Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-49
Re-occurring Transmission troubles.
Blown engine.
Poor Mileage.
Hard starts in Winter.
No space.
Okay, First off, let me say that this car is extremely fun to drive. All though, after all is said and done, if you enjoy the drive, then go with an "S" because, while the Standard Cooper isn't lacking normal power, just when you forget what kind of car your driving, is when it reminds you that your only working with about 115 Horsepower.
The first problem we experienced, was an apparent "Chip" shifting into Third gear. No big deal, we took it to the dealership, and they repaired it under warranty, I firmly believe that this "chip" was in fact the fault of My mother, for whom the car was purchased. And seeing as how she hadn't driven a car with a manual transmission since she learned how to drive (nearly 27 years ago) I'm surprised that that was the only problem we had with the Tranny. I can't hardly blame the car.
That is where the trouble started. After they replaced the transmission at around 18K miles, for the "chip", There was an extremely noticeable difference in the way the car shifted, the gearing seemed to be extremely different from that of the original tranny, I later hypothesized that the dealership had installed a transmission for the "S", probably because generally, transmissions that are removed are sent somewhere to be refurbished, and either by mistake, or by not thinking it would cause harm, they through in the only spare refurbished tranny they had sitting around, which I believe just happened to be that of an "S". Okay, no big deal. it didn't affect the car negetively, and in fact I think the shorter gearing increased performance, but after about 3K miles, the tranny Died on us, and we returned to the dealership, and they in turn concluded that the throw-out bearing, had been re-installed incorrectly at their garage. Now it's not so much the fact that we had to take it back, but there was a screaming discrepancy here, that really bugged me. In all my dealings with cars, and various types of transportation, when and if you replace the transmission, It should be customary too, to change all the ancillaries involved with the tranny, i.e. THE CLUTCH. that to me is liken to replacing an oil filter, flushing the engine, and then putting in all the old oil, that had just been drained out of it. It just doesn't make sense.
And lastly, at around 42K, the Mini was involved in a minor accident, whereafter the car was in need of just a new front fascia. And a new engine. simply put, perhaps because of dumb bad luck, the accident that should have resulted in a new front lip, managed to end up costing us a brand new engine, a new front bumper, and a new set of keys. My guess, and this is only because the day after they removed the engine, the same day they gave us an estimate (yes we had to pay for this one, because the warranty had run out by about 2 weeks) when we called to ask about the engine, unfortunately they could tell us nothing specific, because the engine had already been "Shipped" to a re-work facility, to be refurbished, and end up back in some lucky stiff's mini.
My only guess is that, when the front spoiler was clipped, either some debris, or the object that actually caused the initial damage, ended up putting a hole, or a crack in the radiator, and somehow simultaneously disabling the thermostat, because apparently, all the coolant managed to drain, and the engine managed to heat-up to the point of seizing, and all without the temp guage ever leaving the green.
So basically, after about $12,000.00 in repairs for the accident, all I can really say is, I don't know if it was the dealership, that was at the root of my problems, or if it was just dumb luck. but if you're looking to get one, I reccomend going with an "S" as these have fewer problems from what I understand, or be extremely careful where you buy your car, and which car you get. They aren't bad cars, but I think the earlier models, '02, '03, are a bit Hit-or-miss.
Aside from the problems, and the fact that I got Horrible mileage, (about 15/19) I love the car, it's Fun as $#!@ to drive, and it's not going to turn you into another faceless operator of an urban assault vehicle (SUV).
Hi friend,
I'm glad you seem to have a faster response from the replacement transmission, but I must tell you that it could not have come from a MINI Cooper S since it's a 6-speed while the MINI Cooper is a 5 speed. You would have noticed more than just shorter throws.
I am adding my comment in July of 2005...my 2003 MINI was a super champ all the way around until about 25,000 miles. I now have 40,000 miles and have a new transmission, new clutch, new ENGINE and new rear brakes. And yes, it all started with the "chip" from 3rd to 4th gear.
My service has been extraordinary, but the car has broken my heart! I still believe in the MINI, but I fear I got a "bad" one... happens sometimes, but I can't afford anything more to go wrong, which I am almost certain it will every 5,000 miles or so.
Hello, all. Just wanted to put in my two cents as my '02 Mini Cooper is costing me two grand today. My car has had zero serious problems up until now. A couple of simple recalls, a few flat tires, but that's it. Until today. At 38,000 miles, the clutch is burned out, and the flywheel may need to be replaced. But the real kicker is the labor, comprising $1400 of the total. It was in 3 weeks ago for oil service, at which point I had them check out the clutch. Whereas the clutch seemed well synchronized for the the first 36,000 miles or so, it was becoming difficult when switching gears recently. Well, I was told the clutch was in fantastic shape.
So now, the dealership is blaming the issue on driver error, which is not a believable assertion. I love my Mini and baby it and pay strict attention to clutch usage. Anyway, I've heard that the clutch has gone out at about 40,000 miles from several Mini Cooper owners, so I thought I'd add mine to the growing tally.
I own a 2003 and 2004 mini. The 2003 is on its third clutch and the 2004 is on its second. The 03 has about 44000 miles and the 04 about 27000. Lucky for me both are covered under warranty. Fun to drive though!
It's my turn. Longtime fan of Mini... I was. The second week I had my Cooper, 2nd gear failed... towed back to Niello in Sacramento... great service. Lights outside and inside burn out... little thing. Now, however, at 60,000 miles, my clutch goes out. I am out of warranty, so I took it to a very respected BMW/German auto repair shop, 25 years in business, impeccable. They dismantle the cluth and fine it full of oil... the seal had failed to the transmission! Now... a new transmission... no parts are made... the whole thing must be replaced, plus the cluth and labor! The repair shop evaluated the situation and deemed by manufacturing in the transaxle area... since I'm out of warranty, Mini doesn't want to know about it. $3500. out of pocket AT 60k miles!!! Angry here. Hey Mini, you're so differnet, so cool, so hip except when it comes to integrity of product. I drive 70 miles per day on a freeway back and forth to work, that's it! 60K! new clutch and now transmission THIS SUCKS!!!
I was very glad to hear about others having problems with their Minis. I had a 2003 Mini Cooper and just sold it today. I had to replace the clutch for $2000- not under warranty- because it blew out at 18,000 miles. I think this is preposterous and spent many hours calling Mini USA, but to no avail. I used to love driving the Mini, but I felt so wronged by their response, that I had to get rid of it. And now I feel I should spread the word to warn potential Mini purchasers against that decision!
I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S, and though I have had no problems with transmission or clutch, every 13,000 miles I get some sort of issue that requires the car to be in the shop for a week or two. I've had fan problems, and overheating issues (that was 2+ weeks in the shop. Today, right on schedule, the ABS, DSC and flat tire lamps all came on, indicating that I have some sort of malfunction or defect. My dealership is actually pretty great in the service arena, but, crikey! I just can't have problems like this! My last car was a Jeep, which I drove for 157,000 miles on the original clutch, and I never, never had a day of trouble. I am so disappointed because I love driving the MINI. I will probably get rid of it tomorrow.
Well, one more data point. 2004 MINI Cooper CVT with about 32,000 miles. Not abusive miles, but certainly has been driven in a sporty manner.
Zero problems. So far, the best car I've owned. Has needed nothing other than new front tires last month, wiper blades and oil changes.
Those having problems do have my sympathy, but not all of these cars are trouble!
2/3/2006.
I have a 2003 MINI Cooper S that I've been leasing for three years. I drive very little and only have 15,000 miles on it. I love the car, have had no problems other than a flat tire and am considering purchasing it ($14,500). It seems a no brainer to me except for the comments and costs I'm reading to repair the clutch. The dealer here is excellent. I'm not a car person, but would it make sense to replace the clutch preemptively before there is a problem and how much would it cost to do so? Thanks.
Hello all I've just purchased a 03 mini s with 44000 on it and everything seems to work just fine though I've driven it only 100 miles so far
I just raised it up on my lift and looked about the under carriage everything looks fine
I will need tires before long, but that is part of driving
the entire car looks new no scratches and the whole interior looks and smells new
reading everyones comments makes me a little bit gun shy about it, but I hope to have a great experience with it as I have always wanted one since 02
hope everyone has a great day
tom m.
Well I really wanted a Mini, but overall the comments here are driving me back to Infiniti. I have a 96 G20 and never had any problem other than a dead battery and clogged gutters in my sunroof. I've got 96K miles. I don't like the G35 because of it's size. I really wanted to get a small car, but the headaches I'm reading are putting me off. I do know that the engine in the Mini was a VW/BMW shared engine used in the Beetle as well. I read this year Mini is switching to a Peugeot engine. I guess I'll have to wait and see how the y work out. The G20 still has plenty of life in it. But it's not a Mini.
"I do know that the engine in the Mini was a VW/BMW shared engine used in the Beetle as well. I read this year Mini is switching to a Peugeot engine."
Actually, the hastily designed first generation engines were provided by Chrysler (Tritec). I expect the BMW/Peugeot designed engines to be of marked improvement. You should see a bump in HP of about 35hp over the original base engine.
I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper last week, and six days after purchase, the clutch went out. The dealership has been great, surprised, sorry, etc. They fixed it (replaced the clutch with a new one) and gave me a rental car in the interim - I pick up the Mini tomorrow, and expect no bill for service.
Reading the comments here does give me some trepidation - my first car was a mini (1977) and I have a real passion for the car, but I'm now a little leery of potential problems.
The dealer said that the clutch can really go out at any time in the life of the car. They suggested avoiding "engine braking" as this would reduce wear and tear.
Any other preventative ideas on the part of comment submitters would be appreciated.
Do not buy a Mini Cooper.
Just over the warranty period, the radiator went bad, the brakes and rotors needed to be replaced, and the clutch went out. About $3500 spent.
It bothered me less BEFORE talking to the dealer, who informed me that I "did pretty well" since the clutch and rotors fail more often before 30,000 miles, and I should count on replacing both every 25 to 30K miles.
They've sold tens of thousands of Minis, and still they won't authorize BMW to service them, or anyone else. There is exactly ONE authorized service center in a five hundred mile radius.
The car is garbage, and the service is worse.
I recently purchased a 03 Cooper with 31,000 miles, and it works fine. Speaking with the previous owner, it apparently always drove well and has, so far, proven to be a very reliable vehicle. The only reason she (previous owner) got rid of it was because she had a baby and needed a 4-door car. In other words she would've kept it had she not had a baby. Now she says that she never drove it hard or abused it at all, something I find hard to believe given how fun it is to drive, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.
I'll have to admit that all this talk about weak clutches however is a little nerve racking. Out of curiosity, has anyone noticed if the clutch is a universal problem for both manual and automatic transmissions, or one that mainly affects those with stick?
Thanks for your response and good luck with your cars.