[Tunster]

From one car forum to another, lol. This is the first post on this forum from me and I thought I'd kick it off by sharing I'll be pare of the MINI club in 8 - 12 weeks time . I'm 21 and in a pretty good paying job, I'd take the oppertunity to buy a new car while I don't have bills to pay. Between the Cooper S or Focus ST (I test drove at the weekend), the MINI was a definate winner all round and performance! I was even lucky enough to get an oppertunity to test drive the clubman also.

I've gone for an all black MINI with the JCW Aerodynamic package at £1,300! Definately worth it for the side skirts, front apron, rear apron. Got the CHILI pack also along with the visibility pack, hi-fi loudspeaker system (and other things I can't remember being on there!).

Hopefully they may push the order through to March rather than after April. I'd love to take it to Leeds and back for a good run in for it!

However, I've got a couple of questions which I may end up asking the MINI garage and reclarify.

1) Does anyone know how much the JCW Carbon Spoiler is? They said £1700 + fitting to me. Is that right?

2) Also, the lightweight JCW 18" 10 spoke alloys? £2700 supposedly! I know the normal 10 spoke 18" ones are £1200?

[scottp7]

welcome tunster! sounds like you got a nice little motor coming on there!!

i just have a question to ask you, i hope you don't mind me asking you this but what was the cheapest quote you got for a Cooper S at your age and who was it with?

Cheers

[KPKalle]

Hi and welcome Tunster Can't help with your questions but I'm sure someone will be along to help. Otherwise try asking in the 2nd Gen Exterior forum

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by scottp7 (original)

welcome tunster! sounds like you got a nice little motor coming on there!!

i just have a question to ask you, i hope you don't mind me asking you this but what was the cheapest quote you got for a Cooper S at your age and who was it with?

Cheers

With all hope timing is correct, I'll be able to insure the Cooper S at around £1000 with 2 years no claims and 2 years experience. However, when I quoted for an ST (1 or 2 insurance groups higher than the Cooper S), it came to £850 with 3 years NCB (I can use as I have 2 NCB with Norwich Union in 18months and have gained 1 year extra with More Than who I am currently with)! So it should be around the same.

KPKalle: Thanks for the info, I will ask there.

[118]

fab, sounds great - can't wait to see some pics

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by 118 (original)

fab, sounds great - can't wait to see some pics

I will do! I'm still weighting up whether to add anymore. Let me go through the spec in full for the Cooper S below....

In Astro Black (with black roof)
JCW Aerodynamic Kit (£1,300 worth!)
Piano Black Interior
CHILLI Pack (Bi-Xenon Lights, Floor Mats, Manual Aircon, Fog Lights, On-Board Computer, Leather Steering Wheel, 17" Crown Spoke Alloys)
Visibility Pack
Darkened Rear Glass
HiFi Speaker System

I did take off the LSD for the Visibility pack which to be honest I didn't need. The salesman who's a young chap that's been a race driver for test days said I didn't need the LSD.

The only thing I'd consider is the auto air-con. In essense, will the manual air-con be adaquate? I really don't want to add anymore even though it's tempting.

[T8MS_X]

Wouldn't say the auto air con is a necessity but it's certainly nice to have, looks a lot better imo.

Oh and congrats on the car, nice car for a 21 year old if I say so myself.

[118]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

I will do! I'm still weighting up whether to add anymore. Let me go through the spec in full for the Cooper S below....

In Astro Black (with black roof)
JCW Aerodynamic Kit (£1,300 worth!)
Piano Black Interior
CHILLI Pack (Bi-Xenon Lights, Floor Mats, Manual Aircon, Fog Lights, On-Board Computer, Leather Steering Wheel, 17" Crown Spoke Alloys)
Visibility Pack
Darkened Rear Glass
HiFi Speaker System

I did take off the LSD for the Visibility pack which to be honest I didn't need. The salesman who's a young chap that's been a race driver for test days said I didn't need the LSD.

The only thing I'd consider is the auto air-con. In essense, will the manual air-con be adaquate? I really don't want to add anymore even though it's tempting.

I have the LSD on mine, and it does make hell of a difference - definately worth the money! also have the auto air con, mainly because I preferred the look, and I have the nav anyway, so you don't get a choice

how about MFSW? you get cruise control too then

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by 118 (original)

I have the LSD on mine, and it does make hell of a difference - definately worth the money! also have the auto air con, mainly because I preferred the look, and I have the nav anyway, so you don't get a choice

how about MFSW? you get cruise control too then

The salesman pointed out LSD wouldn't make much different on the roads and more the track. He pointed it out when he took me out on the test drive with it on and off (that might of been DSC as well).

I'm looking to spending money getting a wickid looking Cooper S rather than worrying about the interior (which standard I'm very happy with). I know the auto-aircon looks better, but I'd rather have the expensive JCW Carbon Spoiler . It all depends if I can sell my current car for more than MINI are quoting for part exchange (£2,500 - privately, I could get £4,000).

MSFW? (not sure what that is), but I don't need Cruise Control as it's going to a fun run around car rather than doing long trips. I'm praying I'll get it before the end of march as I'll be drive to Leeds and back. I'd rather have the 1.6 Turbo MINI under my right foot to drive rather than my pony 1.4 MG ZR, .

[Snowie]

Unfortunately the salesman is wrong - not unusual. LSD is a big benefit even on the road.

You say you want a fun car - then I would say LSD is a defo requirement. You will really notice the difference on the road with coming out of tight corners / roundabouts. With out it you will find the car scrabbling for grip and not be able to put the power down.

Test drive one with and one without LSD, drive it hard but fair in tight corners / roundabouts and you will notice the difference especialy when the roads are damp.

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Snowie (original)

Unfortunately the salesman is wrong - not unusual. LSD is a big benefit even on the road.

You say you want a fun car - then I would say LSD is a defo requirement. You will really notice the difference on the road with coming out of tight corners / roundabouts. With out it you will find the car scrabbling for grip and not be able to put the power down.

Test drive one with and one without LSD, drive it hard but fair in tight corners / roundabouts and you will notice the difference especialy when the roads are damp.

No problem. I may still add it at this late stage as I hope I can get my current car privately sold and should be able to put more in for the deposit so I can add a few more bits. I will give the salesman a ring this afternoon to get that put on. Can you turn LSD on and off? From what I remember, I'm sure you can. I'm not so worried about the DSC as that's alot more in terms of cost to put on when the car by standard has ASC+T, ABS etc.

[118]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tunster (original)

The salesman pointed out LSD wouldn't make much different on the roads and more the track. He pointed it out when he took me out on the test drive with it on and off (that might of been DSC as well).

I'm looking to spending money getting a wickid looking Cooper S rather than worrying about the interior (which standard I'm very happy with). I know the auto-aircon looks better, but I'd rather have the expensive JCW Carbon Spoiler . It all depends if I can sell my current car for more than MINI are quoting for part exchange (£2,500 - privately, I could get £4,000).

MSFW? (not sure what that is), but I don't need Cruise Control as it's going to a fun run around car rather than doing long trips. I'm praying I'll get it before the end of march as I'll be drive to Leeds and back. I'd rather have the 1.6 Turbo MINI under my right foot to drive rather than my pony 1.4 MG ZR, .

it does sound like a nice S you've specced there

I have to say, the R56 S has so much torque, it struggles to get the power down sometimes, so the LSD really does make a big difference, but it's your spec, so go with what you're happy with the MFSW is multi function steering wheel, so you get audi controls on the wheel too

could be wrong, but I don't think you can turn the LSD off

[Snowie]

You can not turn LSD off as it is a mechanical component in the gearbox

DSC & TCS can be turned off by a switch as they are both electronic driver aids / safety features.

As Ian says it is your car so you set the sepc as you see fit / budget allows. Personall I would take as many factory options now as many of these can not be added later (LSD, DSC) or are very expensive to do later (MFSW if at all possible on an R56). I would then look at adding the wheels and spoiler some time later - unless taht is you can get a good deal on them now.

Of course this is just my opinion

Tlak to Chris at Woodmans about pricing of the wheels and spoiler etc

Alan

[Zack]

Sounds great, cant wait to see pics.

But other extras i would think of adding are the chrome line interior, as it makes the inside feel alot classier and smarter, and again the MFSW.

[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zack (original)

Sounds great, cant wait to see pics.

But other extras i would think of adding are the chrome line interior, as it makes the inside feel alot classier and smarter, and again the MFSW.

You're gonna have to wait for the pictures. Just popped in there today to sort out my private number plate business. Asked the finance chap about any progress and it's still looking to be ready by end of March/beginning of April. They have put it on urgent which is nice of them though which may encourage it to be ready in March for definate .

Going to pop in tomorrow again to change my spec one last time. Going to add the Chrome Line Interior and DSC. Not too bothered about the LSD as I personally don't think I'm going to gain much from it. However, I'm hoping to have some prices for definate on the 18" R109 Double Spoke Wheels (although they're under MINI Cooper S accessories in the Create Your Own Mini book for just over £2,000). I may trade in my 17" flames for £500 and get them for £1500. It's the spoiler I'm more curious about knowing I could order it for £400 on MINI online shops.

1 week gone already .

[Tunster]

Thought I'd resurface this thread rather than littering my good news in other threads . Just been off the phone to MINI and my car has been confirmed for production. Woop, woop, woop! The delivery date is expected 14th April, but hopefully may have it earlier .

They also made me happy with the fact the JCW Spoiler sprayed and fitted is gonna be £512! So will be a nice touch with my JCW kit .

Also, another note for Cooper S people that have ordered for post 1st March production, DSC is now standard on the Cooper S! Although, the price has gone up with this standard, so not really gaining anything, lol.

Dead excited and going into the garage this afternoon to get my private plate retention certificate and get my old plates put on.

God I haven't been this excited for ages over something .

[Tunster]

Well, I might as well resurrect my original thread rather than start a new one. I've just put in my Cooper S for some enhancements . I'm having to drive around in a horrid 1-Series 116. How anyone can pay any money for them, I do not know!

Anyway, I'll some new piccies at the end of the week once they're done .