Bitter-Sweet

nvarner · #1 08-11-2009, 09:50 PM

I'm bidding a farewell unless I change my mind again before 10 am tomorrow.
I was trading my beloved 06 Cooper Convertible for an 09 MCCS. I was scheduled to sign all the paperwork on tomorrow morning, instead I'll be signing paperwork on a 128i convertible. On Saturday my partner was returning an X3 on lease and I become interested in the 128i Convertible a few months ago. Tonight our BMW sales person has successful stolen me away from the co-located Mini dealership.
One of the main factors for me was the lack of auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear fog lights on the mini that I was going to purchase.
BMW has made me an offer I could not refuse $14 difference a month between the MCCS and the 128i Convertible.
Less gas mileage, but I get my mirror, 2 driver memory seats (needed), power seats w/memory ( I'm having an issue with my 35k mini having manual adjustable seats), walnut trim,BMW assist and on-star for 4 years.
To be fair I'm giving up the 17" wheels, and xenon lights that were on the mini.
Am I losing my mind?
When I got home I actually looked at my mini and shed a tear or two.

rhawth99 · #2 08-12-2009, 06:08 AM

Hope you enjoy the 128i. IMHO the lack of auto-dimming rear view mirror and rear fog lights on the mini are pretty weak reasons for the switch, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

nvarner · #3 08-12-2009, 10:38 AM

Thanks rhawth99, I own multiple cars and they all have an auto-dimming rear mirror it is something that would annoy me to not have, there by diminishing my enjoyment of what I consider an expensive car that I'm paying for. At 10k we can compromise, at 20k we compromise a little less, at 30k even less, and so on. You get the point. Both life and money are to short to not have what you want when it is obtainable.
In the GRAND scheme of things cars are not important, and auto-dimming mirrors are even less important than not important
To put it all into perspective, I just had a sorority sister's husband die Monday while they were vacationing in France...this is how fragile life is.I attempt as best I can to live in the moment. While I'm in the moment, motoring at night, I'd like to not have my eyes burned out at night by someone's headlights.
I plan to get another mini, as I love the product, probably a clubman s. In the mean time I will be selling my mini windscreen with mini carrying bag. It is black and in excellent condition (my 06 mini only had 5,300..yes that is five thousand three hundred miles). I will be selling the original air-intake (installed a way/ddm intake on the mini 2 yrs ago) and some rubber mini floor mats.

**schatzy62** · #4 08-12-2009, 10:57 AM

I don't understand the part about the dimming mirror and the rear fog light.

both of those are available on the MINI, so why get a MINI without them?

nvarner · #5 08-12-2009, 11:00 AM

It's was not an ordered mini it was on the lot, you can not order 09's anymore you can order a 2010 and I want to utilize the low 1.9 financing.

Jeremy1026 · #6 08-12-2009, 03:08 PM

Since the wiring is already there, why not convince your dealer to put in a dimming mirror?

nvarner · #7 08-12-2009, 07:58 PM

Good point Jeremy. I asked my salesman about the installation of the mirror and he said he believed it could be done and he thought it would cost about $400. I asked him to confirm and he did not.
He did however find me a car for 3,500 more than the one I was getting, at the port, which had the mirror and rear foglights installed.

Hummm.

malteseracer · #8 08-12-2009, 08:40 PM

Personally after getting a MINI, I'd get the MINI. The 1 series is beautiful and elegant yet sporty. The BMW will be comfortable and smooth, not my style. The MINI has personality and fun, but also bumps and idiosyncrasies.
On the mirror and fog lamps....don't let that make your purchase. I have found the lack of an auto dimming mirror a pain in the MINI, but not one that would make or break my purchase.

RadioFlyer · #9 08-12-2009, 09:19 PM

i had a 128i loaner while my clubby was in the shop... i was GLAD to had the Clubman back. the 128 was SO boring.

nvarner · #10 08-12-2009, 09:31 PM

malteseracer, I've gone to the dark side. The 128 vert is now parked where the mini was. I guess I have to leave NAM until I get my next mini.
You are so right about the personalities of the cars being different. Unfortunately, BMWs have a stereotype of of snobishness, yuppie-dom, etc. They should add it to to window sticker as a STD feature of the cars

My mini seemed to always make people smile when they saw it..oh well.
One thing for sure,the 1 is a h*lluva fun car to drive also!

Riffster · #11 08-12-2009, 09:41 PM

Glad you are happy! I hope that your 06 mini finds a new happy home and family that welcomes it into their hearts to give them more smiles for years to come.

mauleskyrocket · #12 08-13-2009, 05:23 PM

I had a gorgeous Beamer convertible. Great car!!!! What a bore it was. I don't know why. Now I have my MCC. No boredom here!

RadioFlyer · #13 08-13-2009, 06:20 PM

you mean you had a BIMMER. a Beamer is a motorcycle. =)

nvarner · #14 08-14-2009, 04:02 PM

My C240 is boring...I know boring

but there is nothing boring about the award winning 24-valve inline 230-hp engine in my new 128 convertible.
It's not my mini but then again it's not trying to be.

NotPortlyNJ · #15 08-17-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvarner

Unfortunately, BMWs have a stereotype of of snobishness, yuppie-dom, etc. They should add it to to window sticker as a STD feature of the cars

In that regard, what's the difference between a BMW and a porcupine?

The pricks are on the outside of the porcupine.

bluemeanie357 · #16 08-20-2009, 01:47 PM

I drove a friend's 328i vert before deciding on the Mini. I drove the hell out of that thing and it responded, but muted all road feel as if to pat me on the shoulder and tsk, "none of that, put on some classical music and let's drive to the golf course."

Best of luck with it, seems odd to base your choice around a mirror to me though.

nvarner · #17 08-20-2009, 04:14 PM

I really liked the joke NOTPORTLYNJ !

It wasn't just the mirror, in the end I prefer the car I chose. This will be my 3rd BMW and I'm very happy with the car.

I started the thread to say goodbye and for conversational purposes. I thought it would be an interesting topic. Believe it or not, there are others out there faced with a trade or sell decision for whatever reason. I'm sure somewhere there is a person selling or trading-in a mini for a minivan, a pickup truck, a monthly rail pass, a scooter, and the list goes on.

iwashmycar · #18 08-20-2009, 04:32 PM

congrats. i would have done the same. wanted a 1 series so bad, but they were quite a bit more cash than my S was

mullman · #19 08-22-2009, 07:18 AM

After 15 yrs of BMW, I find my MINI a refreshing change of pace.
But get whatever makes you happy, esp since you are paying for it.

nvarner · #20 08-22-2009, 10:35 PM

Thanks iwashmycar! you've got one sweeeet S! The mini is such an awesome car.