52 Plate Cooper S or 54 Plate Cooper?

[Wuxley]

I bought a brand new Cooper last september on a 54 plate after trading in my used Mini one (02 Plate). I paid £15250 for it with the following spec: -

CR/W with 17" S Spokes in White
Chilli Pack
Single CD player with Radio Boost
Chrome Line Interior
MFSW with 3 Spoke
1/2 leather red/black seats
Xenons
Manual Air Con

I absolutely love this car but i always keep my eye out for a Cooper S (which i could not afford last year due to insurance reasons and wanting a good spec car etc - The S that i wanted was around £18500)

However yesterday i have spotted the following minis up for sale both Cooper S'

Cooper S number 1 (03 plate) 19,991 miles

Electric Blue
1/2 black leather interior
heated mirrors and washers
Roof and mirrors in white
Front Seat heating
6 Disc Boot Changer
Chilli Pack with 17" Spokes

Price £15,450

Cooper S number 2 (52 Plate) 9,056 miles

Electric blue
Chilli Pack with 17" S Spokes
Darkened Glass
Full black/blue leather interior
Radio Boost with Single CD Player
Aero Kit

Price £15,495!

I couldn't believe the price of the 2nd one so much so that i had to phone the garage and check that it was correct.

Anyway i have test drives booked in both S' on Wednesday and Thursday. I have been offered £14000 for my Cooper so the S only works out at about another £50 a month so money is not a big issue. However i need your advice really. Would you change from a very high spec New Cooper to a good spec Used Cooper S for these prices? Am i better waiting and saving for a 2005 model?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Miniade]

IMO, I think both the Cooper S are overpriced. Check the For Sale forums for some proper Cooper S at sensible money. I sold my 02 52 MCS for £13,600 at the end of January this year.

Or try Autotrader.co.uk, average price for decent spec and low mileage 52 and 03 is around £14k.

Mind you, I haven't been taking into account the part ex for your Cooper so forgive me if I am talking twaddle.

But if you can afford it, go for it. You'll never look back.

[Wuxley]

As i am on Mini Select this is the only way i can afford it, i am not really in a position to go for a private sale and still be able to afford a Cooper S.

But i have just spotted another Cooper S at the same dealer that is selling the 2nd Cooper S which is identical spec with the body kit with an extra 10000 miles for £1k less. I think the test drive that i go on on Wednesday will decide it as i will finally be able to here the Supercharger whine when i am able to floor it . Hope its as good as everybody says it is!

[icheatatscrabble]

I say keep your Cooper.

[ALD0]

Keep your Cooper

[Olly.]

I agree with everyone else, keep the cooper.

You specced it exactly as you want it, you know how its been driven from day 1 and what if any faults you've had with the car.

Spend some money on an Aero Kit for the Cooper if you really have an itch to spend some money.

[Windy Miller]

Is your 54 plate cooper better built than your 02 one????

If you really want an S save your pennies and get a new one,

LSD, faster and better put together.

[snuffy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Windy Miller

Is your 54 plate cooper better built than your 02 one????

If you really want an S save your pennies and get a new one,

LSD, faster and better put together.

yeah!

I'm waiting till 2007 to change mine - would love an '05 Cooper or S, but will probably go for the Cooper Turbo!

[Wuxley]

I could not fault the Cooper at all, it has been absolutely perfect from day 1. It is far better than my 02 One. My girlfriend is telling me wait and get a Hyper blue S which is what i ultimately want with the body kit but if i spec the S that i want it comes out at £18,900 before Aero!! The warranty also concerns me a little on the 52 S's as it would only have 12 months left. Everytime i sit in my cooper i do not want to get rid of it, but i would like that extra power of an S.

Also the fact that the Cooper S may/is going Turbo in the next version REALLY puts me off and i think i really want the supercharged S.

Thanks for your input guys and gals, i will go for my test drive on Wednesday but i think you have helped me make up my mind.

P.S Hey Windy Miller - nice to get a wave at the lights the other day, i was a little ashamed of the dirty wheels on my cooper!