Anyone own a MINI Cooper, Clubman, or Countryman?

[kermit116]

Does anybody out there have a MINI Cooper, Clubman or Countryman? I'm probably going to need a new commuter car in the next 6-12 months, and I'm thinking about a MINI. This would be strictly a commuter car & "run to the grocery store" car. We have a larger vehicle that we use for family trips, so the MINI's small size is not an issue for me. Usually it would just be me in the car, so I don't need a big back seat, although it might be nice to be able to take the car out for dinner on Friday night with DH.

I'm considering a MINI because:
-Good safety ratings (as well as 7 airbags, including side curtain)
-Good gas mileage
-Reportedly fun to drive (although I haven't been for a test drive yet)
-Compact size

About me:
-Commute to work about 90 miles roundtrip daily
-Commute in a metro area with bad traffic
-At work, I park in a garage that has low clearance & small spaces
-I like to drive, and I'd like to have more than just a standard plain commuter car since I'll spend several hours in the car each week
-Safety and gas mileage are top priorities

I've been doing a lot of research on MINIs and I'd like to hear more from actual MINI owners. Also, advice on whether the smallest MINI (the Cooper) has met your needs or whether you feel the Clubman or Countryman would be a more useful commuter car. I'd love to get a Countryman with the 4-wheel drive for the occasional icy/snowy drive to work, but those are very expensive ($30-$35k) considering I can probably get a used, relatively low mileage MINI Cooper Hardtop for about $18k.

My primary concern at this point is reliability. Some reviews I've read online say that people have had trouble with their MINIs needing parts, and the parts taking a long time to order. Has anyone experienced this? We have a friend who is a mechanic who will do work on our cars at a discount, but we still have to pay whatever the parts cost.

Any tips from current or past MINI owners would be greatly appreciated.

 

[trip]

My DD had a mini-cooper and loved it. She was sad when she moved to snow country and exchanged it for a jeep.

When she had her mini, she liked this board. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/

 

[DVC-Don]

Family down the street has two Mini's, one a convertible. In the winter they mostly drive their Jeep.

 

[MaggieBailey]

Does anybody out there have a MINI Cooper, Clubman or Countryman? I'm probably going to need a new commuter car in the next 6-12 months, and I'm thinking about a MINI. This would be strictly a commuter car & "run to the grocery store" car. We have a larger vehicle that we use for family trips, so the MINI's small size is not an issue for me. Usually it would just be me in the car, so I don't need a big back seat, although it might be nice to be able to take the car out for dinner on Friday night with DH.

I'm considering a MINI because:
-Good safety ratings (as well as 7 airbags, including side curtain)
-Good gas mileage
-Reportedly fun to drive (although I haven't been for a test drive yet)
-Compact size

About me:
-Commute to work about 90 miles roundtrip daily
-Commute in a metro area with bad traffic
-At work, I park in a garage that has low clearance & small spaces
-I like to drive, and I'd like to have more than just a standard plain commuter car since I'll spend several hours in the car each week
-Safety and gas mileage are top priorities

I've been doing a lot of research on MINIs and I'd like to hear more from actual MINI owners. Also, advice on whether the smallest MINI (the Cooper) has met your needs or whether you feel the Clubman or Countryman would be a more useful commuter car. I'd love to get a Countryman with the 4-wheel drive for the occasional icy/snowy drive to work, but those are very expensive ($30-$35k) considering I can probably get a used, relatively low mileage MINI Cooper Hardtop for about $18k.

My primary concern at this point is reliability. Some reviews I've read online say that people have had trouble with their MINIs needing parts, and the parts taking a long time to order. Has anyone experienced this? We have a friend who is a mechanic who will do work on our cars at a discount, but we still have to pay whatever the parts cost.

Any tips from current or past MINI owners would be greatly appreciated.

I don't own a MINI but my boss does - and I've driven it many times before! (I'm a nanny) I've actually been looking at them myself for when I need a new car. Hers is a super fancy convertible one, and I love it! I've never seen them in an automatic - but I love driving a stick shift, so no worries. If it is a stick, you can really feel the difference in how it is versus a cheaper type of car in a stick shift, I especially could in the pedals! The convertible, while adorable - has really bad blind spots. When I would first drive it, it made me super nervous, and even when it was cold I'd put the top down if I felt I had too little clearance! Lol! I've never driven a non convertible one - but I bet it is much better to see.... So cute, very comfy for just a few (I would drive an 8 and 12 year old in it!) and you are right, not lots of extra space, so nothing big --- but great on gas! !

She has to take it about an hour away to an actual MINI dealer for check ups and the like, cause numerous places wont work on it..... Don't know why!

 

[HM]

I haven't been in one, but looked at one that our neighbor bought. It doesn't seem to have much leg room for anyone sitting in the back. We're tall so that factor in itself made me stop thinking about one for our family.

 

[lucyem]

My husband has been driving his Mini S for like 5 years now. He LOVES it. The first 3 years he was self employed and drove all over the state. When he started getting into another aspect of his field he and needed more equipment he looked into a clubman. But he did not want to give up the S and then he got a job with the state so he was able to stick with his mini.

There is tons of room in the mini for the driver & front passenger. My husband is 6'4 and has more space in the mini then he has in most vehicles. Only his F250 has more room for him. His head touches the roof of a lot of cars. I agree the back seat on the other hand is small. Though I have sat in worse. My husband said he cannot sit back there.

The car has been super reliable. He originally bought his used. I think at one point he had to deal with the shift/transmission but I think it was due with the amount of miles on it.

I love driving the mini and would love to have one. But with 2 boys on their way to being as tall as dad, the mini is not an option.

 

[trip]

My DD's mini cooperS was an automatic. She never has driven a stick.

It was her first new car and she had so much fun deciding on which features to get - within her budget. Then the wait seemed to take forever for it to be built and shipped.

 

[rella's fan]

I have a Mini that I bought new two and a half years ago and I LOVE it! It's automatic and I haven't had any problems with it. The brakes and tires need to be replaced a little sooner than average and since it is basically a BMW the service does run a little more but it's a great car - very fun to drive. It's our only car and my very tall 9 year old fits back there just fine.

 

[uk_wildcat]

I am looking at these also. I am thinking about going to school about 45 minutes away and need something with better gas mileage than my van. I am also wanting something smaller so that I can park in garages and small spaces around the school. Since we have snow, I will probably look at the Countryman, but I am not looking to buy until next year or even the year after, so I am hoping I can find a good price on a used one. I have not driven one, so I will definitely do that before making a decision, but I think they are a great choice. I also like the safety features and that it isn't just a boring small car.

 

[rella's fan]

Forgot to mention, I'm in Canada and get very large amounts of snow (especially this past winter) so this was one of my worries but the salesperson assured me it was great in the snow, and he was right, it is. (no AWD)

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

We have been researching used Mini Coopers. Just stay away from 2006 or older! Google Mini Cooper Transmission

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/mini.html

 

[SamSam]

I've had my Mini Cooper for 5 years, over 110,00 miles and still love it! It's amazing how much 'stuff' can fit in it (with the back seats folded down).

One thing I love about it, is that even though it looks small and low to the ground, you don't feel that way when you're in it.

 

[kermit116]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[kewlby]

I drive a 2009 Mini Cooper S and LOVE it! I use it for my commute (25mi each way) and driving the kids around town. We have an SUV when more room is required or for long trips. I ordered mine through the mini website which is really nice because you can customize it with exactly what you want. But the disadvantage of that is the excruciating pain of waiting for the car to be built and shipped across the pond. But once you get it, it's SO worth it. From my 2.5 years of experience, here are my thoughts:

Pros:
- Gas mileage, I get 34 mpg.
- Handling and acceleration, I have a manual and the S is a turbo.
- Classic good looks
- Fun to drive.
- Retains its value. It's almost not worth it to buy a used one.
- Mine has been reliable and a new car comes with 3 years of maintenance.
- For the two front passengers, it's actually quite roomy.
- Can squeeze into almost any parking spot.

Cons:
- The ride is bumpy. Backseat passengers will complain during long trips. This is the trade off for it's stiff handling and runflat tires.
- If you get the sunroof (which I recommend) there's lots of rattling. I just turn up the stereo.
- Sometimes (rarely) I could use a little more space in back.

If I were to do it again, I'd buy the same car. Although, I might be tempted to upgrade to the countryman.