2002 BMW Mini One from UK and Ireland - Comments

Off side front side repeater falling out (retaining catch broken).

Interior mirror vibrating badly.

Brake shoes wearing unevenly.

Clutch replaced at 29,711 miles.

Clutch replaced at 40,648 miles.

Clutch replaced at 45,412 miles.

We run a driving school and have dozens of cars of various makes. We were pleased to take possession of what was intended to be our first Mini One and looked forward to a long and fruitful association with such a "sexy" machine.

I couldn't believe that the clutch needed replacing after less than 30,000 miles, but was told by the dealer that this was quite normal for this vehicle - something to do with the small size of the clutch plate.

I REALLY couldn't believe it when the clutch failed again after another 10,000 miles although this was covered under warranty "as a goodwill gesture".

The final straw was when the clutch failed yet again after a further 5,000 miles with the dealership claiming "abuse" by the drivers.

This is a common misconception about learner drivers, one that is not borne out by the performance and reliability of the other cars we run, most of them being almost half the price of the Mini.

New drivers are always hard on a clutch. They are usually riding it when they take off. Especially untill they get the feel for it.

If this person is a driving instructor then they probably know too well how new drivers use a clutch, the point they were most likely making was that other small cars stand up to the usage better than the mini costing thousands more.

I also have a Mini as a driving school car, in fact this is my second as the first was so bad, BMW offered me a replacement.

The clutch on mine went at 20,000 miles then at 22,000 then at 34,000, then at 42000 then we swapped it at 53,000 so it was probably due to go again.

Our replacement Mini has now had it's clutch replaced at 20,000 miles so in my opinion it is NOT the fact it is a driving school car and learners can't control the clutch as stated earlier. If you think it is then why not sit in on a driving lesson and see for yourself.

We are now considering going back to the Vauxhall Corsa where clutchs lasted for about 65,000 miles.

I recently passed my driving test. I have a great interest in cars and like the new Mini. I learned to drive in a 1996 Honda Civic 1.4; sure it is old and a bit of an old womans car and it had covered 98,000 miles. My instructor told me she had the only new clutch ever at 82,000 miles. So if a Honda Civic can take abuse from learners, then a Mini should be able to. I have also heard about power steering pumps going on Mini's. For a BMW, this surprises me and the comments others have made above seem like rather lame excuses that mask a car with some serious quality issues.

I started my driving instructor business about 18 months ago and decided the mini was the car for me. The problems I have had are unbelievable. New clutch at 7,000 miles, another new clutch at 43,000 miles (to mention a few) and have now been told that any parts needed are not guaranteed as I am an instructor and the car is abused. I love the car, but wish I could get better back up, in fact I wish I just didn't have the problems in the first place. I have stuck with the mini because I love it so much, but I'm sorry mini babes, I'm looking round for something more reliable, maybe an MG.

Was the comment above about an MG sarcasm? An MG is certainly not anymore reliable than a Mini- it is probably on par.

I'm thinking about buying a Mini, but I'm not liking what I am reading on this site. About the clutches, could I get a stronger one?

Thanks in advance.

I have been reading the driving school issues with regards to the Mini one and clutch problems. Those that say the clutch was replaced did you have to pay for this or did BMW cough up? I have the same problem at the moment - clutch is on its way out at 30,000 miles and they are saying it is not covered on the warranty. Thanks for responding.