mini opinions.....

[butterm3]

Considering getting a MINI so need some opinions from the few that have them,

I was looking at a MINI with yellow and white roof asking around 25 for it but it was pretty much stock I think it only had option 3 (heated seats and mirrors) cloth seats, anyway decided to check MINIUSA and build my own but I really dont know much about the options and was wondering if any one had a fully loaded S and what they liked or disliked about certain features and if you could do it over what would you purchase second time around.

So far I "built" my own with every option possible including the HK system, rear dimming mirror and rain sensing wipers and it came out to a little over 26k I would rather wait and get a S fully loaded for what they are asking for a regular MINI, also comparison wise how would you rate it compared to my M3? Is it a step down

thanks
Juan

[The Beastmaster]

Juan,

It's whatever floats your boat! Option the car to your heart's content. As for buying that MINI, it seems outrageously priced. Did you try Westchester MINI? I think they sell at MSRP. Ask for MINIQueen as she's a poster on roadfly.

M3 or MINI S? That's an apples to peaches comparo. Very different cars and different engines. It's whatever make you happy. Some guy in Maui traded his 2002 M3 for a Cooper S. It wasn't money thing as he paid cash for the M3.

[mDeb]

I have DRIVEN a regular Mini (a blast!) and a 540i 6 speed, and most of the 3 series (no M3)... so I am not exactly who you are looking for. However, I agree that the two cars are very different. An M3 has an aspect of practicality (a truck!) that the Mini doesn't, for example. On convertible M3s, you probably won't have much more rear seating space than the mini (our 323ci was a bit hard to get out of!)...

Anyway, I reviewed a LOT of the options available on the Mini and I decided to go for just about all of them except the Navigation system, as I have a Garmin Street Pilot 3 which is easy to keep current, and I hear the in-dash types are harder to keep up to date.

I went for the sport suspension and the sun roof because I am probably not going to autox it, and I love going topless! :D

Whatever fits your lifestyle, your budget and your tastes...either car will be a quality auto.

[SilverStreak]

I'd definitely take an extensive test drive in one, if I were you before making any decisions. The M3 and Mini are very different cars, it's what appeals to YOUR tastes that will dictate whether or not it's a "step down" or not.

[butterm3]

here is the thing, I want a "new" car, but I am not sure what I want, money is not really a problem since I am not looking to spend more than 30k, I originally wanted to purchase bmlracer car but it seems that he is not selling, so I have considered a convertible, even a ti with a m converion. So since I was browsing at cars I came upon the Mini and it got my attetion so I just want inputs from owners of what they like or dislike..

one more thing this is my second car so it would be more of a hanging out car and if helps make the decision I have a 01 IS300 that I dive daily

[butterm3]

one more thing the stripes that you can get on the ehood are they painted or are they a sticker?

OH....and what can I get painted on the roof? I have checked and checked the website but no info...and what about body painted mirrors......

here is the MINI I built


My MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP* $19,425
Destination & Handling $550

paint it
Liquid Yellow $0
Body Color Roof/ Black Mirrors $0

package
Combo #1: Premium Package $1,250
Automatic AC
Dual-Pane Panorama Sunroof
Leather w/Cruise and Multifunction
On-Board Computer
Combo #2: Sport Package $1,250
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
17" S-Lite with perf. run-flats
Front Fog Lamps
Xenon Headlights w/Power Wash
Combo #3: Cold Weather Package $300
Heated Front Seats
Heated Side Mirrors
Heated Washer Jets

performance
Sensing Wipers & Auto Dim Mirror1 $140
Silver Wheels STD

cockpit
Panther Black Gravity Leather Upholstery w/Panther Black Interior Door Casing $1,250
Park Distance Control $300
Computer Navigation System $1,600
Harman Kardon 8-spkr. Hi Fi System1 $550

Total MSRP as configured* $26,615

The Build Your Own MINI experience is in ongoing development and expansion. Actual prices and available options are subject to change and may vary from the Summary listing. Please contact us with any questions. We welcome your comments.

*Total MSRP excludes all taxes, title/documentary fees, registration, tags, MINI preparation charges, MINI Dealer installed options, insurance, certificate of compliance or non-compliance fees, and finance charges. Prices may vary by MINI Dealership.

All the illustrations and specifications contained in this web site are based on the latest product information available at the time of posting. MINI, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, and equipment.

1: Available 12/02

[The Beastmaster]

Okay butter, I guess the easiest thng to do is ask, "What option didn't you get?" From the looks of it, you got everything, except metallic paint!

The bonnet stripes are vinyl with a black outline on the white stripes and a white outline on the black stripes. Most roof graphics are vinyl and any sign store can make them for you!

[butterm3]

beastmaster,

the way I look at it I can get everything that is offered for the price of a regular MINI if I wait till Dec. maybe Jan. I have no problem waiting. Heck Dec. is right around the corner and what better B-DAY and X-MAS present:D

I am going to try to set up a test drive this weekend and if I like it I guess place an order, I have gotten tired/bored of my car and want something new/different.........

BTW where I saw the MINI was not a BMW dealer rather it was a dealership that sells exotics and hard to get models. I guess that explains the HUGE mark up, what is a good average wait time for the MINI from order to delivery?

[mDeb]

Ditto.

I can (sorta) wait. More money later on... looks like we are in the same sort of boat...same options, I think. And some say that they aren't available until after 12/1, although they are saying November for my car. Confusing.

Deb

[mDeb]

My MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP* $19,425
Destination & Handling $550

paint it
Indi Blue1 $400
White Roof and Mirrors $0

package
Combo #1: Premium Package $1,250
Automatic AC
Dual-Pane Panorama Sunroof
Leather w/Cruise and Multifunction
On-Board Computer
Combo #2: Sport Package $1,250
White Bonnet Stripes
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
17" S-Lite with perf. run-flats
Front Fog Lamps
Xenon Headlights w/Power Wash
Combo #3: Cold Weather Package $300
Heated Front Seats
Heated Side Mirrors
Heated Washer Jets

performance
Sensing Wipers & Auto Dim Mirror2 $140
Silver Wheels STD

cockpit
Lapis Blue Gravity Leather Upholstery w/Magnesium Interior Door Casing $1,250
Park Distance Control $300
Computer Navigation System $1,600
Harman Kardon 8-spkr. Hi Fi System2 $550

Total MSRP as configured* $27,015

The Build Your Own MINI experience is in ongoing development and expansion. Actual prices and available options are subject to change and may vary from the Summary listing. Please contact us with any questions. We welcome your comments.

*Total MSRP excludes all taxes, title/documentary fees, registration, tags, MINI preparation charges, MINI Dealer installed options, insurance, certificate of compliance or non-compliance fees, and finance charges. Prices may vary by MINI Dealership.

All the illustrations and specifications contained in this web site are based on the latest product information available at the time of posting. MINI, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. reserves the right to make changes at any time, without notice, in colors, materials, and equipment.

1: Available soon

2: Available 12/02

Someone said they saw an Indi Blue Cooper on a lot, so that may already be available. However, the HK system apparently is not. Although the dealership says November for my car, they may not know what they are talking about....or maybe they are going to get them early? Wish I knew!

[The Beastmaster]

Butter,

Average time from placing your order to receiving your car is @ 3 months for a Cooper and 6 months for an S. That is if you get on the delaer's allocation right away. If you're not too picky, there are some pre-spec ones that may meet you needs. I've seen cars pre-spec'd with all your stuff except Harmon Kardon, Park distance and rain sensing wipers.

[butterm3]

I rather wait and get the car exactly the way that I want it, plus I want the rain sensing wipers, so regardless I would have to wait

Beast what are your gripes if any on the MINI? and what was your previous car?

Juan

[The Beastmaster]

Well, I still have my collection of cars, E32 750il, E30 325i, E24 Euro 635 track prepared, 450sl, Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Yes, they are all my cars and all are fully insured and ready to roll.

Biggest gripe about the MINI? I always get to my point of destination late because everyone asks me questions. Actually, most of my gripes have been addressed since the newer Coopers and S' have been fixed. I also had one of the first Coopers and mom has a Cooper CVT. Early problems are problems w/ the 5 spd shift linkage, cars pull to the left (mine pulled to the right?), engine management programming (stumbling when you take the car out of gear w/ AC on).