"You know I don't like watching anybody make the same mistakes I made"

[fancycwabs]

The verdict is in on the car. The service manager informed me that if you downshift from 5th to 3rd gear or from 4th to 2nd gear in a MINI, you blow the engine, and have to pay $7,400 to have it repaired. The car has a computer-controlled rev limiter that prevents you from over-revving the engine, but doesn't have an interlock to keep you from putting the car into second gear if you're travelling too fast. Somehow, this is not a manufacturing defect, and apparently happens to five or six cars a year (both BMWs and MINIs, according to the service manager).

As I don't have $7,400 lying around in easily-accessible funds, we're scrambling to find the money: possibly extending credit limits, borrowing against retirement accounts, performing lengthy and vigorous oral sex on wealthy dowagers. We'll manage to come up with the money somehow, but it's not going to be pleasant.

In the meantime, for the love of all that is holy, we're warning everyone we know NOT TO BUY A MINI if they want a car that isn't a complete POS. If you don't mind that your car explodes when you downshift wrong, by all means, go ahead--just bear in mind that that particular trait is NOT a manufacturing defect, according to MINI.

Motherfucking corn-filled piece of shit car. Goddamn rectum-filled-with-sheet-metal-splinters manual transmission.

Comments

[samethreechords.livejournal.com]

That is awful. I mean, shit.

[rabswom.livejournal.com]

I'm sad to hear that the mini is a POS -- I was also wooed by the cuteness that is the mini (I blame The Italian Job) but prevented from buying one by the fact that I utterly lack the means to do so and I don't actually need a new car.

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

In theory, if you get one with an automatic transmission this particular problem shouldn't happen. We have had other problems, however (with the brakes, and the dealer's failure to acknowledge problems with the brakes), that prevent me from ever recommending that anyone buy one, especially since you can get actual, reliable cars made by Toyota or Honda for a similar price, and they have a reputation for standing behind their products.

[meedja.livejournal.com]

The clutches are also a POS. One of the other driving instructors Tim knows has a mini, and apparently he gets through a clutch roughtly every 6-8 weeks. Yes, he's teaching learners, but 6-8 WEEKS? I'm looking to replace my alleged car, but the mini isn't on the list.

[mybadhairlife.livejournal.com]

Holy SHIT, dude!

I guess the mini is for people who only travel at low speeds and do not shift very much. Like people who routinely travel behind Amish buggies on the highway, for example.

[oldhubcap.livejournal.com]

The Mini sounds like a Maxi POS.

Sorry to hear the dealer gives you so much shit over any problems the car has.