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Asking for guidance from Mini owners - READ ONLY

14 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2013 at 9:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Car Buying, Hatchback

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 14 Re: Asking for guidance from Mini owners [busiris] by kandrive

May 28, 2012 (9:24 am)

Replying to: busiris (May 28, 2012 9:12 am)
Busiris: I wish they had an "agree" button to click! Fantastic post and I couldn't agree more with what you wrote.

#8 of 14 Thinking of purchasing by tylonal

Jun 07, 2012 (2:57 pm)

Hey!
I am thinking about purchasing a Mini S Roadster, and would like to know what everyones opinion is on them. I know they are pretty new, so I wont be getting any "theyr great, iv had mine for 10 years" posts, but i still figured id give it a shot.
I have never owned a mini before, but I am in the marked for a new car, as my last one was totaled. Mini's have always caught my eye, and the roadster looks pretty neat! I plan on going to the dealership (closest one is 3 hours away) to test drive one in the next few weeks.
My main concern is how bad they can be with repairs. I mean, not all that long ago, it was standard to see new cars leaving the factory with warranties for 10years/100k miles, and granted, that has gone down significantly, but i look at a mini and its 3 years/36k miles....the first thought in my mind is "ok, what happens around the 40k mark to make it so that mini doesnt want to service the vehicle?"
Also, I have heard horror stories about how difficult it can be working with a mini dealership when one DOES need to get warranty work done....thoughts? Experiences?
I mean, I am no slouch when it comes to back yard mechanics. I can do most of my own work, and wont every penny pinch when it comes to keeping my vehicle up, but is it going to be a huge money pit?
  
I would love to hear everyones thoughts.
Thanks in advance.

#9 of 14 Re: Thinking of purchasing [tylonal] by busiris

Jun 07, 2012 (8:21 pm)

Replying to: tylonal (Jun 07, 2012 2:57 pm)
The 3/36 warranty is bumper to bumper, and the drivetrain warranty is 4/50, unless it's changed recently.
 
The short wheelbase makes for a more spirited ride, if you are so inclined to drive that way, and if not, the ride is still a bit "stiffer" than othe cars.
 
We have owned a 2005 non-S convertible manual transmission (bought new) for almost 7 years, and it has almost 70K miles now.
 
The maintenance cost has been reasonable, but more than a Corolla would probably have been. Then again, a Mini isn't a Corolla...
 
If I were you, my main concern would be the distance between you and the nearest dealer. But, that's just me...

#10 of 14 Re: Thinking of purchasing [busiris] by tylonal

Jun 08, 2012 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jun 07, 2012 8:21 pm)
Well the nearest dealer to me right now is around 2 1/2 -3 hours away, however they are building a new dealership here in town (20 minutes from me) this year.
I know a mini isnt a corolla, and you pay for what you get. Like they say, a 60 thousand dollar car likes 60 thousand dollar car parts. a $30k mini will want mini parts and i will pay the price for them. thats not the issue. all i am really worried about is reliability. I mean, I know the mini fan base is HUGE, and so mini has to be doing it right. however i also see when searching at dealerships or craigslist/autotrader/etc, that most used minis that they are selling have between 35k and 70k miles on them.....meaning they get rid of it RIGHT after the warranty is up. I take care of my cars, but im not someone who can afford to go out and just buy a new car every 3 years just because the warranty is up.
 
Thanks for the input tho, have you had to do anything major to your mini in the 7 years that you have owned it? (anything with the engine/tranny/etc)

#11 of 14 Re: Thinking of purchasing [tylonal] by busiris

Jun 08, 2012 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: tylonal (Jun 08, 2012 2:06 pm)
Nothing major at all. A couple of items such as the thermostat housing and right top motor mount were replaced. The thermostat housing was a problem with the 1st gen. Minis, but seems to have been re-engineered. The motor mount was around $200 IIRC.
 
Early model CVT automatics were questionable, but Mini doesn't use them anymore.
 
No clutch issues, but there are a few questions about the reliability of the dual-mass flywheel equipped Minis (S) models. Google "Mini dual mass flywheel clutch problems" and you'll see lots of issues, but I know several Mini owners that have high mileage S models and have had zero problems. I don't mean to scare you, just to make you aware of it. You decide if it's significant or not. BTW, every manufacturer using dual mass flywheels has complaints.... Not just Mini.
 
I would say that, if you generally haven't have problems with the cars you've owned in the past, you can expect the same from a Mini.

#12 of 14 Re: Asking for guidance from Mini owners [wendalinajolie] by wendalinajolie

Jun 28, 2012 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: wendalinajolie (May 26, 2012 7:47 pm)
Thank you, everyone, for your help. I ordered a MINI with options suited to my needs, taste and budget and hope to pick it up around July 9th. I'll be on the lookout for brake issues after 30k BUT SINCERELY HOPE I DO NOT have issues with the dealership when it's time for maintenance. I bought the extended warranty for peace of mind. If nothing else, that was a huge take home message after reading.
 
Is there anything specail I need to know about repairs when I drive it off the lot? Some folks suggested taking it easy for the few hundred miles and keeping some oil in the trunk. (Which I found odd as aren't I supposed to get all work done at the dealership to keep the integrity of the warranty?)
 
Thanks again.

#13 of 14 Re: Asking for guidance from Mini owners [wendalinajolie] by kandrive

Jun 29, 2012 (9:28 am)

Replying to: wendalinajolie (Jun 28, 2012 5:50 pm)
I got my 2012 MINI Countryman (base) in late May and I haven't had one single problem with it, including oil refills. Your Cooper will come to you fully checked out and detailed and they'll let you test-drive it before you leave as well as answer any questions you'll have.
 
I hope you enjoy your new ride as much as I do mine! They're great cars, really!

#14 of 14 Re: Thinking of purchasing [tylonal] by ldt66

Jan 31, 2013 (9:47 pm)

Replying to: tylonal (Jun 08, 2012 2:06 pm)
Mini Cooper S 2006 ....
First 6 months new radiator and Thermostat ...Warranty
Run Flats ... Waste of money...changed out to non-run flats at 5k
At 35k new brakes ... I'm now at 50k ...
Power steering hoses leaking $580.00
Oil pan gasket leaking $515.00
Lower control arm bushings No estimate
Harmonic trans balancer $927.00
Right side engine mount $709.38
Some part I can't remember because I was in state of shock for $933.03
Basically a year of car payments In one shot ...please note I maintained and serviced regularly at the dealership ... what was my baby is now my un-wanted step child .

Messages Page 2 of 2

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