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Who here has a Mini Cooper?

No science about it. It's a fact that after some 10 months of having the POS it was deemed a lemon & she successfully got all her money back under Arizona's Lemon laws. She now drives a Toyota Corolla that she's had no problems with and that she says is much more powerful & better handling.
Hasn't seen the shop once. She added the down time & it came to 72 days in the shop, or in her garage dead.
You're right Great Cars.

Here's some science for you on these "reliable" cars.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mini.html

Particularly liked this one.

Jaime of Houston TX (12/28/07)
i bought a brand new mini in 2006. A month after, I was driving the car will not move at highway speed and there was transmission fault into it. This was just one of series of problem I've got. The last one was a check engine light and after bringing it to a dealer in houston texas, they told me all these kinds of problems such as cracked strut core support, charcoal filter cracked etc. and they are charging me $2700 plus. The car has a very few mileage (15000 miles). It was never used for long driving.

It seems to me the car can only drive in a smooth road because if you hit a little bump it will caused some parts to cracked. What kind of workmanship is this car and the parts they used. Can I consider this as a lemon car???

and this one:Damian of Raleigh NC (12/11/07)
I have all you people beat, I bought a used 02 Mini Cooper S in February of 07. The car had low miles, one owner, and factory certified. The first month I had the car it was in the shop for two days to fix a number of small issues, two weeks later I took it back to Flow Mini(in Winston-Salem, N.C.) because of a brake issue. This dealership is 100 miles away and the closest that can look on my car. Anyways they did a brake job and changed the window regulators and some other small things that totaled up to $1,300. Three weeks later, my car was back in the shop, I had to get my whole brake system replace, plus another $4,300 worth of stuff.

Lets just put it this way, I have had my car for 10 months, its been in the shop for 3 of those months. My transmission locked up in 2nd gear 600 miles after they changed my clutch and pressure plate when I was pulling out into traffic. My airbag light has come on three times even after they keep saying they fixed it. My car has serious electrical problems, 3 months in the shop, 2 transmissions, and over $20,000 dollars in repairs, yes $20,000 (an has to go back to the shop cause of several problems) later my car still has problems. If I hadn't already put over $5,000 in upgrades to my vehicle i would have gotten rid of it a long time.

about 40 other posts there, and that was just 1 google search.

Mini buyers beware.

No takers to that race eh?
not even with that massive 4 cyl turbo, pumping an unreal 172 hp?
Didn't think so. Eat dust, If your car will even start that is.
:D
 
Mini is on order, about 3 weeks out. Sold my WRX.

S coupe, black/black, white viper stripes, checkered flag roof

and the ipod adapter of course :apple:
 
Listen Fanboy,
I am here to inform the un-informed about the fact that the Mini Cooper is a problematic car at best, and a dangerous POS at worst.
I have a relative that lived through the nightmare that was her Mini, and since there were nothing but fluff stories, about their brute power, & utter reliability, I felt a little Truth & balance were in order.
They have documented problems with:
Heated seats catching fire.
Power steering pumps catching Fire.
Transmission, & Clutch problems.
Steering rack problems.
Run Flat tires that cost more to replace than my High Performance Z rated tires by more than $100.00.
Locks with minds of their own.
Computer software issues.
Window trim issues.
Spark plugs popping out.
Leaking Rear Mains.
Seats that wont engage at anything but fully reclined.
Convertible tops that don't work.
Shift linkages that fail.
Glove boxes that don't work.
Fans that drain batteries.
among other valid gripes as Shock mounts that crack, Charcoal canisters that crack.
Inability to start reliably in the cold.
Mileage in line with my 8 cyl.
Stalling at lights when AC on.
Wiper motors dying after 5 minutes on in downpours on the freeway.
In short,
You are the lucky ones that have perfect experiences with the cars.
That is far from the case for many owners, including my wife's cousin, and their experiences are VALID as yours are. It's about getting a sense of balance in the post, and informing potential buyers as to the known real issues & risks.
Buy a Mini, Just don't post here in a few months astounded because the transmission quit, or it's been in the shop every month since you bought it.
At least now you have a informed choice.
You could always take me up on that race, and show me just how exemplary they really are. I'll be here shaking in my shoes.
OH, and pricing the Apple stuff I will buy with the sale of your Mini after I blow it's doors off. BRING IT!
 
IJ Reilly said:
No, not really. The back seats fold down. The Mini has more practical space for hauling than the full-size car I used to own.
Click to expand...

Compared to numerous other hatchbacks I've been in, yes it is. I guess when the seats are folded down, it's quite OK. However, with the seats up, it's pretty useless unless I only have a few bags of groceries.

I can put a full-sized suitcase into the back of my Hyundai, along with a 70 litre backpack, without folding down the seats.

IJ Reilly said:
Ridiculous. The only source of actual, comparative reliability statistics is Consumer Reports. They rate the reliability of the Mini as "average." Luck has nothing to do with it.
Click to expand...
But the older ones from a few years ago weren't even average, so maybe he has a point. They had a reliability issue for awhile. I don't think it's like that anymore, so I wouldn't worry about a new Mini. After 5 years, I'm sure they've had time to work out all the bugs in their design.
 
Abstract said:
Compared to numerous other hatchbacks I've been in, yes it is. I guess when the seats are folded down, it's quite OK. However, with the seats up, it's pretty useless unless I only have a few bags of groceries.

I can put a full-sized suitcase into the back of my Hyundai, along with a 70 litre backpack, without folding down the seats.
Click to expand...

Nobody claims that it's a big car. I believe it is still the shortest car sold in the US. If folding down the back seats is a problem, then this is a car you probably won't want to buy.

But the older ones from a few years ago weren't even average, so maybe he has a point. They had a reliability issue for awhile. I don't think it's like that anymore, so I wouldn't worry about a new Mini. After 5 years, I'm sure they've had time to work out all the bugs in their design.
Click to expand...

In the first two model years, the car had some teething problems. The biggest issue was with the CVT, which was easily avoided. Mine is a 2003 (second year), which I've been driving for nearly five years now. It's been completely trouble-free, but I realize that anecdotes don't count for much. Statistically the car is of average reliability. Resale value is above average. This is what counts.

Funny, but the Mini has become the Apple Macintosh of automobiles. Some people think it's their duty to insult anybody who owns one and actually admits to liking it. What is this deal about being challenged to a race? I can hardly imagine what that's all about.
 
OP - what car did you get?

i was car shopping earlier, and saw an '05 manual mazda3 under 26k mi w/ nav + xenons + sports + leather for only $16k! :eek:
 
Just because one's a lemon, doesn't mean they all are. Things happen. My PowerBook has been in repair for 4 times, does that mean all Macs are pieces of crap?
 
Quote:
Funny, but the Mini has become the Apple Macintosh of automobiles. Some people think it's their duty to insult anybody who owns one and actually admits to liking it. What is this deal about being challenged to a race? I can hardly imagine what that's all about.

First off, Surely you are joking right? Comparing a Mini with Apple computers is absurd.
I have never had anyone insult me for owning a Mac. They are considered the best computers for the whole creative community & are admired by most who don't own them. The Mini Cooper, not so much, as for the race thing:
Quoted by Medea:
I have an '03 MINI and absolutely love it.
Of course these aren't muscle cars, but that doesn't mean they are slow. MINI's beat the crap out of other cars, especially muscle ones, on the track. There is a huge performance MINI scene and plenty of options for upping your HP. You do have to use premium though, it's a performance engine and you'll notice knocking if you use the cheaper stuff.

Owning a REAL muscle car, with way more than the 175 HP in that Performance monster that is the Mini Cooper S, I was a little offended & was looking for a Pink slip to back up the utter BS statement by the poster.

If the offending poster ever beat a Muscle Car, I am sure it was because the driver of the Muscle car didn't know he was in a race.

Performance Engine eh!
RIGHT!!!!!

BTW the wife & I were just coming back from dinner & had a s series Mini TRY to pass on the left.
He didn't quite make it, and as I pulled away like he was standing still a puff of gray smoke puffed from his rear, & he pulled off the shoulder.
Yep, Performance monsters. That's gonna run him a bit.:eek:

Bottom line, If you can't back it up, Keep it shut.
Still waiting for any takers.
Didn't think so....
 
mperkins37 said:
Quote:
Funny, but the Mini has become the Apple Macintosh of automobiles. Some people think it's their duty to insult anybody who owns one and actually admits to liking it. What is this deal about being challenged to a race? I can hardly imagine what that's all about.

First off, Surely you are joking right? Comparing a Mini with Apple computers is absurd.
I have never had anyone insult me for owning a Mac. They are considered the best computers for the whole creative community & are admired by most who don't own them. The Mini Cooper, not so much, as for the race thing:
Quoted by Medea:
I have an '03 MINI and absolutely love it.
Of course these aren't muscle cars, but that doesn't mean they are slow. MINI's beat the crap out of other cars, especially muscle ones, on the track. There is a huge performance MINI scene and plenty of options for upping your HP. You do have to use premium though, it's a performance engine and you'll notice knocking if you use the cheaper stuff.

Owning a REAL muscle car, with way more than the 175 HP in that Performance monster that is the Mini Cooper S, I was a little offended & was looking for a Pink slip to back up the utter BS statement by the poster.

If the offending poster ever beat a Muscle Car, I am sure it was because the driver of the Muscle car didn't know he was in a race.

Performance Engine eh!
RIGHT!!!!!

BTW the wife & I were just coming back from dinner & had a s series Mini TRY to pass on the left.
He didn't quite make it, and as I pulled away like he was standing still a puff of gray smoke puffed from his rear, & he pulled off the shoulder.
Yep, Performance monsters. That's gonna run him a bit.:eek:

Bottom line, If you can't back it up, Keep it shut.
Still waiting for any takers.
Didn't think so....
Click to expand...
Just drop it. You had a bad experience with a Mini. No need to be so rude to others who likes theirs.
 
Yeah, like the logic that a 175 Hp Mini can beat 400+ hp cars off the line.:mad:
Get Real!
If people want to spout forth things they cant back up, then they shouldn't say anything at all.
I back everything I say up with facts.
Mini Coopers aren't High Performance anything, with a turbo or without.
They do handle decently, but then again anything driving below 80mph handles pretty good.
Stop trying to make them into something they are not.
Stop comparing them to muscle cars.
They are most certainly not.
 
My English teacher drives a white mini.
One time I missed my bus and she gave me a ride home that day,
the car felt pretty sporty (I was in the passenger's seat).

However, I don't think I'd ever drive a mini unless it was the S version.
The JCW clubman looks orgasmic though.
 
mperkins37 said:
Yeah, like the logic that a 175 Hp Mini can beat 400+ hp cars off the line.:mad:
Get Real!
If people want to spout forth things they cant back up, then they shouldn't say anything at all.
I back everything I say up with facts.
Mini Coopers aren't High Performance anything, with a turbo or without.
They do handle decently, but then again anything driving below 80mph handles pretty good.
Stop trying to make them into something they are not.
Stop comparing them to muscle cars.
They are most certainly not.
Click to expand...


It's a well known fact that American muscle cars couldn't go around a corner if their life depended on it. And the mini handles quite well. I do think it's very possible for a Mini to beat a muscle car on a track (note, I said a track, that implies one with curves. No one ever said drag strip)
 
yg17 said:
It's a well known fact that American muscle cars couldn't go around a corner if their life depended on it. And the mini handles quite well. I do think it's very possible for a Mini to beat a muscle car on a track (note, I said a track, that implies one with curves. No one ever said drag strip)
Click to expand...

Comparing a Mini to a muscle car is completely missing the point of the Mini. It's only 115 HP fercrissakes!

I've owned something like ten cars in my lifetime, but I have never owned one which is more fun to drive than the Mini. They're going to have to bury me in this car, because I have no plans to sell it, ever.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Comparing a Mini to a muscle car is completely missing the point of the Mini. It's only 115 HP fercrissakes!
Click to expand...



Oh, I know there's no comparison, but I don't think it's completely out of the question for a Mini to beat a muscle car on a road course, so this guy needs to stop acting like it's impossible.
 
RedTomato said:
Anybody here still have a classic Mini? I was kinda hoping to see a thread about the classic, not the new one. ...
Click to expand...

My brother bought an original Mine Cooper S, then went in the Navy, so I got to drive it a lot. I'll bet a lot of readers do not know that it had a rubber block suspension (instead of regular springs), an almost horizontal steering wheel (like a bus) and the famed Sprite motor with only three main bearings and pretty much 1920's technology. They had tiny wheels and tires, not the regular sized ones today.

Their front-wheel drive was touted at being the reason for their success in racing, but in reality that was because they were so light. Hundreds of pounds lighter than other cars. No structure at all.

Also, in those days the British were really involved in racing and were able to list as stock all sorts of extreme, very un-stock racing stuff. The Minis were more like little Nascars at a time when other production classes were populated by reasonably stock machines. They simply had a very good power to weight ratio.

It was fun to drive and got a lot of attention because it was so tiny. It was also fun to autocross and it was good at that because it was so small you could take better lines through the corners than in other cars. The Mini's front wheel drive was extremely crude by today's standards so there was all sorts of kick-back through the steering wheel and strange relationships between the angle of the wheels and which direction the car was going.

It was an unreliable car, typical of British cars and why they lost the American market. It had to be worked on all the time and things were continuously breaking, wearing out and leaking. In time it had to go.

Now I hear they are worth a lot, but then it sold for almost nothing used. Nobody thought about the future value of cars then and it was common to see kids driving around in primer-spotted '57 fuel injection Corvettes and all sorts of now-valuable cars that were just junk then.

I could have bought a real 427 Cobra with the factory real magnesium wheels, side pipes, roll bar and twin 4 barrel carbs for $4500. To me, a student painting buildings to get through, that was $450,000. The value of this model hit a mil at one time. I cry myself to sleep...No, not really; any house, muscle car or exotic of any sort would have made anyone rich and nobody had any idea. Some people were just lucky enough to actually have these things in their possession when the markets took off.

I rambled on too much, but I hope you liked the history.
 
Quote:
It's a well known fact that American muscle cars couldn't go around a corner if their life depended on it. And the mini handles quite well. I do think it's very possible for a Mini to beat a muscle car on a track (note, I said a track, that implies one with curves. No one ever said drag strip)

Answer:
My American Muscle car handles quite well, thank you, and as I stated I will be glad to take a Mini on for 1/4 mile Or Road race. Bring it.
Again, Didn't think so.
Ford Racing, Ever heard of it?
Sure you have.
Mini Racing Team?
Never heard of such a thing.
Must be running against go-carts, in London.
 
mperkins37 said:
My American Muscle car handles quite well, thank you, and as I stated I will be glad to take a Mini on for 1/4 mile Or Road race. Bring it.
Click to expand...

Hahahaa, "bring it" where? :p You're on the internet, tough guy. You're not going to be neighbours with all these people you're "challenging", but (I think) you may be smart enough to figure that out. Eventually.
 
mperkins37 said:
My American Muscle car handles quite well, thank you, and as I stated I will be glad to take a Mini on for 1/4 mile Or Road race. Bring it.
Click to expand...

The 2007+ Cooper S are turbo and make 6 HP more stock. They weigh 200 pounds less. They can make 220 with CAI, Downpipe-back exhaust, and boost tubes. They still handle extremely well regardless of this.

Mini Racing Team? Never heard of such a thing.
Click to expand...

John Cooper Works. Educate yourself and stop being so ignorant.

Also, the MINI brand is currently owned and engineered by BMW. All interior electronics and some finishes are also found in the x, z, 1, 3, and 5 series.

As far as Ford Racing team, they don't have a F1 venture do they? Because MINI's parent company BMW does... Classic muscle and racing history won't solve your qualm with the lemon you or someone you knew dealt with. Remember, those that have problems are the ones who usually post and make a big scene. Those of us who are enjoying our vehicles are more subdued and doing just that: enjoying our car.
 
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