MINI Cooper

claywaterfill

That is amazing about Global Imports. I passed the dealership 4 days ago and saw the MINIs out front. I did not stop to see if they were S models or not--but their web site said 8 of them were. Maybe those were sold but not delivered or something. I did see the yelow MINI in front of Saturn of Gwinnett about 3-1/2 hours ago, though. They have had that one for about two weeks now.

speeds2much

Maybe this helps:

Princeton Mini in New Jersey recently had a line of a dozen or so outside, so my Dad stopped in. Turns out only 1 was still available, and only because a customer had cancelled his order. The delivery trucks had just dumped 'em off, and the dealership had been shrewd enough to line them all up along the road for a little free marketing.

rickrover

I think there may be waiting lists for people that want/ have to order their MINI's with specific options/ colors. If you aren't too picky you can walk right in and buy a pre-spec'd one at my dealer. Orlando MINI has a bunch of cars that have body color roofs that look great. They have an Electric blue S available and a dark grey metallic S too - both with body color roofs. The dark grey S has blue/ black leather and Xenon's with no premium or sport packages for $22k MSRP. They have around 10 Coopers that aren't spoken for.

They seem to have stopped putting sold signs on cars that aren't sold, that really annoyed me. I may check back and see if they still have the $1k and $1.5k in mandatory accessories garbage still going on. The MINI hype seems to have died down quite a bit around here.

nyccarguy

I saw a Yellow Mini Cooper (base model) with a black roof, black bonnet stripes, front rally lights, and what looked like the 16" wheel package parked on the street the other day when I was looking for a parking spot. Great color! About 10 minutes later while still looking (gotta love alternate side of the street parking here in Manhattan), I saw a Red Cooper S with a Black roof & 17" wheels. Also a stunner!

wolf22301

I'll soon be placing my order. Have waited months on the waiting list. I wanted the S but was told it would be next year before one was available. I drove the Cooper and found it fun so am willing to order one. I will order in August and expect to receive it in September. But is there a difference between '02 and '03 model years? Also, we are debating the sunroof option. I didn't like the fact that it is always glass above you and I've heard it is very noisy when open. Any one have any experience with the sun roof? I also do not like black interiors because of the heat, but it seems most of the choices consist of black. We are considering a red one so we can get the red cloth interior.

johnny36

wolf22301,

I agree about always having "glass above". I test drove a cooper with a sunroof on a bright early afternoon and the sun was hitting my eyes pretty much the whole time. Since there is no option to completely block-out the sunroof, I opted not to get one.

I got gray cloth interior and have not felt that it gets really hot. Since most of the windows are practically vertical, not a great deal of sun light gets into the cab.

drivinisfun

Yeah we noticed the same thing when we test drove a Velvet Red/White Cooper equipped with the dual panoramic sunroof a few weeks ago. Make no mistake, it is really nice as the sunroof openings front and back are nice and big, making the cabin feel airy; However, the biggest downside of the MINI's sunroof setup is the lack of a true solid slide type sunshade like the ones found in most cars. Having just the glass there in hot climates (Such as S. Florida) is the quickest way to cook a BBQ right on top of the car occupant's heads. For this "Flaw" we passed on it. Otherwise is a really nice option but they need to install a real shade in there to block the light/heat when not in use.

We opted for the standard black leatherette seats when we placed the order for our new '02 Cooper (Pepper white/black roof and mirrors). We were tempted to go with the Kaleido cloth instead, but we passed it up because our other car already has cloth seats (Tan/Neutral) and the Kaleido cloth color choices (Gray or Red)are not of our immediate liking, but I must admit that the Red Kaleido cloth seats look terrific in the Pepper White Cooper, but it could be a bit much to other people making the car more difficult to sell in the future. We figured that if we were going to have black seats, the leatherette would be a nice change (Also BMW leatherette has a very good reputation, it is even recommended over the more expensive Leather seating option) making the car look more upscale, easier to clean, etc. In a hot climate we are not keen of dark or black interiors, but given that the MINI does not offer light gray or tan standard interiors in either leatherette or cloth (Unless you shell out $1250 to get the tan Cordova leather seats with matching tan door panels)we decided to break out the "All Black" color monotony of the interior by getting the interior door panels in "Silver Gray". So it makes up for a nice balance...you get the silver door panels, silver gloss dashboard fascia finish and black steering wheel, dashboard top and seats. It is a pretty agreeable interior compromise to us.

To me the Kalaeido cloth red seats in a Chili Red car is a bit much to be honest, but if you like "Seeing in Red" all the time while inside the car, absolutely, go for it! To me a nice combo would be a Chili Red/Black roof with red seats. The red seats go much better with the Pepper white car. It gives a very racy looking style to the interior. Check it out.

drivinisfun

Do you think that cloth equipped Coopers will command higher resale values in the future due to "rarity", as mostly everyone would have opted for Leatherette or Leather upholstery?

Has anyone bought a new Cooper 'S' with the "Space" cloth seats?

someblondeguy

I have the panoramic roof on my Cooper S, and both halves of the roof (inside the car, the roof is split in half) have shades that slide open or closed (manually). The shades are perforated and allow SOME light through, but not THAT much.

From a month of owning the car, I feel the shades do a sufficient job.

crcoxe

I also have the sunroof and have no complaints about unwanted sunlight in the car (isn't that why you would get the sunroof in the first place - for extra light?). Anyway, the perforated shade provides plenty of protection when the sun is directly overhead. Also, with the sunroof open all the way, the shade can still be closed so the air flow is not affected but the sun is not quite as strong. I really like having the extra light in the car, even with the shade closed, because it makes the interior feel that much bigger. Of course, it's deceptively big even without the sunroof.

The bigger issue here is that people are spending time complaining about having "to much sunlight" with the sunroof, or that there's "too much noise" with it open. Yes, a sunroof by definition allows sun to to come through your roof. And yes, with it open, noise from outside can be heard inside the car. Absent some seriously advanced technology (an invisible forcefield?) from the folks at BMW, these are two things that cannot be avoided with an open sunroof. Yet another example of how well this car is built -- there's nothing else to complain about!

silver_bullet

Go to www.mini2.com and read the forum outlining all of the problems folks are having with their Cooper and Cooper S's. Maybe when some of these issues are dealt with, I'll consider ordering a car.

crcoxe

I have seen the reports of problems on mini2.com and have little to say in response. Mostly because I have yet to experience any of these problems myself. What I will say is that it appears as though many of the gripes seem to be coming from owners in Europe and that even with these problems, they still appear to be very satisfied with the car. MINI / BMW service appears to be among the best - especially for an under $20K car.

As with any new brand, there will be some glitches. When you buy any new car (especially one like the MINI that is not built on the platform of an existing model), you should expect that some of these things might happen and be willing to deal with them when/if they do come up. That's why there is a 4 year/50,000 mile warranty. It's also why I amended my insurance policy to include rental car reimbursement - just in case. It could be an inconvenience, but at least it's covered. Yes, I am an optimist (probably to a fault), but I think that the MINI will do just fine in the long term. Besides, it's SOOOOO fun to drive ...

hpulley4

If you actually check mini2 you'll see that new cars have most of the problems worked out. Alignment problems, windshield problems and shift linkage are all fixed in recent builds. So I'd say some, if not most, of the problems have been dealt with already. For a first-year of a brand new car design, I'd say it has not been too bad. The shifter linkage problem on some early built Coopers is the scariest problem, IMO, and I hear they are now preventatively fixing that in some areas (not mine yet but hopefully they'll let me know soon if mine is affected). So far after 2.5 months and 4500kms I've only had one minor interior issue fixed, back of driver's seat cover's clips broke -- already replaced.

Go check out vwvortex (the VW board), the Subaru boards, heck even engine sludge on the Toyota boards and you'll see that most car companies unfortunately build some cars with problems and people who buy them post about their problems.

segesta

Just got back from driving (a rented Lancia wagon, not a Mini!) through northern Italy for two weeks. Many Mini sightings, and nearly all were Pure Silver and black. Which just happens to be my color combo here at home.

For whatever the heck that was worth. Oh, and none appeared to have ridiculous dealer bolt-ons. That must be an American phenomenon.

wolf22301

Grey.
I used to live in Rome and was surprised at the number of grey cars. Everyone I knew who ordered a new car got it in grey, especially those in upwardly mobile wheels like Merc and BMW. It seems they are slaves to fashion. I have to admit that the Mini in silver with a black roof is chic looking. I just worry about its perceptivity in marginal lighting situations. I want a color that ensures that other drivers (especially those in SUV who are talking on phones) can see me. I had the scary experience recently of almost running down a tiny car (dark green Geo Swift) that was going slowly in the left lane. To my eyes it appeared several car lengths further ahead, I almost ran into the back of her. I'm ordering either red or yellow with a white roof and mirrors. Actually, I'd love a white car with red roof, but suspect that's not an option yet.

stryder

I don't think any roof colors besides White and Black are official options yet, However I know there's a person who regularly posts on MINI2 with a red cooper with a green roof that was ordered through some special catalog that was an option in the UK. See if you ask the right people at MINI USA, maybe it is possible. They can't deny its an option in the UK, so perhaps it might become an option for US cars if there's interest.

dallasmini

I've had my MCS/PS/BLK for one month and 4000 miles and have no complaints. The car handles like nothing I've owned or ever driven.
Planned upgrades are carbon fiber intake, coil-over suspension and exhaust....hoping to hit the 200hp mark.

muffin_man

hoping to hit the 200hp mark with intake and exhaust?

hpulley4

At least at the crank (where most other manufacturers measure) as it seems like BMW/MINI really underestimated the engine numbers. People are getting over 110HP at the wheels of stock Coopers and over 160HP at the wheels in stock MCS cars on dynos. Assuming a 15% drivetrain loss, you might say stock Coopers put out over 127HP at the crank and MCS already puts out over 184HP there. That means you'd just need at most 16HP of gain which would be quite good but not impossible with changes to the intake and exhaust.

ECU re-flashing, SC belt changes, new head, etc. are what Cooper Works adds along with intake and exhaust to get even more out of it.

someblondeguy

You can get body-colour roofs, as well. So 3 choices are available.

White
Black
Whatever colour the rest of your car is.

nippononly

they had a roof painted in the Union Jack available? That would be cool - I would lay down the money for that!

silver_bullet

The Union Jack, checkered flag, and American flag roof treatments are decal kits, I believe, not paint. If you want a white Cooper with a red roof, you could order a solid Pepper White Cooper and have a bodyshop paint the roof - should be easy as long as you don't have a sunroof!

muffin_man

Wow, if that's true, it's very impressive. But it seems like if those were the right numbers, the car would test better.

crcoxe

... are inevitable, I know. It's just sooooooo frustrating when the first one appears on a brand new car. Especially when I put it there myself. Hard to admit to people I don't know, but it's true. On one of my few stops at the gas station, I was getting out of the car when I hit the concrete bar that protects the pump with the door. Sure enough, a glaring door ding. Aaarrggh!!!

Which begs the question, did anyone else get touch-up paint from their MINI dealer? I did not and am now uncertain as to whether I should have, or if I can get some now. Any thoughts?

hpulley4

Some people are running 6.5s 0-60 in the MCS. For a car of it's curb weight with FWD and its tall gearing I think that is fairly decent.

I didn't get touch up paint with my car but I bet they'll sell you some if you ask nicely.

muffin_man

Sounds good, keep us posted on your car.

someblondeguy

"they had a roof painted in the Union Jack available? That would be cool - I would lay down the money for that!"

Several roof decals are available of many different countries, not just the three silver_bullet mentioned. They are perforated (like the adverts on city buses) to allow light through (ideal if you have the panorama glass roof), yet still look solid from the outside. They can, of course, be removed later on if you change your mind).

I purchased touch up paint for my Cooper S (Chili Red) for $20 Cdn (I got a discount because I used to work at the dealership). It comes with a bottle of clear coat, as well).

P.S. I HATE stone chips!

hpulley4

You can remove decals on the roof and the bonnet stripes but if you do it years later you'll probably find the paint surrounding the covered area has faded more that that under the decal (unless these are some newfangled ones that allow UV to pass through).

rickrover

You can also go to a paintless dent repair place - Here in Florida I use Dent Doctor but there are a lot of other companies that do it. They basically massage the dent out with special tool from behind the panel. Most recently a shovel handle fell off my garage wall and put a small crease in my X5's hood and my GTI got caught in a hail storm that put 6 or 7 small dents in it's hood- no problemo for the dent doctor guy, he came out and massaged all the damage out of both cars to good as new condition, I highly recommend paintless dent repair, I paid $150 for both cars. Cheap considering what a body shop would have charged and I still have my original factory paint job intact.

Another product that's good for touching up minor paint scratches is Langka - you use the factory touch up paint with Langka for a perfect touch up. Check out www.langka.com

I am anal about the condition of my cars - Dent Doctor and Langka keep my sanity intact.

bimmerpilot

Here in Utah there is only one Mini dealer and they have eight or so cars but all are sold. They say 9-10 months wait for an S and it requires a $2K deposit.

I've seen a few Minis at non-Mini lots with substantial markups. I'm not willing to go that route.

Is there an internet site where you can determine if any one Mini dealer across the US has the car you are looking for? Are there any Mini dealers out West that typically have cars available?

9 months seems like a long time to wait by today's manufacturing/dealer network standards. Is that the norm for an ordered S?