What is the reliability of Mini Coopers?

[grisby]

An 06 corolla with only 30k miles? What's the story on that one.

Wife's Aunt who turned 95 last year can no longer drive it so she gave it to me wife. We leave it parked at her place to take her to the doctors and run errands for her to put mileage on it. When he husband died in 2006 her 2004 Caddy was too big for her to drive and she bought the Corolla at that point. As for mileage you can tell she didn't drive it to much. I put a new set of tires on for her due to dry rot and I always did the maintenance for him on the Caddy and her Toyota. Wife likes it but I don't like small cars, I prefer a nicer ride but such is life.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

My sister has a 2017 Cooper S (not sure what chassis code that is, R56 or something) with about 55k miles and it hasn’t needed anything other than maintenance. Oil changes once a year, a set of tires, brake fluid and spark plugs. She also had a 2010 Cooper non-S before this one and it was the same story. I suspect the typical BMW issues like oil leaks and what not will probably happen, but not for a few more years.

 

[vavavroom]

I made it to the beach without having to push my old-lady car. Don't worry, I carry water and MREs and I got multiple high-limit credit cards just for impromptu emergency repairs. The trip back is going to be a real nail-biter.

"parking" (pretending functionality)

 

[Cujet]

I always see them ¨parked or sitting on the side of the road. For the last twenty years. So small and compact it looks like anything you hit will cause major damage.

I think the Mini Cooper is the only rental car that left me stranded with a problem that could not be fixed. (not simply a jump start)

Just about every time I rent them, they are in poor shape, and have few miles. Not sure I like 'em at all.

 

[vavavroom]

I think the Mini Cooper is the only rental car that left me stranded with a problem that could not be fixed. (not simply a jump start)

Just about every time I rent them, they are in poor shape, and have few miles. Not sure I like 'em at all.

Why did you keep renting them?

 

[Soft Cars]

I like that giant speedometer in the middle of the dashboard.

 

[vavavroom]

I like that giant speedometer in the middle of the dashboard.

That's for the driver behind me. It's in the middle of the dashboard so they can see how fast I'm going after I have passed them. My speedometer is right in front of me.

 

[eljefino]

There's the very real risk that a used one was owned by a "buffy" whose rich parents bought it for her as a graduation gift or whatever just because it's "cute." Same issue with the Fiat 500. These people are not good at maintenance.

 

[vavavroom]

There's the very real risk that a used one was owned by a "buffy" whose rich parents bought it for her as a graduation gift or whatever just because it's "cute." Same issue with the Fiat 500. These people are not good at maintenance.

I bought mine used two years ago. It had only 5k miles on it. The owner bought it in 2015 but was soon after deployed overseas. Apparently, his family grew in his absence and an SUV was acquired. After a couple of tours, he returned permanently and held on to the Mini for a few more years until he decided to let it go because he wasn't driving it enough. Despite the low mileage, it had gotten annual oil changes. Tires, spark plugs, EAF, and CAF were all like new. I suppose These People or maybe Buffy himself appear to have taken good care of the car. I had to replace one coolant hose and did the crossover pipe at the same time because of its age about one year into ownership. I had to have the A/C condenser replaced because road debris had punched a tiny hole. One micro switch on the remote broke. I fixed that. There's a thread somewhere regarding this. I do not encourage people to Minis. There are enough of them on the road already.

 

[TomYoung]

I always see them ¨parked or sitting on the side of the road. For the last twenty years. So small and compact it looks like anything you hit will cause major damage.

I think that pointing out that the mechanicals are close to the front end, and tightly-packed is reasonable, and that these cars might take heavy damage in a collision.

With regard to reliability, I think it's worth noting that in 20-25 years or so stateside, the car has gone through multiple engine designs, and drivetrain configurations year-to-year and model to model. I see a lot of these on the road, and my perception is that many more Hyundais and Kias are at the side of the road.

I think that these cars are pretty reliable, but definitely would be looking for a good price on the used ones.

 

[vavavroom]

I think that pointing out that the mechanicals are close to the front end, and tightly-packed is reasonable, and that these cars might take heavy damage in a collision.

No regular car is designed to be damaged as little as possible in a crash. They are all designed to dissipate impact force through energy via deformation in an effort to protect the occupants. Crash test data and test results are available for most cars. Some old cars were so solidly built that after a crash with little visible front-end damage, they'd have to scrape the driver off the dashboard or pull him off the steering column.

 

[andrew_j]

The recent ones in last 5 years have near highest reliability of Consumer Reports. The old ones were more pesky which parallels a friend experience who has been huge fan/owner of few Mini Cooper S since earliest times to present. Basically nightmare to bliss for her.

 

[TomYoung]

No regular car is designed to be damaged as little as possible in a crash.

Of course they are. Your point about the car being designed to dissipate energy and minimize impact to passengers is also true and paramount, but cars are absolutely designed to be "damaged as little as possible in a crash."

 

[E365]

The current 3rd gens (F54/F55/F56/etc) are probably just as good as anything modern. I’ve owned all 3 generations of new MINIs and my current 2017 Clubman has been excellent. Only 80,000 miles, but easily the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. Only issue was a failed $50 fuel tank vent valve that took 5 minutes to replace. Would have been covered under warranty but that wasn’t worth my time for $50.

The F-cars are real BMWs whereas the R-cars are kind of a mismash of parts from other companies. Chrysler engines, PSA engines, etc

My first Gen R50 I bought cheap with a failed MANUAL transmission (imagine that). My second gen R56 I bought cheap with a failed engine. The mechanical vacuum pump seized and snapped the exhaust cam sprocket center bolt.

I regret selling the R56 S. Most fun car I’ve ever driven. Mostly stock except excellent Koni dampers

 

[ozric]

I don't need to own one to know the issues. I know five people who have had a mini, and they all have said they will never own anything BMW ever again.

 

[drtyler]

I don't need to own one to know the issues. I know five people who have had a mini, and they all have said they will never own anything BMW ever again.

Out of curiosity, did they buy new or used?

I drove an R52 convertible back when they were new. It was a fun drive. I didn't own it or have to live with it though, and the owner kept it for about a year. FWIW, I believe the owner bought an old diesel Benz as its replacement.

 

[ozric]

Out of curiosity, did they buy new or used?

I drove an R52 convertible back when they were new. It was a fun drive. I didn't own it or have to live with it though, and the owner kept it for about a year. FWIW, I believe the owner bought an old diesel Benz as its replacement.

I know that 2 were purchased new, not sure about the others, but knowing the owners they were probably new model leases.

 

[zzyzzx]

The current automatics are dual clutch transmissions.

 

[RAR]

If you’re asking this, the Mini is not a car for you. It’s not. They need more maintenance than other cars to keep them tiptop.

Driving one is something else… my Jeep and the Charger will definitely outpower the Mini but neither is as fun to drive. I drive my R56 Mini most of the time.

But I have to say: seeing one on the side of the road doesn’t represent every Mini ever. Does anyone here equate a much beloved Toyota as being horrible because they saw one on the side of the road needing a tow? Or because someone on a forum said their cousins best friends uncles barbers doctor knew someone who drove one and it broke? . Of course not!

If you’re looking for a super reliable appliance, Toyota will happily sell you whatever you want. The Mini isn’t for you.

I know how to maintain mine, and fix whatever comes up so I’m not one to recommend it to anyone who doesn’t know. Like the Jeep, it’s not for everyone.

 

[jeepman3071]

Nothing wrong with a Mini. They are fun cars, but do require maintenance. Some of us don't want to fall asleep while we are driving, so instead of drinking gallons of coffee before each drive we choose to drive vehicles that aren't boring appliances.