Mini Cooper 1.6 16V

On Friday, 11/16, I had to trade in my 2010 Mini Cooper. I was really upset about it since it was a car I had wanted for years.

Here were my issues:

-49,000 miles: Software system need to be completely updated. The car thought it had fog lights when it didnt so I was getting an indication that my headlights were out when they weren't.

-Dealer Solution: Complete system upgrade (fortunately still covered under mfg. warranty.

-59,000 miles: Car hesitates and engine light goes on. I was told by Mini to keep driving and don't worry, it's probably the gas cap. Light goes out that same evening.

-60,000 miles: Car hesitates and engine light comes on. I decided to make an appointment and that this is not normal for a car that is well taken care of.

-Solution: Dealership say's timing chain tensioner and actuator is defective, $800.00 dollars please. I say, hell no. Dealer decides to charge me $125.00 instead (so I am still concerned about this car, but happy) My concerns were that the timing chain was allowed to stretch to 67mm and they would not change it unless its 68mm.

-62,202 miles: I notice car is leaking "blue/green" fluid. I am no rocket scientist but it looks like coolant and I'm thinking it's the water pump. But how could that be???? In other cars, both American and Foreign I have only changed the water pump at 90,000-100,000 miles.

-Dealer Solution: Ding, ding. I'm right!! Dealership say's $1,000.00 dollars please. I say, guys, this car is not ready for the public. You can have it.

-I am now the proud owner of a BMW 328 i Xdrive.

The problem with Mini's is, they look so good but there is junk under the hood. I was so brain-washed by the car that I had thought about getting another one thinking maybe I just got a car with some problems. My gut had told me that if I kept that car, which really didn't feel like an almost 3 year old car, it felt much older although, I had bought the maintenance policy and took very good care of it. IF you must buy this car, please buy the extended warranty up to 100,000 miles and the maintenance policy. You should test drive all cars in that price range. I did not do this because I had my mind set that I needed this car!

Pros of having a Mini:

1) Looks,

2) 41 Miles per gallon

Cons:

1) Reliability issues,

2) Costly vehicle for what you actually get for the money

3) Too much time spent at the service department

4) Dealer's Standard Comments: "Well it's not a Honda" "Did you put Super in?", "You shouldv'e bought the extended warranty?" "It depends on how you drive the car"

This car would probably be best as a second car so that you only put a 1,000 or so miles on it per year. It can't handle being driven everyday (note: I drive 90% highway) I feel really bad for people who have had their engines seize from the timing chain tensioner/actuator and other catastrophic problems that happened outside of warranty. It is definitely a tough lesson to learn.

I have had my mini for 3 months now and have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. I got the Chili Pack and panoramic sunroof which i really like as I had a convertible for my previous car but did not like the lack of boot space. Although the mini does have a small boot you can put the seats down which means you can get quite a bit in.

Haven't had it long so hopefully will not get the problems like other people on here, so fingers crossed!

We bought our Mini Cooper new in 2004, and it proved to be a great little car. Having also driven the updated version I personally think that the older one is better.

We never had any problems with it, but I wish we'd bought the Cooper S as our standard Cooper (115bhp) wasn't all that fast.

Also I'd recommend buying one with the sunroof as it makes the interior brighter and less claustrophobic.

There was an issue with the early Cooper pulling to the left, ours did it very slightly but the dealer denied all knowledge of the problem, despite the fact that BMW issued a suspension modification to cure it. Typical of car dealers though in my experience.

The Mini handled well and seemed nicely put together. It looked good and the interior was nice (ours had the optional "chrome line interior pack")

There are thousands of these early "New" Minis around now and I'd seriously consider one if I was looking for a small car, but I'd go for the supercharged version.

My husband is a driving instructor and this Mini was his 3rd car, the first one the gear box dropped out due to the clutch not being fitted right, but this last one has cost us money after money .While the car was still under the warranty , it was losing so much oil ( the end bill over a 3 month period was over £300) but the garage was not interested until the car broke down and it turned out the valves had burnt out which cost nearly £2,000 to repair , we had to pay for the repair, but exactly a week later the same thing happened again and they wanted us to pay for the repairs again !!. the car has been in their garage since october 2010 and there is where it is staying until the matter is resolved , the worst of it is the car is on hp and we are still paying. the car has nearly cost us our lively hood and cause so much stress that my husband had a heart attack . we will never ever consider a mini again and advice everyone to beware of the amount of problems these cars bring . Because in the end they are just rubbish.

I have just sold my Mini Cooper S after 2 years of fun motoring and hardly any depreciation. It was a pleasure to drive and relatively cheap on insurance for a twenty-something lady driver. The fuel consumption wasn't even too bad when driven properly, but it wasn't exactly economical. The boot was tiny but I knew that when I bought it and always managed to fit my shopping in somehow! It never let me down apart from the usual wear and tear. However, the runflat tyres were expensive and, thanks to the government, the road tax was extortionate for a small car. A brilliant car that I will miss driving, but won't miss paying for :)

Our Brand New Mini Cooper with Chilli pack and other extras.

I feel it has become important to everyone thinking of a buying a Mini to draw their attention to deficiencies at MINI UK.

Our brand new vehicle was delivered with numerous faults to the front, bonnet, grilles and spats which made it look distorted - the dealership should have put these defects in order before delivery - even after two post delivery opportunities they still failed to do so and on top of that they claimed the vehicle was in perfect condition and that we would not get the standard of finish that we were looking for which we pointed out was only the standard shown in the brochures, can be seen on other vehicles in the showroom and generally on the roadways.

Mini customer service executives Stacey Owen and Zoe Shamrock have shown blind allegiance to the dealership and failed to be customer focused with a balanced view.

However Mini telephone customer service person "Andrew", I believe is in a group with Jamie and John, was extremely helpful and able to look at a balanced situation and suggested that we take the vehicle to another dealership for their appraisal. Then if the alternate dealership agreed with our assessment of the build quality he could look at the matter further. The alternate dealership did agree and undertook some adjustments which were professionally undertaken but also said that if they could have the vehicle for a day they may be able to make further improvements because there were a number of marks that did not line up. A few days later we decided to do book it in with this dealership when it became clear that the original dealership were not going to undertake the modifications and Stacey Owens and Zoe Shamrock were not going to provide any assistance just being obstructive and failing to progress the matter.

The vehicle was taken to the alternate dealership and after a day in their care came out looking good, very much meeting most of our expectations of what we had ordered in a brand new mini. This dealer also pointed out something that we had not seen, that the vehicle had a badly fitted rear offside window and arrangements were made for that that to be rectified and this has now been undertaken.

Whilst the problems with this vehicle stem from a poor build and inspection quality in the factory, clearly very crappy. These problems are, I assume, of a temporary nature due to them being teething problems with the new front detail. What is totally unacceptable is the dealership and its response to the facts, that they failed to observe the problems, failed to rectify them and tried to argue that the poor workmanship was standard and satisfactory.

I understand from the conversation with "Andrew" that the problems should have been taken in hand and resolved by the Mini sales manager but for some reason the service manager deemed himself as the person for this role. This service manager has failed in his duty of care in that his conduct been argumentative and disrespectful to the customer far from the customer service standards that should be experienced at a BMW/Mini dealership and unlike what we have seen at the alternate dealership and that he has failed to be capable of seeing the problems (probably should have gone to Specsavers) before and after delivery and failed to satisfactorily resolve the problems. For the sake of future customers at this dealership it seems to me that this manager should be relieved of his duties because of his poor conduct and capability. In addition to this the dealer principal has failed in his duty to ensure customer satisfaction and listened blindly to the ranting of his service manager failing to correctly and independently ascertain the facts of the situation and really should he be looking after a BMW/Mini franchise with his low service level standards.

When it comes to the Mini customer service executives it is obvious that Stacey Owen and Zoe Shamrock have talked to the service manager but not to the customer, they have failed, unlike Andrew, to provide a balanced service and would question their suitability to be in post.

I do not know what the dealership hopes to achieve with its negative responses, incorrect statements and deceitful comments in the couple of letters that they have they have produced they certainly do not improve their standing in the matter.

I have tried here to simplify the situation here, clearly do not let the excitement of a new car overtake you, check the vehicle thoroughly before paying for it but if you make the mistake do not expect service from Zoe Shamrock at Mini UK, if you are unfortunate to be involved with her and definitely beware of buying a vehicle from a poor quality Stratstone dealership.

This is my 4 Mini Cooper and it puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it. For that reason I am about to buy another. I understand there have been a few people unhappy with their Mini's, I will say 3 words, complain, complain, complain. One of my Mini's was a Friday afternoon car and the dealership bought it back from me and had to sell it up north (I lived in Surrey at the time). I wrote to BMW Mini complaining as it was in their garage more than it was in mine. You name it, it went wrong. Don't wait until the warranty runs out. It is also worthy of note that if you have mentioned the problems before the warranty ran out then they should have a note about it. See the Principal at the dealership, he will sort it for you. Mine did. If you need help let me know. I paid £500 for a brand new car. They don't want their brand slatted so go for it.

I have owned my mini cooper s convertible since new. I love the look of the car but realistically it is not practical. I have had 2 services and during the last service 8 months ago, I pointed out that I had replaced the front driver tyre 3 times and there was a knocking sound. On collection of the car, I was informed nothing was wrong. I have just taken the car for its 3rd service, 30,000 miles and pointed out that the noise is still there and it has started overheating. The warranty ran out 4 weeks ago and I have been given a list of major faults and a quote of £1100 to correct it. I am absolutely livid and have questioned why non of these problems were spotted before, faulty subframe, engine mounts etc. The dealership does not want to know. These are very expensive vehicles to repair. Tyres at £160 a shot. Dont buy a mini. I cannot wait to get rid of it.

I was thrilled to purchase my ex-demo mini Cooper S Clubman and love it too bits. It works well with three small kids but not so well with a dog in the boot!

However at only 20k miles the clutch has gone. Mini won't accept responsibility and I know it's not my driving style. I asked them to keep the parts so I could get an independent expert to look at the clutch but when I went to collect the car the garage has returned them to Mini. This is my second "high spec" mini and I feel let down.

I've had my Cooper for 9 months bought from a small Dealer (not Main) 3 months warranty no problems. 60000 on clock when purchased now 70000. Since then I have had...new radiator, window motor,airbag sensor, air con problems and recently power steering pump and wiper motor replaced. In all I have spent over £1500 in 9 months. Getting rid. Wouldn't touch another with a barge pole!!