[howardpm]

Hi all, I'm new here so bare with me. Anyways, I've been looking at the mini's for about a year now. I'm really interested in getting one but I've got a few questions. First of all I've read numerous places that a covert. version is coming out. I was at the Washingtion DC Auto Car convention the other day and asked one of the Mini people about it and all she could say was should be 2004. So anyone know any more then that? Also I noticed you can get Sirius Radio, is it possible to get XM radio or would that be after market? (Have XM now, don't feel like changing as I really like XM) Also I really would want an cooper S but like many others I have no clue how to drive stick and I do a lot of traffic driving so I don't want a stick car. Any chance of them ever coming out with an S auto matic version? Also hows the acceleration/speed on the regular cooper. Lastly, someone said theres a 5 month waiting list if you want to get one built to your specs? Anyone confirm this?

Thnaks a bunch,

Howard

[obehave]

Welcome to the site.
I'll let more informed people fill in the blanks on most of your questions.
If you commute in DC traffic a manual will be a real pain.
I got stuck on 95 coming back from a run on a Saturday a couple months back. By the 5 millionth stop and start I was wishing for an auto and I've driven a stick most of my life.
The up side is, if you do go with a manual you'll learn how to shift, or die , in about 2 days.
I can't see an Auto version of the S coming out real soon.

[NEMINI]

Welcome to MINI2

1. The convertible should be stateside sometime around Sept.
2. Officially MINI only offers Sirius.
3. Rumors and innuendo say eventually but I would be very surprised if its anytime before 2006 (when the new engine goes in) and even then it may not be right away.
4. I have a Cooper and think it's fine, but it depends what your used to and what you want. Go to the dealer and test drive both.
5. Waiting list is different at every dealer. Some have no wait some are still over a year long wait, depends where you are.

[Paul]

Hi there, welcome to MINI2.

Take a look at the Convertible and Future Variants forums for some information on what's in store in the future, as well as browsing articles at www.mini2.com/news where we have more information and pictures.

[howardpm]

What new engine are they adding?

Howard

[NEMINI]

Look in the Future Variants forum as Paul has mentioned

[ncdave]

You should definitely drive both versions. Personally, I have a Cooper, albeit with the sport package, and find the performance to be just fine around town and even better when you push it. That opinion hasn't changed even after 13K on the clock. Haven't tried the CVT but it doesn't seem that far off at least on paper. You won't go wrong with any of the choices available to you.

[KRIZT]

IMO, Cooper does everything great if you're not racing it, especially in town area. I need to go to town everyday and I just can't bother to use a stick, it drives me mad to stop every traffic light. That's why I get the Cooper CVT. For it's performance, I would say it is not a huge issue because it is not a big deal between of 3 secs (to 100Kph) difference between Cooper and Cooper S as long as I'm not using it to race. It is just an auto transport which included many ways of fun. I'm more than satisfy my Cooper CVT.

I saw some post from previous said the average waiting time is 10-11weeks.
Good luck.

[lugnutz]

If you are looking for a CVT there's a really sharp black '03 available here in Tampa with only 9K on it and loads of mods. See sunshineminis.org or bayminis.com for more info.

[PW51CAR]

They are planning on the valvetronic BMW engine to go in on 2006, just incase you want to know... variable valve timing is what the valvetronic engine has very very very basically for the people who dont know.

But nothing has been confirmed from BMW as far as i know (but i dont really know not looked into it hehehe)

[Paul]

The engine is a BMW & PSA Group joint venture. It's been confirmed. It was also recently reported that for the MINIs it will be built at Hams Hall in the UK, not at the Peugeot factory as originally thought.

Check the news section and future variant forums for more information.