Most liked posts in thread: Consumer Reports has no love for MINI

I've owned my 08 MCS for a little over a year now. I did have the timing chain dealt with under warranty (they also replaced my mirror caps and a droopy scoop). So far nothing else has gone wrong, and I've put about 20,000 miles on it since I got it last February.

Seems pretty reliable so far. I was putting $3,000+ a year into my '96 Subaru when I replaced it. By comparison, the MINI is far less trouble.

 

No love for Consumer Reports either.
Just take them hondas and shovem!

 

I have an '08, MCS. Only issue I have had was the timing chain tensioner. I had mine replaced under warranty. From what I have seen, tho, it is not a hard replacement if you are even slightly mechanically inclined.

If you don't mind doing your own work and buying some of the tools that make the work much easier, most of the stuff you can do yourself.

I forgot about the hood scoop, also. Had to have that replaced, also. Easy to do yourself, but definitely recommend the heat shield.

 

I was once a fan of the CR--especially in regards to the auto reviews. But without looking any deeper than personal experience, I actually find them to be deeply flawed. I suspect bias, but I don't care enough to pay that much attention.
My '06 Acura TL was highly rated and it was a good car. But the "luxury" and the ride were just that of a Honda Accord for more money IMO. They were not enthusiastic about the '91 MB 300E I put 300K miles on just because maintenance costs were "above average". I think their task is daunting, but I would suggest that when CR increased their focus on services--healthcare, insurance, credit card rules, cell phone packages, cable services to the level that they dominate the magazine---perhaps the reviews of goods has taken a secondary place. And the online CR was an extra $12/month to subscribers of the magazine! I gave up my subscription this year.

 

CR has caused more marital problems in this household than anything else. DH thinks they are invincible. They have a love for Kenmore appliances. I do not care for Kenmore appliances because we have owned many that were unsatisfactory. When an appliance breaks around here I cringe, not only because we are faced with replacing it, but because CR will be dictating our choices with me kicking and fighting all the way. We have been through several Kenmore dishwashers and are having problems with the one we own now. Although under warranty, it recently took 2 weeks for a repairman to come out!

I have recently filled out CR's online auto survey on my Clubbie. I could have said anything about any car at all. There was no verification that I even owned the car I reviewed or had ever been near a Mini. So much for accuracy.

RE: Kenmore - I must say this. My parents bought me a Kenmore washer and dryer in 1985 when I was still single. We still have it, although the washer gave up the ghost about 18 years ago. The dryer is a little temperamental, but it still dries the laundry.