on the fence

[CarStar]

I'm debating buying a Mini...might wait till the newer model comes out. I know most people in this forum are phreaks about their Mini...I want to hear the darker side of the little guy. What DON'T you like about you car.

[DriftingE30]

I love my MINI. I'm not too sure how the performance is going to be on the 2007 turbo version. Nothing bad to report so far. But I'm sure the folks with the 2002-2004 will chime in with the issues thier MINI's had.
What other cars have you been checking out anyways?

[JennB]

Personally, I would never buy the first year of a model change. I'd wait for kinks to be worked out and mods to be developed. That said, the 2006 is the most solid year for MINI so far and there are tons of mods available for it.

[dc/dc]

Jenn, I would tend to agree with you, but the new turbo Peugeot/Citroen motor should be very solid, so it may not be too much of an issue in MINI's case.

[JennB]

I prefer to play it safe. And it's not just the motor, MINIs are prone to squeaks and leaks and other things. My 06 is far my solid than my 04.

[dc/dc]

I prefer to play it safe. And it's not just the motor, MINIs are proned to squeaks and leaks and other things. My 06 is far my solid than my 04.

I hear it.

[RalphzMCS]

i hate my stock brakes...but thats only with "spirited driving" and yes i'm saving $ to upgrade them

[dc/dc]

You should be able to fit some Brembo 4-pot's... :)

[DGI]

wilwoods are a common upgrade IIRC...

what car can compete with the mini for driving pleasure for such little $$$$ (combination of utility and sport is perfect)

Spring for the Panther leather... drove one before i left for vacation and almost traded my 330Ci for it.... should have dammit

[///MINI]

The plastic side panels where you grab the door to shut it are starting to scratch up and peel.

The rattles already mentioned can get a little annoying at times, but it's nothing the radio can't fix. :)

The stock S-Lite rims get notoriously dirty with brake dust, especially the front ones.

The ride can be a little harsh if you are used to a more luxurious ride.

The run-flats can be a pain in the ass because you won't know when you get a flat until the tire pressure light comes on. Even then, you won't know if you need a new tire or whether your valve stem is dirty and leaking.

But, the worst thing about my MINI is the jealousy other drivers display towards you as the constantly try to tail your ass around a sharp curve, followed by anger when they realize their hunk-o-junk can't keep up with the little sprite! :)

[Nics]

The run-flats can be a pain in the ass because you won't know when you get a flat until the tire pressure light comes on. Even then, you won't know if you need a new tire or whether your valve stem is dirty and leaking.
Sadly enough, my light never lit up when my runflat went out. I was only able to notice when it clunked getting over the bump into the garage.

My '06 is pretty damn solid, compared to the earlier model problems.

The only thing that bothers me is torque steer. :(