Advice on Purchasing a New Mini Needed

[welshgje]

Hi,

My wife and I are looking to purchase a new Mini One Convertible and visited the garage in Cardiff today (Sytner) to test drive a car. The dealer provided a 56 model for testing.

Now, we have been advised that if power is not a priority, to purchase a Mini One Conv' and add the Pepper Pack. Is this good advice or should we go for a Cooper + Pepper Pack (which is a little out of our price range).

I also intend to add metallic paint (Nightfire Red) and the IPod kit - which is quoted at £299. I use my IPod a lot, so it makes sense. Even though as I understand it, the stereo plays MP3 files.

The dealer tried pushing the purchase by telling me there were only two Mini One cars ready for building as they were about to go off sale for a while. Is this true? Do BMW stop selling Mini Conv's during the Summer months or is this simply a sales ploy to reach targets by the end of this quarter.

I also like the bigger alloys - the 15" alloys with the Pepper Pack look too small for me. But larger alloys are expensive. What do other people do?

I look forward to reading your advice and opinions. Hopefully we will put our deposit down tomorrow.

Many thanks

GJE

[Razzputin]

I would definitely stay within your price range. Nothing worse than having gotten a new car and a few months later the repo man takes it away.

[Joolsmini]

Yep, I agree, but Sytner could also do a check of all their other sites and see if there is one that is maybe just slightly used?

I went to Sytner 2 weeks ago with the intention of buying a brand new cooper convertible with the sidewalk trim. With the spec I wanted I managed to get an 8 month old Cooper S instead with less than 2000 miles on it and everything I wanted. There may well be a car that is exactly what you want already built and slightly used and it will save you alot of money!

Can I just add, I paid 299 to have the ipod fitted as extra, honesly, save your money and get the dension ice link fitted. Im really disappointed with it. You have to do your five playlists to play it and you cannot then shuffle from your ipod, you have to choose random (RND) on the head unit and each time you turn the engine off, rnd option is lost and you have to select it again so the shuffle changes, ewwww its really bugging me ! and the tracks do not show up on the head unit as I thought they would

apart from that, I really approved of Sytner, a positive experience to report here

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The MINI convertible will go out of production within the next year to make way for the 2nd generation convertible (it will look like a convertible version of the current hatchback). Production slot availability will vary from dealer to dealer, but don't let them push you into making a decision before you are ready.

The good think about the MINI One convertible that you are considering is that (if it proves under powered) it is immensely tunable. The 90 bhp engine in the One convertible is exactly the same as the 115bhp one in the Cooper in all but ECU programme. 130bhp is instantly obtainable in either by a simple and very cost effective ECU re-programme. In the next model convertible nothing so simple and cheap will be possible. This engine can take virtually any amount of tuning and stay completely bomb proof - 130bhp with a simple ECU re-programme will be pushing it nowhere near its limits.

My advice would be to go for the affordable One with Pepper Pack and metallic NOW. The iPod link, alloys and power can always be added as and when you can afford to do so.

Tigger.

PS: There is always a ready supply of new OEM MINI 16 and 17" alloys available from other users who upgrade their original wheels as soon as they collect their cars. This is much cheaper than specifying them with the new car. My own MINI has a set of 17" Webspokes that cost £625 new AND I got to sell the originals as well! Compare that to the cost the dealer will be quoting for a similar set!

[billy.batson]

I was told that production of the current MINI convertible will soon end to clear the decks for the new model being released Summer 2008, so not long to wait. However a price increase is expected so (if you can find one) maybe you should buy the present model now. I imagine those remaining will soon be snapped up.

[Morro]

"I also like the bigger alloys - the 15" alloys with the Pepper Pack look too small for me. But larger alloys are expensive. What do other people do?"

Yes, crazy wheel prices, shop elsewhere.

[liz131]

I agree with advice from Jools - Sytner's is a huge group and they may well be able to locate a nearly new/ex-demo model with extras the original customer has paid to add. When I bought my Cooper this is what I did from Scotthall's - saved me nearly £2000 on a 5 month old car that had done 3000 miles. Have since changed it for a MCSC but when looking for a drop top there were plenty of nearly new used models around if I was prepared to travel a bit to view and test drive. You can look on the Mini.co.uk website to search for the model you want and it will highlight the dealers who have one or one that is coming into their stock shortly.
Happy hunting!
Liz

[welshgje]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

We eventually purchased a new Mini One Open Top from Trainers in Swansea as we felt they were closer. Our production date is 14th April with delivery a few weeks after that.

We did upgrade the alloys to 16" and have chosen the Nightfire Red metallic paint - very striking. The only other option we went for was the clear indicator lights. My wife is sooooo excited (the car is for her).

As for the IPod pack - we held back. We are looking to get a Sony headunit that contains an IPod connector and a bluetooth phone interface. We have seen one for £214 and will be ordering it soon. I will then fit it.

Finance wise - whilst I'm not going to discuss it here, I will say that we went onto the Mini scheme for three years - we will upgrade after 3.

Not sure how I feel about the news that there is a new version coming out in the Summer.

GJE

[Joolsmini]

My dealer said it definately will not be this year welshgje, and congrats to you and your wife. She is delighted with her choice and that is all that should matter - bet you are looking forward to that new car smell already

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by welshgje (original)

Thanks to everyone who replied.

We eventually purchased a new Mini One Open Top from Trainers in Swansea as we felt they were closer. Our production date is 14th April with delivery a few weeks after that.

We did upgrade the alloys to 16" and have chosen the Nightfire Red metallic paint - very striking. The only other option we went for was the clear indicator lights. My wife is sooooo excited (the car is for her).

As for the IPod pack - we held back. We are looking to get a Sony headunit that contains an IPod connector and a bluetooth phone interface. We have seen one for £214 and will be ordering it soon. I will then fit it.

Finance wise - whilst I'm not going to discuss it here, I will say that we went onto the Mini scheme for three years - we will upgrade after 3.

Not sure how I feel about the news that there is a new version coming out in the Summer.

GJE

Great choice

I can also confirm that the new one isn't due until 2009 and there are quite a few people that prefer the old model anyway! Enjoy your new MINI

[welshgje]

On a related note - has anyone had their Mini 'de-badged'.

I've been told I can have this done for free. The dealer said some people have it done for symmetrical reasons - others do it so it passes for a Cooper (which he seemed to think had more status than a One).

What about the computer - someone mentioned I could get the ECU re-programmed with Cooper software - but surely if I did this within the three year warranty period, I would be breaking the rules of the warranty.

GJE

[Mini Moo]

Quote: Originally Posted by welshgje (original)

What about the computer - someone mentioned I could get the ECU re-programmed with Cooper software - but surely if I did this within the three year warranty period, I would be breaking the rules of the warranty.

Yes GJE, you can do it yourself by using THIS

I did it on my previous One and it was the best money I ever spent on my Mini. My previous Mini One (with the Bluefin) was, without question, far more fun to drive than my current R56 Cooper. It's virtually untraceable so warranty is not an issue.

Cheers,

MM