Reliablity of Minis?

[Mars_302]

Are they any known issues with these cars? Whats the higest mileage you've seen outta one and the like...

[mcs05]

the highest so far is a guy from the tampa area he has an 02 mcs with over 100k on it. he bought from ferman mini in palm habor. he also has an award from mini usa for being the first to 100k. His only problemes were normal wear and tear issues ie, breaks, and minor things. Personal i love my mini would not trade it in all. i found it very reliable.

[Dunecune442]

Ive only heard good things. Go for it.

BTW its has to be supercharged to be really fun ;-).

-Keenan

[Just Dave]

A friend was looking at them. We crawled all over one in the showroom and it is a VERY well put together car for the money. An SRT-4 or WRX may be in the same price range and quicker, but the Mini has a far better fit/finish and is backed by BMW's service.

[mcs05]

thats the way i feel when people ask me why i didnt buy an srt or a wrx. i found i got alot for the money, bmw based and just the look of the car. The mini bring attention to me from all age groups, people are always looking at it and asking questions about.

[Dunecune442]

Mini handles much better also. Dont look at numbers, you have to judge by driving one. Even simple mods will turn a mini s over 200 hp.

[Mars_302]

acutally my toss up is between a WRX and a Mini. The only thing I really dont liek about the mini is its FWD. I know both cars handle awesome at the auto-xs ive been too. They both look, well acually the wrx is roomy as hell, and the Mini looks the same, that I like as well.

And yes the Mini has the highest marks for personality

[Dunecune442]

WRXs have weak transmission syncros and trannis in general. You would have to upgrade the internals. Go to NASIOC, youll see just how bad it is. If you put aftermarket rims they will not replace your tranni under warranty. Atleast you wont have to worry about BMW honoring your warranty, and minis are built for performance.

the primary reason I didnt buy a wrx is the transmission problem. I bought a solara instead, but thats because I drive in south tampa alot and the roads are almost always flooded. Not good for minis. I may get the awd version they are thinking of making in the next 1-2 years.

[scoobywrx]

WRXs have weak transmission syncros and trannis in general. You would have to upgrade the internals. Go to NASIOC, youll see just how bad it is. If you put aftermarket rims they will not replace your tranni under warranty. Atleast you wont have to worry about BMW honoring your warranty, and minis are built for performance.

the primary reason I didnt buy a wrx is the transmission problem. I bought a solara instead, but thats because I drive in south tampa alot and the roads are almost always flooded. Not good for minis. I may get the awd version they are thinking of making in the next 1-2 years.

No offense, but what are you talking about? Weak transmissions? the EJ20 has been around for a long time and yeah If you have 350whp you might have problems. They are reliable with under 300whp which is a lot. Also if you keep it stock, you won't have any problems. Again, A LOT has to do with the drivers themselves. Also who says if you put on aftermarket rims they won't replace your tranny under warrenty? I have talked to the Mastro service department and they are pretty lienant. They know these cars are meant to be driven. I know because I have a Stage 2 Wrx so far (around 240whp) and my warranty is still valid. Also no problems with it what-so-
ever.

IMO Wait till the 2006 Wrx comes out because it gets 2.5 liters or get a used 2004 Sti.

Also as a matter of fact, I went to the Ferman BMW dealership earlier today. My brother was looking into a 2005 Mini Cooper S. I was suprised with the handling :whoa: , but not to much with the power delivery. Overall it is nice car, but IMO there are better cars for that price ($26000).

[Dunecune442]

350 for most awd cars right now is not much at all. The M6 is the STi is MUCH stouter. Now I didnt say that all WRXs were plagued, nor did I mention Mastro. Ive heard great things about mastro, but youll notice alot of TR people arent by mastro or are actually out of state.

I WRXs are nice exterior and drivetrain wise, but the mini is so much nicer on the inside. And like you said, the handling is great. Wait till they cram AWD in there!

[Tits McGee]

Only reason I didn't buy a Mini was because I refuse to pay sticker for any car, and because the only Mini dealer is the one over in Palm Harbor, and that's a helluva drive to get an oil chance.

[Charles]

Are they any known issues with these cars? Whats the higest mileage you've seen outta one and the like...

look around the intraweb for a Mini specific forum..... you'll find some useful info there....... on TR...... not happenin......

[DubtecV2]

WRX's don't have weak transmission for their power. Of course once you start modding and launching you WRX it'll wear down, especially if you don't know how to drive an AWD.

mcs05's Mini is dead even with my dad's WRX (gutted uppipe and 3" catless downpipe), handles much better, has BMW reliability and resale, and you can't leave out the headlight penises!!!

[BLUE2KSS]

so far the biggest problems are with the auto Coopers made in 05, but new software is fixing that problem at dealerships

other than that, window regulators are the biggest issue, as is with BMW though. only takes bout an hour to do and get the car washed for the most part. butthe mini's are rock solid cars.

[mcs05]

i love my mini, dont want another car, well maybe the sti.

[Mars_302]

niether car would be modded anyway, so no worries, just a fun daily driver for something reliable if and when i go back to school

[Dunecune442]

I say mini. There arent many on the road so they are rare. The 6 speed on the S is beautiful... so smooth with alittle snick at the end. The handling is superb. If I were you however Id get an intake that is slightly higher than stock if you plan on driving in the rain. There is a problem with water getting sucked up with the base version, not sure on the S however. Even if it were to happen it would be replaced, but make sure you dont drive in water over a foot.

Mini cooper +1

[ACR2NV]

ive been following the car since well before it was introduced. I find the car is very driver oriented which neither the WRX or SRT can duplicate or its handling prowess. Despite being one of the smallest vehicles on our roads the interior will surprise with its ample headroom and leg space for the foward occupants however smaller adults or children are better suited for the rear. Ive driven several but was very disappointed in the rush-test drive, as they did not allow me time to let the Neon-based engine heat up to normal operating temperature.

The sounds and feelings while tossing one (me riding) around an AutoX course for me was only surpassed by the same feat in an improperly driven Elise. If you are considering the car just make sure you grab an extended warranty aswell as the clear bra. I mean think about it, stock its a 6.9-7.2 sec to 60 car...thats with 160-165whp and a tad less than 2700lbs. A chip, pulley, intake and exhaust will easily put you north of 200 traction-deprived Fwhp :lol: but its sooooo much fun even if its wrong wheel drive :)

[mcs05]

got to love the good mini press.

[Just Dave]

so the Cooper S motor is derived from a Neon? Man, that sucks.

[mcs05]

well if you want to get technical yes i guess. the same people that came up with the srt 4 motor worked on the mini motor but all over seen by bmw. other than that the car is all bmw.

[Just Dave]

So the Mini doesn't share any engine parts with the SRT-4? I guess it would be nice if it did from a performance potential standpoint.

[Dunecune442]

mini is based block only. Compression, bore and stroke are different as are the mass or the rotating assembly. Actually very little is shared. The thing is the same manufacturer that builds neon motors assembles the mini motors (manufactured in Brazil). BMW supplies the internals however, and BMW makes EXCELLENT 4 cylinder motors, regardless of fwd, rwd or awd.

[mcs05]

dunecune442, you are very well versed in the mini world. go to see someone that is informed correctly.