Less than one year after buying a used 2016 two-door hatchback MINI from a reputable dealership, I already had to get my brakes done—both front and rear pads and rotors. Only 60,000 KM on the car at the time. I've bought/owned/driven/sold many different vehicles in my day. Many of them had more years and more kilometers on them than this one. Never have I ever had to get front and rear pads and rotors done simultaneously. $800 in brake repairs after one year. The auto repair people said MINIs are notorious for fast brake and tire wear. They told me to be prepared to spend a ton of money on both.

Well, they weren't kidding because six months later, with only 75,000 KM on the vehicle, I had a flat tire on the front driver's side. The notification on my screen for these run-flat tires only came up when it was too late because we tried to fill it with air, but it wouldn’t take any air. The tire was bald on the side. Unrepairable. That’s when I found out that to repair one of these run-flat tires, I would have had to pay $80 all-in, which is already stupidly expensive for a tire repair. But because it's not even repairable, I had to fork over $340 all-in for a new tire. For one little tire! And, as it turned out, another tire was also in bad condition, so I had to go back soon after to buy another tire.

These cars are cute and good on gas. But, since buying it, I’ve spoken to many people who have said they’ve had to spend exorbitant amounts of money on tires and brakes just as I have. I’ve had to spend already $1,480 in repairs after 1.5 years on what is supposed to be considered a luxury car. That's completely unacceptable to me which is why I'm writing this review. There is nothing luxurious about excessive wear and tear.

Two things:
1. Less than one year after I bought this used 2016 MINI, I already had to get my brakes done. But not just front brake pads or general maintenance. No! I had to get FRONT AND REAR PADS AND ROTORS done simultaneously. After only one year! Only 60,000 KM on this car. I've bought/owned/driven/sold many different vehicles in my day. Many of them had more years and more kilometers on them than this one. NEVER BEFORE have I ever had to get FRONT AND REAR PADS AND ROTORS done simultaneously. $800 in brake repairs after only one year? The auto repair people said MINIs are notorious for bad brakes and tires; they told me to be prepared to spend a ton of money on both.
Well, they weren't kidding because...
2. Today, suddenly, (only 1.5 years after buying this car) I had a flat tire on the front driver's side. The notification on my screen for these so-called "superior" run-flat tires only came up when it was too late, I guess, because we tried to fill it with air ... but it won't take any air. The tire is toast. Can't even repair it. Well, I found out today that to repair one of these run-flat tires, I would have had to pay $80 all-in, which is already stupidly expensive for a tire repair. But because it's not even repairable, I'm having to fork over ... hold your breath for this ... $340 all-in for ONE LITTLE TIRE! (And, as it turns out, one more of those little tires is about to go. In two weeks from now, I'll have to go back and pay another $340 for the next one.)
I don't recommend buying this car. I'm disappointed in it. Don't buy into this sales pitch about run-flat tires: "Run-flat tires give you the ability to complete a journey of up to 80 km after the tire loses air. This way, you don't have to stop on a busy road to change a tire or call a tow truck."
Well, here's my reply to that: "When it costs more to replace ONE TIRE than it would have cost you for A TOW TRUCK AND TWO JEEP TIRES, there's absolutely zero benefit to this run-flat tire product."