So the thread about MINI reliability, and the fact that a friend mentioned she was cross shopping a used Cooper S and TT got me thinking. Which would be worse for reliability, the quasi German or the VAG? I've owned a MINI and an Audi, although not a TT, and can say both weren't that bad, so I didn't give her a true answer. Others of you though have horror stories.
Let the fight for the worst begin! 
Get the estimated time to change a water pump on both. Compare that get the cheaper one. 
Whew... tough one. I also have experience with both. I'd say it depends some on the age and price range you're looking for and then it comes down to condition and service history.
oh this seems
What gen Mini? R56 from '11-'13 is pretty solid. R56 '07 to '10 isn't good...there is a reason they dumped the N14 engine. The jury is still out on the F56.
like a race to the bottom.
Either has to be better than anything Italian.
(Fix It Again Tony)
In reply to KyAllroad:
I have a couple coworkers with Minis. If my Fiat was that unreliable it set it on fire and push it through the showroom.
Think the TT would be the better bet just based on the fact you have other platforms to steal possible good stuff off of where as the mini is expensive one off stuff, and really that's it lol
Having owned a MINI i know how bad the older one were. A coworker had a TT S that i advised him strongly against. It had less than 30k on it. After the second warrantied rear end locked up on him in Atlanta traffic he traded it in on a V6 Dodge Charger because thats what they had in his price range at the dealer they towed it to. He says the charger is a better car.
So...uh...MINI?
She's searching in the $15 to $20k range I believe. I know that will get you a fairly new MINI, but not sure what age range that gets you in a TT. My '06 R53 was pretty good, so I have passed that on, but they are getting pretty old now.
I'd get a Miata. Seriously. Neither are good picks for DD's.
Just as much fun (especially a MSM or a new ND) and as useful as the other vert.
Instead of the Mini, I'd look at a MS3.
Finally, the TT reminds me too much of the word for penis in my wife's native language, so I can never recommend them, except to giggle like a little boy.
I hope your friend likes taking the bus . . . . . . . .
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: I'd get a Miata. Seriously. Neither are good picks for DD's. Just as much fun (especially a MSM or a new ND) and as useful as the other vert. Instead of the Mini, I'd look at a MS3. Finally, the TT reminds me too much of the word for penis in my wife's native language, so I can never recommend them, except to giggle like a little boy.
As in "tin tin"? (My wife's native language) for that part of the male anatomy.
I am never going to be able to look at or talk about TTs again.
In reply to dean1484:
as in tete (Tagalog)
racerdave600 wrote: She's searching in the $15 to $20k range I believe. I know that will get you a fairly new MINI, but not sure what age range that gets you in a TT. My '06 R53 was pretty good, so I have passed that on, but they are getting pretty old now.
2013 Cooper S would be decent in that range. Last year of the R56 and they are pretty sorted cars.
I wouldn't touch an auto. The new F56 with the paddle shift auto seems OK, but they haven't been out that long. All the R53 and R56 autos are junk.
Can I say neither? I'm going to say neither. I'm allergic to Euro cars, they make me break out in anger.
Seems like a Mini would be fun to own... for a few months.
As much as I love my MINI R56 I think I might be ready to jump ship and get something else. It's been pretty good after I dumped $2800 in repairs but that was a year ago, almost time for something else to blow up. I've always like the TT's...but that's as far as that went. My logic is that my 28 year old Mustang LX 5.0L is more reliable, then maybe it's time to move on.
My father has had an R53 MINI Cooper S, and he's had good luck with it. Granted, this has been a babied car, but so far, he's only had one unscheduled visit to the dealer to replace a body module of some sort. They did have to take apart the entire dash to fix it though. It seems the packaging is so tight with the MINIs that when something goes wrong.....you need to take many things apart to get to the problem area.
Damn fun car to drive, but also pretty daunting without a warranty. They are sort of like a used Boxster---- great to drive, but frightening to own.
In reply to racerdave600:
So to summarize, Audi better than MINI, but if you want a real reliable car between these two, you're better off with a Biturbo. 
I'd pick the MINI over the TT only because they are easier to work on. Any sane person should run away.
You should ask Phil about his recent adventures with his S.
racerdave600 wrote: So the thread about MINI reliability, and the fact that a friend mentioned she was cross shopping a used Cooper S and TT got me thinking. Which would be worse for reliability, the quasi German or the VAG? I've owned a MINI and an Audi, although not a TT, and can say both weren't that bad, so I didn't give her a true answer. Others of you though have horror stories. Let the fight for the worst begin!
Is there a link for the Mini reliability thread?
I have to review a 5-door this week. I've heard horror stories, but damn, it's a fun little thing. I guess it's the kind you date, not marry.
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