Faults:

Exhaust Bracket Snapped.

ABS Failure (3 months to fix).

Creaking dash (especially when the heater is on).

Boot often reluctant to open.

Leather has gone baggy.

Creaking passenger seat.

Windows have opened themselves.

Doors have unlocked themselves.

Front brake disc's heavily scored after only 20,000 miles.

Constant creaking from somewhere in the boot and is impossible to locate the problem.

Tyre defect indicator failed along with the ABS which also took 3 months to rectify.

General Comments:

The car would quite simply be the best in it's class by a mile if it wasn't for the fact that BMW cannot build the car properly or source quality components.

The handling of the car is awesome and deflects away from the fact that the engine is a bit underpowered.

I am very disappointed with the economy of my Mini, around 32 MPG is about the best I can manage when BMW quote 42 MPG!

The problems I have encountered have far outweighed the positives and I will soon be looking for something more reliable (if not quite as fun to drive) and it won't be a BMW product.

Faults:

Pull to the left.

Battery drained by Stereo during cold weather. (subject to recall).

Clutch linkage went causing car to stick in gear (subject to recall).

Clutch linkage went again causing car to stick out of gear - not supposed to happen after recall!

Passenger seatbelt/airbag warning light stuck on.

Air conditioning smelly.

General Comments:

One of the early cars on the road September '01, the Cooper is a fantastic car to drive.

Performance and handling is fantastic.

The design is good (if a little overwrought in places)

Running costs are low - 40-45mpg at speed on the motorway and depreciation minimal - so far only replaced front tires and windscreen wipers.

TLC Package (all servicing 5 years/50,000 miles for £100 up front) is fantastic value.

BUT lots of initial teething troubles that haven't been totally ironed out, by the looks of it.

Dealers are keen to get car in quickly, but replacement cars are limited and they seem to do the bare minimum (i.e. if you don't ask them to do something they won't). Car is always returned cleaned and vacuumed, though not always to the highest standards.

BMW have NOT been keen to admit faults - e.g. steering pull to the left - in public, which could have lead to safety issues.

Back seat is very uncomfortable for the style of driving the car encourages!

Despite this I will be very sad to sell it to find room for soon-to-arrive child #1.

Faults:

Tyres inflater warning lights are on many times.

Air bags warning lights flashes 2 times.

General Comments:

I loved the car when I first saw it in the Motor show, but then I was too young to own the car. After a year, I realized that the price of the standard Mini One went up by a thousand pounds and increased the price of option. In a sudden, I decided to buy a used one and hopefully will stay at its value well when I come to sell it after a year.

I got myself a used black Mini One with Salt pack, Air con and 16 inch alloys wheels with less than 9000 pounds.

The first drive of Mini was fantastic. The gear change was smooth, but a bit noisy and hard to shift to reverse gear. After having driving the car for 1 months, the type warning lights are on. I followed the manual and tried to detect is there is any errors on the electric. Fortunately, it went off after a couple of minutes driving, but it was on again. I booked in for service and when I got it back from Mini dealer, they said it was nothing wrong with the type and the electric problems should be solved. A week after this, the air bags warning lights are on and this time had no problem with dealer fixed it right away. But the type lights are on all the time when I drove over 50 miles. Many times bring my car back to Mini dealer doesn't seem to help at all. The problem is still here and hardly to find anyone to solve the problem. I am trying to sell the car right now and hope this will not lose too much money.

A wonderful little hatch to own with too many problems. I think BMW should really improve their after service. I start to hate all of the BMW dealers I have been. Most of them are helpless. I had Z3 4 years ago and it was awful as well. Where can I get a decent car without many problem? I think I might consider to get something less electric involved, like Lotus Elise.