The End of the Mini Cooper

Well, at least the end of my Mini Cooper.

I started driving my Mini back in the spring of 2002, fresh off the boat. In fact the door panel states it was manufacturered in February, 2002, a month before the US introduction.

Heck, I wasn't driving version 1.0 - I was driving a beta!

It certainly felt like a beta. The windshield suffered five separate cracking incidents (I believe due to a severe angle to the road). It suffered a complete transmission failure at 25,000, a cracked exhaust valve that required a significant engine overhaul at 40,000 miles, and a disconnected fuel line/fuel pump that left me stranded on 680 south during the morning rush hour recently with cars furiously attempting to avoid running into me at 70 mph - 10 gallons of gasoline spilling out onto the road beneath me.

So it was time.

Fortunately the lease was up. I was also the first at the dealership to turn in a leased Mini. Three years ago I figured that by now the novelty would have worn off, however I did not forecast that my Mini would transform itself into a "rolling bomb" (as the fire department so eloquently put it).

I did wire in an AUX line into the stock head unit for a high quality iPod hook up, but other than that I left it as is. I gave the Mini dealer that AUX hook up - hopefully someone else will benefit from it.

It was a fun car to drive, but it did lack the ability take all three kids around, as well as very limited Costco/Home Depot capabilities.

I'm ready for the next Digital Dad vehicle. Any guesses?

Comments

[Jeff]

Sounds like you'd really appreciate a Toyota Prius. The technology is very impressive, as are its environmental and economic benefits.

I, too, have an hour-long commute and have 140,000 miles on my 2001 Prius. Highly recommended.

[Ed Zee]

Deja Vu.
Having british sports (fun) cars from way back, I can relate to owning what seemed to be "Beta" versions. But that was long ago before six-sigma and such. Seems like the British car industry "never got it" .

I did get 120K miles on my Jag XK120 by using a full set of tools and parts available in the boot. But I got rid of my brit-car and Whitworth tools a long time ago.

[Mike]

Er, the BMW MINI is not British! It's a nasty German attempt at recreating the iconic car of the 1960's.

[justin Burger]

I also have a mini with VERY simalar issues.

Im done with Mini.

[Serban Maracine]

digital dad,

i'm sorry the mini left you stranded on the 680.sounds like we might be commuting in the same area.

i'm looking at getting the ipod connection for my mini as well. i'm wondering, which dealership did you get it done at??

thanks,
serban

[Digital Dad]

I used a stereo place in Fremont, CA call Pacific Stereo, not the dealer. My dealer was BMW of Pleasanton.

[PBS]

Hmmmm...
guess they worked out the "bugs"...
I have and '05 Cooper S (bought in Dec '04) and have had no problems...
all reviews I've read say that the Mini is at the top end of all the reliability rating lists etc.
also rates high in resale/trade-in value.

I was going to buy a used one but found that the prices on the used Minis were only a few grand below the new Mini price -- so I went with a new one.

I did however, replace 2 windshields already (damn 18 wheelers kicking up stones on the road!!!)

anyway, I plan on keeping my Mini for long long time.

[Jake]

Wow. My 2003 Mini's tranmission just died. Totally. We own, and it's still under warranty, so it's not going to cost us anything, but how annoying! We'd better sell it as soon as we get it back from the dealer... Yipes.

[GreenRAQUEL34]

It is understandable that money can make us free. But how to act if one doesn't have cash? The one way is to get the credit loans or just car loan.