I think you may have misread the post title; the car is actually 2012 Infiniti M37x, not a Mini (nothing against Minis but they definitely aren’t my type of car, LOL).
How much have you been averaging a year in repairs since it started needing them every year?? Do NOT include standard maintenance…
I did misread this. Sorry!
Infiniti… better reliability, somewhat cheaper parts ('cause Nissan) but still 13 years old with 123K miles. Expect repairs, expect to spend money each year. This is just normal for cars that old.
No problem, thanks for the advice. I guess I had just thought that the car would hold up better than it has. I had always read about how the VQ37VHR powertrain in the older Infinitis is/was known for being reliable, but it seems like that isn’t the case for almost every other major component in these cars.
Is 123k miles really considered to be a lot? The reason I ask is because back when I bought the car, everyone talked about how the powertrain was known to be so reliable that it should “easily” reach 250k miles or more with minimal issues. But at this point, I have replaced almost every major component/system EXCEPT for the engine/transmission.
It depends a LOT on how well the car was treated before you bought it. And age is a factor, too.
I would choose a 5 year old car with 100K miles on it before I’d buy a 15 year old car with 100K on it. To get 100K in 5 years means it has lots of easy highway miles and fewer cold-start cycles than the 15 year old car. 6700 miles a year means lots of short trips and sitting around in the elements. 15 years can be hard on rubbers and plastics and short trips can create lots of acids or water in the oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, differentials and coolant.
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It’s hard to say. The most recent repair cost $2700, although that also included new tires and realignment in addition to the new radiator and temperature gauge. In late 2023 and early 2024, I had to have back-to-back valve gasket seal repairs & spark plug replacements (both repairs were done about 5 months apart from each other). I think the first repair cost $600 and the second one cost $800.
The last major repair before that one was in August 2022 to have the water pump replaced, which cost around $800 (something else might have been done as well but I need to find the itemized receipt).
On several occasions (I think 3) over the years, the MAF sensors have had to be replaced as well. I honestly forgot how much it cost each time they had to be replaced, but I think it was over $600 each instance since every one of them had failed each time.
I guess the other question is, now that so many components have been replaced, is the car likely to hold up for at least a few more years without needing more major repairs?
Well with the most costly repair of $2700, if you bought really cheap tires and alignment, for easy math, we will say remove $700 from that $2700, that leaves you only spending at most $2000 for NON maintenance repairs, or $167 a month…
Now, would you rather have a paid for car and under $200 a month in repairs?? Or $$$$ monthly car note for X years with higher ins cost?? Weigh your options and do what makes the most since for you…
If you can pay cash, then you have to decided if you had rather have that money invested and making you money, or a new paid for safer, more bells and whistles car with minimal repairs for years to come… Only you can answer those questions…
You said car overheated. And radiator was cause. Usually a leaky radiator would lead to overheating. Or a clogged radiator. You didn’t say what was “wrong” with radiator. A new radiator is usually a good thing. As it removes 1 thing from equation.
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All things considered, these are the questions I ask when deciding to buy/replace a car.
- (Top priority) Is the car reliable in my day to day life and routines? Meaning, does it get me to work, school, etc. without having to be in the shop all the time?
- Does the vehicle meet my current lifestyle needs? For example, if you’re driving a large SUV or minivan from the days when your kids were little, but now they’ve grown up and left…if might make sense to get something newer and smaller.
- Finally, and this can be a big one too…does your spouse/significant other just want something new? That can create a “pressure” all its own.
Usually I can figure out the car decision pretty easily using these questions. But your mileage may vary. Literally. 
Fwiw . . . If someone has repeatedly replaced the MAF, I’d say there’s a good chance it was never properly diagnosed 
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All though things you listed are minor repairs, NOT this… not even close to this!
These days, I can’t consider ANY repair under $1000 to be anything but “minor”.
The $2700, if you bought really good tires could easily be $1500 for tires and alignment alone. Or as Dave says, $700 for cheap tires and $2K for replacing worn parts.
As for this…
No, you are in no way “done” with repairs. I can list potential issues you haven’t even thought about. AC being a biggie. A new compressor and associated parts runs $1500 and up. If the evaporator in the dash gets a leak, that could run $3000 and up. Rear differential, while unlikely, can eat up another $1500. Fuel injectors, coils, wiring and more. A full brake job with pads, rotors, calipers and master is an easy $2000. Maybe your last set of brakes were pads and rotors for $800 but you can’t assume the next job will be that cheap. Then we have various switches, power window regulators, blend door actuators, HVAC fans and controls, power seats, radio, nav system and on and on and on…
Not trying to scare you but… car maintenance is expensive even IF you do some of your own work.
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The only way for you to avoid unscheduled repairs is to do what i do: lease a car for three years and at lease end turn it in on a new car. That way, you are always covered by the new car warranty. Saves a boatload on routine maintenance also.
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