Hello, I am looking into purchasing a Mini S. I do a few concerns though. I am coming from VW/Audi so unreliability has been my life and the fact I've dealt with the 1.8t and the 2.7t misfires and boost leaks have been the death of me. Not to mention being classic VW/Audi I had about half an inch of subframe clearance . Anyways just seeing what you guys think of reliability, I have read some stories of transmissions going at 80k and major steering rack problems. Im 6' 4" but I have heard this wont be an issue in these cars. I will be spending <$11k which seems to be pretty do able for a sub 75k mile Mini. Any insight or major issues please let me know. Cheers.

 

I can't speak to the longevity questions as I only have @ 3800 Miles on my '10 Clubman. I do however have some of the VW 1.8T experience that you have had. I can tell you that my MINI's initiial build quality has really impressed me. Everything works the way it should. At this mileage with my VW, I had seen the dealr for warranty issues twice already.

 

Well not sure what is available at the sub 11k price point (I just bought a 2009 MCS used for 20k). I am rather large, 6'-6" and 385 and fit just fine. So don't let the size be a detractor. Do some reading on here and find the right year, some of the first years were more of a drivers' car and a little less refined, some now might be having a steering recall, etc. Nothing to be scared of, but do some research and the right car will be found. Welcome and happy future motoring.

 

Your price point will put you into a Gen 1 MINI. I have heard that reliability improved after the '02 and '03 model years.
Check out this forum to learn of Gen 1 issues: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...lems-issues-9/
Note that this is forum area to discuss problems and not all cars have them, but this is a place to learn about some issues others have had.

I have an '07 S and I love it.

 

Good luck in your MINI search, under 11,000 and high reliability? Look carefully and get the beast checked out thoroughly before purchase..