Let me tell you about my experience.
I have over 24,000 miles on my 2002 Mini Cooper "S" and before you read the list of things that have had to be ironed out, just let me say that I would still not trade it in for anything else except for another Mini Cooper.
I realized going in that I was purchasing a brand new automobile with no repair or reliability track record.
It's been in for a few things, but in truth I chalk it up to being a completely new design.
So far it's been in for:
1) the computer three times. The last update finally fixed the hesitation in first gear.2) Noise in steering column. Replaced
3) Bad front wheel bearing - replaced4) Power steering pump - replaced
5) A few other minor things like the turn signal light in front of the doors breaking off, - replacedAll have been resolved free of charge and cheerily by the Miami dealer, Braman, and the world's best service rep, Nick Florio.
Consumer Reports recently gave the Mini a pretty low reliability rating. I
> have seen posts in this group and in other web sites that say there were
> problems with the early Minis, sort of implying they had been ironed out.
> The only specific problem I know of is a problem with the programming of the
> engine management computer, and apparently that was taken care of. >
> Question: has reliability REALLY gotten better? The reality is I will
> probably buy a Cooper S regardless -- so what can I expect in the
> reliability department?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> parkerea
>
>