Hi all,

After months of thought I am now replacing my Milano Red 04 Civic Type-R for a new Mini Cooper 'S' :biggrin:

Ordered it this morning and got a resonable part-ex on the Honda.

Chili Red and CHILI Pack
LSD
Chrome-Line Interior
Roof in Body Colour
Smokers pack (not a smoker) but you get a few free goodies
Colour Line Dark Grey
TLC

I purposely did not order any of the other extras, I just wanted the main essentials because that gave the best value for money.

I also decided not to have the Sports Suspension because the car would have 17" wheels and with the run-flats would make the suspension too harsh........OK if you have 16" wheels though.

It should arrive early July.

Just have to wait till it arrives now....

...Time seems to go soooooo ssslllloooowww when you are waiting on it arriving... but it is definitely worth the wait.

Going for the 'stripped-out' look caesar?

:nice:

(Although if you are looking for true 'value for money' I would strongly recommend Air Con, especially come resale time!)

"Going for the 'stripped-out' look caesar?"

I would not say that, there comes a point when you can overspend on a Mini and it's dead money......the next owner is the person who benefits. When you come into the 20K + price bracket there are better alternative cars available !

Only on a MINI forum would people consider the chilli pack, and the lights pack, half leather seats and such "essentials". :D :p

Congrats on your order. ;)

I would not say that, there comes a point when you can overspend on a Mini and it's dead money......
Totally agree.

If I was looking at a new Cooper S I'd do the same thing.

Plus Air Con! ;) :p

Scrogg..........the Chili pack includes Air Con, but not climate control.

I find SS with 17"s fine with the R56

Scrogg..........the Chili pack includes Air Con, but not climate control.
Maybe I should have read your spec list properly? :o

I thought you weren't having the CHILI Pack, hence the 'stripped-out' look comment!

Scrogg - thanks. No offence taken!

In fact I am in a very good mood as a result of ordering the car, so I would not take offence at anything. Only problem is having the patience to wait for it's arrival !!!!

Also thanks to Paul for his reply.

I downloaded the Mini Manual (US Version) from here so will start to study up on it.

It did occur to me that the US Spec' might be different ....apart from Left Hand Drive, does anybody know if it is ?

"Going for the 'stripped-out' look caesar?"

I would not say that, there comes a point when you can overspend on a Mini and it's dead money......the next owner is the person who benefits. When you come into the 20K + price bracket there are better alternative cars available ! Your so right there ,iam going the other way iam gettting a CTR GT

Honda's and Mini's are both excellent cars- I would not disparage either.

The Mini 'S' has an excellent power to weight ratio, and as a result of a smaller engine with a turbocharger gives a similar performance to the CTR GT but with a better MPG and less effort by the driver. To get the best out of the Honda you have to use the gears to keep in vtec mode, this can become tiresome and uses a lot of fuel.

On the plus side the Honda is more practicable regarding interior room.

I hope you find this of help, and am sure you will enjoy your ownership of the Honda CTR GT.