Faults:

2 clutches have been replaced, one at 12,500 miles and one at 51,000.

Transmission was replaced at 51,000 miles.

Wheel was replaced at 1,000 (tiny hole leaking in metal).

Glove box replaced at 5,000.

Fan replaced at 30,000 miles.

Brakes replaced at 30,000 miles and at 75,000 miles.

Electric windows repaired.

Waiting in shop right now because it won't go into gear.

General Comments:

I love the way this car drives; it handles better than any other car I have driven (and I have driven a lot!).

However, I don't think the costs of repairs is worth the performance. I have a 2002 made within the first few months, so I am not sure if that affects the reliability, but it is terribly unreliable. Much of this work was done under warranty, but it had to be towed 160 miles away 3 times. It has caused more than a few headaches.

In addition, I have had to purchase the last clutch for 2,500! (It was repaired in San Francisco).

I love driving my car when it's running, but I am afraid it is time to move on before the engine falls out.

Faults:

Under warranty: transmission seal leaking, doors unlocking by themselves, fan failing, airbag light on without impact, miscellaneous recalls.

After warranty: rear LED top light cracking, brake lights always on, mirror module failed, seems to have overheated.

General Comments:

I have a launch edition 2002 Mini Cooper, which I bought brand new.

I have had a love-hate relationship with my car; I love the way it handles, how fuel efficient it is and convenient to park; I hate feeling as thought it will fail me again and again and again.

So far I have been lucky, it hasn't cost me much to repair it, but I have a very uncomfortable feeling that it will (it now has 83000 km).

The dealership near my house has a very good service department, and there's a couple of advisors I go to whom I trust more than the others. But the electricals on these cars are just plain unreliable. I have bought a CAA membership for my Mini just in case.

I have a 16 year-old Honda Civic with 260,000kms that loves me more than my very expensive Mini (37,000 CAD after all is said and done).

I have resisted selling it ever since its warranty expired a year ago, but I am now close to the point of accepting that it must be done. At least I can get about 16,000 CAD for it, and maybe buy something reliable like the Honda Fit (doubt that I'll love it as much, but I'm pretty sure I won't hate is as much), except the Honda dealers around here are real #$^&*!

Faults:

Nothing really, just a lot of rattles.

General Comments:

This car is great. I don't know how the normal cooper is, but the s is very speedy. I drove this car from Santa Barbara to L.A. almost every day for work, and I haven't had any problems, except that I feel pretty rattled at the end of my commute due to the stiff suspension. this car is fast, and handles incredibly.

Faults:

Intermittent stalling from the beginning.

Loss of power at 6000 KM (Car would go into "limp mode")

Rattling tail gate (from the beginning).

Passenger door trim is loose around the tweeter.

Main wire assembly harness and throttle body replaced at 8000 KM (this fixed the loss of power issue).

Constant rattle and creaking from the panoramic sun roof.

Head lamp washers stopped working at 10500 KM.

Dash board rattles and steering column creeks at 12500 KM.

Driver and passenger side doors do not close properly all the time due to window adjustments.

General Comments:

I would like to point out first and foremost, that Mini's level of service when handling all that has gone wrong with my car has been extraordinary. Repairs have been made in a timely fashion and promptly.

I have talked to other Mini's owners about the problems and some of them have had similar problems, but not to the extent which I have.

I still truly believe that Mini's are not a bad product. I just received a 'buggy' unit.

Aside from all the repairs that have been made, the fun factor on the Mini is superb.

The cockpit is well laid out and the controls are easy to reach.

For a vehicle that appears to be tiny, it has a large cabin. I'm over 6 feet tall and have no problems with leg room in the front. The rear seats are a different story.

Handling is exceptional, with lots of grip turning corners and in perilous weather.

The engine is a bit under powered at low speeds, but reasonable at higher speeds (50 KM/H - 120 Km/H).

Overall Mini has the right idea, but they need to work on their quality assurance, and fit and finish.

Faults:

Only two pieces of plastic have come loose. Gluing back into place fixed both issues. One was the cover on the retractable seat handle on the passenger side. The other was on the hand mount in the back seat, behind the driver. Other than that, I've had great luck with the vehicle.

General Comments:

I ordered my car with the CVT option and have not experienced any of the transmission problems that have been posted to the various internet groups. I drive approximately 90 miles per day near the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and have found the new Mini to be up to all road challenges. Still waiting to see how it performs in snowy conditions using DSC.

Performance is everything that has been advertised. The handling is almost as good as the Porsche Targa and would give almost any passenger car a competitive run on an autocross course.