Mini Cooper Reviews

  • 4,676,892 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
  • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
  • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
  • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.

About Mini Cooper

Pros
  • Compact size for easy parking
  • Good fuel efficiency
Cons
  • Frequent mechanical issues reported
  • High repair costs for maintenance

Mini Cooper Reviews

Filter by Rating

  • (21)
  • (24)
  • (19)
  • (83)
  • (318)

Popular Mentions

    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Mini Cooper?
    • 4,676,892 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
    • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Recent
    • Recent
    • Oldest
    • Most helpful

    A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.

    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Mini Cooper?
    • 4,676,892 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
    • We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
    • We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Customer ServiceSales & MarketingPricePunctuality & SpeedStaffEase of Use

    Reviewed April 26, 2025

    San Diego MINI delivers an outstanding car-buying experience from start to finish! I worked with Antonio, who made the process of purchasing my MINI Countryman absolutely seamless. His communication was flawless—always timely and clear. Antonio’s depth of knowledge about the MINI brand was impressive. He took the time to explain every feature, from driver assist technologies to customization options, all while keeping the experience personalized and pressure-free. Pricing and financing were laid out with total transparency, which made me feel confident and informed every step of the way.

    What makes this dealership even more exceptional is Lisa, the Sales Manager. Her desk is positioned at the front entrance, not hidden away, which allows her to monitor dealership activity and engage proactively. Lisa stepped in effortlessly when needed, and her visible leadership style created a sense of openness, accountability, and support that you rarely find in automotive sales. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is their shared top priority.

    The MINI Countryman itself has exceeded my expectations. The driving performance is fun and responsive, while the exterior design turns heads. The interior is thoughtfully designed with quality materials, great storage, and comfortable seating. The infotainment system is sharp, easy to use, and integrates perfectly with Apple CarPlay. The driver assist features enhance safety without being intrusive, and the MINI App with the Digital Key keeps me connected and in control wherever I go. The technical advances far surpass my last vehicle, and thanks to the dealership’s one-on-one familiarization sessions, I feel confident using every feature safely and effectively.

    This was hands-down the best dealership experience I’ve ever had. Antonio and Lisa make a phenomenal team, and their dedication to transparency, professionalism, and customer care is why I’ll be a customer for life. I highly recommend San Diego MINI to anyone looking for an exceptional vehicle and world-class service.

    Thanks for your vote!

    Not sure how to choose?

    Get buying tips about Car Brands delivered to your inbox.

      By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. Unsubscribe at any time.

      Thanks for subscribing.

      You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.

      Reviewed March 26, 2025

      2022 Mini Cooper with major engine failure. This car is driven by a 73 year old lady and has less than 50k miles. Mini declined the warranty repair due to "inconsistent oil changes". They have had the car now for over 3 months. I will never purchase another Mini and would advise you against it as well. Read the other reviews!!!

      Thanks for your vote!
      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed March 24, 2025

      We need help. My 73-year-old mother is being completely abandoned by Mini Cooper and Flow Mini of Raleigh after her 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman—which my sister and I bought new for her—suffered sudden engine failure under regular use. After starting the car in her driveway, black smoke started pouring from the engine. She immediately called the nearest Mini dealership in Knoxville, TN, who confirmed the car was still under warranty and arranged to tow it in. That was over a month ago. Since then, Mini Corporate has denied the warranty, offering only a $20K+ bill for a new engine. We submitted proof of all regular, on-time oil changes, and have now reopened the case for the third time—but no one at Mini Corporate, Dan ** at Knoxville Mini, or Flow Mini of Raleigh will respond.

      My mother is a senior citizen with custody of her 15-year-old granddaughter. She needs safe, reliable transportation. We can’t afford to replace the engine or buy a new car. What makes this even more heartbreaking? I’ve been a loyal Mini driver for nearly two decades. I had a 2006 Mini Cooper S for 15 years, and I now drive a 2012 Mini Roadster. I’ve loved and supported this brand—but this experience is an utter betrayal. @MiniUSA, do the right thing.
You sold us a $40K lemon, and you're leaving a loyal customer’s family stranded. #MiniCooperFail #MiniCountryman #WarrantyScam #MiniUSA #FlowMini #KnoxvilleMini #DoBetterMini #CustomerServiceFail

      Thanks for your vote!

      Reviewed Aug. 10, 2024

      Money pits. These cars are awful. I bought my Mini Cooper Clubman S. Fun car when it worked. I bought that car twice. Not joking and it wasn't a lease. I asked the mechanic...ok so after all this I should be good to go. He straight up told me...for now. The cars are so temperamental garbage.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Customer ServicePricePunctuality & SpeedReliability

      Reviewed June 29, 2024

      I'd be very happy with my 2019, 3 door hardtop mini w/ 3 cylinder turbo engine if a child hadn't designed the bluetooth radio console device, another child hadn't approve it and a 3rd child hadn't said let's put run-flat tires on it. I bought it used in 2023 with 25K miles on it, no dents, dings or accidents.

      The Pros: decent gas mileage with plenty of pep in the city and highway, tight steering, braking and overall handling. I'm only 5'-8" so it fits me perfect but I've had 6'-4" tall passengers who were comfortable too. Heat and AC work well as does the double moon roof. Heated seats, power windows, mirrors, wiper controls and cruise control are all well thought out and function well as do the interior lights. It's a 2 seater, don't expect it to be roomy for 4 adults or you're a fool. It works well as a 2 seater for me, I often have the rear seats down so I can get groceries and luggage and other things in the back. All of these things are at least average if not above and well above average. It's quick sporty and fun to drive especially in the warmer sunnier months.

      The Cons: the radio/Bluetooth/console device is far below average, it continually loses the Bluetooth connection with my phone and won't reset until I try it over and over again. It's never happened with ANY vehicle I've owned in 20 years. When you turn it on the device takes a long time to sync because it has far too much useless things. No navigation/map-type feature but it can tell you how much air is in your tires. It also annoys you to get an oil change or a check up, but after you do, half the time they can't turn off the warning lights, beeps chirps and noises.

      Thanks for nothing and creating distractions to cause an accidents. The fob is also poorly designed and takes forever to actually lock, unlock open the trunk and doesn't even chirp so remember where you parked. All things that probably get bogged down by the Bluetooth dashboard console system very poor design and execution of technology that every car manufacturer usually gets right these days. The seats are faux leather and can cause your backside to sweat more than cloth.

      The ride can be bumpy and rough since it's so small and set up in a more sporty fashion for handling. The other thing that's stupid, yes, stupid is the run-flat tires. Sure, since it doesn't have a spare tire it's good in theory. This decision was made by children on a board or committee after they reviewed the promotional data and made a financial deal with a tire manufacturer before actually reviewing data of how they actually perform. You really can't repair or patch them, they're more expensive, special order, cause an even worse ride, less gas mileage and overall something to avoid at all costs. If you plan to buy a Mini, demand they put on regular tires, RUN FLAT TIRES SUCK! The tires were only 6-7 months old when I got the car, maybe several thousand miles on them and I've had 2 flats in only 3 months.

      Final score a 3. I rate the car a 5 but the stupid Bluetooth/radio/dash console and it's useless features a 1. That's a total of 6 divided by 2, equals 3. Hopefully, they'll have upgrades to it or be able to reprogram the stupid dashboard device. Who cares about changing the color of the lights around the console, or so many other insignificant "features" if it doesn't even stay synced to your phone. It's gone out of sync during phone calls or turning off the car to go inside and pick up a pizza, coming back a few minutes later. Then it won't sync after 5-10 attempts, even turning the car and radio on and off as well as your device multiple times. This feature alone is problematic to the point of causing distractions enough with all the beeps and chirps and losing connectivity to cause accidents.

      YES, IT'S THAT BAD! The Bluetooth/radio dash device needs to be recalled and reprogrammed its below the standard of Mini and far below the standard of BMW. Again a child would do better and besides that it's a great car. So turn off the radio and forget about using the stupid device and have fun! It's hard for me to do that because I'm so into music.

      Thanks for your vote!

      Reviewed March 23, 2024

      I have owned a 2008 and 2018 mini coopers. Reliable, awesome mileage and consistent performance for both. I wish that my 2018 shared the behind the seats cargo extensions and extra glove box that my 2008 model had. I hope that this and more adaptable cup holders have been addressed since the 2018 model.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Price

      Reviewed March 18, 2024

      I purchased a 2016 MINI Clubman S with 24,000 miles on it in 2019. I put 50,000 miles on it and just traded it in with 74,400 on it. Very nice looking car and fun to drive. During the 4+ years that I owned this car I replaced the brakes 3 times @ $1000 each. I replaced the battery @ over $300. I replaced the tires twice at $1200. I replaced the motor mount, and dog bone at over $1500. I replaced the oil filter housing at $2200. I replaced a rim at over $500. I was told that I needed to replace the entire front axle because my CV joint was leaking. Another $1600. Also the struts and shocks needed to be replaced at another $3000. They also told me that I should replace my tires again. I am 59 years old and have owned many cars. I have never had maintenance and up keep cost anywhere near this. There are no after market parts, so you are locked in to having everything done at the dealer. I would never consider another MINI or anything made by BMW again. Money Pit!!!

      Thanks for your vote!
      CoveragePriceReliability

      Reviewed Jan. 22, 2023

      In 2015 I purchased my first used car ever. I have always bought new, but wanted a good quality car on a budget. Was replacing a Saab 9.5 with over 135k miles. I test drove a Volkwagan Passat and hated it and this cute Mini Cooper was next to it. Nothing on the lot appealed to me and I thought the Mini was impractical but I test drove it cause Why Not?! It was AWESOME! It was much larger on the inside than it looks on the outside and this was a more basic 2 door version. The back seems a little small if you want to transport people in the back seat on a daily basis, but I don't need to so I just keep the back seats down and the space it provides to transport so many things. I am a tennis coach and am able to transport my equipment with ease. My Dad ended up buying the Paceman, she is a riding instructor and carts around saddles, trunks, etc with ease. I purchased a load of plants and flowers from a nursery this summer and was able to carry almost as much as our 2019 Acura RDX.

      I began with 27k miles on it in 2015 and it is now 2023, I have 134,600 on it and I have kept up with maintenance, oil changes, brakes, tires, etc. I have not had to do anymore than that up until 2022 when I had to change the oil gasket, thermostat for about $1000 and the cooler in 2021, extended warranty covered this. I was thinking of selling and purchasing a brand new one, but after the reviews I'm going to hold off. I was on the fence because this one has been so good to me and I still enjoy driving it that anytime you change cars, no matter which brand it could be good or bad. But I still will purchase another Mini after I run this into the ground most likely.

      This car has driven up and down 95 between Northern New England and Southwestern Virginia and between Southwestern Virginia and DC on a very regular basis. It is great on the highway and the ONLY car I will drive on windy mountain roads because of how well it hugs the curves. I am someone who gets car sick very easily and if I am a passenger in this car I do not get sick on windy roads. I've driven it up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, through the White Mountains in NH, in the snow, driving rain, and have never felt unsafe. We lived up a huge hill in Central New Hampshire, do not have AWD and am able to get up a steep snowy incline with minimal effort or problem.

      Maybe these other Mini owners do not keep up with oil changes. BMW is known to begin having oil leaks. I only just had this issue in late 2022 and I have always changed the oil they recommend every 3k miles. I also use 93 gasoline. It is important to use 93 and since I get such good gas mileage even though it can be much more expensive we still found this to be a better option on long drives than when we had a Nissan Rogue. If you switch back and forth with Regular and Plus or Supreme it is not good for your car and maybe that is the issue with these other reviews?

      Bottom Line. I bought mine at CarMax. So have never dealt with a Mini Dealership and the service department at the 3 different CarMax's this car has been to has been superb! My mom's car was bought used at a BMW dealership and they have had no issues with Service either. I bought my tires, brakes, and changed lightbulbs there and have found them reasonable and reliable. Get the CarMax Extended Warranty no matter which car you purchase from there, it covers everything imaginable without a problem and will cover whether the part is from Mini or aftermarket so don't be afraid to ask for Mini parts. In the beginning I did have to change spark plugs, they used Mini factory ones, and was told it was because the previous owner probably used cheaper gas and changing to 93 consistently I never had a problem after that! I love my Mini, other Mini owners I meet love their Mini and I am looking forward to exploring my options for a new Mini!

      Thanks for your vote!
      Staff

      Reviewed May 21, 2021

      If you are thinking of purchasing or leasing a MINI Cooper, don’t. You would be dealing with a company that does not take responsibility for their franchisees, their employees, and their third party affiliates (ergo Roadside assistance). I was stranded in Yellowstone National Park for two days to no avail and had to turn to my insurance company. MINI then left me stranded in the Idaho Falls airport without a rental car. I am from Georgia. MINI is not taking responsibility for their negligence and an alignment that resulted in my tire’s uneven wear-and-tear and, ultimately, its ripping to the wire. You’re better off with another car/company. If BMW is anything like it’s daughter company, I wouldn’t go near them either. Save yourself an enormous headache down the road.

      Thanks for your vote!

      Reviewed April 25, 2021

      We bought a 2016 Mini Cooper. Jan 2020 It had 46000 mi. 1 year and 4 Mos later we had it serviced at 48000 mi and were told engine mount failed-cost $786. Repair manager said he has seen this happen many times with the mini. I called several other repair places who said the same thing. Our friend who just bought a mini said it happened to him.

      Our $2000 4 year extended warranty excluded coverage for this. We dumped this warranty and called mini to get some type of reimbursement for this obvious design flaw. They offered nothing- not even a partial refund. Looking to sell our mini cooper asap. BUYER BEWARE- MINI CORPORATE DOES NOT STAND BEHIND ITS PRODUCT

      Thanks for your vote!
      Loading more reviews...

      Mini Cooper Company Information

      Company Name:
      Mini Cooper
      Website:
      www.miniusa.com