thinking mini cooper
Evolved Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
A guy at work bought one with his wife six months ago. Don't do it.
Good things: I don't know any.
Bad and Weird things:
Run-flat tires.
It chimes and bonks at you like a computer.
The strange gauges and warning lights.
The dashboard controls.
The ignition "key".
Oil dipstick is an inaccurate and unreadable POS.
Oil changes are difficult and take a long time. See oil dipstick.
The oil filter is proprietary and expensive and it has a very stupid plastic filter cover that is reused, if you don't break it when unsnapping the filter.
Plastic timing chain guides... that's right, plastic.
The engine rattles like a diesel.
Daytime running lights unless you ask for that to be disabled.
The average age of a Mini Cooper owner is around 55.
Most Mini drivers are not really car people. A few are.
If you don't use run-flats, and you want a spare, it takes up a lot of cargo space, even if it's a donut.
No stock coolant temp idiot light.
No stock boost gauge on S models.
I suggest you go to a Mini forum and do some research about the problems that owners complain about the most.
Good things: I don't know any.
Bad and Weird things:
Run-flat tires.
It chimes and bonks at you like a computer.
The strange gauges and warning lights.
The dashboard controls.
The ignition "key".
Oil dipstick is an inaccurate and unreadable POS.
Oil changes are difficult and take a long time. See oil dipstick.
The oil filter is proprietary and expensive and it has a very stupid plastic filter cover that is reused, if you don't break it when unsnapping the filter.
Plastic timing chain guides... that's right, plastic.
The engine rattles like a diesel.
Daytime running lights unless you ask for that to be disabled.
The average age of a Mini Cooper owner is around 55.
Most Mini drivers are not really car people. A few are.
If you don't use run-flats, and you want a spare, it takes up a lot of cargo space, even if it's a donut.
No stock coolant temp idiot light.
No stock boost gauge on S models.
I suggest you go to a Mini forum and do some research about the problems that owners complain about the most.
Last edited by ru4real; Jun 11, 2012 at 10:32 AM. Reason: added more bad things
I seen something where that they're getting back in to Rally racing. I would love to see them make something to compete against the Evo & STi....
My mother had one. Had zero issues as stated above. You cam get them without runflats and yes, it has a plastic oil filter housing. Don't know why since BMW uses aluminum ones
My mother had one. Had zero issues as stated above. You cam get them without runflats and yes, it has a plastic oil filter housing. Don't know why since BMW uses aluminum ones