Faults:

Two oil leaks

Gearbox needed replacement at 6,000 miles!

Battery went flat while driving

Uneven front tyre wear

Stereo stopped working

Passenger seat broke.

General Comments:

Fun car. Direct steering, pointy handling, torquey little engine and gorgeous to look at! Just like the original. Unfortunately, they took the whole "original Mini" experience too far and included the pools of oil appearing underneath, as well as countless other silly problems. No wonder BMW don't badge it directly as a BMW, it would kill their reputation overnight. A corker of a car in terms of what it does, but seriously disappointing to own. Don't think I'd buy another.

Faults:

Rear wiper not wiping top of screen - fixed it myself by bending it..!

Otherwise fine!

General Comments:

My car is yellow and white - this has to be the best colour combination available. It looks great.

I paid for air con, and a part leather interior. The air is worth the extra, the leather isn't.

The car attracts attantion where-ever it goes. It's seriously great to drive, with pin-sharp steering and excellent brakes. The ride is firm at slower speeds, but when pressing on, it is very secure.

Faults:

Gearbox broke down on the motorway, leaving me stuck in 5th gear, after only 7800 miles (still in the garage as replacement parts may take anything up to 2 months).

Engine went flat if I didn't drive it for a few days (happened 3 times), required a replacement MD player and a replacement engine management module in the first couple of months of ownership.

Passenger seat adjuster got stuck had to be replaced.

Fuel gauge not accurate (part has been on order for about 2.5 months without any word).

Dashboard squeaks (no hope of any repair).

One-touch electric windows doesn't always work.

Front windows get wet... on the inside.

Rear of car got vandalised, badge got nicked, was quoted GBP1000 to fix it!! Badge only cost GBP10!!

Rubber on pedals starting to look very worn.

General Comments:

I love this car... if only I could rely on it.

I love the looks, my big 16 inch white wheels look great with the white roof, white mirrors and dark metallic blue paint. I get loads of compliments and admiring looks. The handling is excellent with the optional sports plus suspension I have, if a little firm on most roads. Performance is not shattering, but adequate, would love the Cooper S. Loads of gorgeous little design features, the toggle switches, the way the window drops a little into the frameless doors (just like my Dad's 3 series coupe!), illuminated sun visors, plush roof lining, pressure sensitive boot handle, hydraulic arms on the bonnet lid, etc.

Negatives (apart from everything that has gone wrong) include the tiny boot, the noisy power steering (especially from the outside, it sounds like a radio control car!) and the lack of a glove box. Optional extras were pricey, all my extras took it from GBP11600 to GBP14200, nearly enough for the Cooper S!!

Faults:

Absolutely nothing so far. The driver's seat had a bit of a squeak, but adjusting the rake angle has fixed it.

The power steering pump moans away to itself all the time, but I think it's just a trait of the car - it works perfectly.

General Comments:

The Mini One is very nippy with 115BHP on tap and very quiet at motorway speeds. The Cooper is be even better, and the new Cooper S will be incredible.

It's handling is reminiscent of the old minis. It's very responsive and corners beautifully. The brakes are fantastic with disks all round and anti-lock.

Slightly surprised at the lack of a spare wheel. You get a tyre-weld kit instead as standard, but you can order a spare wheel as an optional extra.