>>Thank you for asking, Cooper4us, but no, I am not currently on crack. And thanks for the completely unprovoked and groundless personal attack. It's people like you who make MCO such a great place to hang out.
>>
>>My '02 MC has left me stranded twice with a major electrical problem, and has had a number of minor problems, roof trim falling off, rattling hatch latch, etc. Aside from an early Saab Turbo, it has been the most problem-plagued car that anyone in my family has ever owned.
>>
>>In terms of problems per 1000 cars, my guess is that the early-build Mini's are way below Toyota/Honda/Nissan and their luxury marques.
>>
>>AND THAT'S OK!!! (as I've said before...)
>>
>>The Mini's no-compromise suspension and steering, combined with it's stiff body and relatively light weight, make it something very special among contemporary cars, even those costing much more. It rocks. Period. But some Minis break. Period.
>>
>>I've driven 80 miles a day in my Mini for nearly a year now and am still excited every time I climb into that (very creaky) driver's seat.
>>
>>All I'm saying is that if you have any doubts about buying a Mini after driving one, then move on. You just don't get it, and will just get frustrated once the little plastic bits start to fall off. Hence the Corolla reference. Personally, I would sooner stick a fork in my neck than drive a Corolla, but some people love them.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>

Please accept my apologies...I think I went overboard with my reply post to you. Even though I still disagree with your assesment about the MINI, I wish you luck with your upcoming BMW...a damn fine car!

 

I could provide a nice little list of issues with my '02 build MC, but I will offer this:

My '92 Honda Accord and '99 VW GTI were basically trouble free. But neither of them handled anywhere NEAR how the MINI handles. I find any excuse to go out for a drive and wind the engine above 4000 RPM"s to scream through the neighborhood. That big sunroof, cool interior and an exterior that still is fresh to me after 14 monthe and 22K miles. When I've had warranty or service work done, I sit at the dealer and look at CVT's or MCS's in the showroom. Read performance mags in the waiting area and plot for future insanity. I do find it unacceptable that I've had some little issues pop up here and there, and a nice little overheating problem. But I remember my father, and any other number of people always saying "Never buy a car in the first model year" Oh well. At least I haven't had the M3 engine blowing up problem...

And yes, I'd recommend getting one.

 

Is complaining about the Mini's ride like some owners complaining about the H2's gas mileage? I *like* a car in which I can feel the road!

:smile:

 

The answer would be: TO MINI :smile:

Peace,
D

 

jerrygee and xAlfa

Get a good alarm or lojack for your new M3's. I bought a new 03 M3 four months ago and it was stolen from my work last week. I have a few friends that also bought New M3's and had them stolen as well.

 

hi guyz,
i wana thank you all again for your responses. My brother is pushing me to get and RSX but I just can't. whenever i see a MINI in the streets i just cant take my eyes off of it. So with your help I can tell him that all of the bad stuff doesnt happen to everybody and hopefully not to me

Yaaay MINI

 

My brother is pushing me to get and RSX but I just can't. whenever i see a MINI in the streets i just cant take my eyes off of it.

I'm in the same boat you are. I can't stop looking everytiime I see a Mini on the road. I've been thinking about getting one for a while now but was hesitant. Yesterday I drove a friend's MCS and all I can say is WOW! It drives like nothing I've ever driven before (and I have an M3 sitting in my garage right now). After about 10 minutes in his car I have decided that I WILL be getting a Mini as soon as I am rid of my Passat.

If you haven't driven a Mini yet, I highly recommend it. And from reading other car boards (M3 and Passat) I find that you only hear from the people with real problem cars. The majority of the people don't have problems so they don't post. They're all out having fun driving their cars. Don't necessarily let the number of "problem" posts make you think all Minis are troublesome. Granted there may be some issues, but not all cars will have them. At least that's been my experience on other boards.

Good luck with your decision.

 

I test drove the RSX and while it's a great little car, it had some quircks I didn't like, and for an Acura, it sure didn't say "luxury" to me at all. But in its price class, it'd be my third choice after the MINI and WRX (ugly but fun).

As for BMW quality, I think what people are trying to say (okay, what I'm trying to say LOL!) is that German engineering is great great great on paper and in the original design, and the issues are being resolved with each new year, BUT the *consistency* of BMW cars due to quality control and the law of averages (they make SO many cars, people!) is not that great.

I "spoke" (internet forum buddy) with a BMW worker from Europe who said that they push the cars through the line very fast. When they're done, each car gets assigned a personal "Fixer" who discovers and fixes the bugs before the car is shipped out. They don't always find all the bugs. I know of no other car company that does this. Also, they do very often choose cheap parts, especially when it's not part of the drivetrain.

Since he didn't work in Oxford I don't know if they follow the same policy there.

 

I used to have a 99 Corvette coupe. It was a wonderful car. Great power, great fun! I also used to follow many of the online Corvette sites and read about the issues people had with their cars. I couldn't believe they were talking about the same car. I did have a few niggling squeaks from my targa top but that was cleared up. I thoroughly enjoyed that car even though I was very concerned about GM build quality (I hadn't owned an American car in 30 years.) I never regretted the purchase. If the car hadn't been totalled in an "unplanned road engagement" I would've bought it after the lease was up. I'm now looking at an 04 MCS because I miss the thrill of having a car that makes me grin everytime I start it. My current ride, an 01 BMW 330CI, is flawless - no problems; comfortable, safe, good torque, room for 4 full sized humans + luggage, etc, etc. It's even beautiful (IMO). But everytiime I see a MINI I"m like little kid who's dying for a puppy -- "OOO MINI". So, today I'm renting an MCS from a speciality/luxury car rental place in West Hollywood. After 24 hours I think I'll have a pretty good idea whether to take the leap. Maybe anyone who's uncertain should do the same.

 

I'm starting second year and having a great time.
Mona cooper

 

MINI!!!!!

 

That's a great plan, Plugot. I think anyone who is in doubt about a car - especially whether it's practical enough for them - should live with it for awhile. A 5 minute test drive doesn't make you aware of so many things about life with a car! But I loved the MINI so much that a 5 minute acquaintance was enough to make us best friends for life. Yes, I'm afraid I backstabbed the G35 coupe.

 

>>I've had two '02s...a Coop and an S.
>>I now have an '03 S. I love Minis but
>>I don't know if I'll buy another for a
>>variety of reasons. I think BMW quality
>>is way over rated and that is a problem.
>>It may sound like heresy but I wish Honda
>>had built these cars.

It's easy to second guess once you have the outcome.
I have a 2001 Honda Odyssey and while it is no lemon, it ain't without a good share of troubles.
Been to the dealer for warranty work lots of times, electrical, motors in the windows, body stuff loose. Over and over. You'd think that they would be able to fix things but it doesn't really work that way. If you
like the car then you put up with the nagging problems. My other Hondas have been much better.
So I would say Honda quality is way way overrated. My MCS 03 is trouble free by comparison.

 

no car is perfect - better yet, nothing mechanical is perfect

the MINI is among the most fun production car I've ever driven, and those that are just as fun cost much, much more (cost and maintenance).

statistics are crap: some cars have problems, most likely many do not. Some people have unreasonable expectations, others are more realistic and don't freak out that the car is going to explode if a piece of plastic vibrates.

--->Reference point: I used to own a '93 Mustang Cobra. If you drove the MINI and the Mustang back to back, you'd think the Mustang was literally falling apart from the sheer amount of rattles, resonances, crashes, booms, bangs, creaks and moans, despite that it was a show car in 90-point+ condition.

Bottom line: Drive the MINI; if you like it, buy it.
Cheers,
Ryan

 

I'm sure you'll be hooked once you drive one for a while. I've owned 3 series bmw's as my daily drivers for the last 5 years and this is totally different. It's the first car i've had that I drive for fun, with nowhere in particular to go.I occasionally do the same in my fj40, but only when the weather is nice and the top is down.My only complaints are the cupholders are useless, and I wish the fuel tank was larger.

 

If money were no object, I'd have an Audi TT right now. There is so much "been there, seen that" in the automotive world that truly unique styling is almost nonexistant. Consequently, I got a crick in my neck spinning my head around when I first saw a TT. The only other body style which did this to me (and didn't come w/ a 6 figure price tag) is the MINI. Imagine how incredibly cool it was to find out that this little jewel is affordable, safe, and well built. On top of that, even after 2 years in the states, it still gets more public attention than most Bimmers, Boxters, A4's, WRX's, and RSX's do. An M3 may be a rocket, but you have to notice the logo to know what you're looking at. Meanwhile, the MINI will still get more folks pointing and asking questions about it. Not bad for a rig costing less than 20 grand! By the way, the new MINI Fini cupholders rock, and totally solve the problem w/out the need for the very cool MINI coffee mug.