Arya Ebrahimi Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I'm considering an '07-08 Mini Cooper S. Mazda keeps telling me how horrible they are in terms of reliability/maintenance. I know there are a number of people in this group that have/had Mini's. I would love to hear your experiences/opinions on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruadhd2 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I have owned three MINI Cooper S's. One was a 2004 coupe. I had a 2006 convertible with triptronic and a 2006 convertible with 6 speed and John Cooper Works dealer retrofit. Random points. First of all, there have been review articles on reliability. The only real problem ones were 2001 and 2002 and that was about a rear hatch clasp. The reviews demonstrated that after about 2004 they are trouble free. Each of mine were fabulous cars with little or no problems. I loved them to death.The only reason I got rid of my MINIs was : 1. I hate the triptronic. 2. my wife hated the convertibles because of the poor side vision and the obstructed view in the rear due to the rollbars. This is improved with the new convertibles that have popups like the BMW verts. I moved from the MINI to a Miata due to money. It was a blast but I also felt it was chicky looking and underpowered but like a toaster that never breaks. Finally I got an M3 because I wanted the sheer power. I can't tell you how much I loved the MINIs. They are just awesome. They are really roomy inside or they have the feeling. The ergonomics are the best. This is a driver's car. The fun factor cannot be overemphasized. I couldn't help smiling most of the time. Talk about Permagrin! There is a problem in the wet with the newer ones with turbo steer. Not sure the all wheel drive version is worth it for the price. Gas mileage is great, but not on the John Coopers. Lots of aftermarket parts, so you don't need to go to John Cooper. Great car community. Lots of engineers like the 7 folks. Similar peeps. The base non-S model is quite peppy. Cool options and you can design a car a zillion ways. Cool colors. Only reason I wouldn't get another one is that I have a bucket list and I haven't bought a Porsche yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 They make an AWD Mini Cooper S? (Not the Countryman) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastg Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 (edited) I had an early Copper S, supercharged car. Just loved it, truly hated to sell it. I was working at a dealership so they gave me a car to use, it did not make sense to make a car payment when your driving somone elses car. I did the small supercharger pullley and re-programmed ECU. it was just the most fun ever. I replaced the run flats and carried a spare. You could drive it so hard and never get in real trouble. I have a local double 90 degree bend close to the house. I used to ask passengers how fast do you think? Most would say 35-40, how about 65 would be my reply. I still cannot make it that fast in the 7. I am really thinking of getting another one. Graham Edited June 13, 2011 by fastg spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoBoost Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I've had my 2004 JCW S for all of it's 94,000 miles and it's a great car. Fun to drive, economical and reliable. Mileage back and forth to work in mixed highway and street driving is 28 mpg. Highway mileage for me is 34 mpg. I'm not a huge fan of the latest model; they are more isolated feeling. That said, we added a base Cooper for my daughter earlier this year. So, yeah, they're good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I bought a 2005 base for my daughter last year... I heard of problems with the automatic on certain years (replacement is 7 grand!). Taught her to use the 5 speed. It's been a good car so far. The quality and room is impressive. Parts/repairs can be expensive though. I'd buy it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruadhd2 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Yes. They now make an all wheel drive MINI. MINIs are awesome. They are drivers' cars. Nothing is the same as a 7 though, but MINI is probably way more comfortable on long trips, way quieter, more civilized, no problem in rain, but ditch the runflats and put a doughnut in the back seat. You need to drive one. The only thing is that the plastic retro centerpiece stuff on the newer dashes are really stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westy turbo Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Mini has one of the most 'sharp' steering wheel on a 'normal' passenger car,i would buy the turbo though,not the supercharged one' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 I have driven a bunch of Minis. I used to work for a BMW dealership back in 02 when the Mini's first came out. I got to shuttle a lot of new Mini's from the BMW service bay to the Mini dealership 10 miles away. I found very creative ways to get there I had no idea they made AWD Mini's. Are they super rare? I've never even heard mention of them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redgoose Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 get a supercharged version by all means then do a stage II and have a ball. great power, awesome sound from after market exhaust and much better handling then turbo cars. i have had mine since 2002, one of my all time favorites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruadhd2 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 The AWD just came out a few months ago. Check out MINIUSA.com The supercharged ones are great because you can modify them for less money with even more power than a JCW or JCW retrofit. Great performance. I think the turbos handle a little better but the turbosteer in the wet is a bother. You can buy a later model S supercharged model cheap and have a ball. Huge bang for the buck and big smiles. Terrific bargain in a used performance car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Ah yes, the AWD is the Countryman(4 door). Where would you draw the line in terms of mileage on the car? I'm looking at these to be a reliable commuter car first and foremost. Having it down for repairs/maintenance and having to drive one of my other vehicles in the fleet would defeat the purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Arya, I know I am going to catch a lot of flack on this but save your money and find a older Miata (96 to 2000) or even a new one and you will have more fun than you will with a Mini but that is just my belief and yes I do own a 96 Miata 1.8ltr. and have had a real Mini Cooper S and a BMW Mini to compare it too. The real one was a lot of fun when I live in Spain as you could go just about anywhere in it. The BMW Mini was OK but was not as fun although it was very comfortable for two people but lacked that feel that a Miata has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arya Ebrahimi Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Arya, I know I am going to catch a lot of flack on this but save your money and find a older Miata (96 to 2000) or even a new one and you will have more fun than you will with a Mini but that is just my belief and yes I do own a 96 Miata 1.8ltr. and have had a real Mini Cooper S and a BMW Mini to compare it too. The real one was a lot of fun when I live in Spain as you could go just about anywhere in it. The BMW Mini was OK but was not as fun although it was very comfortable for two people but lacked that feel that a Miata has. Unfortunately my requirement that I be able to take my GF and 2 dogs in the car with me disqualifies the Miata. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 You might want to check out the KIA Forte-5-Door SX. Great bang for the money and it will put a smile on your face and meet your requirements also and save you a bundle of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 Unfortunately my requirement that I be able to take my GF and 2 dogs in the car with me disqualifies the Miata. k, then 2 miatas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 k, then 2 miatas. or just leave the dogs home and keep the GF.......:rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 or leave one dog and the G... nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 are you getting awesome advice here or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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