Overview & Reviews

Few cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis with a space-efficient interior and a generous standard features list.

The history of the Mini make began in 1959. The original Mini car was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England and its mission was to be a lightweight, agile four-passenger car that took up minimal space. In a sense, the brand was born out of necessity. The United Kingdom was subject to fuel rationing in the wake of the Suez crisis, and British consumers clamored for vehicles that offered optimum fuel efficiency.

The car was originally sold under BMC's Austin and Morris brands; the Mini name didn't make an appearance until 1961. Although it had just 34 horsepower, the Mini was the ideal urban car and proved popular in crowded European cities. In 1961, John Cooper, a man who built Formula One racecars, put his magic hands on the Mini and the result was the ferocious Mini Cooper. His Cooper S model had (at 76 hp) more than double the output of the standard Mini. That infusion of power, along with suspension tweaks and some really good driving, had Mini winning the Monte Carlo Rally four years in a row (1964-'67). The marque landed on American shores in 1962.

The '60s truly was the decade of the Mini. New variations on the car's theme came with the introduction of vehicles like the Mini Pickup and the Mini Moke, a vehicle that resembled a quirky cross between a Mini and a Jeep. The car's abbreviated proportions are even rumored to have played a part in sparking a fashion trend; the miniskirt raised hemlines and became emblematic of an era. Mini motorcars tore up the asphalt on the silver screen, with the brand's appearance in the 1969 film The Italian Job. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million Mini motorcars had been produced. Sadly, the vehicle was pulled from the United States in 1968, in the wake of strict new emissions regulations.

Though no longer available in the U.S., Mini remained in production in Europe through the '70s and '80s. By the mid-'80s, more than 5 million Minis had been produced worldwide. In 1994, the brand was acquired by the BMW Group. The marque went on hiatus in 2000, but was resurrected (and brought back to American shores) in 2002 with the launch of the entry-level, front-drive Mini Cooper hatchback. Thoroughly modern in every way, right down to its BMW-engineered suspension, steering and brakes, the Mini Cooper is sold alongside its cousins at BMW dealerships.

Today, Mini's offerings include various derivatives of the Cooper, including a coupe, a roadster and a convertible; the slightly longer Clubman; high-performance John Cooper Works variants; and even the crossover SUV-inspired four-door Countryman. With such a diverse, fun-loving lineup, it's no wonder that Mini has become one of America's most desirable small car automakers.

User Reviews:

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  My Mini has driven me off the deep end! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By jaimief - December 10 - 5:55 am

  I bought a 2006 mini cooper hatchback automatic and have had nothing but HORRIFIC problems from the start! Where to begin, well all of the internal accessories have either fallen off broke, or cracked within the first year, including: cup holder, visor, change cup holder lid, and cigarette lighter!! Then someone smashed into my car and nearly totaled it, Prestige mini was responsible for fixing the damage and had me drive up there three times because they could not fix it properly. After the third time, it still was not fixed, the better business needed to get involved and still to this day, 4 years later, my car still is the most unreliable car imaginable. Terrible customer service!

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  do not buy - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By mike1006 - November 24 - 2:16 am

  do not buy, very unreliable. These cars have major issues. We are very disappointed in service from 800 mini and the car has issues. I would absolutely knowing what I know now never recommend this car to anyone. If an engine light comes on the only acceptable answer is to stop and be stranded. never ever get this car for young people or your wife. Until recent issues we loved it, but now after terrible experiences with dealer not ours but on road and mini themselves I would never buy. If you read this, this is not from an unreasonable person, but a father who does not want anyone else to go through what he has had to do 1200 miles away.

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  Big Problem - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By ts55 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The car has had a bad stumble from a standing start since I bought it. The service advisor at the dealership told me that it was "tranny slap" and a "characteristic" of the car. A representative from MINIUSA told me that they are aware of the problem. It is software related and also used the word "characteristic" to describe it. Whats the difference between a "defect" and a "characteristic"?

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  Very upset!! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By ghost - October 10 - 4:30 am

  I purchased my 2002 Mini last Aug. 2007. I have driven it less than 3 thousand miles..if even that much. I was told today that something called the Final Drive needed to be replaced and the Transmission was messed up. Being that our economy is so great and I cant get a job- I couldnt afford the thousands it cost to fix it.. and lost over thousands in letting it go for pennies. I am saddened beyond belief that a car that I thought was so incredible, after all, a BMW etc., turned out to be the biggest lemon that I have ever purchased. OK.. I loved that car for the whole time I had it.. and now.. feel so very let down!

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  SERIOUS problems with this car - do NOT buy - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By erica_mini - October 7 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my 2007 MINI Cooper S brand new, and I couldnt have been more excited to buy what I expected to be a high-performing, Germany car. I couldlnt have been more wrong! I am on my SEVENTH major enjine repair in 107K miles. The vacuum pump for the turbo engine has failed TWICE (the first time for $6k), I have had 3 issues with carbon buildup - the most recent ($3500 repair) was all of 11 day after the dealer claimed that the carbon buildup problem had been resolved. In short, I have spent more than $10K repairing the engine problems in this car, and as 3 of these problems have been within 4 months - I have no confidence in this car and cant wait to trade it in for an AMERICAN car!!!!

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  Do Not Ever Buy a Mini - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By rc_rasmussen - September 14 - 3:21 pm

  What a fun car to drive!! What a horrible car to own!! Ive had nothing but maintenance issues with my mini. Its too bad really, cuz I was such a huge fan for the first 2yrs I owned the car. Since then though, never again. Ive had all the same issues with the timing chain and tensioner, up to the climax when I was told I would need a new engine at 86k miles. Cost 8000$. Mini agreed to help pay for 0!! Im now at 98k and the engine has started to seize. I was extremely dilligent in maintenance. Other issues include airbag sensors breaking, replacing a water pump at 52k - cost : 1400$. The kicker - I just finished paying it off 3 months ago.... Save yourself the 24k$

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  Unreliable go-kart - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Alex - June 18 - 5:53 am

  DO NOT BUY A MINI!!! I was excited to pick up my Mini a couple of years ago; it had go-kart handling and almost 40mpg. However shortly after I picked up the car the problems started; engine overheating, windows not rolling up, various engine lights coming on, etc... Each time the dealer would help me resolve the issue, but as this wasnt scheduled maintenance, I had to arrange alternative transportation. In addition we live about an hour from the dealer so it was two hours of driving with my wife following me. This wouldnt have been such a big deal if it wasnt in the shop at least once a month. Moritz would not work with me, and I finally sold the car for a much more reliable Nissan.

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  Lemon - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By forgetaboutit - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Car has had 4 different software loads to fix stalling problem which is just one of the 39 different issues with this car (15 are repeat issues like the air bag system failure - 3 times). Car has been to the dealer 18 times in 16 months and is there now. I suggested the dealer put it in the recycle bin this time.

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  Cooper MINI Convertible - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By No Fun - May 27 - 9:23 am

  I am very disappointed with the engine & automatic transmission design. There is a very bad dead zone in the acceleration in 1st from a dead stop. The top squeals when coming up. The maintenance is free but when they dont fix anything its worthless. The repair shop isnt familiar with the car and cant fix problems. I have had to go back 4 or 5 times before something gets fixed. They have even lied, actually fixed something and said on the repair sheet that there was nothing was wrong. I would not recommend anyone buy this Car with an automatic. The rear view is cluttered and very dangerous to back up. The automation in the controls is stupid, mostly unnecessary and very annoying

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  A Very Bad Investment - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By choulli - February 16 - 10:15 am

  Bought my Mini Cooper S, std shift, new in 2007. It was a fun & happy ride for a very short time. Since owning this money-sucking imp, I have spent approx $5K in repairs (not maintenance) including: new brakes new tires tailpipe recall coolant & water pump recall timing chain oil pump (1st tow) water pump & new seals thermostat (2nd tow) drivers side window mechanism drivers side visor Front suspension is shot & clutch is in need of replacement. Car is under 50K miles & less than 8 yrs old I am trading it in for a Subaru & I will not buy another.