2001 BMW Mini One review from UK and Ireland

Tyres inflater warning lights are on many times.

Air bags warning lights flashes 2 times.

I loved the car when I first saw it in the Motor show, but then I was too young to own the car. After a year, I realized that the price of the standard Mini One went up by a thousand pounds and increased the price of option. In a sudden, I decided to buy a used one and hopefully will stay at its value well when I come to sell it after a year.

I got myself a used black Mini One with Salt pack, Air con and 16 inch alloys wheels with less than 9000 pounds.

The first drive of Mini was fantastic. The gear change was smooth, but a bit noisy and hard to shift to reverse gear. After having driving the car for 1 months, the type warning lights are on. I followed the manual and tried to detect is there is any errors on the electric. Fortunately, it went off after a couple of minutes driving, but it was on again. I booked in for service and when I got it back from Mini dealer, they said it was nothing wrong with the type and the electric problems should be solved. A week after this, the air bags warning lights are on and this time had no problem with dealer fixed it right away. But the type lights are on all the time when I drove over 50 miles. Many times bring my car back to Mini dealer doesn't seem to help at all. The problem is still here and hardly to find anyone to solve the problem. I am trying to sell the car right now and hope this will not lose too much money.

A wonderful little hatch to own with too many problems. I think BMW should really improve their after service. I start to hate all of the BMW dealers I have been. Most of them are helpless. I had Z3 4 years ago and it was awful as well. Where can I get a decent car without many problem? I think I might consider to get something less electric involved, like Lotus Elise.