This is my 3rd MINICooper S. on my previous 2 cars, a 2004 and a 2005, I had to replace the brake lines from the front to the back brakes. Both cars had about 50,000 miles on them. The lines are held in place by "clips" which trap moisture and salt. This causes the lines to rust out and fail, losing braking ability. Something that should not happen with a 50K mile car and can cause serious injury. Looking at my 2006 yesterday. Car with about 50K miles, brake lines look to me like they are ready to fail from rust. If this has happened on all of my cars, this must be a common safety defect caused by a bad design. MINIdoes not offer any help with this matter. I have contacted them but they have offered no assistance. All I asked them to do was to replace the lines at their expense. They are not interested in doing so.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

Car was parked in driveway with hand brake engaged. 5 minutes later, the car rolled down driveway and hit a ditch. Rear suspension was damaged. The hand brake was still engaged.

- N Wilkesboro, NC, USA