2002 BMW Mini Cooper from UK and Ireland - Comments

My Mini Cooper S is the coolest looking car in the parking garage, but I have had tons of problems.

The first, and most annoying was the dash board rattling noises (yes it quits when I put my hand on the dash). I had some noise kit put on twice and it still rattles.

My car has 22,000 miles on it and I've already had to replace three tires. Now after replacement of the last two tires, I have awful road noise. Another trip to the dealer.

At least once a week my windows will be down and my sun roof open and no -- I didn't do that myself.

Finally, my windshield washer fluid container cracked twice. I guess you should expect less than optimal anything with a 23,000 automobile in 2008.

The 2002 Mini was not it best year. My research indicates that after 2004 the Mini's build quality was greatly improved.

I have a 2004 Mini One.

When I first got it, I loved it, for a while. Then it started going wrong.

I've always had the rattling dash board, which compared to everything else is minimal! I had the windows going down on their own and the lights coming on when I had turned the ignition off, taken the key out and walked away from the car! (I thought it was possessed!) I had a new onboard computer under warranty.

Next thing was the emissions light coming on. This was a fault with an exhaust component, again replaced under warranty. Then my rocker cover leaked just out of warranty - had to pay for that!

10 months ago my coolant reserve just emptied literally over night! I had a new thermostat housing (out of warranty), but BMW paid as they had accepted a recognised fault on the 05 model, and thought I may have the same problem.

2 months ago my coolant reserve emptied again... so they fitted a new radiator 3 weeks ago... and guess what, today it emptied again! The car temp is normal, there is no sign of a leak and BMW don't know what is wrong. It is going in for 2 days in 2 weeks for a pressure test! I have had cars for 20 years and I have never had a car that has gone wrong so many times... I have always driven Japanese cars and can't wait to sell my Mini when I have paid the finance and go back to reliable Japanese cars. The only good thing about the Mini is that it looks great! The rest you can keep!

Oh, and yes I do look after my cars... the build quality is just not good enough! It is a relief to see the comments on this site and to know I am not the only one! Commercially all you ever hear in mags etc is how fab the Mini is... I really have had enough of it today!

The MINI is a good car. I think every car has its fault. And at times you will come across that Friday afternoon car!! I have a 02 S, and yes a couple of rattles are apparent after many years of owning it. Apart from that, it has been a great car!!

People don't forget this is NOT a BMW built car by those efficient German engineers. It is unfortunately built by some British engineers, unfortunately giving BMW a bad name!!

a BMW built in Oxford not Bavaria oh no!!

The rattles in my Mini Cooper turned me into a man possessed. I have found one and repaired it myself.

When the sunshine roof was open, I noticed the two plastic flaps that stop drafts were made of plastic. When lying flat in the closed position, I realised it must be them making the rattle. I took them off. It worked. Some people refer to them as cassettes. I presume because they look like the front loading part of a player to keep dust out. Now I can hear all the other rattles really clearly.

Hi there.

I just recently bought a 2004 Cooper S. You really scared the hell out out of me with these comments. Although I live in Munich, and was about to buy an Audi TT, but decided to get the Mini after all. Wish I had read these comments before buying it, but not sure I would change my mind. Some things I just need to find out for myself.

I got it cheap, so I am prepared to invest a few k in the car, but your story's sound like an endless nightmare.

Wish all future owners more luck, including myself :-)