[Mini-Trainer]

I have just over 21,000 pounds to spend on a new Mini R56, I would like all the usual refinements such as Chilli pack etc etc.

If you can help with any of these questions I would be most gratefull....

1. Can I retro fit my old wheels onto the R56?
2. Can I retro fit my JCW Sparco seats?
3. Has anyone seen pictures of a fully colour coded JCW Aerokit including the arches (Dealer fit)
4. Does climate come with the chilli package?
5. Is the slip diff worth the 110 pounds?
6. What stereo should I look for is the more expensive options any better?
7. I like the Pure Silver option has anybody seen any pics with the Aerokit on/ coded?
8. Whats your thoughts on the pure silver?
9. anything on the attached list I MUST go for thats not on the list?
10. Which dealer offers the best prices?
11. Whats the best price for th JCW aerokit, I've seen Derek Woodman doing it for 860 pounds does anyone know whether this includes side skirts?

Many thanks you' all


Rams

[CC07ERS]

Well if your happy then it was worth it aircon comes with any Mini package. Woodmans allways do a good deal on the kits. Iam sure you will love it. I would make sure you get it after the updated version comes out in August . Ive got rid after 4 months

[I love MINI, Laura]

Answer to question 4 only:

Buy a used MINI COOPER S - Auto Trader UK

Here you go. 8th down a chili red S with fully colour coded arches. It doesn't actually have the JCW aero kit on it though but thought it might help slightly.

[MINIAC]

#1 - Depends if the wheels are compatible with M14 wheel bolts.

Related Thread

[popey]

You sure you dont fancy a nice laser blue one (mine)

[David King]

I can only answer question 8.

I think pure silver is a great colour, you dont see many MINIs in Silver!!

[mister.t]

So you are getting rid of your car popey?
Im 99% sure that you can stick your old wheels on. Ive seen an R56 S with fin spokes on - Same fittings surely?? Standard manual AC come with the Chili Pack - CC is £220 odd extra.

[ben__allen]

I got told last Sat when I picked mine up that you can't put R56 alloys on an earlier car as the bolts might undo whilst you are driving - so dunno what the crack would be doing it the other way round!?

[CC07ERS]

ive got r95s on that were 2 years old, no probs

[AMT]

Have you seen b4mmy's Pure Silver MCS with Aero Kit? It's in the S Roll Call, towards the beginning. Looks smart!

[danb]

Well, I am hoping the answer to no.1 is yes, as I am planning to fit my Dares when my R56 is delivered in 3 weeks.

Woodmans is the cheapest place I have found the aero kit, ordered it from them on Thursday

Climate control doesn't come in with the chilli pack, manual A/C does. I think the new climate control looks a bit too like something from ToysRUs, so stuck with manual

[iain cooper]

Please take my advice and read the posts on the various forums re the vast amount of build quality problems with these cars.

Do not even think about spending your £21,000 on a mini as you will almost surely regret it.

[caesar]

To spend £21k on a Mini is going overboard.....for that type of money there are better options available.

If you spend £21k then the only person who will gain is the person who has it after you!

I would say £19k is the maximum to spend.

As regards build quality, Mini build approx' 48 cars per hour, there will always be some build faults in any production line......not just BMW. It's a very small % that have problems.

[118]

I spent 25k on mine and have no regrets at all. the build quality is absolutely fine, much better than my old R53 S Works and the car is fantastic - one seriously happy owner here

the auto air con is an upgrade on the standard air con you get with the Chili pack, but worth it imo. the LSD is definately worth it too, for such little cost. not seen a PS R56, but I think it would look great!

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

To spend £21k on a Mini is going overboard.....for that type of money there are better options available.

If you spend £21k then the only person who will gain is the person who has it after you!

I would say £19k is the maximum to spend.

16k for MCS, add metalic paint and your're at 16.5k, add chilli and instantly at 18.5k....

so 19k is hard to keep under...

I certainly did not stop there I ticked.. DSG, LSD, auto-air con, upgraded alloys, red colour line, darkened rear glass, folding mirrors, auto light/wipers, heated windscreen, auto dim interior mirror, chrome mirror covers.... and was just about managing to stay under £20k...and then added the aero kit and iPOD cable and completely blew the budget

Too much for a mini...probably, but I still am happy with what I got...and sure the person after me will love it

[danb]

I agree with fergus.

Why pay 19k for a car that you can live with, when you can pay 21k for a car you love?

Yes, the options will not have much affect when it comes to trade in time, but unless you are planning to sell the car after 3 months you will certainly see the benefit of them yourself.

[Martin F]

I spent about £20k. I know its a lot but the car is brilliant. Just coming up to 5,000 miles and no serious problems, just a few minor things which are fixed. I recommend you get the spec you want. It will always be an irritation if you miss something you want and then regret it for all the years you keep the car.

[Mini-Trainer]

I see mixed responses from you all, but I thank you all for including your commments.
I've been told by many to hold up for a while and wait and see what the future holds for the R56.
The problem I have is that my tax year end is at the end of June, this means that I get some tax relief in January of next year if I buy before the end of June 2007.
The other issue that no-one can advise me on is whether my car will cost me more money in the long term future.

So back to the waiting game, do I do this and perhaps get an R56 with all the problems ironed out, also the price may be more negotiable on ordering in the future.
Has anybody heard about the Full JCW kit in future variants.

It's certainly not essential that I buy another car now, but I have to make a decision in the next couple of days to make the Specable deadline from the factory.

I know that 21,000 pounds is a lot of money to spend on any car, and idealy I'd like to get a nice car for a decent deal, then I could put the money elsewhere to better use.
It's a pickle for me and one which has caused me to give it alot of thought over the past 2 months.

I've certainly being of the veiw of "Act in haste, Repent at leisure"

Rams

[Mini-Trainer]

Rights Guys I think you'll like what I have to say next........

I will provide you 1Case of beer of your choice, if you see any R56's for sale that I eventually purchase.
Second hand so someones taken the VAT hit already
Low Milage under 5,000
I would like something like the spec sheet attached to the first post, in whatever colour.
Be around the budget of 20k
Within reasonable travelling distance of Leeds

I've been looking already at piston heads, but there are loads of sites out there I'm sure
Mini : Mini Cooper S Turbo (R56)

What do you all think to that deal?

[caesar]

Mini-Trainer

If you visit the AutoTrader website and do a search on the R56, you will find a number of franchised dealers selling ex-demo's MCS 07 at a reasonable discount. The money you save will easily pay the cost of any extras i.e. aero kit, LSD etc which you can add.

I will be ordering a new MCS later this month, or possibly buy a demo instead......save some of that VAT that way!