I'm no mechanic and I do love my Minis but I think your experience vs. Japanese is pretty normal

In Europe we tend to be drawn to Germany for supposed quality and shun Japanese as cheap but I think you guys have it right, we've had a few Jap cars and they've been totally solid

Not to say they are bad cars just they are a bit more "needy"

 

Based on the mileage and age of the car it's not too bad. The brake and coolant flush is something you have to do on every car, BMW recommend changing the brake fluid every 2 years but most people just do it every 3 years, the coolant fluid usually needs changing at least every 5 years on cars as well so that is par for the course and is just wear and tear really.

Honestly surprised you haven't changed the water pump and thermostat housing yet as they are the most common problems with F55/56 MINI.

 

Yeah, minis can be a bit high-maintenance. Still love em though!

 

I also like it, but I honestly do not think it is worth the maintenance cost. The trade-off is not worth it in my humble opinion.

 

What else can you buy that is more reliable and just as good to drive for the same money?

 

I have a 2016 and have found mine to be reliable. There are a few annoyances though. The upper motor mount - really BMW/MINI do better. My other mounts have been fine. In my experiences the European cars have more maintenance requirements than makes from other countries, but then again my European cars have held up well. Ive had BMW's with 230K, 190K - sold them both still running, Volvo 230K. But I have also had American cars at over 200K.

I have 110K on my S model this is what I have done.

• brake fluid flush - not sure if this is a European thing, but every European car has had flushes 2-3 years - my American truck does not have a recommendation.
• coolant flush - all cars should have this done at 10 years or so today
• replace engine upper only 2x
• replace fuel tank vent valve - this may have an extended warranty - mine did
• EAC Sensor on radiator - replaced warranty
• Spark Plugs - 2x
• Front and rear brakes at 80K
• Battery in 2019 - should have lasted longer - current one is still going strong
• Oil Changes

 

Really quite well going for the age and mileage, the brake flush thing seems to definitely be a european car thing and needs doing at least every 3 years on every car.

 

Wife has an f55 (I have an f56) and it's been very reliable. We have done all the maintenance ourselves, Brake pads, fluid flush, oil changes, air filters, spark plugs. These would need to be done with any car. Brake fluid should be flushed and completely changed at every brake pad change or 2 years on any vehicle. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and will be compromised after 2-3 years (pedal will get soft and boiling point reduced). The only non maintenance issues we have had is the upper motor mount which we replaced a few months ago at 130K miles and shortly after that the waste gate needed to be adjusted which I did myself. It seemed daunting at first but after digging into it it wasn't too hard at all. Although you do need to have the scan tool that can tell you when it's adjusted properly. We have had no problems with the AC and I would not consider any AC related stuff normal. Or the crank shaft pulley and oxygen sensor. The windshield washer pump is very unusual.