Looking to buy an 05/06 mini in a couple of weeks : QUESTIONS

[CUPRA]

Morning,

We are currently looking to buy a Mini Cooper S in the next couple of weeks.
I want to know what the major issues are with the car, the pros and the cons.

They get great reviews... so I want to hear.
Are they expensive to maintain?

We are having a hell of a time with our BMW right now and having things covered under warranty, so I want to know if anyone has the same problem with the Mini's.

Thank you.

[MandaBoo]

As the MINI has only been out since 2002, there is not real 'long term' data on the maintenance cost of a MINI and most of the serious gripes about MINI's are related to the first 2 model years and have been resolved in the more recent model years. Go to northamericanmotoring.com to read through some folks issues, just remember the issue with some forums...the people with problems scream the loudest and people without problems don't do the "everything's fine here" post very often. I have an '05 and so far I've had a couple of problems. 1) the cable that connects the door opening mechanism to the handle came loose and I couldn't open my door from the inside and 2) one of my auto-leveling xenons wouldn't level. If I had to fix these things myself, the first one was basically taking off the door panel and tightening down the cable (no big deal really) but the second one would have cost me a bit as they replaced the entire headlight. I haven't had any other issues and I drive my car pretty hard including auto-xing on a regular basis and I have attended 1 2-day track event with it.

[banndit]

3/36 maintenance is free, everything but tires, roadside assistance is free for 4 years/50k miles, so it shouldn't really be expensive to maintain.

I wouldn't get one for my wife if I thought otherwise.

B

[TMMZ Doug]

The major con is the lack of quality service.

If you have had hassles with BMW service before... multiply that by 10.

By owning a MINI you are looked upon as a third class citizen.... as some MINI owners would vouch.

[MandaBoo]

It seems that you have not had good experience with MINI service, and from what I've heard from other MINI owners in NV, they have had the same experiences, but that does not translate to all MINI service organizations. I have always had excellent service from my MINI dealership and have always been treated as a valuable customer.

[TMMZ Doug]

I was not speaking of NV dealerships, which I tried once... but left immediatly when the service department was foul.

I was, forgive me for not clarifying, speaking about SoCal (personally) and have heard across the country of multiple dissappointments in regards to MINI Service.

FYI - Many of my members are from all over the USA and in other countries and it's rare to hear of a Pleasant Service Experience.

So... this is where I gather my information to form my opinion.

And in my opinion, When buying a new MINI, prepare for lackluster, poor, dissappointing, and frustrating service issues. Aside from the simple oil change of course... which often takes your MINI Service HOURS upon Hours to complete.

[Eiso]

Couple of my friends have Cooper and Cooper S. So far its quite a bargain to own one. I'd say go for it!

[Koopah]

{snip}...Go to northamericanmotoring.com to read through some folks issues, just remember the issue with some forums...the people with problems scream the loudest and people without problems don't do the "everything's fine here" post very often...{snip}
How true!

Let me go on record by saying that my MINI dealer has the most outstanding service on the planet. I am not kidding.

The Service Manager is a superior diagnostician and has impressed many owners with his ability to identify and correct even the most obscure problems! All the Techs are well-trained and have excellent skills. The shop is clean as a whistle and continually kept that way.

The "front office" is just a competent, offering convenient scheduling and plenty of customer amenities like coffee/soda, wi-fi and a large-screen plasma TV. The Sales department enjoys personel who know their product and demonstrate it with great skill.

Now bear in mind that this MINI dealer is two hours away from me and I willingly travel that far for the level of service I receive. I could travel about 40 minutes to another MINI dealer, but I'm afraid they cannot match the skill and customer service levels of my preferred dealer.

I have given much thought in explaining the basic reason why they are so good; the people, yes. But this MINI dealer, while associated with BMW, Land Rover and Lamborghini dealerships, maintains it's home as a seperate facility. Dedicated MINI sales and service staff exist. Thus, they operate as a "division" of a larger business but appear to be wholey responsible for their standards and practices. This may be the key.

I suggest that you *may* find that a seperate MINI facility (without a BMW Sales/Service presence) is potentially more "in touch" with the MINI and its community. Combine that with outstanding local leadership and you may have a winner.

Theo
Ecstatic Customer of MINI of Peabody
Peabody, MA

[Sebaflex]

no problems so far... You'll love it, its a BLAST to drive

[CUPRA]

no problems so far... You'll love it, its a BLAST to drive

Well, we have decided to leave the BMW fold, and we have a new 2006 Honda Civic Si on order. Should be here this week.

It's just won car of the year 2006 and is getting great reviews everywhere... so put a deposit on one about 5 weeks ago before it was launched, it's being built right now and should get it before Christmas.

It'll be a shame to get rid of the Z3, but with the problems we've had over the last couple of months, it's the sensible choice.

And with 197bhp on tap, 6 speed short throw shifter and a LSD stock from the factory, the SI isn't going to be no slouch!

Thank you for all your input.

[CUPRA]

How true!
Ecstatic Customer of MINI of Peabody
Peabody, MA

In all fairness, Peabody BMW and the Peabody website, were the most helpful dealership in my problems we've had recently with the Z3. And I'm in Texas!
I had been researching every corner of the BMW field when trying to resove our issues!

You are lucky to be dealing with them!

[Sebaflex]

too bad you didnt go with the Mini but, ohh well..
the new Civic Si is a nice lookin car.. and looks pretty darn quick, have fun dude:thumbup:

[CUPRA]

too bad you didnt go with the Mini but, ohh well..
the new Civic Si is a nice lookin car.. and looks pretty darn quick, have fun dude:thumbup:

The Si hasn't turned up yet, should be here 1st week in Jan - we can't wait! :)

We just felt we didn't want to get lubed up again each time we have to deal with BMW. I could understand it if we had no warranty, or were right on the cusp of the warranty running out and we wanted a new engine or something, but to be treated like we were is unacceptable, and we don't want to be treated like that again.

There is no denying the Z3 is a beautiful car, and fun to drive, but ownership over the past 3 months has been hell. Time for change.