Hi all, first post, so apologies for the questions!

I'm currently driving a E90 BMW as a company car but am leaving the company and need to buy a car. I don't need the space of the beemer anymore, so looking for something smaller, quicker and more fun - the MCS seems to fit the bill!

I've £10k to spend, so I'm guessing it'll be a 2007/08 car, but I've no idea what is available spec wise or what packs to look out for. From my initial investigations it seems the Chilli pack is a must and will get me most of my wish list. This is what I'm after:

Must have

Heated leather
Xenons
Climate (do they have dual?)

Would like

Sat nav (is it worth it, I've a decent Tom Tom I could use?)
iPod connection with full control
Bluetooth
Power folding mirrors

I'd appreciate your thoughts on whether these options are available and which is the best way to find them (look for packs or just read the ad details). Also, is there anything else I've not listed that I really should be looking for?

Cheers in advance.

Hi, you've made a good choice :)

Indeed the Chili pack will get you most of that and then individual cars may have extras based on what the original owner ordered.

Personally, I have never been bothered by built-in satnav as tomtom does the job and is easier/cheaper to keep updated.

There is 2 types of BT - basic which pairs the phone and full bluetooth which enables you to connect the phone into a cradle in the centre armrest.

If you get one with usb/audio in then you can plug in a usb stick and play music from that or for approx £40 you will get a proper ipod dock cable which will charge the ipod/iphone and enable full music integration through the radio controls and display.

You will get a 2007/2008 MCS within your budget if you buy privately but from a Mini dealer you are probably looking at nearer 12-13k

Make sure that the car has the balance of the TLC pack which gave 5yrs/50k miles free servicing and can be extended for a further 3 years giving 8 yrs/80k miles from new and means that the car should have been properly maintained whilst allowing you to continue to get it serviced with no extra cost.

Finally, and not wishing to put you off - consider the known issue of the timing chain rattle at startup from cold that only affects the MCS turbo cars (2nd gen) - this is well documented all over the web - mini have struggled to resolve the issue and it seems to affect every car at some point regardless of mileage.

I looked at and test drove a MCS registered in 09/2008 with 16k and it had this issue so decided to walk away - I have now put a deposit on a 2010 cooper (newer and doesn't have the same engine) - but you may want the MCS performance.

Consider cruise control too and auto lights/wipers

There are also an almost baffling array of trim options both inside and outside that could be fitted to an individual car.

With regard pricing - they hold their value extremely well and the main dealers may not haggle much!

^^What miniblo said!

^^What miniblo said!

I do talk sense sometimes then :D:D:D

Thanks for the help guys, however, massive change of plan - went to look at used MCSs at my local dealer and walked out having put a deposit on a brand new JCW :D

Using the 50:50 deal, I've got a very well specced (almost exactly what I wanted) in stock car for delivery next week, for just over what I was going to pay for a 4 year old MCS. They hadn't made their sales quota and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Forget Christmas, roll on next Wed!

Wahooo! dont forget to share pics once you have it :)