2001 BMW MINI Cooper review from UK and Ireland

Pull to the left.

Battery drained by Stereo during cold weather. (subject to recall).

Clutch linkage went causing car to stick in gear (subject to recall).

Clutch linkage went again causing car to stick out of gear - not supposed to happen after recall!

Passenger seatbelt/airbag warning light stuck on.

Air conditioning smelly.

One of the early cars on the road September '01, the Cooper is a fantastic car to drive.

Performance and handling is fantastic.

The design is good (if a little overwrought in places)

Running costs are low - 40-45mpg at speed on the motorway and depreciation minimal - so far only replaced front tires and windscreen wipers.

TLC Package (all servicing 5 years/50,000 miles for £100 up front) is fantastic value.

BUT lots of initial teething troubles that haven't been totally ironed out, by the looks of it.

Dealers are keen to get car in quickly, but replacement cars are limited and they seem to do the bare minimum (i.e. if you don't ask them to do something they won't). Car is always returned cleaned and vacuumed, though not always to the highest standards.

BMW have NOT been keen to admit faults - e.g. steering pull to the left - in public, which could have lead to safety issues.

Back seat is very uncomfortable for the style of driving the car encourages!

Despite this I will be very sad to sell it to find room for soon-to-arrive child #1.