Now that I’m a whole month removed from having one of the coolest cars of the last decade, I have some downsides for all those of you considering a MINI purchase.
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The 02-04’s are garbage. BMW came to Oxford, England and converted a plant with…ahem…“sufficient” build quality to build a 21st century automobile. They simplified the mechanicals and did constant improvements, even amid model years. Get an 05 or 06, especially if you’re getting an ‘S’.
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Yeah, the trunk *is* that useless. It’s a hatchback, but you’ll need to tumble the rear seats forward to haul anything.
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Frameless windows. Ugh…what a dumb idea. They’re fragile, they flutter, and they don’t seal very well.
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Backseat. Yeah, it’s too small
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The hatch leaked. For 10 months and 3 trips to the dealer.
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Engine. Okay, iron block, undersquare, 115hp out of 1.6L. It’s a turd, in true English tradition. “I’ve got a tractor engine, but good handling.”