MINI2

mini world · Jul 25th, 2007, 02:26 PM

Hi

I have fallen in love with this car! and so have been saving up for ages to to buy one in the next month or so

Does anyone have any advice when it comes to choosing one? I like black and dark silver- but are these colours too common?
my budget is up to £11,000. How can I ensure that I get a good price when it comes to selling it on?

thanks- this is a good site by the way

pardonator · Jul 25th, 2007, 04:39 PM

Hi & welcome

At the end of the day which ever car you like the most is the one to go for, no matter how many of them there are. Black and Dark grey are probably the more common colour but that's because they look great

Generally minis have a terrific resale value, as long as it's been looked after, full service history. TLC is always good to have, most minis will have this (free servicing) you shouldn't have a problem selling it on, or losing too much. My old Cooper S I actually sold it for £500 more then I paid and 10,000 miles extra!

Check out the classifieds for cars and pistonheads (MINIs for Sale)

There are plenty at dealers but you would obviously be paying a premium. Good luck

Ant FR · Jul 25th, 2007, 06:11 PM

Seems to be a lot of Dark Silver, i think its because they were only available in that colour on S's. Pure Silver seems to be a lot rarer. But check out the Pepper white ones, look great with the correct set of wheels on em.

Buy privatly as it really is a buyers market at the moment for cooper S's, they have taken a bit of a hit on value over the last 6 months, which is understandable as they got held up above the 10k barrier for a while which held prices up artificialy, now they are just settling down again, Plus public reaction to the R56 ( new one) has ensured that supercharged Cooper S's still remain bouyant.

mini world · Jul 26th, 2007, 01:09 PM

Wow thanks for the advice- you guys know your stuff!

Ideally I want to get a Cooper S (chili pack) with a panaramic roof and leather seats- under 50,000 miles in black or dark silver. Also I love the chrome lined interior...

Do you think this is realistic or will I have to spend more in order to get more?

Mini's are wonderful because you can personalise them to your heart's content and make them so individual! I really want to stick a black and white chessboard style sticker over the panaramic roof on mine when I get it.

Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights?

3rdpillar · Jul 26th, 2007, 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights?

It is, however you can get in trouble with your girlriend if you flash at pretty girls in their coopers!

mini world · Jul 26th, 2007, 03:10 PM

ha ha ha I don't see that happening since I'm a girl!!

Foxy Mini · Jul 26th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Go for whichever colour you want the most, otherwise you wont be happy with it.

I'd say if you're buying privately you should be able to get a pretty good MINI for £11k now, as they have dropped a lot over the past 6 months.

Black is stunning when cleaned properly, but it's hard work to keep like that!

85NIXMIN · Jul 26th, 2007, 04:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Foxy Mini (original)

Go for whichever colour you want the most, otherwise you wont be happy with it.

I'd say if you're buying privately you should be able to get a pretty good MINI for £11k now, as they have dropped a lot over the past 6 months.

Black is stunning when cleaned properly, but it's hard work to keep like that!

Black IS stunning when its CLEAN... but it's definetely HARD to keep it that WAY! haha

Bhozar · Jul 26th, 2007, 04:28 PM

I picked up an Electric Blue 03 MCS JCW with 26k miles, Chilli pack, and sunroof for £12k a year ago. Got it from a private garage.

pardonator · Jul 26th, 2007, 07:48 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

Wow thanks for the advice- you guys know your stuff!

Ideally I want to get a Cooper S (chili pack) with a panaramic roof and leather seats- under 50,000 miles in black or dark silver. Also I love the chrome lined interior...

Do you think this is realistic or will I have to spend more in order to get more?

Mini's are wonderful because you can personalise them to your heart's content and make them so individual! I really want to stick a black and white chessboard style sticker over the panaramic roof on mine when I get it.

Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights?

You can add the chrome interior after and it's cheap, thats one less thing to worry about on your search

Ant FR · Jul 26th, 2007, 10:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights?

It is but i have only had it once where someone flashed back,

K80LNE · Jul 26th, 2007, 11:56 PM

I wish people would flash at me more often

mini world · Jul 27th, 2007, 10:38 AM

It looks like there are some bargins out there to be had! I also really like the black eye purple colour- but getting that would be out of my budget...

Black really does look amazing when it's clean- I've currently got a black car and my main problem is the white marks/dents other people leave when they slam their doors into mine in supermarket car parks!

what's the paint quality like on the mini?
Someone told me that waxing your car regularly can build up protection...

mini world · Jul 27th, 2007, 10:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by pardonator (original)

You can add the chrome interior after and it's cheap, thats one less thing to worry about on your search

Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me?

goodingm · Jul 27th, 2007, 04:29 PM

Hyper blue is the colour to go for

pardonator · Jul 27th, 2007, 05:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me?

NewMINIstuff is probably the best option

NewMINIStuff.com

Easy to do yourself. BMW would only charge you a crazy amount

IanW · Aug 6th, 2007, 10:46 AM

I would say that dark silver and electric blue were originally the most popular choices for the CooperS as these were only available on that model. Purple and hyper blue were then introduced and both good.

General colour trends in cars at present show sales of silver decreasing (although still popular) and an increase in sales of black and white cars (white making a bit of a comeback at present).

Remember (as someone already said) what a pig black is to keep clean. Especially on a Mini as the shape of car seems to create a vacuum behind it which sucks dirt, mud, water, tar, etc onto the back of the car (same happens on estate cars). I am not trying to put you off black as it looks great when clean - just bear in mind 1 drive in winter and it looks dirty again. Keeping it waxed is the key (wax at least once every 2 months).

I think the pepper white colour has got very popular over last couple of years and looks great with the black roof, etc. I guess this could also get dirty very easily though in winter. I have white wheels on mine (electric blue) and boy are they a job to keep clean.

Bottom line is I think all the regular colours are OK from a resale perspective (dark silver, electric blue, black, red, white, purple, hyper blue). Maybe yellow would be harder to sell and you dont see many in regular silver so not sure about that one......

CooperS is generally very well made. Get one with TLC remaining (5 years / 3 services normal from new and can renew afterwards). Preferably get one with some Mini warranty left (again this could have been renewed after 3 yrs).

Issues to watch out for: Clutch (some cars seem to wear clutches rapidly) - During test drive check the clutch feels normal and car pulls off OK without slippage or judder (try selecting a higher gear than normal say 3rd and labour the engine to see if it slips). I had a new clutch under warranty at 25k miles and searching this site so have many other people. Wishbone / suspension bushes split (need a mechanic to check this if you want to be sure). Again I just had this @ 28k miles and seems common according to dealer.

If you buy privately, with no warrantly left I would pay for an AA or similar inspection to check for above + other faults.

Good luck!

118 · Aug 6th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me?

Quote: Originally Posted by pardonator (original)

NewMINIstuff is probably the best option

NewMINIStuff.com

Easy to do yourself. BMW would only charge you a crazy amount

yeah dead easy to do yourself - I got mine from New MINI Stuff when I added the chrome line interior to my old DS S Works

welcome to MINI2 btw

kalv · Aug 9th, 2007, 11:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original)

what's the paint quality like on the mini?
Someone told me that waxing your car regularly can build up protection...

It's great. I regularly clay my mini once a month and seal it with autoglym super resin and than a polish with meguiars NXT wax. After claying, the polish goes on and comes off so easily... didn't even need to swap arms when buffing...

mini world · Aug 10th, 2007, 02:57 PM

Just to let you know guys I've bought one now!!! Please read my thread in the main discussion for details!

woo hoo!

Jul 25th, 2007, 02:26 PM	#1
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	Best way to retain value on a Sooper s? Hi I have fallen in love with this car! and so have been saving up for ages to to buy one in the next month or so Does anyone have any advice when it comes to choosing one? I like black and dark silver- but are these colours too common? my budget is up to £11,000. How can I ensure that I get a good price when it comes to selling it on? thanks- this is a good site by the way

Jul 25th, 2007, 04:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
pardonator MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somerset Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 286 Offline	Hi & welcome At the end of the day which ever car you like the most is the one to go for, no matter how many of them there are. Black and Dark grey are probably the more common colour but that's because they look great Generally minis have a terrific resale value, as long as it's been looked after, full service history. TLC is always good to have, most minis will have this (free servicing) you shouldn't have a problem selling it on, or losing too much. My old Cooper S I actually sold it for £500 more then I paid and 10,000 miles extra! Check out the classifieds for cars and pistonheads (MINIs for Sale) There are plenty at dealers but you would obviously be paying a premium. Good luck Cooper S Hyper Blue - GTT/GRS/Speedline/KW

Jul 26th, 2007, 01:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	thanks Wow thanks for the advice- you guys know your stuff! Ideally I want to get a Cooper S (chili pack) with a panaramic roof and leather seats- under 50,000 miles in black or dark silver. Also I love the chrome lined interior... Do you think this is realistic or will I have to spend more in order to get more? Mini's are wonderful because you can personalise them to your heart's content and make them so individual! I really want to stick a black and white chessboard style sticker over the panaramic roof on mine when I get it. Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights?

Jul 26th, 2007, 04:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
Foxy Mini What? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Suffolk Local Time: 08:54 AM Posts: 1,481 Offline	Go for whichever colour you want the most, otherwise you wont be happy with it. I'd say if you're buying privately you should be able to get a pretty good MINI for £11k now, as they have dropped a lot over the past 6 months. Black is stunning when cleaned properly, but it's hard work to keep like that! *.......::::: www.EastCoastMiniClub.co.uk :::::.......* The Original and BEST MINI Club in East Anglia - Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire & Norfolk!

Jul 26th, 2007, 04:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
85NIXMIN MINI on the brain!!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:54 PM Posts: 1,036 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Foxy Mini (original) Go for whichever colour you want the most, otherwise you wont be happy with it. I'd say if you're buying privately you should be able to get a pretty good MINI for £11k now, as they have dropped a lot over the past 6 months. Black is stunning when cleaned properly, but it's hard work to keep like that! Black IS stunning when its CLEAN... but it's definetely HARD to keep it that WAY! haha If the world didn't suck we'd all fall off! www.myspace.com/85nix

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Jul 25th, 2007, 06:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ant FR MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 1,891 Offline	Seems to be a lot of Dark Silver, i think its because they were only available in that colour on S's. Pure Silver seems to be a lot rarer. But check out the Pepper white ones, look great with the correct set of wheels on em. Buy privatly as it really is a buyers market at the moment for cooper S's, they have taken a bit of a hit on value over the last 6 months, which is understandable as they got held up above the 10k barrier for a while which held prices up artificialy, now they are just settling down again, Plus public reaction to the R56 ( new one) has ensured that supercharged Cooper S's still remain bouyant.

Jul 26th, 2007, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 509 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights? It is, however you can get in trouble with your girlriend if you flash at pretty girls in their coopers!

Jul 26th, 2007, 03:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	ha ha ha I don't see that happening since I'm a girl!!

Jul 26th, 2007, 04:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bhozar Overly excited!! My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Worcestershire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 1,231 Offline	I picked up an Electric Blue 03 MCS JCW with 26k miles, Chilli pack, and sunroof for £12k a year ago. Got it from a private garage.

Jul 26th, 2007, 07:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
pardonator MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somerset Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 286 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) Wow thanks for the advice- you guys know your stuff! Ideally I want to get a Cooper S (chili pack) with a panaramic roof and leather seats- under 50,000 miles in black or dark silver. Also I love the chrome lined interior... Do you think this is realistic or will I have to spend more in order to get more? Mini's are wonderful because you can personalise them to your heart's content and make them so individual! I really want to stick a black and white chessboard style sticker over the panaramic roof on mine when I get it. Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights? You can add the chrome interior after and it's cheap, thats one less thing to worry about on your search Cooper S Hyper Blue - GTT/GRS/Speedline/KW

Jul 26th, 2007, 10:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ant FR MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2006 Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 1,891 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) Also is it true that new mini drivers flash their lights and say hello to one another at traffic lights? It is but i have only had it once where someone flashed back,

Jul 26th, 2007, 11:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
K80LNE The Welsh Dragon My Classifieds Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Swales by the bridge Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 24 Offline	I wish people would flash at me more often

Jul 27th, 2007, 10:38 AM	#13 (permalink)
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	Mini World It looks like there are some bargins out there to be had! I also really like the black eye purple colour- but getting that would be out of my budget... Black really does look amazing when it's clean- I've currently got a black car and my main problem is the white marks/dents other people leave when they slam their doors into mine in supermarket car parks! what's the paint quality like on the mini? Someone told me that waxing your car regularly can build up protection...

Jul 27th, 2007, 10:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	chrome interior Quote: Originally Posted by pardonator (original) You can add the chrome interior after and it's cheap, thats one less thing to worry about on your search Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me?

Jul 27th, 2007, 04:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
goodingm Malcolm My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kilwinning Local Time: 08:54 AM Posts: 83 Offline	Hyper blue is the colour to go for

Jul 27th, 2007, 05:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
pardonator MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somerset Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 286 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me? NewMINIstuff is probably the best option NewMINIStuff.com Easy to do yourself. BMW would only charge you a crazy amount Cooper S Hyper Blue - GTT/GRS/Speedline/KW

Aug 6th, 2007, 10:46 AM	#17 (permalink)
IanW MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Essex Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 32 Offline	I would say that dark silver and electric blue were originally the most popular choices for the CooperS as these were only available on that model. Purple and hyper blue were then introduced and both good. General colour trends in cars at present show sales of silver decreasing (although still popular) and an increase in sales of black and white cars (white making a bit of a comeback at present). Remember (as someone already said) what a pig black is to keep clean. Especially on a Mini as the shape of car seems to create a vacuum behind it which sucks dirt, mud, water, tar, etc onto the back of the car (same happens on estate cars). I am not trying to put you off black as it looks great when clean - just bear in mind 1 drive in winter and it looks dirty again. Keeping it waxed is the key (wax at least once every 2 months). I think the pepper white colour has got very popular over last couple of years and looks great with the black roof, etc. I guess this could also get dirty very easily though in winter. I have white wheels on mine (electric blue) and boy are they a job to keep clean. Bottom line is I think all the regular colours are OK from a resale perspective (dark silver, electric blue, black, red, white, purple, hyper blue). Maybe yellow would be harder to sell and you dont see many in regular silver so not sure about that one...... CooperS is generally very well made. Get one with TLC remaining (5 years / 3 services normal from new and can renew afterwards). Preferably get one with some Mini warranty left (again this could have been renewed after 3 yrs). Issues to watch out for: Clutch (some cars seem to wear clutches rapidly) - During test drive check the clutch feels normal and car pulls off OK without slippage or judder (try selecting a higher gear than normal say 3rd and labour the engine to see if it slips). I had a new clutch under warranty at 25k miles and searching this site so have many other people. Wishbone / suspension bushes split (need a mechanic to check this if you want to be sure). Again I just had this @ 28k miles and seems common according to dealer. If you buy privately, with no warrantly left I would pay for an AA or similar inspection to check for above + other faults. Good luck!

Aug 6th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#18 (permalink)
118 salmon feet..... Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Sussex Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 19,766 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) Great tip- would I have to buy the bits individually off ebay and fit it myself? or are there places that would do it for me? Quote: Originally Posted by pardonator (original) NewMINIstuff is probably the best option NewMINIStuff.com Easy to do yourself. BMW would only charge you a crazy amount yeah dead easy to do yourself - I got mine from New MINI Stuff when I added the chrome line interior to my old DS S Works welcome to MINI2 btw * The Italian Job 2008...... Team 50 - please sponsor us by clicking on my sig! * clicky here to visit the UJ Owners Club thread

Aug 9th, 2007, 11:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
kalv MINI2 Regular My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Birmingham Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 99 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by mini world (original) what's the paint quality like on the mini? Someone told me that waxing your car regularly can build up protection... It's great. I regularly clay my mini once a month and seal it with autoglym super resin and than a polish with meguiars NXT wax. After claying, the polish goes on and comes off so easily... didn't even need to swap arms when buffing... "bhp sells cars, torque makes them move..."

Aug 10th, 2007, 02:57 PM	#20 (permalink)
mini world MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 09:54 AM Posts: 28 Offline	Just to let you know guys I've bought one now!!! Please read my thread in the main discussion for details! woo hoo!

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