Used 2011 MINI Cooper Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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MINI is a big LEMON
David Ginsburg, 07/25/2015
updated 08/01/2016
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
79 of 88 people found this review helpful
You could buy a MINI...or you could throw a pile of cash into a burning dumpster and get the same value. I have a 2011 MINI S, with 63k miles. Car is CONSTANTLY in need of repair. To date, I've replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs three times apiece--THREE TIMES!-- plus hoses, a water pump, drive wheel, fly wheel, water pump pulley, and the AC compressor. Now, the radio is fried and the replacement is $1,000.00 installed. It's hugely expensive and frustrating, and I would NEVER buy another MINI. I've spoke with the customer relations team several times, and although they are very nice and do their best to placate customers, that's all they do--placate you. There is never an actual solution provided. I'm hoping a class-action suit is filed against MINI soon, because I believe they are defrauding consumers with poorly-built cars and hiding the true costs of ownership. This is the worst ownership experience I've had in 25+ years of driving.
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Wish I had read up more on the common problems....
Indy Musician, 04/03/2016
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
31 of 36 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2011 manual base Cooper with 35,000 miles on it....now, at 54,000 miles, it has had a failure of two coils. This turns out to be VERY common with Minis when you go to the various forums. The car will sputter on acceleration, take up to 10 seconds to turn over in the morning, etc. and the problem only worsens unless tended to. Cost at an independent mechanic to fix? $650. Another common problem is dirty injectors at this point. Oh, and it needs a full synthetic oil....so, when you were hoping to get the $19.99 oil change at Car-X, it quickly triples that cost. :/ And the brakes are about gone now, too, despite mostly highway driving. And the worst part? Don't get a flat tire. There is NO SPARE. NONE. The only good part of this car is the gas mileage, but even then, it's not as good as other manuals out there. I get about 33 mpg with, as I said, mostly highway driving.
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Small package - Great reward
Bruce, 08/31/2017
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Having owned several lower-end sports cars in my life (Fiat 124 and X-19, a 1972 Mini, and a Matra-Simca Bagherra), I can happily say that this car has been more fun to drive than anything before. I am a bit of a stickler for traffic laws, but there's a large playground between zero and whatever. Even on highways with higher speed limits, the turbo-charged engine has sufficient zip to give the driver an adrenaline rush and cause a passenger to grab for the panic handle. Having said all of that, the potential cost to replace the high pressure fuel pump (MINI has extended the warranty for this to 100,000 miles.) or the turbo charger gives me chills, but not the good kind. When it came time to replace the tires, I got rid of the run-flats and added a spare to the already small trunk. Big increase in handling and ride comfort, with great savings to the pocketbook. Overall rating for me is AWESOME!
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love my mini " not the mouse"
michael wilcoxson, 08/14/2018
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
find a 2011 or newer , get as low a mileage car as you can afford
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I knew it was a mistake
sanscrainte, 11/02/2013
updated 05/03/2017
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
42 of 57 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2011 Mini Cooper for my son to earn to drive on because it was like a go-kart. I knew what I was in for, it being a perfect storm of unreliability being a German car made in England. All of my other vehicles are either a Toyota or a Scion. You buy them and drive them. They are like purchasing an appliance. We had the Mini for 5 months when the timing chain broke at a red light, destroying the engine. Now, although this is a known defect, BMW waned nothing t do with it. This left me with a $6000 engine replacement and God knows what after that. Know this; if you are not rich, buy Japanese every-time. Here's an update: the engine that replaced the one that had the timing chains fail, HAD ITS TIMING CHAIN FAIL! TWO ENGINES, SAME CAR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. BMW KNOWS IT SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REFUSES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN SNAPS, THE MINI IS INOPERABLE. Bad Motor Works.
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Great small car
exp10, 07/10/2011
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Well I did it I got my MINI. I'm glad I got the manual it's a blast to drive even if it's a non turbo. I took a 700 mile trip north and avg 46 mpg on a flat expressway with keeping the speed of 65mph. If you go above that MPG will not be as great. 70 mph not bad and still received 42mpg. Keep your foot out of it and shift easy 32-35mpg in city shouldn't be a problem. I installed a K&N Typhoon kit and sounds great and improved MPG. I looked at many other cars in the same type of class. This one gave me the most personal room. It's bigger than you think on the inside. I can even fit my kids booster seats in. I have a 6 and 8 year old and they can ride in back no problem.
Zippy little car!
Zippy Red Mini, 01/08/2021
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
When I bought this car I was originally looking at an Audi A3 hatch and was disappointed to find that it didn’t come in an actual push a clutch to the floor manual transmission like I was looking for. After telling the dealer that I thought Mini’s were “novelty cars that would wear off” I went to a coffee shop and emerged to find my current car (the trade in) surrounded by Mini Coopers. I called the dealer back and told him I guess I’m supposed to at least test drive one. When I got behind the wheel and started driving I was immediately comfortable. The only way to describe it is like putting on your favorite hoodie after a long day. I knew right away the Mini was what I was meant to have. After 7yrs of ownership it’s been my absolute most favorite car! Yes there’s the premium gas and premium oil changes, and premium maintenance but it’s all worth the fun factor for me. I love knowing that I can cruise on the highway at a comfortable 70-90mph and not know I’m going that fast, or drop a gear and leave everyone eating dust. There’s a tight parking space... not a problem, the Mini fits right in. I have a true base model, no Bluetooth, no turbo, no sunroof, nothing fancy and I’ve never done any mods, but it’s been an amazing little car for me and my big dog (who calls it his traveling crate because he fits perfectly in the back seat). Highly recommend if you don’t have kids, can deal with small/medium amounts of storage space (lay the seats down for that Costco run) and are aware of and willing to take in the maintenance needs of these zippy little cars! 🚗
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Sportbox
Bob Bechtel, 11/08/2018
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
This model was known to be only marginally reliable but has been exceeded my expectations. Repairs have been limited to a few recall issues. Around town mileage has been steady at 30.1 which, I believe, is better than the EPA estimate. My only complaint has been the gearbox design. Lack of a reverse lockout means that quick 3/2 downshifts require extreme care.
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A car that makes you feel great
bryan, 11/01/2010
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
12 of 16 people found this review helpful
I have wanted one of these cars for a long time. Now that 2 of the 3 kids are away at school, it was time to take the plunge. The car is amazing, very high tech with all the amenities of a luxury car. It is so much fun to drive and I am getting better than 33mpg overall. With the back seats folded down there is plenty of space for trips to Costco, etc. I especially like the 3 year no cost maintenance and the 4/50 bumper to bumper warranty. I guess we are still on the honeymoon but I think it is going to last.
Crazy in love with my MINI
JML, 11/30/2010
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
11 of 15 people found this review helpful
Had been dreaming of getting a MINI for years. (family member has had 2 already) Finally got bran new 2011 w/ manual tranny last month, and have been grinning ear to ear ever since. If my MINI could be said to have any flaw, it would be that the ride is a little noisy--but that's ok: have been turning off radio anyway b/c enjoying listening to the engine growl and purr as I shift gears! This is by far the best car I have ever owned. Almost tempted to do the grocery shopping one item at a time just to have as many excuses to drive as possible!! Can't describe it: it's more than just a car...it has a personality all it's own. It's like a pet I can drive around in!
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