[beebleb]

Hey all.

First post here after lurking for a bit. I've pretty much decided to buy a new car this year (currently drive a 2004 Audi A4) and the MCS is very high on my list (just went on holiday to UK and there were just way too many over there).

I haven't decided on second hand vs. new (the 2005 model sounds tasty though), looking to get the best value for money rather than the cheapest price. Has anyone out there purchased a 2nd hand one recently? Any idea what money they were paying?

It sounds like in the 2nd hand market accessories are pretty significantly devalued. Does this mean I should hang out for as much accessories as possible?

Oh, and if anyone has one for sale or some experience wtih the local BMW dealer drop me a bell

Looking forward to joining the "club"

Adam

[Tit]

my thoughts:

For me, the MCS was a silly financial move, but a fantastic lifestyle move. It's given me something to look forward to on the weekends...and the drive to work isn't dull any more...following on from that, I would say that any accessory on the mini that I purchased I expected to not get any $$$ back....just the fun of having it.....(I think of it like spending money on a holiday...that way it dosen't hurt when you loose your money on it...)...

Having said that, I would say if you are going to buy the car, do lots of research first to find out what you would want to option on the car. The mini is a car that is very tempting to mod, but BMW offers alot of good accessories already. So, if you find some BMW items that you want to have on the car, try to add as many of them as you can pre-sale so that you have the bargaining power with the dealer to get the price down. For example, to order the driving lights post-delivery, it would cost you around $700 to get them fully installed, but if you get a deal on them when you are speccing the car, they will be considerably cheaper...

Another thing worth considering, is that if you get a new car, and you want to mod it...you'll always have the new car warranty in the back of your mind. I would consider getting a second-hand car, out of warranty (with some of those de-valued accessories already on the car) and put some more money into modding it to how I want it. The only thing I would temper that with though, is that some of the early models had teething problems (as any new car does)...

For example. You could go out and get a brand new MCS with a chilli pack. That would cost you around $46k on-road...you'd get a two year warranty and all the 05 improvements and increased reliability over the older models. But if you want to mod after you have the car, things will start to get expensive ( have a read of the last three pages of this thread: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...age=28&pp=1 5 ). You could compare that to getting a second hand MCS, in good condition with say...40,000km on the clock. It would set you back probably about $30k. There may be some minor issues with it (like leather cracking, rattles etc); the warranty would have gotten a good work-out and hopefully all of the big things would have been addressed by then. You now have $16k difference - or you could call it $16k play money - imagine the fantastic mods you could do for that!! Then you'd have an awesome mini!!!

Having said that, if you have no intention of modding...a new car would be easier to live with...

Also, like every car, the biggest chunk of depreciation is lost as soon as you drive that car off the showroom floor....so if you don't want to worry about that, it's another thing worth considering....

Like I said...the mini, for me...wasn't the most astute financial move, but I've loved every second of my short mini experience and would do it all again...

Good luck....!!

[beebleb]

Hey thanks for the great reply.

Yeah, I made the "responsible" move last year with the purchase of the Audi. 4 seats and 4 doors (had an MGF before), automatic, great ride...

But I must say I don't look forward to driving any more. It just gets me from point to point. I'm hoping an MCS will bring the fun back.

My biggest gripe with buying new is probably the devaluation. It just eats me up inside a little I don't want to mod though (as in cold air, exhaust or anything), I think the days of wanting that are over. I am an accessory fan though and I do like the look of the driving lights and the sunroof.

16k for the '05 enhancements, 2 years of warranty, and "new car experience" doesn't sound too bad actually Probably works out to be 10k since hopefully the resale should be 6k more in a few years.

Any particular years to steer clear from? Looks like the 02 might not be the best year, perhaps go for an 03?

[minigolf]

Welcome Adam, what Tiaan just said!

The only thing I would add is that if you decide to buy a used car simply to avoid the wait I would ask you to think again. FOr a start you have 2 weeks less shipping than the rest of Australia. But, once the wait for your new car is over you'll have pretty much the car you want, rather than something that will always be a compromise, long after the 3-4 month wait has passed.

Either way I guess you'll be happy anyway.



Cheers Liam

[minigolf]

Adam, go for as new a car as you can find would be my advice.

[beebleb]

The wait is definitely not a problem. I'm taking this purchase nice and easy, this is a LOT of money for a second car!

I think I'm gonna spend as much as 3 months researching and sorting.

[Tit]

And so you should....

[Mike Clarke]

Hi Adam, welcome to MINI2

I know of a DS/B MCS that will be up for sale in 3 or 4 weeks, less than 1 year old (owner has a new DS/B MCS on order)

Why not come along to the next clubMINI meeting and talk to a few owners, Tuesday 5th April 6:30 Royal Bar & Brasserie, East Perth.

[beebleb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Clarke

Hi Adam, welcome to MINI2

I know of a DS/B MCS that will be up for sale in 3 or 4 weeks, less than 1 year old (owner has a new DS/B MCS on order)

Why not come along to the next clubMINI meeting and talk to a few owners, Tuesday 5th April 6:30 Royal Bar & Brasserie, East Perth.

I assume that means Dark Silver/Black Roof? I'm new at this

Sounds like a good idea, hope you don't mind a big slow Audi driver following you around I can be the photo car

Is the owner just looking to get into the 2005 spec?

[Mike Clarke]

Quote: Originally Posted by beebleb

I assume that means Dark Silver/Black Roof? I'm new at this

Sounds like a good idea, hope you don't mind a big slow Audi driver following you around I can be the photo car

Is the owner just looking to get into the 2005 spec?

Yes DS/B = Dark Silver/Black
He loves his current car but has decided that he wants a sunroof

Watch out for the MINI invasion of Leederville on the evening of the 1st April

[Babes]

Adam welcome to MINI 2. We are heading out to Cunderdin this weekend if you want to come along, always a spare seat and it will give you a true MINI experience As Mike said you can chat to the other members and find out as much as you like. You will be well looked after by Auto Classic if you decide to go new, Nic (sales) and Marco (service) are both members of clubMINI.

Look forward to meeting you soon.

Jason

[aussiesupermini]

hi adam

just a couple of pieces of advice in case u buy a new mini.

just bought second mini new and in 2005 they have new warranty available but they wont tell u about it. Instead of only two years u can purchase an additional three years. The price for one year is $650 but for three extra years u only pay $1300 which means ohne year free. I think this is a great off as it also includes all your services too for that fiveyear period.

Few people who i spoke to on sundays nsw club mini launch said that they would of definately taken up this offer if they had been aware. Even one sales rep who sells the minis didnt know this.

If it makes u feel any better i was a volvo driver before, yes honestly and thought of cars as merely transportation, but now i have to say i am mini mad and its always a pleasure to even scoot out for milk but the sunday drives and the fellow mini fans that all meet up at the 'Pie in the sky' well that is where the fun begins.

Dont hesitate when it comes to buying, the chilli option is good if u want some more extras and bling and then wait until u start buying stuff for the car from the UK Sometimes i think this is an addiction and when the rain stops maybe i can go get a fix.

[aussiesupermini]

hi adam

just a couple of pieces of advice in case u buy a new mini.

just bought second mini new and in 2005 they have new warranty available but they wont tell u about it. Instead of only two years u can purchase an additional three years. The price for one year is $650 but for three extra years u only pay $1300 which means ohne year free. I think this is a great off as it also includes all your services too for that fiveyear period.

Few people who i spoke to on sundays nsw club mini launch said that they would of definately taken up this offer if they had been aware. Even one sales rep who sells the minis didnt know this.

If it makes u feel any better i was a volvo driver before, yes honestly and thought of cars as merely transportation, but now i have to say i am mini mad and its always a pleasure to even scoot out for milk but the sunday drives and the fellow mini fans that all meet up at the 'Pie in the sky' well that is where the fun begins.

Dont hesitate when it comes to buying, the chilli option is good if u want some more extras and bling and then wait until u start buying stuff for the car from the UK Sometimes i think this is an addiction and when the rain stops maybe i can go get a fix.

[beebleb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Babes

Adam welcome to MINI 2. We are heading out to Cunderdin this weekend if you want to come along, always a spare seat and it will give you a true MINI experience As Mike said you can chat to the other members and find out as much as you like. You will be well looked after by Auto Classic if you decide to go new, Nic (sales) and Marco (service) are both members of clubMINI.

Look forward to meeting you soon.

Jason

This weekend is a bit impossible for me but thanks v. much for the offer! It's really good to have such a community in Perth for this kind of thing.

I'll definitely go check out Auto Classic. Lots of friends have been happy with the beemer purchasees (compared to my rather average experience with Audi) and in fact I might even look into finance with them.

Adam

[beebleb]

Quote: Originally Posted by aussiesupermini

just bought second mini new and in 2005 they have new warranty available but they wont tell u about it. Instead of only two years u can purchase an additional three years. The price for one year is $650 but for three extra years u only pay $1300 which means ohne year free. I think this is a great off as it also includes all your services too for that fiveyear period.

Hmmm... Sounds like a dangerous new hobbie

That's a greaet deal actually. So does the standard 2 year warranty include service? Becaues if not then 5 years servicing for $1300 sounds incredible.

BTW: How is service in Perth? If I go in with a rattle will they try and solve it? (and give me a loaner to boot?)

[slates68]

Great to hear the news that you may be joining us. Asfor the service at Auto Classic, I would find it difficult to fault. Marco does a great job and it never seems to be a problem going back for minor adjustments. See you at one of our monthly meetings if you can make it. Slates

[aussiesupermini]

i was told that this includes all services that the on-board computer says so if it says u r due service at 15 000 then it is covered and they should always give you loaner, just smile and its all in the approach, u know the saying, you get more flies with honey then vinegar.

Guarantee best thing you ever bought, if not theres something wrong with u. just joking


ann

[Tit]

Ann....I really think you were on the winning side of a dealer who made a mistake with the triple three plan....

I doubt BMW would be that generous....

you're just sooooo lucky!!!

[beebleb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tit

Ann....I really think you were on the winning side of a dealer who made a mistake with the triple three plan....

I doubt BMW would be that generous....

you're just sooooo lucky!!!

Does seem like a pretty amazing deal, think I'll have a chat with the guys at Auto Classic

Free servicing for 5 years seems like a deal too good to be true (esp. at European car serving running close to $400-$500 for a minor nowadays). That would save close to 1k a year I'd imagine.

....

[beebleb]

Hey guys - Hope this is the right forum to ask this on, but any ideas on what a 2002 or 2003 MCS is going for nowadays? I can see the ads on carsales of course but it would be great to hear from anyone who's either bought or sold one recently.

Also, with what I'm hearing, the 2003 would be the better buy (rattles etc). Would that be the consensus?