than a week. The car was completely drivable during the time we were waiting on the sensor delivery.
 
I don't know what you meant about "no effective stability control", but her car has that option. Have you heard that it doesn't work? I haven't...
 
40K miles and no service issues...

#9 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [busiris] by feliciatwo

Aug 07, 2008 (6:55 am)

Replying to: busiris (Aug 06, 2008 7:53 pm)
Where did you see "NO Stability control"
I'm pointing out the Fat difference between full time all wheel drive with V. coupling which is standard on Subarus along with fog lights which CANT be added aftermarket on a Mini. Those are things I miss I did NOT say NO stability control which is apples and oranges.
I also miss not being able to close my sunroof. Odd to pay this much for a Toy and not be able to close the sunroof to heat and dangerous sun rays.
 
Fun to drive? Yeah, as long as you avoid getting too close to a 6" curb. ...and can avoid the frequent flooded steets of South Florida.
I'll play with it while it has a warrenty...but it will never be a subaru. More fun to drive...but I'm limited on where I can drive ....

#10 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by busiris

Aug 08, 2008 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 07, 2008 6:55 am)
Looks like you have a reading comprehension problem.
 
I never said "NO stability control". In fact, I used your exact wording...go back and re-read the posting.
 
As for not being able to close the sunroof, are you saying it won't close completely and seal againt rain leakage? If so, you have a problem with your particular car, and should have it repaired by the dealer. I have never heard of a Mini sunroof leaking
 
It seems to me that you didn't do sufficient research before buying the car...No Mini has ever had all wheel drive, and surely you must have known that before purchasing the car...
 
You probably would be better off in a Suburu...

#11 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [busiris] by feliciatwo

Aug 09, 2008 (11:48 am)

Replying to: busiris (Aug 08, 2008 6:05 pm)
Yes. due diligence in research was observed in the purchase of this Mini cooper.
And yes, I was , and most people would be better off in a Subaru for most occasions. It was time to sell my AWD as it uses more fuel than i want during this "time in our nations history".
This is a "Stop Gap" purchase , to own until a bio- Diesel WITH Hybrid arrives in the USA. I had hoped the Clubman would be a diesel as rumoured it would be a few years ago.
I don't know about you but I use a variety of sources for auto research...including this site for 6 years....as well as Intellichoice, consumers Reports, Car & Drive, Automobile magazine and various online reveiewers,
(I also, by the way , like the type of lasered steel they use. (Cheaper for them to buy but an improvement in strength over their earlier cars).Too, I waited to buy until they worked out their transmission and some of their electric deficiencies.
The sunroof on the mini cooper does not , by design , or lack of it, close "to the sun" as most other cars do. The "sliding portion is a sliding screen rather than sun blocking solid" . Most people like the OPTION of whether to let the sun in or not. I have "retrofitted this sunroof which one should not HAVE to do at this price" , and yes I knew about the design "flaw" ...and bought it anyway knowing I'm handy about things like that.
 
The ONLY surprise is; My brakes are squeeky (like an old ford with bad pads which I see no justification for. This is a 2008 with 48 miles on it.
 
. I've had many excellant conversations on this board..with feedback that was helpful. Yours is not so far.
Perhaps someone else out there has feedback on the brakes.
 
I will enjoy the Mini .....for what it is....until a diesel/hybrid...that's fun to drive may be a Tiguan or maybe a Subaru comes along in 2010.

#12 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by busiris

Aug 09, 2008 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 09, 2008 11:48 am)
Beats me why anyone would purchase a vehicle that they did so much research on and yet have so many things about it that they didn't like.
 
Sorry, but it doesn't make much sense with so many other vehicles on the market.
 
As for the brakes, our Mini has almost 40K miles and no brake noise, so I can't comment on that aspect.
 
And, as far as your other dislikes go, I don't think there are any comments that could be made to satisfy your dislikes...not trying to be a smart a$$ here, but the MINI just doesn't seem to offer much of what you seem to be interested in on a vehicle.
 
That's why I don't understand why you bought it in the first place, especially since you seem to have known what you were getting.
 
Since there is a big demand for Mini's now, why not sell it and get something more to your taste?

#13 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [busiris] by feliciatwo

Aug 11, 2008 (10:57 am)

Replying to: busiris (Aug 09, 2008 12:45 pm)
Actually , there were NO vehicles on the market that matched my criteria for a purchase right now. Again, this came closest and was barely behind the Honda Fit (2009 model ONLY) You must be easy to please.
I loved the caste iron reliability of both Honda and subaru...yet never had high praise for their Lawrence Welk approach to design .
Meanwhile, it WAS a "business decision to unload my Outback based on declining prices on SUV's.
I got out just in time.
A shame Mini Cooper doesn't go the extra mile however to address the little things like being able to close the sunroof COVER. Not charging extra for so much basic stuff like "seatbelt holder"
Mini cooper NEVER said they didn't offer "stability control"
 
Do YOU understand the difference between AWD & Stability control? AND, do you understand the difference between AWD and 4WD?
The mini cooper is terrific for WHAT IT IS.
I serves my purpose because it is a SECOND car.
I have a toyota Sienna for the construction Classes i conduct....which gets 29mpg on highway and can carry more than my past Honda Van.
No car serves all purposes in this day and age...but my brakes shouldn't squeek at 48 miles .....and mini cooper isn't will never inspire caste iron reliability such as Subaru or Honda and 3rd is Toyota.
 
The new 2009 Honda Fit, by the way will have about 6 more inches of storage than the Honda CRV...right now it has 4 more inches.
 
Anyone else had squeeky brakes in the 2008?
Anyone taken a Long distance trip so far in the 2008 as i'm considering it in September?
If so I'd like YOUR feedback.

#15 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by violetdc

Sep 24, 2008 (8:34 am)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 11, 2008 10:57 am)
Wow ... sorry 2 hear u're havin' so many issues!
 
Well, I have an '06 MCS and have had my brake pads replaced about 3x in 34K+ miles; the only time they squealed was just a little, and just before the 2nd replacement--haven't had it since.
 
The Mini Crossman (AWD) is supposed 2 come out in 2010--u might wanna check that out when the time comes.

#16 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by ltq

Oct 14, 2008 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 11, 2008 10:57 am)
OK OK you two have been sparring. You both have your points.
 
Feliciatwo, you miss your dear Subie, and I can understand that. I miss mine, too. Sometimes, when a car has taken you to so many adventures, and had no annoying features, you don't realize it until it has left you..... hmmm, like loved ones......
 
But most recently I've moved into a new Clubman S from a Tacoma 4x4 with offroad legs, and it did take me places that would have bogged down a Subie completely. Yet I don't miss it. Subarus are great companions.
 
Anyway, granted: really dumb for MINI to not have solid sunroof blinds. 100% agreement there. But I knew all the many little annoying things about MINIs going in, BEFORE I bought it. So more to the point that "busiris" was trying to make, I have no regrets, the engine & handling & mpg make up for all the shortcomings in the MINI.
 
Read between the lines, and I believe you are both agreeing with each other. Have some fun motoring instead of blogging!!!

#17 of 17 Re: Guess I've made a mistake. [feliciatwo] by ltq

Oct 14, 2008 (5:09 pm)

Replying to: feliciatwo (Aug 11, 2008 10:57 am)
Squeeky brakes: Nothing yet on my Clubman w/ 1000 mi. I'll let you know if it develops.
 
Sunroof blinds: I'd like to hear a bit more about your solution to the lack of sunroof blinds in a MINI, please.
 
Seatbelt holder: Actually, MiniMania.com sells one, but on my Clubman, there is a little plastic slider that holds the buckle against the wall, so it doesn't ever get stuck between the door and the seat. Simply buckle up, then move the slider against the buckle, and it's set. I just discovered it right after I ordered the seatbelt holders, !!*(^%?!?%$%^^%$ it !!!! See if you have it, that'll solve your problem. Or I can sell you my brandnew holders......
 
If you are interested in a Fit, see the raging confusion in the Fit vs. Clubman discussions.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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