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.
MINI Family
Tom, 03/16/2020
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Our 2011 R57 is MINI number 3 in our family. We also have a 2015 R60 and 2006 R50. I am surprised by the number of negative reviews, our experience is very different. Between our 3 cars we have over 200K miles of use and the only service we've had to do that I would consider repairs was to replace the front wheel bearings and the power steering hoses on the 2006 R50. The only other money spent was for normal maintenance; oil changes, filter changes, brake pads and rotors on the R50 and replacement tires. The only one bought new was the 2015 R60 the others we shopped and did our due diligence when purchasing. Some of the negative buyers should have researched their problems better. Maybe I have an advantage since I grew up fixing my cars and my dad was an auto parts dealer.
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My poor Sheldon Cooper
NoMore Minis, 11/15/2020
2011 MINI Cooper 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl 6M)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
this was literally my dream car: ice-blue Cooper convertible. It was a fine car UNTIL IT WASN'T. Just hit 90k miles and out of nowhere, without any warning lights or sounds, I heard a POP! Thought maybe I'd run over a soda can so imagine my surprise when I as I was walking around looking underneath my car I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The car had oil, the car had water, but according to the mechanic, head gasket blew. Engine destroyed. So now I have a choice to make: have it towed back home and go w./out a car for the next 5 months while I save money for a new engine or save that money to buy something else ... oh, did I mention I still have 5 car payments left??? No warning, nothing I did wrong ... but my dream car has become an absolute nightmare.
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2012 MINI Cooper for sale near you
3 of 10 listings
- Base 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $7,99093 mi away
- S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $11,16089 mi away
- S ConvertibleMSRP: $5,90019 mi away
See all 10 listings
Never Again
Stephen Schmidt, 05/26/2017
2012 MINI Cooper S 2dr Convertible (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
19 of 28 people found this review helpful
New timing chain 17,000 miles, Check Engine light on CONSTANTLY, new high pressure fuel pump 35000 miles. Out of warranty, with only 48000 miles, told it needs new engine $12,000. Maintenance kept to schedule. But MINI generosity, offered $1500 off new car (trade-in should be around $9,000). NEVER have I had a car that was this bad. Would give it a 0 for reliability and value if it were possible. Spent more time in the shop than on the road.
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Stay away
Mini-Mama, 05/15/2021
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
make sure you have an extra car to drive because this one will be in the shop often. Purchased this car brand new off the showroom floor. Within weeks it was back at the shop. Tire leaking air, electrical issues, engine problems, etc. My wife loved the car but not all needed repairs were covered by warranty. This car is a money pit and gets worse as the time goes on. I can not put a dollar amount on the money and wasted hours on this car. At first I thought that the Mini mechanics were incompetent but after reading the other complaints, I have come to realize that this car is garbage. Save your time and money and go with a more reliable car like Toyota or Honda, you will sleep easier and your bank account will thank you.
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"S" engine is now a star
clutchplate, 05/24/2011
2011 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
It's hard to believe the Mini Cooper S is only rated at 181 horsepower, it feels like more. After driving the standard Cooper hardtop the difference was night and day... if you can't afford the S, don't drive one. I also have a Lotus Elise & have been driving both up the same canyon road to observe the differences. The Lotus corners quicker/flatter, but the Cooper launches you out of a corner with more low end (turbo) thrust. Its power is in the midrange and it flings you forward from around 3,000 RPM. What a blast. It leans a bit while cornering but stays neutral when you hit the gas so you don't need to enter a turn super fast to maintain speed. Great fun, great car.