[rayb]

We ordered my wife's new Cooper last week, it's her silver wedding anniversary present. Expecting delivery in March next year.
Mini Cooper
Pepper pack
Automatic
Astro Black
Black leather lounge sports seats with cream trim
Colour line cream
Interior trim in Piano Black
Multi function s/wheel
16 in Bridge Spoke alloys
Bi-xenon headlights
Auto air-con

[Olly.]

Very nice spec, congrats

Thats a long wait, I thought I had a bad one waiting until early january

[rayb]

I'm sure it will be worth waiting for.
The problem seems to be the auto box, our dealer doesn't know if it will be available until March.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rayb (original)

Mini Cooper
Pepper pack
Black leather lounge sports seats with cream trim
16 in Bridge Spoke alloys

Please don't take offence at this question, as it is really not my intention to take the shine of an exciting experience, but why did you chose the PEPPER pack and then pay extra for Sports Seats and 16" Alloys when the CHILI pack would give you both of these plus a three-spoke steering wheel (universally preferred) and rear spoiler for next to nothing over what you are already paying?

Long-term, a Cooper CHILI will also have a better resale value than a Cooper PEPPER + extras, so it's a win-win situation! Tell me to mind my own business if you want, but I'm pretty sure most (if not all) on here will agree with me.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rayb (original)

The problem seems to be the auto box, our dealer doesn't know if it will be available until March.

Cooper Automatic is confirmed from December build onwards, whereas Cooper S Automatic is not due until March. These dates have been in place since August when specs were officially announced!

Strikes me that your dealer needs to check the facts!

[rayb]

It's a good point about the Pepper vs Chili pack. My wife didn't want the sports suspension so hence the decision to opt for the Pepper pack. She really wanted the Leather lounge seats with the piping and we were told you can't hav these unless you order sports seats. You also have to have Piano Black trim with the seats.
When we go to the launch do I'm going to check throuh the options with the dealer again.

[Scrogg]

Sports Suspension is now a stand-alone option, even if you order a CHILI Pack (when it's free!) so your wife won't have to worry about being shaken to bits! - Were you not told this?

Unless you have stated that you want the new car in March (which means they should hold off ordering it until their January/February allocation) it will go non spec-changeable six weeks before it is due to be built. If your dealer has actually sent the order to MINI the chances are the launch date will be too late to change anything!

[rayb]

Thanks for the comments. This sort of info is really useful. Do you know exactly what's in the Chilli pack and how much it costs?

[Scrogg]

The CHILI Pack is basically the PEPPER pack plus three-spoke sports leather steering wheel, sports front seats, rear spoiler and 16" alloy wheels.

It is £1,875 instead of £940; but then the upgrade to full leather is £380 cheaper and the Bridge Spoke alloys are £390 cheaper; meaning you get a nicer steering wheel, rear spoiler and better resale value for £165!

[rayb]

Thanks for the info. I think we'll go back to the dealers and make a couple of changes. I thought ordering my new BMW was complicated, the mini config seems much more complicated.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by rayb (original)

Thanks for the info.

It's my pleasure.

Quote: Originally Posted by rayb (original)

I think we'll go back to the dealers and make a couple of changes. I thought ordering my new BMW was complicated, the mini config seems much more complicated.

That's the second most fun bit about owning a MINI (after driving it of course!) and is only ruined by having to wait for it to be built.

So when actually is your wedding anniversary?

[rayb]

Anniversary was 9th Oct. We were on holiday at the time and I had been asking my wife what she wanted as a present for ages. She finally told me she'd like a new Mini. So we ordered it when we got back.

[Scrogg]

Well hopefully joining MINI2 will mean your wife enjoying her present a lot sooner than you originally thought?

Just make sure you keep us up to date with the progress on your order, and post some pictures of the big day when it finally arrives!

[Near Oxford Mini]

Congrats on the order. Another one for the Auto Club

We test drove the CVT version and liked it. The new box is supposed to be much better although we haven't seen a picture yet.

Have seen an Astro Black Cooper testing on the M40 last week and it looked awesome. Good colour choice. We went for Red and a black top; couldn't face trying to keep the all black clean.

We have ordered a Cooper Automatic being built first week in December delivery due just before Christmas. March is way off base unless there is a big queue now.

We would totally agree with much of the above about the options. The Chili Pack is very good value for £1875 you get the following: (Plus the future resale is much better we're told)

FK Upholstery (Cloth / Leather) 380.00
255 3-Spoke Sports Steering Wheel 180.00
423 Floor Mats 50.00
450 Passenger Seat Height Adjust 50.00
520 Front Fog Lights 90.00
530 Manual Air Con 660.00
550 On-Board Computer 100.00
563 Interior Lights Pack 110.00
2RN 16" Star Blaster Light Alloy Wheels 460.00
325 Rear Roof Spoiler 120.00
346 Chrome Line Exterior 90.00
481 Sports Seats 210.00

Total Individual items: £2,500


We have upgraded the alloys to Bridge Spoke for £70 and upgraded the Manual Air Con to Automatic for £230.

We think it's well worth the £50 to get rid of the Orange indicator lenses too, makes the Mini look a little sad from the front otherwise.

We did think about the sports suspension but after reading a few reviews dropped the idea; Oxfordshire's roads aren't the best in places and we value our fillings!

[rayb]

Where abouts are you in Oxfordshire? Did you buy from North Oxfordshire Mini?

[Near Oxford Mini]

It's our first Mini and North Oxford is our local dealer and it's where we have gone.

It was also on recommendation from some friends who have used them.

So far we cannot fault the service, they spent allot of time helping us with the spec, kept us well informed, sent us a brochure without asking and have been happy to change the spec twice when we changed our mind.

[rayb]

They are very good. We live in the south of the county (Blewbury), so there is a dealer nearer but from what I've heard they aren't very good. I've just ordered a new BMW from them and they were also very good.
I think we'll change the spec to the chilli pack and possibly add the lights you suggested.
Maybe we'll see you at the launch evening.

[Near Oxford Mini]

Roll On Mid November ..............................

We have also arranged a factory tour at the Cowley works for one evening in our build week. You never know we might spot it on the production line.

Never heard you could go on on a tour before North Oxford mentioned it to us. Really looking forward too it.

[rayb]

Scrogg and Near Oxford Mini,
Many thanks for the excellent advice. I swapped from Pepper to Chilli (without the sports suspension) and added the option for white lights. This works out about £100 cheaper, I get the spoiler for free and a better re-sale value. That's got to be a great result.
I also checked delivery and was amazed to be told that the car will probably be delivered just before Xmas. I've asked that they register it in Jan and we can collect then. I've also ordered a new 335i Coupe which should arrive at the same time. So it'll be an exciting, but expensive, month.

[SteveBrass]

you old romantic you