Which Years Of Used MINI Cooper Pacemans Are Most Reliable?
MINI Cooper Paceman by Vauxford - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The MINI ownership experience is truly one-of-a-kind. When you step into a MINI, you are greeted by a blend of retro charm and modern creature comforts. The iconic round center console, the toggle switches, and the ambient lighting, all create a nostalgic and forward-thinking atmosphere.
Driving a MINI is also a unique experience. Despite their compact size, these cars are known for their go-kart-like handling and peppy engines. Whether navigating through city streets or cruising on the highway in your MINI, you can expect a responsive and engaging drive that will surely bring a smile to your face.
Over the years, MINI has released many different versions of the classic Cooper, such as the Clubman, Roadster, Hatch, Coupe, Countryman, etc. And then there’s another addition to the family, the Mini Cooper Paceman – basically, a two-door version of the Countryman.
THE MINI COOPER PACEMAN YEARS TO AVOID
Unfortunately, the Paceman was unceremoniously discontinued, so used car buyers only have a few options to work with. Today, we highlight the worst MINI Cooper Paceman Years to avoid and the ones you can safely buy as used.
Unfortunately, the MINI Paceman had a relatively short run. If you want to buy a used MINI Cooper Paceman, your options come down to four model years. To help you, we go through all models, determine the most reliable MINI Cooper Paceman year, and offer some insights into why they’re worth the investment.
What is the MINI Cooper Paceman?
Introduced in 2013, the Paceman is a two-door subcompact crossover SUV that combines the brand’s signature retro styling and driving dynamics with increased practicality associated with SUVs. As mentioned, it’s essentially the two-door and sportier version of the Countryman. The Paceman is characterized by its sporty, coupe-like silhouette and spacious interior that accommodates up to four passengers.
The Paceman features a distinctive design, with a 39mm roof height reduction and a 10mm lower ride height than the Countryman, giving it a sportier profile. Inside, it features a ‘lounge concept’ with two individual rear seats, offering a comfortable and unique passenger experience.
The Paceman offers a range of engine options, from efficient 1.6 and 2.0 petrol engines to more powerful diesel variants. Despite its larger size, the Paceman retains the go-kart-like handling that MINIs are known for.
Overall, the MINI Paceman is a unique proposition in the MINI lineup and offers sportiness, space, and style. It was sold in modest numbers until it was discontinued in 2016.
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What Is The Most Reliable Mini Cooper Paceman Year?
Below are the Paceman model years and how they fared in terms of reliability and reviews.
Buy: 2013 MINI Cooper Paceman
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information surrounding the 2013 Paceman’s reliability and common issues. According to Car Complaints, no significant complaints were reported for the 2013 MINI Paceman. This may either suggest it’s a good, reliable vehicle or it’s not very popular at all – it’s more likely the latter.
Meanwhile, a Reddit post from a potential buyer considering a 2013 Paceman S ALL4 with 120,000 km on it indicates that the vehicle had passed a provincial safety inspection easily and had a good service record. The user was considering the purchase due to the vehicle’s good condition and appealing design. Many of the replies were positive, and the general consensus is that people like the car.
According to user reviews from Cars.com, the 2013 MINI Paceman appears to be a well-liked vehicle among its owners. Several owners found the 2013 Paceman to be reliable, with one stating that the car requires little more than regular oil changes and gas refills. It’s undoubtedly a good choice for the most reliable MINI Cooper Paceman year.
Avoid: 2014 MINI Cooper Paceman
Like the 2013 model, information about the 2014 Paceman’s reliability was relatively scarce. On Car Complaints, no specific complaints were listed for the 2014 MINI Paceman, but only a few service bulletins that shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
Over to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website, the 2014 Paceman has received 30 complaints and seven recalls. The majority of the complaints were about the engine and electrical systems. One complaint stated that the individual had experienced issues with their car on two separate occasions. The vehicle’s auto start and stop function unexpectedly shut the engine off, requiring them to put the car in park and restart it.
As of this writing, the 2014 MINI Paceman has seven recalls under its belt. Three of its recalls were about airbag issues and side-impact crashworthiness. One noteworthy recall was about the transmission software issue that may result in a rollaway. If a driver leaves the vehicle without ensuring the transmission is set to Park, there’s a risk that the car could start moving on its own or do a “rollaway.”
With these issues, we recommend skipping this model year.
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Avoid: 2015 MINI Cooper Paceman
Unfortunately, the following year was another bad one for the MINI Paceman. As per the NHTSA, the 2015 Paceman has received 44 complaints and six recalls. Most complaints were about the electrical system, engine, fuel propulsion, power train, and service brakes.
Cars-directory.net also summarized some of the problems you can expect with this model year, including:
- Engine Issues: The Paceman has been known to suffer from engine problems, including loss of power and stalling. This is often due to a faulty high-pressure fuel pump.
- Electrical Problems: This MINI has been reported to have various electrical issues, including problems with the power windows, door locks, and interior lights. These issues are often due to faulty switches or wiring.
- Brake Problems: The vehicle has been known to suffer from brake problems, including premature wear and brake pads and rotors failure. This is often due to a design flaw in the brake system.
With that said, the 2015 MINI Cooper Paceman is another skip for us.
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Buy: 2016 MINI Cooper Paceman
Thankfully, the last model of the Paceman is a reliable unit that you can safely buy as used. However, critics have said that you must be a big MINI fan to appreciate the Paceman since many competitors are simply better. US News gives the 2016 MINI Paceman a score of 7.6 out of 10, noting that while it delivers relatively engaging driving dynamics, it lags behind its rivals in many other areas. Regardless, we highly recommend the 2016 model if you’re in the market for the most reliable MINI Cooper Paceman year.
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