Used 2012 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Cooper, so we've included reviews for other years of the Cooper since its last redesign.
2012 Base Mini, Manual Trans, Lemon
Kevin, 03/09/2016
2012 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
32 of 38 people found this review helpful
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.
- Performance
MINI - Making driving fun again
parscar, 09/25/2013
2012 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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.
2012 MINI Cooper for sale near you
3 of 44 listings
- S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: N/A400 mi away
- S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $9,956414 mi away
- S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,900461 mi away
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Love my Mini
lgreen17, 10/02/2013
2012 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
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.
Spicy Cooper
da_wave, 03/15/2013
2012 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
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!
Journey of the Black Pearl. Is over! Have a new on
Bob Morand, 07/02/2017
updated 01/11/2023
2012 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought new, have loved it! I'm retired and have babied her, never been over 4500 rpms. Oil chg between scheduled times! Great car for someone. Extras, K&N filter, JCW strut brace, legal mod. pipes! Rear seat has never been up! Update@ 70000 miles! Same as before, great car.
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