Good Price?

Wife and I went and looked at some Cooper S models today.

The one she has settled on was a British Racing Green MT Cooper S.

It has

• Cold Weather Package
• Sport Package
• Dual Pano Roof
• Premium Sound
• BT and USB iPod
• English Oak
• Leatherette

We are looking at $26,470.00 as final price.

Competitive or Not? I have a $1k refundable deposit on it atm.

Brand new, right? Is that MSRP less the promotion of one bonus option at no extra charge? (Which requires delivery off the lot vs custom ordered.)

Originally Posted by M.Wong

Brand new, right? Is that MSRP less the promotion of one bonus option at no extra charge? (Which requires delivery off the lot vs custom ordered.)

Yes it is.

Not seeming so good now that I am thinking about it.

I am guessing pricing varies depending on your location.

(I sent you a PM.)

Wow--for such an active energetic little car this board is pretty quiet.

No one has has bought a mini cooper before and can chime in if this is a fair price?

What's the MSRP? Don't have a MINI ordering guide in front of me right now. Since their inception here, MINI has commanded full retail price or even more in some markets, it's only been in the last year that they've had to start offering discounts and specials like everyone else. You'll also get lots more action on NAM (North American Motoring.com).

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Wow--for such an active energetic little car this board is pretty quiet.

No one has has bought a mini cooper before and can chime in if this is a fair price?

MINIs have "typically" been MSRP or very close to it, but a drop in demand and increase in inventory late last year changed the market a bit. You should be able to do somewhere from $500-$1500 off, and there is also the option credit this month of $1250-1750 depending on what packages the car has.

I also suggest www.northamericanmotoring.com, it has a very lively MINI community.

Originally Posted by mtbscott

What's the MSRP? Don't have a MINI ordering guide in front of me right now. Since their inception here, MINI has commanded full retail price or even more in some markets, it's only been in the last year that they've had to start offering discounts and specials like everyone else. You'll also get lots more action on NAM (North American Motoring.com).

Here we go---and thank you

$28k MSRP

You can also try www.motoringunderground.com or www.motoringfile.com for any and all Mini info.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Here we go---and thank you

$28k MSRP

On a $28,000 car, invoice is $25,347 plus MACO.

Car would qualify for Sport Package credit of $1250 ($1750 if the car has ZSP + Webspoke Wheels) so cost is a bit over $24,000. There is no holdback/CSI money on a MINI, so they are probably not going to go as close to invoice as a BMW dealer would. Your $26500 number is about $500-$750 too much in my opinion... I would imagine that you would be able to close this gap with them and motor off in your new MINI pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

On a $28,000 car, invoice is $25,347 plus MACO.

Car would qualify for Sport Package credit of $1250 ($1750 if the car has ZSP + Webspoke Wheels) so cost is a bit over $24,000. There is no holdback/CSI money on a MINI, so they are probably not going to go as close to invoice as a BMW dealer would. Your $26500 number is about $500-$750 too much in my opinion... I would imagine that you would be able to close this gap with them and motor off in your new MINI pretty quickly.

Good call as we closed at 26k with some add on goodies.

Thank you,

EE

Here is a picture of the new toy. The new decals are ordered and will be put on next week. The dealer is giving us a JCW while it's in the shop for me to test out..sweet.

Decals are Black, White and Silver Union Jack on Roof and Side Mirrors.

Cheers,

EE

Oh sure, rub it in ...

Ours is still being built. Due for completion next Thuesday, but then there is the shipping wait!

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Good call as we closed at 26k with some add on goodies.

Thank you,

EE

Congrats, looks great! I'm a big BRG fan. Ultimately went with Dark Silver/Black/Black for mine but also thought about BRG/Black/Beige.

I have the Blackjack side scuttles. Would love to see pics of your blackjacks after they are installed.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

Congrats, looks great! I'm a big BRG fan. Ultimately went with Dark Silver/Black/Black for mine but also thought about BRG/Black/Beige.

I have the Blackjack side scuttles. Would love to see pics of your blackjacks after they are installed.

Interestingly enough that was the other choice. When we take it in for the decals they are loaning me a JCW. I may be taking a new position that will be 25 one way to work and would like better gas mileage than my X3 provides, but still want power, stick, and fun.

How's yours? Need I really ask ?

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Interestingly enough that was the other choice. When we take it in for the decals they are loaning me a JCW. I may be taking a new position that will be 25 one way to work and would like better gas mileage than my X3 provides, but still want power, stick, and fun.

How's yours? Need I really ask ?

I really miss my MZ4, but that was just a "toy" and it was not a car I could comfortably drive on a daily basis. The MINI is a great car! I have the JCW tuning kit which gives it a bit more kick (almost did full JCW, but went with MCS with JCW kit due to a significant difference in the lease programs.) It has all the bells-and-whistles, leather, nav, ipod, xenons, etc. so I'm really not missing anything that I would have had in the BMW. Plus, it is super easy to park in the city and I average 30-33mpg combined city/highway with a heavy foot. I think I got my MZ4 up to 18-19mpg once.

My advice to you is to hold out for the 2011 if you can... I think they will be out this summer. MINI has not released any info on changes to the 2011 JCW model, and I think that they will be adding some content to the car to make it a better value. They've had lower than expected sales of the JCW models the past couple of years because many consumers did not see the extra value they were getting for the price jump. There will be a minor facelift for 2011 on all models, but I think the biggest change will be the JCW because it should be getting some new standard equipment.

Originally Posted by SARAFIL

I really miss my MZ4, but that was just a "toy" and it was not a car I could comfortably drive on a daily basis. The MINI is a great car! I have the JCW tuning kit which gives it a bit more kick (almost did full JCW, but went with MCS with JCW kit due to a significant difference in the lease programs.) It has all the bells-and-whistles, leather, nav, ipod, xenons, etc. so I'm really not missing anything that I would have had in the BMW. Plus, it is super easy to park in the city and I average 30-33mpg combined city/highway with a heavy foot. I think I got my MZ4 up to 18-19mpg once.

My advice to you is to hold out for the 2011 if you can... I think they will be out this summer. MINI has not released any info on changes to the 2011 JCW model, and I think that they will be adding some content to the car to make it a better value. They've had lower than expected sales of the JCW models the past couple of years because many consumers did not see the extra value they were getting for the price jump. There will be a minor facelift for 2011 on all models, but I think the biggest change will be the JCW because it should be getting some new standard equipment.

That is exactly what I saw at the dealer and what I have heard. They had a number of attractive, but not practical JCW (convertible). The one they are loaning me is an 09, as they are not taking anymore stock until they clear out the one's they have.

One of he things that appeals to me on the JCW is the Brembo's. If the engine fails or dies it is a major inconvenience. If the breaks fail or die, so do you.

Originally Posted by M.Wong

Oh sure, rub it in ...

Ours is still being built. Due for completion next Thuesday, but then there is the shipping wait!

It's worth the wait. My wife says the hardest part is keeping it under 65 and 3900 rpm. And thank you for the PM advice. It was helpful.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

That is exactly what I saw at the dealer and what I have heard. They had a number of attractive, but not practical JCW (convertible). The one they are loaning me is an 09, as they are not taking anymore stock until they clear out the one's they have.

One of he things that appeals to me on the JCW is the Brembo's. If the engine fails or dies it is a major inconvenience. If the breaks fail or die, so do you.

Do you read Motoringfile? (if not, a very good site to check a few times a week... www.motoringfile.com)

There was a discussion earlier this month about "What features do you think MINI should add to the JCW for 2011?" Seems like a question that might have been planted at the request of MINI USA to see what enthusiasts want most. (and if it is, I think it was brilliant for them to reach out to enthusiasts.) The top responses were all related to adding more JCW-differentiated features as standard-- aero kit, suspension, interior trim, etc. to make the car visually stand out. It already has great performance attributes (the engine is tweaked, it has a beefed up tranny and clutch, and as you mentioned great brakes) but nothing that makes it visually different from a regular MCS. That, in my opinion, is the biggest reason why it is not selling as well as expected.

It would be the same as BMW offering the M3 with its current drivetrain and performance features unchanged, but with the same exact exterior styling as the 335i coupe. I think that would have a strong impact on sales. While they are probably attracted to the car because of the performance abilities, the lack of visual differentiation is one of those things that makes them second guess if the price premium is worth it.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

It's worth the wait. My wife says the hardest part is keeping it under 65 and 3900 rpm.

The wait is not that bad on the East Coast, but the extra lead time to get to the West Coast would drive me crazy.

It is possible to have a factory-ordered car show up at an East Coast dealer within 4-6 weeks from the time of ordering... which is not bad considering that it enables you to get what you want.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Here is a picture of the new toy.

Great choice of color and details.


We've had our Cooper Hatch 1 year and a couple of days now. We use it mostly for long trips.
Found the MINI to be very comfortable even after hours. It is a car that is more fun to drive than to ride in though.


We wouldn't be able to manage with 2 Coopers. We need something with enough space in the back for the dogs. The MINI is not comfortable for more than 2 adults. We've used the MINI in a pinch but usually rent something like a Ford Fiesta if we need to drive someone around.

If we were going to be a 2 MINI family one of them would have to be Clubman.

Ours is being built this week but it has to make it to the West Coast.

Funny you mention that, the Cooper S might end up being my dogmobile eventually... If I get rid of the truck.

I am thinking rear seat delete kit:



(Or racing harness-ready version with grommets)

We've got a Great Dane. She could fit in a MINI in an emergency, but it wouldn't work for our everyday use.

There is enough room with the seats down for everyday things, like shopping.

I have seen pics and heard of the Mini SUV. What about that?

Yellow Lab in the 60lb range is my dog.

As far as the Mini Cooper S, I am not a Clubman fan nor do I expect to be a Countryman fan... I'm thinking X3, X1, or 3 series iT or XiT when I am ready to retire the E38. I saw the X1 at the Welt in September and really liked it.