Here we go again !!! :cool:

[Chip]

After a little over 2 years and 30,000 miles I recently decided it was time for a change of car. My PW/B Cooper with Chili Pack affenctionately known as Pingu continues to serve me well despite 2 failed front wheel bearings, a dodgy CD player, a new clutch, a replacement gearbox and several annoying little rattles which get fixed but always returned until lately when touch wood they seem to have been cured.

I've even considered other cars after 2 Coopers in 5 years and the thought of maybe having a slightly larger car. So i've looked at the Volvo C30 1.6SE but concerns about resale value and a salesman who seemed to be suggesting I should wait until the newness wears off when i'll get a deal on one put me off a bit. I looked at the Honda Civic Type S, again a striking looking car but like the Volvo its dull inside and the vast expanses of cheap looking plastic aren't for me (at least the Volvo looked a quality car inside).

So where have I ended up............yes Mini number 3. After driving the new Cooper and realising from a drivers point of view it feels bigger inside whilst its not much bigger on the outside, and that its feels so much more improved, I knew I had to have one.

I was expecting March 07 when I spoke to my dealer this weekend so was slightly surprised to find I can get one to my own spec by the end of this month . Can't say i'm as fussed now about having a 56 plate instead of an 07 plate when my pocket is better off to the cost of £500 and I won't be having to spend out on 2 tyres before I change. So by the end of the month I should be driving the following

Mini Cooper - Chili Red/Black
Chili Pack with Cloth/Leather Ray Rooster Red interior
Rooster Red Colour Line Trim
16" Bridge Spoke Alloy Wheels
Piano Black Interior Trim
Black Bonnet Stripes
ASC+T
Space Saver Spare Wheel
Chrome Line Interior
Chromed Mirror Caps
White Indicator Lenses
Hi-Fi Speaker System

Bring it on !!!!!................it can't come quick enough now

Just need to figure out a name for him now (my first Cooper was Red/Black and known as Juicy but that was becuase the reg plate was JCY)

Any (sensible) ideas?

[Olly.]

Congrats, sounds like a good spec

[sef]

That sounds excellent... Bet you can't wait...

[mister.t]

Nice spec!! Theres one similar to that on Mini Cherised, and its my fave (and im not just saying that...)

Why not another Pepper White?

[KenL]

Excellent, sounds pretty similar to mine.

Seems strange you can get one so soon. My car is due for delivery week 4 and I don't think I could make changes after mid-December. It must be one dealer had coming in for them or something.

Whatever the reason, you are lucky not having to wait very long.

[Chip]

Thanks all

I believe the reason it is such a short wait is that it was already allocated to the dealer and specced but available and still spec changeable up until today or tomorrow so I guess I just touched lucky.

I am made up that it is not a long wait. I waited 7 weeks for my current car from when I ordered it and 10 weeks for my first Cooper in 2001 just after launch so a short wait is a pleasant surprise.

Ollie, the only reason I decided against Pepper White again was it was the same as what I have now and fancied a change. I love PW but I like a mirror finish on the paintwork and never got a polich I was happy with where as on my 2001 CR/B it was nearly always gleaming. Plus a friend has an original 63 Cooper in Tartan Red/Black which just looks cool !

[Scrogg]

Looks a great spec Chip.

Hope they haven't charged you for the Space-Saver Spare Wheel though, as it is only available to order with 15" wheels!

[dillythedog]

Great looking Spec

Your comments on the Volvo shocked me a bit thou ....

Only because, I'm not only waiting for my new SS/B Cooper, but also my new Volvo C30

Resale value of the new baby Volvo is supposed to be better than most other Volvos' but I don't think there are many cars that have the same resale percentage as a Mini

I have only lost 30% in 3 years on the wifes Mini, but 55% of my current Volvo

C'est la Vie

Happy Driving

[Chip]

Thanks Scrogg and Dillythedog.

Scrogg - I was able to spec the Space Saver Spare on the Chili Pack model with no problem and unless things have changed in the past two years it'll come with it under the back of the car. I was able to do this on my current Chili Pack Cooper too. Rest assured, if it is missing i'll be getting a refund on the cost but i'm pretty confident it'll be there as I watched the salesman spec the car on the system.

Dillythedog - congrats on your choices of cars. I think the C30 looks a great car, I was also swayed by the fact that I wouldn't have been happy with the S or SE spec, I'd have wanted the SE Sport spec complete with the 18" alloys just like the showroom and brochure cars and my budget wouldn't stretch to £18,995 for the 1.8 let alone a bigger engine so I decided that it was better to be happy in my choice of car that look back and think.......if only !! or look at other higher spec models driving around and thinking........i wish !!

Hope you enjoy your new C30 when it arives, i'm sure you will.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chip (original)

Scrogg - I was able to spec the Space Saver Spare on the Chili Pack model with no problem and unless things have changed in the past two years it'll come with it under the back of the car. I was able to do this on my current Chili Pack Cooper too. Rest assured, if it is missing i'll be getting a refund on the cost but i'm pretty confident it'll be there as I watched the salesman spec the car on the system.

Take a look at Page 5 of this PDF. Option 300 is the Emergency Space-Saver Spare Wheel, and it clearly states that it is not available with, amongst others, Light Alloy Wheels 2RG (Bridge Spokes).

In the last twelve months of speccing new cars for customers I have never been able to add this to a car fitted with 16" alloys, be they part of a pack or not, so I would be intrigued to know how your dealer has managed it?

[Chip]

Thanks for that Scrogg, much appreciated.

I find it bizarre that he was able to spec the car with the space saver on the dealer system and invoice me for it too in light of the PDF. Not sure whether to say nothing and see what happens when the car arrives or ask the question now. Having spoken to the salesman today over another matter he confirmed that the order was in place and the car should be ariving on time but never mentioned any problems in the spec I ordered.

I'll be a little disappointed if its not there and on the basis of your PDF i'm resigned to the fact that it wont be. I've never actually used it on either of my Mini's but its always been peace of mind for me on my late night drives to and from Norfolk that if something went seriously wrong in the tyre department I could get home without relying on Mini Assistance if I had a spare of some sort.

I hated it when manufacturers started putting space savers in instead of full size spares and now find it bizarre that in the interests of space a lot of manufacturers seem to think a puncture repair kit is enough to get you home but i'll step off my soap box before I start

Funny really as on my current Mini, the dealer I first approached to but it from told me I couldn't order a space saver with 16" wheels on the car. I never bought from them in the end yet the dealer I did buy from ordered it no questions asked. I wish MINI would stop changing their mind on if you can or can't have one

Thanks again

[Chip]

The dealer phoned today........my car is there and delivery is now arranged for This Saturday 28/01/07.

It can't come soon enough

[Scrogg]

Good news Chip.

Have you found out if it's got a spare wheel yet?

[CC07ERS]

that was quick not long to wait looks like your hooked on the mini then like the rest of us

[mister.t]

I hate to rub it in, but the wait really is the worst bit Hope it all goes well!!