MCS Reliability (of facelift R53)

[Wilburo]

I've read quite a bit recently about how unreliable the first generation Minis were. I've had a facelift MCS (R53) for a year so far, the whole time of which it has been under warranty. There have been a few issues, such as engine mount, window seals and a broken headlight, but these problems were there when we bought it - in the last year, nothing new has appeared.

So, the car is about to leave warranty (at 43k) and I'm wondering how reliable it's going to be - I recently read a post on here talking about how weak the gearboxes were, while the power steering pump is another common issue.

My main source of worry is that with the credit crunch and all that, I'm going to have trouble if there are any large bills, so am considering chopping it in for something with more predictable costs, e.g. a year old Mazda 2 Sport or something.

So, were these problems fixed in the facelift model or are they still major potential pitfalls? Does anyone have any advice?

[RKDE]

You have read so much you have worried yourself, haven't you!

Things that are rubber are going to need replacing time to time, that happens on all cars. As for the power steering, yes this is a problem and mine is still going well into the 55K. It may very well need replacing at some point.

As for the gearbox, well you are lucky it is only the early coopers and ones which have that problem, the cooper S is fine and has always been a very strong gearbox which will just keep going.

My advice to you if you are worried about the cost of owning the mini is to ensure you have warranty cover, this should be about £250 from a company such as warranty direct and they cover the same as BMW did. So if your pump does go that will cost about £250 so your covered and it nice not to worry, I am redundant but don't worry about owning the car, its a strong little car and engine - besides the power steering pump which may be a recall soon

There was never any major issues with the pre-facelift for them to resolve in the facelift which is why you had a different gearbox ratio (same make) Teflon coated rotors on the blower and different bumper styling - oh and slightly different insides.

The cars are quite happy to do 250K miles providing you give them the attention they want, such as services and keep the oil topped up. They are reliable cars and yeah some people have problems but I have owned mine for 4 years and driven it hard as soon as its warm, it gets regular services and is looked after. so far I have had the mounts changed, bushes, steering column, and clutch.

Find a local mini specialist that will love your car and you will be fine

Edited by RKDE on Tuesday 14th April 17:05

[Wilburo]

Indeed I have - thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated!

When buying the car, we'd particularly looked at facelift models as I had read that the gearboxes were a bit flaky on the One / Cooper, but got a bit freaked out when I read that someone on here had been through four gearboxes, or some other ludicrous number.

It's a shame really - forums should be about celebrating the cars, but all too often they're just filled with DOOM!

Crikey, the steering column sounds a bit scary - did it happen in motion?

Edited by Wilburo on Tuesday 14th April 18:00

[RKDE]

Its just the bearings, they can wear early that's all and you get a knock from the lower part of the column on low speed corners

Yeah it is only the pre-facelift one and coopers which have the gearbox issues the pre-facelift cooper s is fine

Edited by RKDE on Tuesday 14th April 18:48

[RKDE]

Its just the bearings, they can wear early that's all and you get a knock from the lower part of the rack on low speed corners

Yeah it is only the pre-facelift one and cooper which have the gearbox issues the pre-facelift cooper s is fine.

Forum will always be doom and gloom as no one ever posts about how good the car is, and some people only post when they have a problem

Edited by RKDE on Tuesday 14th April 18:49

[Supermega]

I call it the 'forum effect' like anything you will always get people asking for help with a problem, which is fine as some forums can become a good knowledge base. You hardly ever get people saying my car is fine and dandy! It always good to check for common faults, just dont scare yourself.

As for gearboxes, the ONE/Cooper pre Middle of 2004(someone will be able to clarify this) had the Midland gearbox, which were known to fail. Post ONE/Coopers had the Getrag box, which they are using in the new R56 models. As for the Midland boxes - I have personally known one to fail at around 40k and someone else who one of the very first Coopers thats still going strong. Swings and roundabouts!

My last Cooper was 2006 R50 and it never went in for anywork whatsoever! The R56 has been a different story! lol

[surfblue63]

I have a 52 plate R50 Cooper which I have owned for 3 years. When purchased it had 26,000 on the clock, now it has 86,000 on the clock. The only problems I have had in this time are sticking headlamps (they don't always level when switched on. I find opening the bonnet and slamming it cures that for a while) and a dodgey microswitch in the passenger door which set the alarm of. I have had none of the gearbox, steering pump, steering column and clutch issues. So I guess there are good cars and bad cars.