Just wanted to share my Mini buying experience in the hope that it helps others get a good deal.

Having previously read on many forums that Mini doesn’t negotiate much on new build cars due to high demand, we were blown away the other day when the dealer offered us $5k off the price bringing the on road price to $45k (after playing 2 dealers against each other). We have put down a deposit for a January build with the following options.

We added
- Sun protection pack
- Anthracite roof lining
- Black bonnet stripes
- Piano black interior
- Rain sensing wipers
- automatic headlights
- run flat tyres

Feeling a little nervous about not adding an extra $8k or so to get the JCW, but I figure (having never had anything near this quick before), that I will be thrilled with the MCS.

One thing I would be curious about would be getting the JCW stage 1 upgrade in a few years (when I can afford it). Does anyone know how much the JCW stage 1 costs in Australia?

I paid $51,300 for a MCS JCW on road. The extra is well worth the effort as the performance is just brilliant.
It has Metallic paint,Fluid interior surface, Chrome lined interior, Drive lights and Bonnet stripes.:biggrin:

I'm hunting for second hand MCS (non JCW) and targetting 04 onwards - not much to choose from here in Vic but I'm confident something will crop up.

Driven a few and good ones are great but some have had rattly engines; weeping engine mount, hard clutches and noisy pwr steering units. Yet to drive the 02 / 03 MCS as yet - is there much difference apart from the interior cosmetics?

Definately a fun car to drive !

:)

mate, jealous about the new car feeling you are having :D


"One thing I would be curious about would be getting the JCW stage 1 upgrade in a few years (when I can afford it). Does anyone know how much the JCW stage 1 costs in Australia?"

About a month ago my dealer in Brisbane quoted approx 5K fitted for Stage 1 kit (for R56 MCS) so probably would be better to get Factory JCW for that 8K extra..., anyways MCS is a handful

Are runflat tryes optional for this new build?

Thanks mate, pretty exited (It's my first new car)

The runflats became an option on the MCS in September I'm told.

Yeah, it probably is a better call to get the factory JCW - but at the end of the day, the MCS is still a stellar car and I won't feel hard done by if I can't get the JCW. Just need to talk the missus into the JCW before the order goes in ; )

Do you wish you had got a JCW? The times review of the MCS (4/5) and the JCW review (2/5) is also making the MCS decision a little easier.

I see, (runflats make it a bit of a hard ride on the imperfect aussie roads)

Yeah, everything should be approved by the minister :)

No I dont wish that as MCS is still a fun car. The factory JCW doesnt look that different at all to the MCS. So common people wouldnt know ;)
The aero kit doesnt interest me either. If I would do Stage 1 that'll be for the sound. There is daylight between Cooper and Cooper S, not that much between Cooper S and JCW. (imho)

Congrats on the new car Washout. I would try and find the extra money for the factory JCW if I were you. If I had a dollar for everytime I had heard someone say "the standard car has plenty of power for me...", I would have between $10 & $20 :p Besides, $8k is only the asking price - have you tried negotiating with them and seeing if they can "help" you squeeze into a JCW on your budget? The JCW kit is an option and we all know that there is margin for the dealers in the options. Just ask the Audi dealer I ordered my wife's car through :-)

Wouldn't waste my money on a stage 1 JCW kit. Just buy a large front-mount intercooler instead. Cost is about $1k and you will feel a similar power gain if not more. Won't effect your warranty either as all it is doing is putting colder air into your engine.

Did you find a MCS BRGMCS? It'd be good to look interstate...there are more bargins elsewhere!

Congrats on the new car Washout. I would try and find the extra money for the factory JCW if I were you. If I had a dollar for everytime I had heard someone say "the standard car has plenty of power for me...", I would have between $10 & $20 :p

Wouldn't waste my money on a stage 1 JCW kit. Just buy a large front-mount intercooler instead. Cost is about $1k and you will feel a similar power gain if not more. Won't effect your warranty either as all it is doing is putting colder air into your engine.

Thanks quickbrick. I do totally agree with you, but at this stage it looks like I will be sticking with the MCS as the budget is already pretty stretched at this stage.

Given that my current car is a 96 Honda Civic, I think the MCS will blow me away and perhaps next time I can shell out for the JCW : ) In the meanwhile, I will focus on getting the MCS paid off and then can look into the wonderfull world of intercoolers and other performance upgrades : )