[mnesiac]

Hi!

I'm new to the board and am about to purchase a MINI for my wife. We have a bit of a dilemma and I'm hoping I can get some direction.

The problem is this: she HAS to have Pepper White but I really think we ought to buy an S. I love Pepper White as well but it doesn't seem to be available in the S variation. So my question is have any of you regretted not getting the S?

This will be my wife's daily driver but we'll share it for weekend cruising and roadtrips, etc.

What are your thoughts? I appreciate your feedback!
Matt

[Hat]

i've not regretted not getting an S. I have a cooper & it's plenty of car for me - loads of 'go' & handles beutifully. I could have stretched the money to get an S but with the poorer fuel consumption & higher insurance it didn't seem worth it. I prefer the cleaner look of the Cooper against the S anyway.

Pepper white is a lovely colour.

[cooper4us]

Wait for the September production slots (2004 Model year). You will be able to order a new 2004 MINI Cooper S in Pepper White!

[brave1]

Just depends on wether your wife likes to drive a manual..for me, I prefer not to, so I ordered a Cooper..it is less insurance, and in the states, less of a wait to get a Cooper than an S. However, the S is beautiful car too, and I did try the manual and I must say that it is a very forgiving shift, even for a horrible shifter like me..lol They had a pepper white on the lot, very nice looking...

[mnesiac]

if the MCS is going to be available in Pepper White soon then I guess my problem is solved! However, the a new problem arises: waiting for the day I can get one!!!

Where can I find out info regarding availablility? Would my dealer be of any help or are they in the dark about that sort of thing?

Thanks for the info every one!

[Clutch Cargo]

I wanted an S too, for all those occasions when the 115 mph top speed on the Cooper just doesn't cut it...

Kidding aside, the only advantage an S might have is a higher resale value. The Cooper is just as fun, looks better, and is much more practical (for a lot of reasons).

[stuartkey]

Any other little gems of 2004 spec change you would like to share, cooper4us???

[Jonny Wells]

I have a better solution.

I too wanted to get my wife a mini when they first came out but she wouldn't make up her mind and she wanted an automatic and there's not much boot space and and and and.....

The best solution is to get her to drive the "family car" then you can choose whatever mini you like - just like I did.

And my wife just loves her Merc auto estate!
Really she does!

And I've got a mini - and it was my choice, with my extras and my favoutire colour and I get to drive it whenever I want.

jonathan

[kenny78]

My wifes got the cooper & I get my S on the 1st July. I'm not sure who's more happier her or me. She keeps complaining hers isn't fast enough. So I'd say get the S but then again I would wouldn't I ?

[cooper4us]

My wife and I been sharing her Cooper CVT since September last year. I get to drive it on weekends mostly and on a few ocassions during the work week. I am eagerly awaiting to get my new '04 MCS due sometime in october.

But sharing your MINI makes you appreciate it even more. Also, if you guys are going to be sharing the car, I would suggest to configure the options with the extras the both of you will enjoy and like the most. You will have to compromise a bit I am sure, but at least you'll get a car that is fit to what both of you really like.

[mnesiac]

Well we went and drove the Cooper and the S on Friday night. I went into our drives very biased toward the S but after driving them both I have to say that the Cooper is every bit as fun and entertaining as the S. My wife was instantly addicted even though she timidly resisted driving the car.

Futhermore, I was pleasantly reminded how unbelievably well built these cars seem to be. We had checked the MINI out about a year ago but I'd forgotten how solid the cars are. There's no hollow honda door feeling when you shut them and the materials in my opinion are every bit as good as a BMW. You don't feel at all like you're in such a small car when you drive a MINI.

Of note: I brought up the point that had been made about there possibly being a Pepper White in the S variation in the 04 model year to the salesman (actually 2 different salesmen) who told me that this was an untrue rumor. He even went beyond that and told me that Pepper White will no longer be available in ANY variation!
Does anyone have any more info on this? He didn't seem like he was trying to get me to buy right away...

[cooper4us]

Quote:

Originally posted by mnesiac
Well we went and drove the Cooper and the S on Friday night. I went into our drives very biased toward the S but after driving them both I have to say that the Cooper is every bit as fun and entertaining as the S. My wife was instantly addicted even though she timidly resisted driving the car.

Futhermore, I was pleasantly reminded how unbelievably well built these cars seem to be. We had checked the MINI out about a year ago but I'd forgotten how solid the cars are. There's no hollow honda door feeling when you shut them and the materials in my opinion are every bit as good as a BMW. You don't feel at all like you're in such a small car when you drive a MINI.

Of note: I brought up the point that had been made about there possibly being a Pepper White in the S variation in the 04 model year to the salesman (actually 2 different salesmen) who told me that this was an untrue rumor. He even went beyond that and told me that Pepper White will no longer be available in ANY variation!
Does anyone have any more info on this? He didn't seem like he was trying to get me to buy right away...

Tell the both of them to go and fly a kite. Paul Mullett, site owner of MINI2.com has confirmed time and time again that Pepper White is coming for the MCS in '04. There are other MINI sources in the internet that point to the same.

Obviously, these people want to force you to buy from them now, instead of waiting until October for you to get a '04 MCS.

Pepper white ain't going anywhere. It is a very popular color now and it even was featured in the new Italian Job movie. Silk Green and Velvet Red have been or will be axed due to poor sales...not so with PW.

[mnesiac]

They also told me that Dark Silver will no longer be available. That sounded very strange. Is that one true?

[GregF]

Quote:

Originally posted by mnesiac
They also told me that Dark Silver will no longer be available. That sounded very strange. Is that one true?

That's the first time I've heard that. It seems to be the most popular S color in my area. I doubt that MINI would do that anytime soon.

It's good that you test drove both models. If most of your driving is in the city, the Cooper does just fine. The S is better on the highway when acceleration from 50 to 100MPH (and up) is important. But from 0 to 40MPH or even 50, the Cooper is very competitive. Just wind it out! There's no power down low.

[deanman]

I don't have any advice to give you, but I too, MUST have a Pepper White! I should have it in early July!!

[cooper4us]

B.S. Dark Silver is not going awa anytime soon. Who are these clowns you are dealing with?

[mnesiac]

That's just what they told me. I kinda understood the Pepper White since I'd read in some Euro Bimmer mag that it was the least popular color. Plus I'd also heard about silk green and all that. But when I heard about the Dark Silver I was really surprised. That didn't seem to make ANY sense cause I see those everywhere.

I don't know if I should answer your question as to what dealer told me since I'm pretty sure they check this board out accasionally They've have been great to deal with thus far other than this ongoing color confusion...