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Used 2012 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
59 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.

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Pros
Cons
4 out of 5 stars

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

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

I knew it was a mistake

sanscrainte, 11/02/2013
updated 05/03/2017
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
44 of 59 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.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

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.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Chose this over a Miata

skysoxwiz, 07/27/2011
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
25 of 34 people found this review helpful

I spent a world of time comparing the Cooper to the Mazda Miata. They're both great cars, fun to drive and easy to buy and own. I think I would be happy with either car but the Mini has the "cute factor" over the Miata. 9,000,000 Miata owners can't be wrong but it also makes it somewhat ordinary. The Cooper "S" is incredibly fun to drive, especially in a mountain state like Colorado.

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5 out of 5 stars

Life is Good

Anonymous, 12/06/2010
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
13 of 17 people found this review helpful

Bought Cadbury (Hot Chocolate exterior with Polar Beige interior) less than a month ago and loving every top down minute! No regrets on selling our 2008 Miata. Averaging 31 mpg.

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