Mini Coopers are a favourite since decades. Build for speed, comfort and fun to drive, BMW’s Mini Cooper is a timeless classic. After 60 years of manufacturing, this premium car is still one of the most popular vehicles sold. Over the years, this famous vehicle has made waves for it’s economical benefits.
Reliability of cars and models is an important for buyers. It varies from brand to brand, and depending on a buyer’s capital, enables tem to make a wise decision. According to coonsumer reports, the Mini Cooper currently has 21 out of 21 subcompact rating.
Besides that, it is also ranked 25th out of 32nd amongst car brands, and has an average score of 3.0 out of 5.0. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a great vehicle to invest in. Like many others, the Mini Cooper’s reliablity is subjective to various factors.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Mini Coopers?
Everyone knows BMW’s famous Mini. In the last decade, this classic car has made waves for its antique look, models and race-car like characteristics. However, that’s not all. Read on to see the pros of buying a Mini Cooper.
The Pros of BMW’s Mini Cooper
Let’s see what the hype is all about. When you buy a Mini Cooper, you essentially enjoy the following:
It’s a Fun Drive
Mini Coopers a treat for the seasoned driver. Packed with a powerful engine, available in automatic and manual models, this little sports car can make smooth turns, drive smoothly on long highways and is a smooth maneuver. In fact, consumers claim it’s one of the most enjoyable cars out there.
It’s Affordable
The best part about this timeless classic is that it’s afforable. Not only does it retail better than its competitors, but in terms of running, it’s a a great investment. Besides, when compared with other premium cars, it is worth the buy.
It’s Customisable
Classic, beautiful, fun to drive and customisable; the Mini Cooper is a driver’s dream come true. Whether it’s the interior, the system, or the body, the Mini Cooper is customisable to meet the need of every consumer. How awesome is that?
It’s Spacious and Luxurious
BMW prides itself on quality, and it did not cut corners when it came to the Mini Cooper. The compact vehicle is actualy quite decptive, because in reality, the Mini has a very spacious interior. It’s great for tall drivers and designed with luxurious material.
It Gives Excellent Fuel Economy
Fuel is a crucial factor for a consumer. It is a major deciding factor in which vehicle to invest in. BMW did a great job with the Mini Cooper; it gives excellent mileage and reports share that owners only have to fill their tanks once every month, even after solid drives on long highways.
It Has High Resale Value
A classic never goes out of style, and it holds true in the Mini Cooper’s case. This classic car has high resale value for the quality and drive it offers drivers. According to consumer reports, the Mini Cooper maintains a high trade-in figure after just five years of use.
It Doesn’t Require Frequent Maintenance
Cars require frequest maintenence to keep them running well. However, the Mini Cooper is another story altogether. The car is manufactured to withstand long and choppy drives and comes with a three-year warranty; in short, it doesn’t require the pesky oil change or maintenace every other month.
The Cons of BMW’s Mini Cooper
As amazing as the Mini Cooper sounds, there are some buyers who shared concerns. Though BMW did a great jobon remvamping this timeless classic, it’s still prone to some problems.
The Hidden Costs Make It Expensive For Owners
Mini Coopers come with their standard engines and interiors, however, many drivers prefer customization. In doing that, they can run up a hefty bill trying to own a Mini. In the long run, the car may not be such a great investment for those with complex needs.
Dealerships Aren’t Very Accessible
Perhaps it’s a good thing the Mini Cooper doesn’t require regular maintenence because Mini dealerships are hard to find. Most consumer reports state that drivers have to make a long trip to find a dealership nearby to get work done when the time arrive. This can be a little tricky.
Repairs Are Bad News
Mini Cooper repairs aren’t easy on the wallet. The vehicle uses special tires, plastic and equipment to make it what it is. In short, that means repairs can be costly; for example, replacing a Mini Cooper tire can cost way above $200 and it won’t give great perfomance with an ordinary one.
It Utilizes Expensive Fuel
Sure, the Mini Cooper gives great gas mileage but that’s not all. The engine is highly pristine and a result, requires high quality fuel to keep it going. In short, high quality fuel is expensive, so between great gas mileage and the cost of premium fuel, you won’t be saving much.
It’s Not a Family Car
The Mini Cooper does have a spacious interior, however, it’s not big enough for a family. If you’re looking for a vehicle that gives you great return on your investment, perhaps a Mini Cooper isn’t your best option if you have a family. It can get quite cramped.
Is The Mini Cooper a Reliable Purchase?
That leads us to an important questions which many consumers have. Are BMW’s Mini Coopers reliable enough to buy? Here are some common Mini Cooper problems that buyers face.
Electric Power Steering Pump Issues
It turns out that Mini Coopers actually have a problem with the electric power steering pump. Perhaps, this is due to low steering fluid or a malfunctioning in the electric cooling fan. However, many Mini Cooper models had this recurrent problem.
Thermostat Housing and Water Pump Leaks
In the first two models of Minis, the water pump leakage was a troublesome issue. Alongside, the thermostat housings were made from poor plastic, which broke down as usage increased. Many drivers shared their dissatisfaction when these had to be entirely replaced after 50,000 miles.
Front Radiator Support Issues
The raditor is an important coponent of any vehicle. However, one of the common Mini Cooper problems is the poorly designed front radiator support. It’s made from plastic, located in the front of the car at a low spot, and is delicate; as a result, the radiatorcan be damaged easily during something as simple as parking the Mini.
Trasmission Failure Issues
The first generation of Mini Coopers ran into terrible automatic transmission failures. As a result, BMW was forced to offer a warranty that covered transmission failure whether after eight years of driving or after crossing 150,000 miles.
Clutch Failure Issues
Unfortunately, BMW’s first generation and second generation Mini Cooper models had this terrible issue. Drivers reported that this would occur as early as 20,000 miles. The Mini Cooper is advertised to run on long highways, however, with clutch failure issues, hard driving isn’t possible.
Other Issues with Mini Cooper’s Reliability
Unfortunately, the list doesn’t end here. A few drivers were alarmed after they experienced frequent oil leaks and had to take their Mini in for expensive maintenance. Another problem drivers ran into was that no ordinary mechanic could deal with the Mini’s problems; Mini Coopers need experts to have a look at this which means services are expensive.
A Mini Cooper is a complex car. There are various models from manual, automatic, convertible or hardtop, and the engine can vary from three-cyliner to four-cylinder. In short, maintenence isn’t a swift process, and some consumer reports state it can take upto two whole days to fix your Mini.
Although this isn’t common news, there was a recall for some Mini Cooper models. Read on to see which Mini Cooper models are the most reliable, and which ones you should stay away from.
The Best Mini Cooper Models
The Mini Cooper industry has been through a transformation. Despite setbacks and glotches, the Mini is still a very popular choice amongst drivers. Checkout the following generation models to see which ones are the best.
The First Generation Mini Cooper
To date, the first generation Mini Cooper model is still in demand. However, here are some common mini cooper problems this model ran into:
- Clutch failure
- Cracking of the radiator tank
- Crankcase oil leakage
- Electrical malfunctions
- Rust
The best model of the first generation Mini Cooper is the Cooper S model. It offers a great drive, brilliant performance and has miminal problems. The automatic model fares much better than the manual, as that may run into clutch problems as highlighted above.
The Second Generation Mini Cooper
The second generation Mini Cooper was a slight improvement on the previous one. The engine was three hp higher the grille was updated and performance was better. However, that didnt mean the Mini Cooper was perfect; here’s what drivers felt went wrong:
- Loose timing chains
- Oil leakage
- Water pump problems
- Poor radiator assembly
- Frequent replacement of transmission fluid
The second generation Mini Coopers are available in the Mini Cooper S and the John Cooper Works, which had a higher torque. They were also manufactured as convertibles and had a bigger engine. Consumer reports suggest its best to avoid models with CVTs.
The Third Generation Mini Cooper
The third generation of Mini Coopers were an upgrade. It more cabin space, new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a choice between the three-cylinder and four-cyldiner engine. Though this was one of BMW’s best improvements, the question still holds: Are Mini Coopers reliable? You judge:
- Premature clutch wear and tear
- Bad turbos
- Excessive oil usage
- Electrical glitches
Between the years 2015 and 2019, the Mini Coopers that were maufactured were far more reliable than the previous ones. In fact, there was no recall in 2018.
Buying a Mini Cooper: Are Mini Coopers Reliable?
According to the hisotry of BMW’s famous Mini Cooper, the best Mini Cooper models are debatable. However, the following should give you direction if you’re interested in owning a Mini Cooper.
The 2011 Mini Cooper
The 2011 Mini Cooper model year was one of the best ones. Available in a powerful hartop, this Mini Cooper model had only two recalls in the entire year. As a third generation model, this one set the precedent.
The 2011 Mini gave great fuel economy and boasted of excellent safety scores. The EPA gas mileage was around 30 mpg, and drivers reported great engine performance. This Mini model also has great re-sale vale in the market, owing to BMW’s improved engineering.
The 2018 Mini Cooper
The 2018 Mini Coopers were a gamechanger. With new gadgets, beautiful wheels, a variety of colors and an excellent engine, the 2018 Mini is one of the best Mini Coopers out there. Available in two-door and four-door options, and in hardtop and convertible, this Mini is a great investment.
The standard Mini Cooper comes with a three-cylinder engine, while the powerful Cooper S has a four-cylinder engine. The performance of the 2018 Mini Coopers is comparablt with Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Golf in terms of fuel economy, luxurious interiors and long drive test.
The 2022 Mini Cooper
BMW hasn’t stopped perfecting their superstar. In fact, the 2022 Mini Cooper is here to change the game. With much fewer defecs, glitches and issues, the 2022 Mini Cooper standard and Cooper S models are the best ever yet.
Available in three and four-cylinder engines, the Mini Coopers have a powerful fuel economy of 110 mpg, and horse power upto 189. The improved models also have incomparable perfomance, improved brakes, reinforced chassis and great suspension for tough drives.
There’s more. BW decided to take things up a notch in 2022, and introduced the Mini Cooper SE all-electrical model. The Mini Cooper EV gives an excellent 110 mpg and has the following improvements:
- New heated power steering
- Stunning faux leather interios
- 8.8-inch touchscreen with a fully functional navigation sustem
- Easy to maneuver
- Traction control systems to avoid slippage
In short, BMW addressed quite a few Mini Cooper problems with this excellent new invention. Besides, in an environmentally conscious world, this Mini Coopers reliable more than other vehicles in the market.
Get To Know Your Mini Cooper
Whether you’re a new owner or a seasoned Mini Cooper driver, here are some common Mini Cooper facts all buyers must know. Get the most out of your Mini Cooper experience by reading on.
How Many Miles Can The Mini Cooper Run?
We all want reliable cars that can last for a good term. Mini Coopers can last anywhere between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, especially the later models. However, many owners have complained that when their Mini hits 100,000 miles, it starts to hiccup.
Even though Mini Coopers are much cheaper than other cars, it’s best to budget for robust repairs because you’ll need it. To further prevent problems, it’s best to schedule regular maintenence, too.
What Does Maintenence Cost for Mini Coopers?
Though they aren’t expensive to buy, maintenence can be steep. The averae cost of maintenance is $825, which is more than the national average of all cars in the market. Pretty expensive, right?
But here’s a fact. BMW uses its own engine and transmission, which means your Mini Cooper contains a complex engine manufactured from expensive parts. Hence, the maintenance fee reflects that.
What Makes Mini Coopers Reliable?
Despite many manufacturing flaws in the last few decades, BMW’s Mini Cooper is still a hot-selling vehicle. The fact is, that it’s a very reliable car. Not only is it easy to buy and has great re-sale value, but it packs major performance.