Great fun, ideal weekend car
Various rattles and squeaks from the cabin.
Great handling.
Performance OK, but not spine tingling.
Fuel consumption not the best in the world, especially for a small car.
Very hard suspension makes for very tiring journeys.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th April, 2004
A capricious beauty!
- Squeaking alternator belt - fixed under warranty.
- Disconnected gearshift cable. This is easy to fix yourself: just look under the battery and press the linkage back on firmly in the gear it disconnected in. Fixed under warranty.
- Squeaking from sunroof. Also easy to fix yourself. Take the metal hook from the toolkit, and use it to apply waterproof grease to all the runners (NB there are 4, not 2!)
- Lurching/hesitation related to traction control - never fixed despite attempts.
- Broken CD player - replaced under warranty.
- Leaking radiator - replaced under warranty.
- Clicking steering column - replaced under warranty.
- Steering out of alignment and constant left pulling - currently being fixed under warranty.
- Buzzing exhaust - replaced under warranty.
Firstly, thank god for the warranty!!! But amazingly, these problems have not bothered me too much. The car is amazing to drive and handles beautifully. The engine is underpowered and a little coarse: when the warranty runs out, I'll get it chipped (+10bhp). Also, it looks stunning, and feels like a much bigger car to drive. I love the direct steering. The Mini is a modern-day Alfa Romeo - hastily thrown together, but with huge character and charm. I love it!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th January, 2004
Would be a lovely car if I did not have the Friday one
My clutch replaced at:- 8000 miles
16000 miles
24200 miles.
Faulty electrics - dipped headlights not always working, fan unreliable, windows opening by themselves, indicator unreliable, tyre pressure warning light stays on.
Air-bag light stays on.
Passenger window not always aligned so have to open window then close again.
Fuel consumption gone haywire since last clutch replacement.
Car was not purchased from main dealer, but have used their services for each problem. Main dealer insists clutch wear is because I am a driving instructor. Car is due back in garage now because of clutch judder and possible gearbox problems. Have negotiated with original supplier for replacement vehicle, but have also sought legal advice under the Sale of Goods Act to force the finance company to take back the car.
I love the mini as do my pupils, but not this one!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 15th January, 2004
Lovely car, too many teething troubles.! Poor support.!
Poor quality plastics.
Drivers seat replaced.
Gearbox replaced after 16,000.
Disk worn below minimum after 1 set of pads (16,500).!!
The car was purchased mainly as a marketing tool for my new business. This function it has performed very well. It did although need to provide a 'very light' commercial function, carrying small boxes. I did find that the plastics used on the seats, doors and dash did become scratched quite easily and would not buff out.
The car is used by a number of people, but after a short while (3 month) the front seat began to creak when cornering. This took 4 visits to the dealers and a new front seat to sort out.
The car has recently been taken in for a noisy gearbox. This was so bad the dealer refused to let the car go before the gearbox was replaced. (16,000m)
During the same inspection they informed me that the clutch was 70% worn. This I thought was quite excessive as clutches have tended to last me 40-50k miles..!!
During the same time the dealer informed me that the front pads were worn and required replacing. Fair enough. But the disks themselves were also below minimum and needed replacing. Never known disks to wear this quickly. Would have expected 2-3 sets of pads for 1 set of discs..!!
Mini customer service UK quite adamant that this is 'fair wear and tear'!!
Pursuing this further at the moment.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 14th January, 2004
20th Apr 2004, 07:58
Orderd new Mini D from Main Dealer, was informed "only 26 in the country, all high spec" would have to wait three to four months, The car was to be used at a driving school, after reading reports here have cancelled order will be useing Seat's again, same clutch at 60K.