[Griffer]

I am ordering a Cooper S convertible to replace my fully loaded Cooper convertible. Do I order the Chili pack to "save" £700 by spending £1600 or do without as I never use the A/C now and I can live without half leather Xenons 17" wheels etc. The dealers go on about residuals without the Chili pack but I could do without spending so much of my savings and I plan to upgrade to JCW seats in the future. Thoughts please.

Personally I really like the airco, both in summer and winter and the leather seats are easier to keep clean and feel more comfy. I fully specced my car again as I am planning to drive it for a good few years this time. The 17' 5 star bullet alloys are great as well, but I am happy myself I did not go for the 18' JCW; they do not offer any advantage as far as I am concerned.

[Checkie_checkmate]

Hi there

All i will add/say is that as far as i am aware with mini's unless they have chilli or the relevant pack they loose a slight bit of money in a few years time.

It's one of these items that adds a slight bit of value, like metalic paint for instance.

Not sure how much it adds in long term but hope it helps

[shortbloke]

I just picked up my Cherished Mini Cooper S JCW Convertible at the weekend, my initial searches were not the works version, however on the cherished mini website I always limited my search to those with the Chili Pack. So for me at least (and I assume others) it makes a difference in the appeal of your car when it comes to resale.

Oh and the 17" wheels look nice too along with the Xenon headlights and the sports steering wheel. All the other bits are nice and I think add to the car.

[RobinofOakley]

Hi,

well I really didn't want the 17 inchers or Xenon Headlights so I ordered my Cooper S with everything from the Chilli Pack except those options.

Also haven't got metallic paint so I guess I'm screwed come re-sale...
.... but what i have got is a car exactly how I want it.

[Wobert]

Quote: Originally Posted by Checkie_checkmate

Hi there

All i will add/say is that as far as i am aware with mini's unless they have chilli or the relevant pack they loose a slight bit of money in a few years time.

It's one of these items that adds a slight bit of value, like metalic paint for instance.

Not sure how much it adds in long term but hope it helps

On my first MCS I didn't go Chilli and got my fingers well and truly burnt on the residual front.....at 28 months & 35k miles my car was worth around £2k less than the same car with Chilli.......at the time I purchased the Chilli pack was £1350.

My car also had manual a/c, MFSW, CD etc.....

Needless to say, second time round with my MCSC, the first thing that went on the spec was Chilli.....TBH with the soft top I only occassionaly use the a/c, but the xenon lights are a great upgrade, esp as during the winter virtually all my drving is in the dark.

Think long and hard about the potential implications of not having the Chilli pack, the quote from my dealer said it all when I handed the car over in p/x......having a/c "saved" the car, as they'd have offered even less without it!

[minicabrio]

Even if you don't use the aircon, I think its worth speccing the Chilli pack for the Xenon lights (what price can you put on safety?) and the nicer wheels.

Even if you plan on changing the seats at a later date, full convertible sports seats sets are hard to come by so you could sell these to part pay for your JCWs

[Griffer]

Thanks for the input I will be keeping the Chili pack now should get car in mid June. Can't wait for Mini No 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!