MINI Paceman owner reviews
“The MINI Paceman is an intriguing proposition. It offers decent rear space and powerful engines, but without the practicality of five doors or the driving appeal of the hatch.”
Carbuyer Rating
3.1 out of 5
Owners Rating
4.2 out of 5
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Reviews
Owner Reviews
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83%of people would recommend this car to a friendCommon Problems
Review 1 of 6
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
All4 SD
Year
2013
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
45.5
Tell us what you think about your car?
Have come out of Cooper SD hatch. This is my 4th mini & wow! It looks good, there is loads of room inside love the fact that you sit higher up. At long last a mini that doesn't jolt your teeth out. I drive country lanes to & from work & this car is such a pleasure, it is comfortable but still really responsive & the 4-wheel drive just pulls it around any corner. A truly complete go-kart!! ( even on run flat 20" wheels!) We drove down to Bordeaux soon after collection and every time we knew where we had parked, the car was surrounded by people. Got out at the other end truly comfortable ride all the way down to the south & still managed to return approx. 48 mpg even fully loaded and between 90-100 mph most of the way. Very impressed & very pleased. Truly the best Mini I have owned.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Cooper s diesel auto
Year
2013
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
42
Tell us what you think about your car?
I haven't had the car for long, having part exchanged my porsche boxter and Mini Cooper convertible.
I'm really pleased with its performance and road handling. Diesel engine a little noises but am hoping it'll settle down.
Chose white with black roof leather heated seats, fog lights and numerous other extras. It's very comfortable and handles like the cooper. It looks stylish and is a hefty car. Makes me smile, and I hope it continues to do so. Do drive hard and it delivered on the first journey of 248 miles averaged 39 mpg at mixed roads and speeds upto 96mph whichI hadn't realised I was doing. real to see over hedges for a change too. Passengers by 2 adults one being 5' 10" were very comfortable in the back with the sun protection glass. I like it too as mine is the only one I've seen locally. Even on the journey to Manchester it was alone amongst the countrymans :0)
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
2 out of 5
Car Details
Model
Paceman Cooper 1.6 ALL4
Year
2013
Avg annual mileage
5,000 – 9,999
Owned
1 - 2 years
Bought Car
New
Typical MPG
37
Tell us what you think about your car?
We were really looking forward to getting this car. I appreciate the look is a little marmite - but I actually like the chunky coupe styling. I'm also happy with the anti-tardis nature of the vehicle - huge on the outside and yet somehow small on the inside. We didn't need the space. It's not gone wrong either, so can't complain about that. BUT there are SO many poor design niggles with it. We have the ALL4 version which seems like a poor idea to begin with. The 1.6 engine isn't strong enough to power it, so taking off is a VERY slow business and you have to rev it an awful lot to get away from a junction. Woe betide you if you change up to second too quickly - it isn't very forgiving. The insanely optimistic gear recommendation indicator keeps telling you to change up - but if you do that, you'll struggle to keep the engine going...
Then there's the run flat tyres it comes with. Coupled with the go kart suspension (just pray you don't have any loose fillings) they make the ride so noisy that in-car conversation at speed is reduced to sign language. Not only that, but on bumpy back roads they actually steer themselves, frequently jerking the steering wheel out of your hands as they follow any undulation in the road and try to throw you into the ditch. We've mostly solved this now by ditching the runflats and going to normal tyres - so one wonders why BMW specced run flats in the first place? Maybe to avoid having to pay for a jack and spare wheel?
Whilst we're thinking about cost saving. It seems BMW cut a few corners in several areas. I can't remember the last car I had that didn't automatically engage the rear windscreen wiper when you go into reverse and it's raining. Apart from this one. The upgraded sound system we have has DAB, which is nice, but reception is poor. Sound quality is good. It also has Bluetooth calls from your phone. Except the bluetooth doesn't include media playing - so you can't play music from your phone over the car speakers. Why?? If you've got Bluetooth set up - its the EASIEST THING IN THE WORLD to include that - like EVERY other car manufacturer. The design of the handbrake is dreadful too - there is an arm rest between the two front seats. Sadly, when you pull the handbrake up, you crush your fingers between the handbrake and the armrest. There is no way of resolving this. Surely a basic design fail?? The MINI authorised Sat nav that is fitted is hilarious in the way that it is entirely obscured by the steering wheel. There is no way of adjusting it into a position so that the screen can be seen by the driver. And this is the MINI authorised solution...! Whilst the gear change is good. The logic of placing the reverse gear right next to first gear, without the need to lift it or push it down and with no beep to acknowledge you are in reverse has caught me out several times. It's almost like the designer had a vindictive streak aimed at potential owners. Oh and the laughable fuel efficiency that BMW claim for this car. 60mpg. HOW? I drive it as carefully as possible on open country lanes and motorways, rarely queuing. And I get about 37.6mpg That's nearly half their claim. My car has done 40,000 miles, so it's hardly a high mileage engine either. then there's the boot open button on the keyfob. Logically, like every other car I've owned, you press this and it unlocks and opens the boot, without unlocking the rest of the car. But no. On the PACEMAN, it does nothing, until you actually unlock the whole car, including the boot and THEN it unlatches the boot. But you still have to physically open the boot. So the button is entirely pointless. It has no function whatsoever - so why include it on the fob?? Similarly, there is a button on the steering wheel with a voice control icon lit up. I read the entire manual back and forth and still have no idea what it does. Having trawled forums, apparently it does nothing. Nice one BMW. Only you could light up a button that does absolutely nothing. I welcome comment on this. If anyone has any solutions to any of the above issues - please tell me. As it is, this is one of the most disappointing cars I've ever owned. It could have been soooo good - but too many stupid design niggles..!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
No 
4 out of 5
Car Details
Model
cooper SD
Year
2015
Avg annual mileage
More than 20,000
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
47
Tell us what you think about your car?
This car has more room than a regular mini hatch, with a decent sized boot. Engines are strong and free revving. Seats and the driving position are very good. I find on certain A roads the cabin can get a bit noisy with road noise, motorways are fine. The ride is very firm and drives very well on twisty B roads. Build quality is good along with the level of equipment in the chilli pack.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
deisel
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
15,000 – 19,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
58
Tell us what you think about your car?
I've had my Mini Paceman 3 months. It's brill. Having had a BMW X3 for the last 3 yrs I fancied an complete change from the Bemmers having owned 5 previous cars. Don't lisen to the average reveiws from the so called experts, this car's fab for ride and looks every where I go people look. I've only seen 2 of them on the road in the last 4 months they are pricy but they are BMW really. I thought I'd miss my X3 but no, this is much better.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
5 out of 5
Car Details
Model
1.6 COOPER DIESEL
Year
2014
Avg annual mileage
10,000 – 14,999
Owned
Less than a year
Bought Car
Used
Typical MPG
46
Tell us what you think about your car?
HAVING HAD 6 MINIS (ALL COOPERS AND COOPER S PETROL AND DIESEL THIS IS WAY ABOVE THE REST AND THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING THAT LITTLE BIT HIGHER UP IS SUPER. THIS VEHICLE TURNS HEADS AND ALTHOUGH I WENT FOR A FAIRLY BASIC SPEC (ADDING ON EXTRAS WILL REALLY COST YOU) IT HAS EVERYTHING I NEED.
GOOD RIDE SUPER HANDLING, LITTLE ROLL ON CORNERS EVEN AT SPEED. BE CAREFUL TO WATCH YOUR SPEED IT IS VERY EASY TO GO OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT.
MY WIFE AND I ARE REALLY ENJOYING OUR PACEMAN.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?
Yes
