Questions about Mini Coopers

[lihpster]

I need to buy a used vehicle, just an economical commuter car. Have noticed more than a few Minis in my price range. For those who have owned them, how are the maintenance costs? Any big services that I should be aware of and at what mileage are those scheduled for? Any other problems or potential problems I should be aware of? Like the look of them as they are a bit more sporty than other brands/models in that range. Any advice will help. TIA.

 

[Breakaway500]

Run away as fast as you can. There are WAY too many MUCH better choices in the inexpensive small car market to consider a Mini Cooper.I won't even work on a customers as they are such a nightmare. Some like them..but it is said..there is an a-s-s for every seat. They are cheap for a reason..

 

[Tom S.]

My son has one, a convertible, and loves it. It is a lot of fun to drive. He does his own repairs, though I don't know if it's any worse than any other 18 year old car.

 

[Farmer17]

I've had some friends who owned them and they didn't have any desire to get another one after it was gone. I remember one guy complaining that just driving down a bad road with some pot holes or ruts in it would cause damaged to the front suspension and steering. I will say for a small inexpensive car I rented a Hundai Elantra a few years ago and drove through Alabama and Florida and it seemed very refined for an economical car. My wife said it was as smooth and quiet as her Infinity.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I need to buy a used vehicle, just an economical commuter car. ... Any advice will help. TIA.

Toyota Corolla

 

[glenwolde]

The fact that your seeing so many is an indication nobody wants them. I've always had good luck in used cars with the Japanese Trifecta: Honda, Toyota, Nissan.

 

[WR Moore]

The original Mini was a low priced simple car-with some odd features-for basic transportation. It's still got the odd features-like the instrument cluster in the middle of the dash-but reliability isn't a strong suit from what I've read. The sporty image was built in club racing in the UK and elsewhere with modified cars. There's now a works performance version.

I had my first-and last-British car over 50 years ago.

 

[chief38]

If you value your life I'd not be looking at Mini-coopers! You will however save on a casket if a severe accident happens. Seriously though there many many better choices!

 

[Roofuss]

Have a long time buddy who always wanted one, and finally found his "dream car". After about 2 years of the never ending nightmare he sold it, and bought a Toyota .

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Toyota Corolla

Agreed.

Taken care of, a Toyota product is not only good on mileage, they last forever and are not that expensive. Plus they are a lot more roomier than ANY Mini.

 

[Bozz10mm]

The reason the UK doesn't manufacture televisions is because they couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil.

 

[VictorLouis]

Mini is owned by BMW

Bring Money With
Big Maintenance Work
Buy Mini Why?

 

[pawngal]

First off, I have and love a 2009 Mini Cooper S convertible, turbo, 6 speed manual. It is my daily driver in the mild weather months, have taken it on numerous road trips. I feel I am a better driver in it because the size and manual shift make me more aware of the road around me.

BUT!!!
They are not for everybody. If you are considering one, drive it, get the service records, carfax etc. You need to have a dealership or independent shop that knows how to work on them. Most places can't figure out how to get the hood open much less change the oil.

For most people a better choice is a Honda Civic or Toyota Corella.

 

[ladder13]

Mini is owned by BMW

Bring Money With
Big Maintenance Work
Buy Mini Why?

I have a friend who worked for BMW as a mechanic. He called it

Big Money Wasted.

 

[Narragansett]

I think the best 300k mile commuter is the Toyota Corolla

 

[dave1918a2]

Go online. Type in the year and vehicle and reviews and then look at the Edmunds reviews. Really blast the Mini's.

 

[rockquarry]

The reason the UK doesn't manufacture televisions is because they couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil.

That's probably right. If a British vehicle doesn't leak, it's out of oil.

 

[GnarlsR2]

The reason the UK doesn't manufacture televisions is because they couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil.

LOL... LOL... LOL... LOL...

 

[GnarlsR2]

That's probably right. If a British vehicle doesn't leak, it's out of oil.

My dad was an auto mechanic. He disliked British vehicles. At 19 I found a red Austin Healy Sprite. It was a low price. I drove it and wanted it really bad. I told my dad I was looking at Austin Healy Sprite. He said "I have 3 questions for you." "One, how much money is in your checking account?" "Two, how much money is in your savings account?" "Three...how big is your tool box?". He said "Keep looking". I didn't buy it.

 

[AugieTN]

My wife bought a 2018 Ford Fiesta new. It's 6 years old with 33,000 miles. Zero problems and it gets 40mpg at 55mph and 38mpg at 65mph

 

[LVSteve]

Early Coopers had dreadful problems with carbon and oil in the intake tract and on the back of the inlet valves. Guy at work had one. At some point changes were made to alleviate the issue, but don't ask me what year. Thing is MANY models of direct injected gas powered cars have had the same problem. The turbo F-150s are so bad that everyone I know who has owned one has replaced the PCV with a catch can.

 

[DWalt]

The reason the UK doesn't manufacture televisions is because they couldn't figure out how to make them leak oil.

The reason British drink warm beer is that they have British refrigerators.

 

[Dave_n]

The reason British drink warm beer is that they have British refrigerators.

And the only reason for cold US "Beer" is that the taste buds in the drinker are paralyzed from the first mouthful. Dave_n

 

[fordson]

All I can say about the Mini is that my granddaughter wrecked two of them……..no one was hurt but they were totaled.

 

[BC38]

I rented a mini-Clubman on trip to a family reunion. Put about 400 miles on it and LOVED driving it. Peppy, surprisingly roomy, cornered like a slot car, just all around fun to drive.
I thought I might consider one as a replacement for my wife's Kia SUV. Until I read the reliability reviews from KBB, and Edmonds.
Hard pass. I'll stick with Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, or Honda.

 

[pawngal]

I rented a Clubman on trip to a family reunion. Put about 400 miles on it and LOVED driving it. Peppy, surprisingly roomy, cornered like a slot car, just all around fun to drive.

Very true! The Mini Cooper is a "driver's car" I have 2 trophies from racing mine in a local Autocross. I like to drive and have previously owned 2 AH Sprites, 3 Series BMW, and a MG Midget. And a way long time ago a '57 Vette.
If all you want is a smaller car to get from one place to another it isn't the car for you.

 

[LVSteve]

All I can say about the Mini is that my granddaughter wrecked two of them……..no one was hurt but they were totaled.

I know many won't want to hear this, but most modern cars stand a good chance of being totaled in a heavyish wreck. It's inherent in the design of the crash absorbing structures.

 

[lihpster]

Thank you, folks! I got my answer. Looks like it's back to Honda and Toyota. I appreciate the feedback. Nice to have crowd sourced reviews from people with no agenda, one way or another. The only person I know who has one has a 2020 model and loves it. Of course, since it replaced a Chevy HHR it was bound to be better. But a single data point does not a good study make. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I truly appreciate it.

 

[JMD999]

Yup Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Mazda

 

[Faulkner]

You know, I don't recall ever making a traffic stop on a Mini-Cooper.