I didn't read every post in this thread, but here's my $0.02:
People generally don't login to forums to say "my car didn't break today". I'll bet I could hit up a Honda forum and see people talking about problems too. That doesn't mean that Hondas are unreliable. It's just the nature of car forums.
My car was bought new in Oct 02 - less than a year of Cooper S production at the time. I'm sure some people here will tell you that the early cars weren't as reliable - and yet many of them are still out there motoring along with lots of miles on the clock. Mine is up to 167K - hardly a record. I know there's someone out there with nearly a half-mil on his.
I can't say this has been the most reliable car I've owned - that award goes to a Saturn I still have - but it has been the most fun and the few things it has needed were easily dealt with.
Get a MINI that was well maintained, and you"ll be fine...
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My MINI has had a few niggling issues. But I also had a Toyota Corolla quite a few years back and though considered "reliable", it also had its share of issues. However, the Toyota's issues, my wife and I just assumed it minor and didn't bother getting most of them fixed. The MINI, we have the same issues and it gets fixed and maybe we complain a bit more about it. The MINI is much more refined and everything works together to give a great driving experience. As soon as something is not quite right, it is rather noticeable.
An example would be bushings. I have never replaced bushings on any car I've ever owned that was not over 10 years old. However, even though my MINI is only 6 years old and runs and handles fine, it no longer has the razor sharp response as when it was new and I've noticed a lot of people replacing their suspension bushings. Even my dealer recommended it to me because a lot of their other owners were doing it.
As far as my car is concerned, the only issue I have is the leaking engine mounts. Though the design appears to be a wear and tear item that needs replacing every 5 to 7 years. It is fairly inexpensive so not a real big problem.
Where I am still enjoying my MINI as much as the day I bought it, most of my Honda friends have traded in their cars already. I found out that even my financial planner bought a MINI recently.
He enjoys it more than his BMW.
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Mods are not a bad thing "But"
As Jeffster 06 states:
There are many more owners that have glitches when they add a mod or two. They like to mess with their cars and get them the way they like them.
The point I'm making is if you do not like to tinker with your car you should either not mod it or spend the $$$$ with a reputable tuner and get it done correct. Then forget about dealer repairs or warranty issues. Just take it to your Tuning specialist when you have a problem.
At one time I always loved putting speed equipment Etc on my cars. Of course I had problems but I liked tinkering until I got my mod's right. Those days are over for me.
I promised myself I would not mod this JCW and except for Michelin Exalta PE2 non-runflat tires I don't do anything except maintain it.
For a lot of Mini owners, Modding is the fun of owning the car. There is enough speed parts out there to satisfy almost every owner with the "MOD BUG"
Not a bad thing if you got bit.
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I bit the bullet
Thanks for everyone's honest and kind feedback a little while back!
I bit the bullet and just picked up my first Clubman S. I love it
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20,000 trouble free mile on my 2009 **"No Problems"
I think what happens is that the people that modify their cars have a problem with a non-BMW part they installed they do ask for advice on the forums.
That and a few legitimate Mini problems combined make it seem that the Mini has a lot of problems when it just ain't so.
If you read the facts of the problems people are having you will be surprised at how trouble free and reliable the newer model Mini's are.
I'm sure if I went to the Honda Forums it would seem that the Civic is a terrible car and we know that is not true.
When I had my Corvette and read the Corvette Forums it was the same stuff. It was usually the modified cars people had the most problems with.
The Mini Cooper "S" is a high performance little car and a lot of owners can't help but try to modify it. That ain't a bad thing at all but if not done properly the owner will be on a forum asking advice about how to fix their broken down Mini.
:beer:donut1:
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