[Minnie-me]

Hope that you can help, new to the forum and to mini2

I have been thinking of getting a new car for ages now and finally decided that the mini is the car to get! But should I go for the mini one or the cooper.

It has to have air con and a cd but people I have spoken to have said I should go for a mini with the chilli pack!! Is this good to have or should I get something else?

Need some advice please ......

[mooneymini]

It depends on what you want to do with your mini, if its between the one and the cooper my opinion is go for the cooper and yes, definately with the chili pack. It gives you a lot more for less money.
There are a lot more reasons to go for a cooper, and if you dont get a chili pack it can lower the resale value.
They are both very comfotable cars, in some ways different, so if you want a soft ride for town driving then go for a one, but any other type of driving i would recommend a cooper, they are both fun in theyre own ways so its really up to you, and the style you prefer,

[supercharged]

I would personally recommend that you go for the Cooper with Chilli Pack. I think you'll have more fun in the MINI that in any other car in it's price range.

[dcfkan]

MINI One is the entry level, however, it has its fans, as it costs less to insure for a start! Cooper has more oops and has a sportier feel as it has more power than the One. In addition, there are more factory fitted "extras" that one can add to the Cooper, which are not available on the One.

If you want a MINI with contrasting roof colour, then go for a Cooper unless you are prepared to have the car re-sprayed. Re-spraying the roof, wing mirrors and rear spoiler will set you back around 500 GBP inclusive of VAT.

I would advise getting as many brochures with all the options for the entire range of MINIs, and decide on which model to purchase first. Then go through the options carefully and decide on the options that you consider as "needs" and "wants". Then look at which option "pack" offers you the most of the ones on your "needs" list, add the cost of the rest of those on your "needs" list.

If you have money to spare by this stage, then consider what to add from you "wants" needs.

Be warned, it is very easy to add 5-6k GBP to the car with "options"

Personally, if I were to spec a Cooper from new, I would not do without the following:

Chilli Pack
Auto Air Con
Full Leather Seats
MP3 Player
Heated Washer Jet and Wing Mirrors
Multi-function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control
17" S Spoke Wheels

which is pretty much the same as Apple's spec except for the ICE

Have fun, spec'ing your own car from scratch is a big part of MINI ownership

And finally, welcome to MINI2

DK :apple:

[zyo]

This is just my opinion but i had a cooper on a 24 hr test before i purchased and had already previously driven a ONE.I didn't think that in everyday driving there was that much difference between the ONE and COOPER.Yes i admit if you're after a good thrape about that the COOPER is quicker but not by a huge amount.Also my reasoning was that there were certain things that i wanted to spec and i couldn't afford to buy a COOPER and have the creature comforts i wanted.I suggest you go and test drive both,depending on your age and the dealer you should be able to get an extended test,like i said i had a COOPER for 24 hr test ,i just had to cover the insurance which cost me a few quid.I hope no COOPER owners take offence its just my opinion after all.

[dalboyne]

A very wam wlecome to MINI2.com, mini-me! You've certainly come to the right place for advice and help.

For my humble tuppence-worth, have you thought about looking at the new version of the OneD with the more powerful engine? This should have terrific driveability, and much better economy than the petrol cars, as well as that 6 speed gearbox. There will be those on this forum who'll tell me I'm out of my mind, but I have a suspicion that the tweaked power plant might make all the difference to the car...

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

Ian

[dcfkan]

Quote: Originally Posted by zyo

This is just my opinion but i had a cooper on a 24 hr test before i purchased and had already previously driven a ONE.I didn't think that in everyday driving there was that much difference between the ONE and COOPER.Yes i admit if you're after a good thrape about that the COOPER is quicker but not by a huge amount.Also my reasoning was that there were certain things that i wanted to spec and i couldn't afford to buy a COOPER and have the creature comforts i wanted.I suggest you go and test drive both,depending on your age and the dealer you should be able to get an extended test,like i said i had a COOPER for 24 hr test ,i just had to cover the insurance which cost me a few quid.I hope no COOPER owners take offence its just my opinion after all.

I have driven Ones before as courtesy cars, and I did notice the power difference. Mind you, I only test drove the Cooper, never a One, and was very happy with the feel of the Cooper.

Sometimes I wondered if I would be happy with a One instead of a Cooper. If I could have all the interior and ICE options, plus the 17" S spoke, then I probably would. I know for certain that my car is more comfortable than Max's souped up but basic S

DK :apple:

P.S. I have never liked the look of the S, and shall never get one. Likewise, I have never liked convertibles, so that's out for me too

[mooneymini]

after driving the one when i had it for a courtesy car, it was a great car, and it still had the fun factor about it. i could bounce along the roads and not slow down for the speedbumps!! But the handling of it didnt impress me, i like something a little lower and i like to feel every bump on the road and not to sway around corners.
As a first car and for insurance purposes, i would agree to go with a one, as you can always make it look and feel more sportier as you can afford to.
This months go mini magazine had a great feature on thinking about buying a one instead of going straight for a cooper as there is so much you can do to it, the only prob with that is if you wanted to make it faster and didnt use mini parts it would invalildate your warranty, and as your buying new i would make sure that you are going to be happy with what mini can offer you for the next 5 - 8 years of ownership.
Would you consider the convertible?

[mooneymini]

another thing to think about is..

most people move up from a one to a cooper, when they can afford it.
If you have the option to go for a cooper now, it may be a good idea to now, rather than wanting to change it half a year down the line. I agree with apple in not wanting to go all the way to an S.
It was something that interested me early on, but theres somthing special about a cooper.
After driving a one with a pepper pack, I cant say that i would change to it from a cooper.

[Minnie-me]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your help and advice you have given me!! As this was my first visit to the forum, I have been amazed by all your thoughts and kindness..... thank you

More importantly I have bought a mini today - well put down the deposit
Sadly I couldn't afford a brand new mini - did look but with all that I wanted money doesn't go that far - but instead have got a fab used mini which has all the bits n pieces. It is chili read with white roof and mirror caps and extras such as electronic panoramic glass roof, air con, 6 CD changer and chili pack and not that many miles on it either!! It's cool and I cannot wait to pick it up!!!

So thanks and when I have picked it up I will let you know how I am getting on!!

[gokartride]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne

have you thought about looking at the new version of the OneD

FWIW, many of us over here truly envy your access to the OneD....I'd love to motor in one!!

[everythingsablur]

Quote: Originally Posted by Minnie-me

More importantly I have bought a mini today - well put down the deposit
Sadly I couldn't afford a brand new mini - did look but with all that I wanted money doesn't go that far - but instead have got a fab used mini which has all the bits n pieces. It is chili read with white roof and mirror caps and extras such as electronic panoramic glass roof, air con, 6 CD changer and chili pack and not that many miles on it either!! It's cool and I cannot wait to pick it up!!!

So thanks and when I have picked it up I will let you know how I am getting on!!

Congrats! When are you picking it up? What model did you buy? Nothing wrong with buying used, so long as you can get a history of the vehicle (i.e. no major accidents or repairs is a must). A maintenance log would also be nice to have.

I do agree with gokartride; it would be nice to at least have the option of a One D on this side of the pond, even if our diesel is of "poor" quality.