Mini Cooper clubman problems

The Mini Clubman is a subcompact executive car engineered and manufactured by German automaker BMW and sold under the Mini marque. The first-generation Clubman was introduced in 2007, as a variant of the Mini Hatch (Hardtop in the US). A commercial version called Clubvan was added to the range in 2012. The current second-generation model has been in production since 2015 and available with front- and all-wheel drive.
History
The use of the name "Clubman" is a departure from Mini tradition. "Clubman" was originally the name given to the 1970s facelift of the classic Mini, which mostly resulted in a squared-off front end, whereas the classic Mini estates had traditionally been named "Traveller" or "Countryman". However, BMW did not initially purchase the rights to use those names, and so decided to call its larger-variant "Clubman", a name which it did own rights to.
Sketches of a new estate version of the Mini were shown at the 2000 Paris Motor Show, and a rendering of the estate concept (internally named EXT), wore the Clubman name on the licence plate. The Clubman started out in development based on the first generation Mini Hatch (R50) before changing to the second gen Hatch (R56).
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Mini Cooper clubman model years
Common Mini Cooper clubman problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Mini Cooper Clubman, common problems with this car include overheating, engine blowouts, failures of the high-pressure fuel pump, cracked engines, and thermostat failures. Here is a detailed breakdown of each problem:
- Overheating:
- Overheating in the Mini Cooper Clubman can lead to serious engine damage and potential breakdowns. It is crucial to address overheating issues promptly to prevent further damage to the engine and ensure the car's longevity.
- Engine Blowouts:
- Engine blowouts are a significant concern as they can result in complete engine failure, leading to costly repairs or even the need for a new engine. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of engine issues are essential to prevent blowouts.
- Failures of the High-Pressure Fuel Pump:
- High-pressure fuel pump failures can cause fuel delivery issues, affecting the car's performance and fuel efficiency. Addressing these failures promptly is crucial to avoid further engine complications and maintain the car's reliability.
- Cracked Engines:
- Cracked engines are a severe problem that can lead to oil leaks, overheating, and engine failure. Detecting and repairing engine cracks early on is essential to prevent extensive damage and ensure the car's continued functionality.
- Thermostat Failures:
- Thermostat failures can result in improper engine temperature regulation, leading to overheating or inefficient engine performance. Regular checks and timely replacement of thermostats are necessary to prevent potential engine damage and maintain the car's reliability.
By being aware of these common issues with the Mini Cooper Clubman and addressing them proactively, owners can ensure the longevity and reliability of their vehicles. Regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and attention to any warning signs are key to keeping the Mini Cooper Clubman running smoothly.
Is the Mini Cooper Clubman a reliable car?
As a car brand, Mini proved very reliable, finishing third out of 32 manufacturers featured in the same survey. More reliable car brands were limited to Toyota and Lexus, while less reliable brands included Mercedes, Skoda, Volvo and VW.
What is the most common problem with a Mini Cooper?
Turbo failures are common due to high oil change intevals recommended by MINI. Don't go beyond 7500 with synthetic regardless of what MINI said or says. At one time they were recommending 15,000 oil changes and as a results tens of thousands of turbos failed due to crappy thin oil or NO oil.
How long does a Mini Clubman last?
What is Mini Clubman lifespan? The estimated lifespan of a Mini Clubman is 154,000mi, before reaching the life expectancy upper limit. Fuel type is a major factor when looking into a vehicles lifespan/life expectancy.
Are Mini Cooper Clubmans expensive to fix?
MINI Clubman Maintenance
Maintenance and repair costs for a MINI Clubman will amount to $1,844 after 5 years.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Mini Cooper clubman years
We have researched Mini problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mini Cooper clubman cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Mini Cooper clubman model years:
- Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Mini Cooper clubman 2014
- Mini Cooper clubman 2008
- Mini Cooper clubman 2009
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mini Cooper clubman model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Mini Cooper clubman years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Mini Cooper clubman car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Mini Cooper clubman , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Mini Cooper clubman vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Cooper clubman model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 30 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mini Cooper clubman . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mini Cooper clubman vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: WMWZF3C57BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: My car has a problem with the FRM or foot control module the turn signal don’t work right, when putting the car in reverse the bulb will not work but it’s a brand new bulb, I know there is a recall for them 23V-337 but since my car has always been in Texas the recall doesn’t apply to it
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-16
- VIN: WMWZG3C52DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Car is not starting when sitting over night or parked at a lot. Windows will not roll down. Blinkers will not work. Difficulty when transporting my special needs child places as it is difficulty when car will not function as it should. Near accidents have almost occurred due to blinkers not working. I have been told by two different mechanics after diagnostic that the Foot Wheel Module is the problem identified.
Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-26
- VIN: WMWZF3C50BT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I've just gotten a very common air bag seat mat sensor code (93c1) that Mini had a limited recall on - but alas my car did not get the code until it was outside the parameters of that repair program. What makes it worse is that the fix is over $1000 and there's very little concrete info on the actual danger (or not) of driving around with this code active. I've spend the better part of 2 days researching how to fix this & I'm still uncertain as to what to fully do.
Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-19
- VIN: WMWZF3C57BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Safety recall since 3/23/2023. It's 07/19/2024. With no solution yet , it's been over a year now with no solution. That is a un timely manner. Need to know what to do now . Can not drive vehicle, no blinkers or brake lights. Please help.
Mini Cooper clubman 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-14
- VIN: WMWZF3C54ET
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The rear backup lights don’t work due to the defective footwell control module. This is a symptom of the defective FCM. It’s been well over a year and Mini hasn’t had the parts. Very worrisome when our young daughter is backing up and the lights are out!
Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-02
- VIN: WMWZG3C59BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable, and the headlights started flickering. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-02
- VIN: WMWZF3C52DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-13
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-20
- VIN: WMWZG3C51D
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that moisture had caused corrosion to the fuse in the footwell control module. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-30
- VIN: WMWZG3C52DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, all four windows failed to open as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with footwell module malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,200. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-17
- VIN: WMWZF3C57DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlight failed to illuminate and the turn signals failed to engage. Additionally, the contact stated that the interior lights failed to turn off causing the battery to drain. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with electrical system failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure . The failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-13
- VIN: WMWZF3C59DT
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that the driver’s side backup light was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and stated there was a failure with the driver’s side backup light, and a defective footwell module. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,747. The contact stated the defective footwell module was a recall and never informed of the recall.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-25
- VIN: WMWZG3C52DT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the exterior lights started flashing. The contact attempted to turn off the lights however, the lights failed to turn off. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The VIN was included; however, the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 62,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-05
- VIN: WMWZF3C51DT
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: UNKNOWN I was informed in July about the recall for my vehicle for the footwell control module. I have since taken my car in twice, the most being December 22, and they informed me that the fix for the recap was still not available. The recall was initially issued in May of last year, so it has been almost 8 months without being able to resolve the recall.
Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-21
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-25
- VIN: WMWZG3C53BT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the footwell control module became inoperable. The contact stated that the window motors, the turn signals, and the headlights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the footwell control module needed to be replaced and re-coded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 45,735.
Mini Cooper clubman 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-25
- Date Complaint: 2023-08-25
- VIN: WMWZG3C54ET
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Mini Cooper Clubman. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Latest 5 recalls Mini Cooper clubman
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the Mini Cooper clubman.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Mini Cooper clubman 2008
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- Model: Mini Cooper clubman 2011
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- Model: Mini Cooper clubman 2010
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- Model: Mini Cooper clubman 2009
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
- Model: Mini Cooper clubman 2013
- Report Received Date: 2023-05-11
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin. The electronic control module in the driver's side footwell area may short-circuit, due to corrosion from water and road salt.
- Consequence: An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Latest negative Mini Cooper clubman car reviews
Latest positive Mini Cooper clubman car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2009
Your Clubman sounds like a fantastic car! If you're looking for a fun ride and don't mind the price, this is definitely the car for you. I've received so many compliments on it, someone even asked if it was a MINI Limo! I've taken it on many road trips, up to 800 miles at a time, and it's been great. The seats could be a bit softer, but they're not bad and they hold you in place. I've been getting better gas mileage than expected, 29 in town and up to 38 on the highway, depending on how heavy my foot gets. It's definitely an attention-getter car. I did have to replace the battery in less than 2 years, but fortunately, it was still under warranty. The options and run-flat tires can be expensive, but it's worth it. I'm looking forward to buying the Countryman in a couple of years. I love the barn doors!
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Vehicle year: 2009
This vehicle is so much fun to drive! I'm averaging 26 mpg, mostly in the city with not much traffic (which is really impressive for a small vehicle). If you prefer manual transmission, stick with it for this car, as the base model (NOT S TURBO) doesn't have the perk to get you moving. The car is a real head-turner on the road. If I decide to get another Mini, it will definitely be the Turbo (S) model. Cornering is a thrill like no other car on the road.
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Vehicle year: 2010
I'm really enjoying my first Mini, especially the Clubman version which offers just the right amount of extra space for me. As an avid bowler, I can easily fit two two-ball bags in the back without lowering the seats. The extra space in the rear seating area is perfect for my grandkids and even the occasional adult. Although there are a few quirks with the interior, it's generally comfortable. However, I do find the placement of the power window controls right behind the cup holders a bit inconvenient. Overall, it's a great little car with good pep and super economy, averaging 28+ mpg in city driving.
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Vehicle year: 2008
I absolutely adore my MINI! It's an absolute joy to drive. I'm getting a fantastic 32 MPG with the automatic transmission, even on country roads. I was pleasantly surprised when I managed to fit 3 adults, a teenager, a goalie hockey bag, and five medium-sized grocery bags in the car for a one-day round trip. Everyone was comfortable, even in the back, and the rear visibility was excellent! Although the car had some minor defects when delivered (which isn't surprising), they are being fixed after 5 weeks (which is a bit of a surprise). The biggest surprise of all is how fantastic the car is on the highway! It's incredibly stable at high speeds, and you don't even feel like you're going fast. Just be careful not to exceed the speed limit!
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Vehicle year: 2010
This vehicle is so much fun to drive! I'm averaging 26 mpg, mostly in the city with not much traffic (which is really impressive for a small vehicle). If you prefer manual transmission, stick with it for this car, as the base model (NOT S TURBO) doesn't have the perk to get you moving. The car is a real head-turner on the road. If I decide to get another Mini, it will definitely be the Turbo (S) model. Cornering is a thrill like no other car on the road.
Leonel Kozey 2025-03-28
Vehicle year: 2008
Based on what others are saying here, it seems like this car may be a lemon. It's strange because on the MINI forums, others report the same problems we've had. Unfortunately, we've had to replace the clutch three times in just 44K miles, even though we both know how to drive a clutch. Our other manuals haven't needed a replacement yet. Additionally, we had some issues with the plastic thermostat housing, which cracked and BMW was out of stock for weeks on end due to a new inventory system screwup. We had to spend $800 to replace the thermostat, which is something we've never had to do before. The back passenger door has been sticking since day one and even got stuck open once, making the car unusable. Lastly, the time chain tensioner broke, and we've spent over $10,000 in repairs so far, not including the normal maintenance costs. We hope to resolve these issues soon and get back to enjoying our car.
Kennith Ritchie 2025-03-26
Vehicle year: 2010
It sounds like you had quite the adventure with your 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman! While it may not have been the most reliable car in the long run, it's great to hear that you enjoyed driving it. The extra length of the Clubman model definitely comes in handy when it comes to backseat space, and it's always a plus when a car handles well. I can definitely understand how the placement of the window buttons could be frustrating, but overall it sounds like you made the most of your time with the car. Thanks for sharing your experience!Also, if you hit the switch to lower the other window while one is already going down, it will reverse the direction of the first window. Although not a major issue, it can be quite annoying. The leather interior looks great and holds up well with daily use. With the manual transmission, the gas mileage is fantastic. However, I would not recommend this as a good option for a used car, as it can become a money pit at higher mileage.
Bobbie Littel 2025-03-23
Vehicle year: 2014
I had a fire engine red, 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman that I loved until it started having numerous mechanical issues such as timing chain, brakes, battery, and spark plugs causing the cylinders to miss fire. Additionally, I had to purchase new tires within two months of buying the car with only 25k on it, and had to fix the driver's side and sunroof's window seals. Unfortunately, I did not expect nor anticipate the cost to repair all of these issues, which amounted to around $4000. By the time it hit 42K, I had to fix all of these things. I am disappointed in Mini for charging exuberant amounts for parts and labor. It was not a reliable vehicle at all. :-(
Edmond Collier 2025-03-18
Vehicle year: 2009
I came across some negative reviews about these cars, but unfortunately, I didn't listen when I bought my 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman S. My car has turned out to be quite a money pit. I bought it for 8k at 65k miles, and so far, I have put in 6k in repairs. I had to get a walnut blast engine cleaning, fix misfires, replace the high-pressure fuel pump, valve cover breather, timing chain, thermostat, and fix oil leaks. My auto gear shifter broke, and I had to replace the entire shifter. All of this, and my shop says my Turbo will need to be replaced in the next 30k miles, which will cost another $3k to rebuild. However, it's still fun to drive. I think I'm having steering/suspension problems with horrible overseer, but I plan to sell this car after this summer for sure.
Stone Hartmann 2025-03-09
Vehicle year: 2013
I really like this car, but there are a few things that I find challenging. For example, the hesitation when pulling out in traffic, especially when it's cold, can be frustrating. Additionally, the acceleration is delayed, which takes some getting used to. Despite these issues, I've had the car for about three years and have only had to deal with weak brakes, which isn't a big deal since it's like driving a go-kart. However, during a mild winter, we discovered about two inches of water in the passenger side floor. After evacuating the water and drying it out, I thought the problem was due to my wife leaving the door ajar. Unfortunately, it happened again a few days later. It turns out that the sunroof drain came off during the winter while the car was sitting, causing water to leak down the front pillar into the electrical junction box and into the passenger compartment. While I'm frustrated with BMW's design, I'm glad I figured out the problem. The dealer offered me 5k for my 11k car, so I decided to fix it and trade it in. After fixing the car, I requested the repaired parts from South Shore Mini, but they gave me a bunch of parts that didn't go to the car. After threatening to sue, they dropped the repair cost to $1400, which is still high for a $400 part and two wire connections. It turned out that was all they replaced. I called Mini Regional, but they never called back. Despite these issues, I still enjoy driving this car.Mini also does not have any set pricing guides for repairs like most manufacturers have, so the dealer can charge you whatever they want. However, it's worth noting that there are many other options out there, so it's always a good idea to shop around before making a purchase. For instance, I traded in my repaired Mini for a Volvo C30 and it was a great decision. The Volvo is faster, quieter, more powerful, and about the same size. It also has better gas mileage on the highway and about the same around town. Even after factoring in the repair cost, I still got $4000 more than the Mini dealership offered. So, if you're considering a Mini, it's important to explore all your options and make an informed decision.