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Mini Cooper

Bob of Leesville, SC July 1, 2009

I bought a used 2003 cooper mini. The power steering works only sometimes and recently the pump stayed running after the car was shut off having to remove the battery cable to stop it. I see from many other forums that this is a common problem that may even lead to an electrical fire. Guess I should get full coverage insurance to be safe.

Steve of Deer Park, NY June 23, 2009

I have to rent a car to take a 230 mile trip because I can't trust my Mini to go down the block!! My transmission, cooling system,driver-side door, ball- joint,etc...all went bad! Now the new "miss-fire in cylinder 4" mystery problem has surfaced!

This seems to be yet another issue I've seen on other websites. I just can't wait for the power-steering pump to go! Every repair is crazy money-all for a car your afraid to drive because something else might break. I really miss my old Jeep. I think it would have made more sense to lease a Hummer. I honestly would not give my Mini to my worst enemy!!

John of Edison, NJ June 27, 2009

My girlfriend has a 2002 mini cooper with a 5 speed. She bought it when we first started going out. Since then, the wipers have only worked in dry weather. We were told by MINI that this was a common problem and would cost a minimum of 600 to fix. on Monday we were about to get the car fixed when the Driver side window went down and would not return to the uprite position. Or any positions for that matter. So here I am, about to go outside now and take the door apart to check the window assembly to try to save some money. I personally have owned about 8 cars and none of them have had the stupid problems her mini has had.

Carina of Montebello, CA June 23, 2009

purchased 2005 mini cooper with a CVT transmission. Have been to dealer three times with the same problem - a spike in the RPM everytime I let go of the gas pedal. Mini seems to just tweek the problem but the problem is not fixed permanently. Mini has acknowledged that the CVT transmissions are faulty and that is why they have stopped making them in 2007. With only 25,000 miles to go on my warranty, I am dreading what is going to happen when my transmission gives out. transmissions are 8000!

Why is Mini USA not recalling such transmissions and giving the customer peace of mind? Why would BMV-Mini sell such a faulty product? once the found out the CVT transimission was no good, they should have fixed the problem but recalling. Why is it that they still have 01-06 models for sale? I need some help here... I've been told by several service advisors that my car is like ticking bomb... the transimssion will eventually give out.. it is inevitable. MINI USA knows this.. why are they not doing anything?

Sarah of San Diego, CA June 17, 2009

I purhased my 2004 MINI Cooper manual, purchased used at CarMax in 2006. At about 54,000 miles, the vehicle began making a whining/scraping noise, which turned out to be the transmission and needed to be replaced. While my original manufacturer's warranty had expired at 36,000 miles, my extended warranty covered the repair. I am extremely disappointed with MINI USA since I had done extensive research on the vehicle/brand to ensure that I would not encounter premature expensive repairs. In other words, I purchased a MINI Cooper because I thought I was purchasing a quality product that would last. There is no reason why a car with so few miles, driven gently and skilfully, would need a new transmission so soon.

abner of norwalk, CT June 14, 2009

i bought mi 2003 minicopper and my transmission went

Jennifer of Huntington Beach, CA June 10, 2009

I bought my 2005 Mini in 2007. Last night my steering went out, nearly causing an accident. Today I called Mini itself to find out what I can do and was told my warranty ran out in March and it was likely my steering pump. After researching online, I find out many many other Mini owners have the same problem. I am about to take this car at my expense in to have it officially diagnosed but this is ridiculous! A four year old car and they have no recalls in the US but they have in the UK! I could have been on the freeway and seriously injured as a result of this. I am going to sell this car and never will I buy another or recommend it to anyone else. I am currently out a vehicle, estimates of cost to fix are about 1500.

judi of oakland, CA June 8, 2009

Mini Cooper are cute cars but a service nightmare. Within the first two years of owning our brand new Mini, the clutch had to be repaired. Two years later the transmission had to be replaced. I would never recommend this car to anyone

David of Fullerton, CA May 27, 2009

I purchased a 2004 Cooper S. At 65K miles the radiator fan went out. Called the dealer, out of warranty. Told me it would cost 378 for fan and 400 for labor. Total to repair a fan, over 850. Ridiculous. I bought the fan and put it in myself. Driver side window has gone out twice, first time it was under warranty.

Second time, you guessed it, out of warranty. Over 500 to replace. I will by the part (rails and cables) my self, window motor is good, and put it in myself. Repair costs for a Mini is at least 4 times higher than the average car, ie, Accord, Malibu, Sentra....

Rachael of Santa Monica , CA May 28, 2009

*** Reason why Mini's are all 6-speed now????? My mechanic told me that what happened to my 5 speed 2003 mini cooper is common in only 5-speeds and would NOT have happened if it was a 6-speed. Something in my transmission cracked while driving and leaked oil on my clutch. This lead me to 6000 of maintenance to rebuild my transmission and replace clutch when clutch wouldn't have needed to be replace if there weren't all my motor oil dretched all over it. Please advise that they do not make mini coopers in 5-speeds anymore!

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