Problems with Mini's

[Arbee]

Hi Guys,

Im looking at buying a Mini for my wife.

Whats the common problems with them and what should i look out for when test driving or viewing them before i purchase?

Another question, my 3 month old daughter will be in the car most of the time with my wife and I am concerned about the car seat positioning. With the Mini being a 2 door, getting the car seat in and out of the back seat will be a pain in the but. Can the front passenger airbag be turned off? Some cars have the switch in the cubby or by the door.

Thanks In Advance.

Arbee

 

[zaleonardz]

Arbee,

Our mini has been trouble free since 2004, damm good little cars I think. THere are some known problems, but again, depends what you buy.

The mini is fine as long as the baby seat stays in the car, putting the child in is not impossible, and its much easier when they are a bit more mobile, but getting the baby seat in and out of the car is a PITA.

I would try and not use the front seat, even with the airbag off. The rear of the front seat provides extra protection IMO.

 

[Arbee]

Arbee,

Our mini has been trouble free since 2004, damm good little cars I think. THere are some known problems, but again, depends what you buy.

The mini is fine as long as the baby seat stays in the car, putting the child in is not impossible, and its much easier when they are a bit more mobile, but getting the baby seat in and out of the car is a PITA.

I would try and not use the front seat, even with the airbag off. The rear of the front seat provides extra protection IMO.

Thanks...

Problem with the baby seat in the rear is we only have one baby seat. Which mean that on Weekends it will come out of the Mini and into the BM. I suppose for safety sake I dont mind the struggle twice a week getting the seat in and out.

The car seat we have is a Rear facing, so putting the baby in and out is a problem. Hence the question... Can the airbag be turned off? Wife wont be going very far from home with this car, but yes the risk is the same as anything can happen anywhere.

 

[Mike1]

Hi Hi

On the early R50 common problems were mostly electrical.

- Fans had issues. Simple fix.
- Power Steering pump. Not so cheap if new but used works too.
- Keys losing coding. Can be fixed for cheap.

The newer models dont have many issues at all. Very strong cars.

The airbag can be switched off on both generations and there is very easy access to the rear seats. If access is a concern then let me know what budget you have in mind and perhaps we can find a Clubman with the side Club door that will suit your requirements better.

Mike

 

[GMS Racing]

How do you turn off the airbag in an R53 MINI?

Anyway, rather let the wife use the BM and you have fun in the MINI

 

[Skwinty]

How do you turn off the airbag in an R53 MINI?

Anyway, rather let the wife use the BM and you have fun in the MINI

If the car did not have a switch installed for de activating the airbag, then you will have to have the retrokit fitted.

Cost +- R6k, yet as a purchase option in the UK about 30 pounds.

http://www.motoringfile.com/files/airbag_shutoff.PDF

 

[Arbee]

I dont like the Mini. I have test driven a few.

Minimike, budget is between R80 000 and R120 000.

 

[moranor@axis]

Fwd fun :thinking:

 

[MikeBMW]

I've owned mine since 2003.

Since then I have replaced:
* Expansion Tank
* Window mechanism x2
* Wheel sensors x2

That's about it. Touch wood, but I haven't had a whole lot of problems with my car.

 

[msm]

Fwd fun :thinking:

IMO, the most fun you can have in a fwd is the Mini ....

 

[moranor@axis]

the most fun i had in a Fwd was when i drove it backwards

 

[Mike1]

Hey there

The R50 airbag switch is optional as said above is actually an option throughout the MINI range.

Mr Arbee.

I would assume then that you will be looking for a 1.6 NA Cooper and not the supercharged S model?

Mike

 

[Arbee]

Hey there

The R50 airbag switch is optional as said above is actually an option throughout the MINI range.

Mr Arbee.

I would assume then that you will be looking for a 1.6 NA Cooper and not the supercharged S model?

Mike

The S would be nice but i doubt the budget will allow it. As i said, its for my wife so mileage is not a concern as long as the car has had its services when due and parts that break have been fixed, basically a well maintained car.

Wife is on Maternity leave now so I will only need to really start looking by Jan. But if i find one now that is a bargain I will take!!!

Another point, Wife works about 800m away from home so the car wont do much mileage hence im not worried about a high mileage car. Tune tech is down the road from me so Shaun will maintain the car.

 

[andrewbuch]

is she only works 800m from home, tell her to walk That way the extra baby weight can come off as well...

JOKES, Dont clup me the next time you see me, or send coisman after me to skiet me

I just pictured this scenario in my life, & can just see the big clup I would receive after saying she can walk to work to get rid of the extra baby weight...

 

[Arbee]

is she only works 800m from home, tell her to walk That way the extra baby weight can come off as well...

JOKES, Dont clup me the next time you see me, or send coisman after me to skiet me

I just pictured this scenario in my life, & can just see the big clup I would receive after saying she can walk to work to get rid of the extra baby weight...

I almost got a klup for suggesting a Vespa...

She does walk to work. But now that the baby is around, she will need to get home quicker should something happen.

We need to meet up, LED Parks!!!

 

[msm]

Another point, Wife works about 800m away from home

Buy her some takkies :dunno: ... and maybe a raincoat :slap:

 

[andrewbuch]

I was waiting for you to get back to me, you said you busy so will let me know when.. Next week we can make a plan..

 

[Mike1]

Will take a look for you on our system. You never know what might show up. :thumbsup:

 

[moranor@axis]

i think the main problem you will have with this mini is the petrol will evaporate faster than she uses it

 

[Skwinty]

i think the main problem you will have with this mini is the petrol will evaporate faster than she uses it

Ha Ha, depends on how heavy her right foot is.