2012 Base Mini, Manual Trans, Lemon
Kevin on 03/09/2016
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating:
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating:
Reliability Rating:
Safety Rating:
Technology Rating:
Value Rating:
I traded in my trouble plagued 2002 Mini, for what I thought was a major upgrade. I purchased my 2012 Base Model Mini with manual transmission last Aug. with 31,000 miles. While driving down to my favorite eatery, shifting from 1st to 2nd shifter know came off in my hand. I managed to replace it and continued on. A couple of days later a aprox. 32,000 miles I began to notice a clatter from the engine at first start up in the morning, during the next few weeks it became progressively worse. I took it to the local Mini dealer and was informed the clatter was the clutch failing. Being a mechanic for 40 plus years I called BS, told them to keep the car for a cold start test the next day. Low and behold it was determined the timing chain was at fault, these engines apparently have chain tensioners prone to failure. The timing chain was replaced along with tensioners and gears. The dealer Seattle Mini stuck by their story that my clutch was failing and would be 2400.00 to replace, but offered me an extended warranty that would cover the clutch for 1895.00. What a way to cover the cost of the warranty work. About 2 weeks after having the work down, the engine began to misfire badly, had it towed to the dealer, they replaced the coil packs for the ignition, and spark plugs and wires. So here we are today, 41,102 miles, the engine is beginning to clatter again from the exact same location. Under warranty to 50,000 miles. Soon as it gets worse to justify the warranty work and before 50,000 miles back in again for another timing chain, followed by a quick trade in for another car, not MINI. Oh and did I mention that Seattle Mini tried the whole your clutch is failing routine on me a 2nd time with offer of the extended warranty when I took it in for the Misfire problem I mentioned earlier. By the way the clutch still works perfect, however the manual transmission has always been clunky when shifting, the transition from 1st to 2nd requires a firm pull, it also has no reverse lock out, on 2 separate occasions I have been at a light and forgot to downshift into first, while quickly doing so as to not block traffic, it went into reverse. Luckily caught it before I hit someone behind me. Been driving manual for years.
It's an okay car
Daniel on 10/05/2015
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 3
Safety Rating: 3
Technology Rating: 3
Value Rating: 3
I purchased the car brand new and owned it for almost two years. I never had any problems with it. It definitely had some cons which lead to me selling it. When it rains it is impossible to enter the car without a gallon entering with you, poor design. The AC is below average and makes a lot of noise. The Bluetooth was terrible, the other party could hear everything. It also had its pros. I was getting 38 mpg mixed driving , it was a manual. It was fun to drive and very easy to park. I never had one issue with it on the 2 years of ownership. It was a fun car, but I couldn't stand the cons.
2012 R58
bcz on 02/21/2014
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
A more accurate description is a 12' S Coupe w/ automatic and LOADED. Bought this car in December 2011 and have driven 42k miles so far. I am a commuter from a rural area into a college town and was looking for an economy car, but not one that was underpowered or cheap. This is likely to be the brand I stick with for awhile, they are SO fun to drive and cannot be beat in city traffic (only two wheels have it better). It feels safe because you know that the car has very respectable handling and power to get you around, and deal with occasional poor drivers on the open roads. Rather expensive based on size alone, it has taken the miles and years of ownership to gain a greater appreciation.
Oil consumption & fuel mileage !
raymondn1 on 02/13/2014
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
Great little car I purchased new for my wife however it has consumed 2 quarts of oil in on 3500 miles she has put on it.Fuel mileage is no where close to what is claimed.....Just traded it in on a Porsche Carrera that is getting the same fuel mileage as the Mini did with no oil consumption thus far :)
Love my Mini
lgreen17 on 10/02/2013
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I bought my car about a year ago, the Bayswater package. It is everything I ever wanted in a car! It's fun to drive, easy to park (I work on a college campus and
I can always squeeze it in somewhere), has style and good gas mileage too. I've only had a couple of issues, 1) the service engine light came on
after a few months and the dealer said I must have put regular gas in it, not the premium, and 2) the door is hard to open sometimes. I'm taking it in for a year service next week so I hope to get that fixed. Press the button door locking is my favorite feature. I also drive on gravel everyday and it handles great.
MINI - Making driving fun again
parscar on 09/25/2013
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I have had numerous cars over the years. Company and personal. The MINI Cooper is by far the most fun to drive. Handling is great. Acceleration is fine and exceptional with the turbo.
Fun and Quality
jcihak on 06/28/2013
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
We purchased a fully loaded 2012 Cooper S Convertible thinking it would just be a fun cruiser. I have been awed by its excellent handling and performance. Its become my daily driver and despite having a lead foot, I'm getting 33 mpg mostly country driving.
The quality is that of a luxury car - compared to the Honda CR-V and Toyota Prius I also have in the garage. The Honda and Toyota feel like tin cans in comparison.
Once you get used to the quirky controls, the car is nothing but fun.
Spicy Cooper
da_wave on 03/15/2013
Performance: 4
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 4
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 4
IÂve had my MINI Cooper Hatchback for about 7500 miles and 8 months now.
I got just what I wanted when I ordered it.
This is just about the perfect City car  itÂs small and easy to park, the gas mileage is excellent, itÂs super fun to drive (6sp manual!) and handles like a go-kart on steroids.
Moves out smartly for something with just 121hp; I think that the 6M is the way to go for the base Cooper without the turbo.
For 1 or 2 people just running around town to work, the grocery store, the movies or the mall  itÂs hard to beat.
ItÂs just very efficient in every way compared to a minivan or a pickup, unless needed. You can actually fit lots in the back with the seats folded down!
2012 Mini S convertible
ron244 on 11/29/2012
Performance: 5
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 5
I wanted a mustang GT wife wanted this car and of course, we have the Mini in the garage. Once I got used to how small the car is, now I can appreciate the whole set up. I think of it as a can-am spider, but more confortable. Mileage is great even if you dog it, can see anything, but its so small thats not a problem.
And you know, when I'm stuck in traffic, I have the top down, life is good, its really fun to drive, get lots of looks, and maybe not off the line, but going down the highway, most cars are gonna have a hard time keeping up. I drive it like a drove my motorcycles.
Best MINI Ever!
joe1952 on 09/07/2012
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I owned a hard top but traded it in for a Convertible!
The car is a blast to drive and the gas mileage I get make it even better.
New Mini Owner 2012
marymouse on 06/17/2012
Performance: 4
Comfort: 2
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 2
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I just purchased a 2012 mini hardtop bayswater package.
love the vehicles looks in and out, quite roomy for a little car, the back seat is a joke. think of this as a 2 seater,
we keep the seat folded and just use the back for transporting goods for the store or the dogs.
Rocket on wheels
joejh on 02/15/2012
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I'm always shocked at how exciting this ride is everytime my foot touches the accelerator.
It's the grown-up's go-kart, on steroids.
Mario can eat my dust!
How did they put such a large herd of horses under that tiny hood?
This car literally growls and thunders when I hit the starter.
And what's even more shocking is the fuel economy.
Still get low 30's even with my happy feet dancing on that gas pedal.
And the bucket seats are perfection - I heard BMW has a PhD designing their seats.
It has to be perfect in order to keep you in it!
So much fun! and frugal for us
bruccoo on 01/02/2012
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Where to begin?
My wife and I bought this car to replace her '04 AWD V6 Honda CRV.
She was originally looking at the coupe but after seeing it in person changed her mind.
She test drove this model and liked it.
The hatch provides great functionality and since it is the two of us didn't need a large vehicle.
After driving this car a week we both have grown even more on it.
It is really fun to drive, think of go-kart handling as its main selling point.
The mileage is definitely better as well in comparison.
Going from regular to premium still provides a savings cost in our situation.
Also, super easy to park!
We opted for the auto trans in ours btw.
Vehicle specifications
