MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: MINI Dead Last in J.D. Power “Dependability†Study

I really like my '06.

....Les

 

"...But where MINI has set themselves apart plenty of times is in their willingness to actually address issues mid-generation..."

One could argue that this is also a clever strategy for quietly sneaking incremental improvements into the design without having to admit to the general public that there is a serious problem necessitating the improvement.

How many different iterations of the EHPS Pump cooling fan were there in the 1st Gen MINI? (Rhetorical question; I believe there were four.) How many tries at the R56 timing chain tensioner? (Four again, and we're not completely sure it's the panacea.) This is only two examples; as most of you already know the list is long. It's one thing to inject mid-generation design improvements to generally help improve reliability, user satisfaction, and even fix minor issues. Its another thing altogether to bring those new parts into play with zero publicity and no fanfare in a stealthy attempt to avoid having to admit to potentially serious design flaws that really ought to be addressed by a recall.

No problem with oxygen sensors and tail pipes--they're relatively cheap. What do you suppose it would cost MINI -- both in $$ and in credibility -- if they admitted that every R56 turbo engine manufactured between '07 and '10 had a bad valve drive design that could lead to engine self-destruction? Better to deny it, fix 'em as they fail, and have the MINI skunk works secretly keep up the routine of stamping out another guess at an attempted "fix" to slip into the bin on the assembly line.

Something tells me that the Lexus, Jag, and Porsche crowd would be equally adept at whining and unrealistic expectations. :incazzato:

 

I really like yours & mine too.

I truly hope MINI finally fixes the prince of an engine in the R56. When I wear my MINI out I'd like to buy another MINI an R56 would be nice. But my thinking is I'll have to try & find a 2006 garage queen instead.

 

Dead last...... Isn't it great to be "special"?

 

Cool. I must have #101.

Jim

 

Last really? Hmmm

 

Sad to see. :frown2:

 

I, OTOH think it good news, now they will have to addess some of these problems or lose massive market share...

I also agree with this part of the article...

We’re certainly MINI fans, but we’re not MINI apologists. All machines are susceptible to mechanical problems, and MINI has had issues that they’ve had to address. The 2011 engine refresh wasn’t just about efficiency and power. It also addressed the infamous “cold start issue” and other nags in the powerplant. The interior has evolved to address the difficulty of the stereo controls. No doubt those were among the “problems” reported in the study. But where MINI has set themselves apart plenty of times is in their willingness to actually address issues mid-generation. The 2006 R50 was a significantly improved car over the 2002. Same with the R53. Additionally, in the past year Toyota, Honda and other automakers near the top of this “dependability” study have had to order massive, embarrassing recalls. Did MINI?

Of course that last sentence could be argued that they should have!

 

The interior door trim peeled and crumpled in the Clubby. Dealer fixed it no problem. Bonnet scoop's melted twice, also replaced for free AND has NOTHING to do with the HPDE days :blush2: That said, the other two have been issue free!

 

You have a point there!

 

The problem I have with lists like this is that there is no suplementary info to go along with this...by calling it a dependability survey what are they talking about? Puting the key in and starting the car up in the morning...or driving along and having the car beep at you because its now cold enough for black ice to start forming...Everyone is going to experience a misshap with their car whatever they drive...whether its one problem or two problems is a mute point...give us an idea about what those problems are and then we can discuss in a more educated manner.

 

The reason MINI is at the bottom is because we are a bunch of OCD whiners. We complain about a few swirls in the paint as "a problem."

 

+1 Gil-galad

Personally for such a small manufacturer they seem to be spending way too much on developing new models and nothing to address the existing problems with EXISTING customers. Always focused on new money. Has there been a single recall for anything? Not as far as I'm aware.

 

The next Gen MINI is right around the corner, I'll hold off on the R56.

I'll probably hold on to my R53 forever, as long as I can keep it going with parts at least--I have a 2006, only has 18,000 miles on it. Those are HARD miles though...

 

Yep long live the 06' !!

Plan is to eventually gut mine and it be a dedicated track car for a few years and then be restored back to original as a fun car for my twilight years!!

 

I'm going to quote myself from MF:

 

Yep the size & position of the cup holder means more to a lot of folks. More important that even failing or is that flailing timing chains....

 

Besides all the other problems with complaining about cupholders, they have NOTHING to do with "dependability" so that kind of stuff shouldn't have anything to do with this study.

 

I agree JD Power is a joke at best.... :lol:

 

Well, I just have to say it. My "Justa" doesn't have any of those "S" problems. Perhaps there should have been TWO MINI dependability ratings.

(I will be heading for the bunker now)

Jim