Hello, I am considering buying a new Mini but have heard a lot of bad things about them concerning reliability; mainly from my brother who sells Mini parts and another friend in the car business who says they litter the service garage at a multi-brand dealership. The only reason I am still considering is because the Clubman looks like the perfect vehicle for me.
Upon scouring the internet I found many complaints about the car with transmission and electrical just like foretold. These complaints were from drivers with 35, 50 or 70,000 miles on the odo.
My question is : Has anybody actually driven this car real miles ( 150,000 miles) without experiencing problems ?
I am trying to replace a 1998, $11,500 Mazda Protege with 257,000 miles. It's worst malfunctions being a waterpump and cracked exhaust manifold. Thanks.

 

I've got a '05 MCS with 35K; no substantial problems; quite pleased.

 

neighbor has an 03 with near 300,000 ... I won't lie it has had it's troubles mostly tranny related the early ones are known for it ...

That was really the only troubles she has had ...

 

The new ones are rock-solid. It was mostly the transmissions in 02-04 Coopers that blew out. Other than that they all seem to be extremely reliable.

 

Thanks for putting in some advice ! The 300,000 is outstanding even with some transmission trouble. Also good to hear it was earlier models with the problems.
I think I also heard that many things were revamped for the 2008. Hopefully that will fix existing issues and not create more bugs.

 

I'm in the same boat as "Pat" , I too am thinking a mini but am unsure of the reliablity, Were the trans problems with Manual transmissions or Automatics?

 

The early automatics 02/03 were problematic ... I think 05's up are ok

 

I've been looking for a MINI too... and was told by a MINI dealership service adviser that the thermostat cover and the auxiliary fan have problems around 50K

 

I too hear that AFTER the warranty period I am going to hate this car; that is what I hear from some tech heads here in Atlanta, this is my second; I have a new 2008 Clubman S auto; hope they are wrong! dogdoc