Used 2011 MINI Cooper Base Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2011 MINI Cooper Base Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Wish I had read up more on the common problems....
Indy Musician, Indianapolis, IN, 04/03/2016
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
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.
Small package - Great reward
Bruce, Ashburn, VA, 08/31/2017
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
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!
I knew it was a mistake
sanscrainte, Ravenna, OH, 11/02/2013
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
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.
Great small car
exp10, Talladega, AL, 07/10/2011
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
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.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2011 MINI Cooper Base Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Sharp handling
- Pro:stellar fuel economy
- Pro:excellent all-around performance in S and JCW trims
- Pro:endearing retro styling
- Pro:innovative convertible roof
- Pro:highly customizable.
- Con:Poor rearward visibility in convertible
- Con:stiff and noisy ride
- Con:lacks rear legroom
- Con:weak base stereo.
Full Edmunds Review: 2011 MINI Cooper Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2011 MINI Cooper in Ohio is:
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