R55 Would you do it again?
#1
#2
4th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In a heartbeat. The trouble with watching these enthusiast sites is that they amplify the negative. The "rattle of death" is not a common plague. I am on my second Mini and love it. Take the plunge. I fell prey to the enthusiast site negativity and talked myself out of an Audi TT even though I drove one and fell in love. I was convinced it was going to shut down every time I drove on the freeway.
Bottom line: If you have had a test drive and love the car, go for it.
Bottom line: If you have had a test drive and love the car, go for it.
#4
Would you do it again?
If I knew about the chronic problems concerning the HPFP and the intake valve carbon build-up, and considering the way that MINI has handled these well known problems over a period of time, my answer is NO!
I love the car, and am now stuck with it, but would not have bought it knowing what I know now.
I love the car, and am now stuck with it, but would not have bought it knowing what I know now.
#6
Yes, I would buy another, no question!
Remember, you are ONLY hearing from a select few on this forum that express themselves freely.
There are thousands and thousands of happy MINI owners who have NO problems and never bring them to this public forum.
If there were Thousands and Thousand of unhappy customers witht the same issues...you would most likely see it on your local news.
Have confidence in the brand, there are a lot of us that do.
Remember, you are ONLY hearing from a select few on this forum that express themselves freely.
There are thousands and thousands of happy MINI owners who have NO problems and never bring them to this public forum.
If there were Thousands and Thousand of unhappy customers witht the same issues...you would most likely see it on your local news.
Have confidence in the brand, there are a lot of us that do.
#7
Trending Topics
#8
Yes, and I have had the so-called "death rattle"...fortunately, I'd been following this forum, and knew what to do. Mini got flatbedded 2 hours each way to the dealer, was promptly fixed, and no problems since. I live in a cold climate, and if you do you might want to consider the cold weather package. Others in cold climates like it, too - the heated seats are awesome! I wish I'd known the car doesn't have engine temp or oil pressure gauges, so you might want to consider that.
Good call on getting the S. I was bound and determined not to be talked into buying an S, but have never regretted it!
Have Fun!
BRIT 09 Laser Blue MCS, cold weather package
Good call on getting the S. I was bound and determined not to be talked into buying an S, but have never regretted it!
Have Fun!
BRIT 09 Laser Blue MCS, cold weather package
#9
#13
Although it sounds like a lot of fuel pumps if you read the posts here it is less that 0.2% failure rate which is actually very reasonable. They have not been able to pin it down to one production lot so in that case there is no way to do a recall for it.
BTW "every" mechanical part will fail at some point.
This is not just a MINI problem it is a problem with ALL "direct injection" engines. And they are becomeing more and more popular, so more and more cars will have this.
Now is it a problem? To me NO it is not. Does it mean that there is another quarterly or bi-annual maintenance step yes. This is unfortunate but of the cars I was looking at all of them had "direct injection" so I would still be doing this maintenance anyway, and none of there would be as much fun to drive.
And how would you propose they do a better job?
Yes my fuel pump went but I had the car picked up at their expense at 7am and it was back by 6pm and that is with a 70+ mile 2+ hour drive each way on the back of a flat bed.
It is unfortunate that you feel this way but let me tell you every manufacture has the same problems. Just go an read the forums for "ANY" vehicle and you will find the same "i don't like my car for ..." as you see here.
It is inevitable that not everyone will like the car they chose but to blame it in the brand is totally unfair.
BTW "every" mechanical part will fail at some point.
This is not just a MINI problem it is a problem with ALL "direct injection" engines. And they are becomeing more and more popular, so more and more cars will have this.
Now is it a problem? To me NO it is not. Does it mean that there is another quarterly or bi-annual maintenance step yes. This is unfortunate but of the cars I was looking at all of them had "direct injection" so I would still be doing this maintenance anyway, and none of there would be as much fun to drive.
Yes my fuel pump went but I had the car picked up at their expense at 7am and it was back by 6pm and that is with a 70+ mile 2+ hour drive each way on the back of a flat bed.
It is inevitable that not everyone will like the car they chose but to blame it in the brand is totally unfair.
#14
I guess I just don't believe the sky is falling. What rattle of death are you referring to?
Think of all the other manufacturers that have car/passenger killing issues:
Toyota: unintended acceleration, sludging
VW: sludging, tie-rods, coil-packs
BMW: main bearing seal
The list is positively endless...
You have to be pretty unlucky to be the one that gets hit by that random piece of sky. In the meantime why not just enjoy the car.
In answer to your question - yes - that's what warranties/recalls are for.
Think of all the other manufacturers that have car/passenger killing issues:
Toyota: unintended acceleration, sludging
VW: sludging, tie-rods, coil-packs
BMW: main bearing seal
The list is positively endless...
You have to be pretty unlucky to be the one that gets hit by that random piece of sky. In the meantime why not just enjoy the car.
In answer to your question - yes - that's what warranties/recalls are for.
#15
#16
It's okay to have to replace a HPFP or have carbon deposits removed while you are under warranty, but tell me that you are happy when you have to spend the big bucks after your 50,000 mile warranty expires.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
If you're that concerned about it why don't you get rid of the car before it fails or purchase an extended warranty?
#17
#18
It's okay to have to replace a HPFP or have carbon deposits removed while you are under warranty, but tell me that you are happy when you have to spend the big bucks after your 50,000 mile warranty expires.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
Toyota and have a differenet concern for your life.
or
VW and pay for new engine because of sludge build up.
or
Dodge - steering rack lock up again fear for your life.
different item different car but they ALL have problems
#19
Probably not. It is a rather pricey little car and I don't think I would repeat it. The NVH levels are pretty high now that I have 26K miles on the car. Also, the HC door panels are fading on the top, where the sun hits them even though all windows and the sunroof are tinted. The perforated sunroof sunshade is a moronic marketing decision.
The car is fun to drive for a small economy car but at $28K (non-S), it really isn't an economy car.
I don't hate the Mini, by any means, but I haven't grown to really love it either.
Regards,
Terry
PS, fanboys, I have no interest in debating my statement. Thanks.
The car is fun to drive for a small economy car but at $28K (non-S), it really isn't an economy car.
I don't hate the Mini, by any means, but I haven't grown to really love it either.
Regards,
Terry
PS, fanboys, I have no interest in debating my statement. Thanks.
#21
I would again and so far my car has made me smile but I personally think the way to go on this car is to keep it cheap and non-S and base model. Otherwise you quickly and easily have a 30k+ car and I'm not sure the MINI is a 30k+ car for ME personally. But again, for some it is and I respect that. My car is a very base model car other than the sun roof and the cold weather package and I am still at 25k with taxes.
All that said, if money isn't an option for the buyer and the car makes YOU smile then load it up and go JCW! What the hell!
As for the problems discussed here, I agree that all things bought are subject to return for warranty work and these forums hype problems big time. I have been very lucky with my purchases but recently I had to return a GPS at my cost for servicing one month after I bought it. I was annoyed but given my good luck so far with cars and electronics I tried not to complain. I do feel for those who have been stuck on the side of the road though but again, I am sure they are fewer than seems to be reported here...I hope.
All that said, if money isn't an option for the buyer and the car makes YOU smile then load it up and go JCW! What the hell!
As for the problems discussed here, I agree that all things bought are subject to return for warranty work and these forums hype problems big time. I have been very lucky with my purchases but recently I had to return a GPS at my cost for servicing one month after I bought it. I was annoyed but given my good luck so far with cars and electronics I tried not to complain. I do feel for those who have been stuck on the side of the road though but again, I am sure they are fewer than seems to be reported here...I hope.
#22
It's okay to have to replace a HPFP or have carbon deposits removed while you are under warranty, but tell me that you are happy when you have to spend the big bucks after your 50,000 mile warranty expires.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
I've got 40,000 miles on mine and I think that I have reason for concern.
The handling and the joy I get out of the car is pure bliss, but the headache of frequent trips to the dealer for annoying issues is a pain in the ****. I just wish the quality control out of the factory is a bit tighter, and the interior panels were of higher grade. This, of course, is based purely on my experience during the past year.
#23
#24
Probably not. It is a rather pricey little car and I don't think I would repeat it. The NVH levels are pretty high now that I have 26K miles on the car. Also, the HC door panels are fading on the top, where the sun hits them even though all windows and the sunroof are tinted. The perforated sunroof sunshade is a moronic marketing decision.
The car is fun to drive for a small economy car but at $28K (non-S), it really isn't an economy car.
I don't hate the Mini, by any means, but I haven't grown to really love it either.
Regards,
Terry
PS, fanboys, I have no interest in debating my statement. Thanks.
The car is fun to drive for a small economy car but at $28K (non-S), it really isn't an economy car.
I don't hate the Mini, by any means, but I haven't grown to really love it either.
Regards,
Terry
PS, fanboys, I have no interest in debating my statement. Thanks.
#25
Doug 999 ... thanks for your statement
The last time that I looked, the Consitution guaranteed the right of free speech, and the original (OP) asked a simple question, wanting an honest answer from us, not a diatribe from some people telling us that we don't have the right to be honest about our purchase and our opinions. It's supposed to be a free country and a free speech guaranteed website without someone jumping down another person's throat.
Enough said!
Enough said!