Hi! I'm Robin. I've been lurking for awhile, but I decided to bite the bullet and join. I'm about 6 months out from getting my MINI... I've been saving up for one since I graduated college over 3 years ago, and I'm finally in a place where I feel like I can afford both rent and a car payment. I've never purchased a new car, and I'm rather nervous about the entire process, but a new MINI is worth the stress! I'm still debating practically everything from color to audio options... I want to make sure I get the car I want (and can afford). I'm going for my first test drive as soon as I can fit it in. I'm really excited!!

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and share my excitement over FINALLY (almost) being able to get my new MINI.

 

Welcome to NAM...I'm also a newbie.

As far as "debating practically everything from color to audio options", I think it's fascinating that (almost?) every possibility is discussed on this board somewhere. And in far more detail that your MA is likely to volunteer, or has the time to discuss.

For example, several days after my MINI went into production, I spent about an hour reading owner comments about how the piano black dash panels tend to accumulate fingerprints and scratches. Knowing that beforehand, I'm not sure I would have chosen that option so confidently.

More recently, I spent at lot of time reading opinions about extended service agreements and warranties (a subject I don't expect my FA to be unbiased about).

I'm barely into the MINI experience, but I'm jealous that you're still in the configurator.

Best of luck in your journey!

 

Congratulations on ordering your MINI! You must be so excited.

This forum is definitely thorough in its examination of options. I've spent the past couple days pouring over threads devoted to the nav system and ipod integration. I want some goodies, but only if they work well.

 

Congratulations Robin!! You won't regret it. I've had two MINIs in the past 4 years--a 2003 Cooper and now a 2005 Cooper S and can't get enough!! I live in Los Angeles but work in Orange County. There are several clubs out here that will welcome you including SCMM.org (the largest SoCal MINI club) and my own club c3club.org, and there is also moala.org.

I had the OEM nav in my first Cooper and really liked how simple it was. In my current MINI, I bought it used so I ended up buying a Garmin Nuvi 350 and love it!!

Richard

 

Thanks! I'm sure I'll be looking for a MINI club to join once I get it. I'm already getting obsessed with the car, and I haven't even test driven one yet!

The one thing I'm worried about is reliability. I'm driving a '93 Civic right now, and it's a dream... I've had very few problems. I've heard that the MINI might not be quite as dependable.

 

Welcome to NAM you'll love the MINI!

 

Hi and Welcome to MINI land. LOTS of great info. here to help you (hopefully) decide on your final order..

Donna

 

It varies. You will find extreme points of view on the reliability of the MINI. A large majority of us haven't had major issues that would call it unreliable, but still problems exist nonetheless that can be annoying. I had almost no problems at all with my 2003 Cooper. And the problems I had with my 2005 Cooper S were a result of buying it broken, and having to fix it to get it running again. I haven't had any issues other than that.

 

Welcome Robin! They are not Hondas or Toyotas, which is both wonderful and can be annoying.... I have owned several toyondas over the years, but wanted a more fun car that I actually look forward to driving, and yes, it is my midlifecrisis car. That being said, the consumer magazines rate the Mini as either average or above average in reliability, so it's not like you are looking at a car that consumer magazines would laugh at you for.

Enjoy the process, test drive a few cars, try not to drool on your keyboard when working on the configurator, and look forward to the day when you are motoring! I might put in a plug for the world of the rag top if you can afford it - it is pretty swell here in socal to see the tops of the palm trees as you motor past....

 

I think reliability with any car is a roll of the dice. I've had 2 Hondas (well in all fairness the Honda I got rid of was an Acura .. but ya .. same thing really), that both had issues. The latest of them had to have a new tranny after 10k miles and continued to have problems with doors, windows and transmission after repeated attempts to fix them.

I honestly hope I don't have any issues with my new Cooper, I don't plan on them, but there is the possibility of niggly little issues (is niggly a proper British term? ). Either way, this new car has a lot of heart and I've been really impressed so far with how fun it is to drive. I haven't been this excited about a automobile since my 2000 Audi A4.

The test drive was what pushed me over the edge to buy the car, so I hope you enjoy your drive!

 

I had a manual '91 Acura Integra for 11 years with 150,000 miles on it before my MINI. It was my first new car--all previous cars were used VW's that all had major issues after 65,000 miles. I loved the car, but not anywhere near how much I loved my MINI. I had relied on the dealer for all maintenance and thanks to the MINI, I'm doing most of the basic servicing on my own--brake pad changes, oil changes, brake fluid changes, etc. My first Cooper was just as reliable as that Acura. =)

 

Thanks everybody for welcoming me! I'll be sure to report back after my test drive. I haven't scheduled it yet, but it's at the top of the list of things to do on the 2nd.
I hope everyone has a fantastic (and safe) New Year's Eve!

 

Robin, Welcome to NAM and your journey. You will love the MINI. Anything you buy for yourself after taking the time to find the right one is always a first love.

I think you said you had not test driven a MINI, do so this week or weekend.

Best of luck configuring your perfect MINI.

 

Don't put off tommorow, what you can do today, especially if it involves a MCS being your 1st auto(Go-Kart). Talk to Jim Wolleson or Amanda Perez @Brecht Mini. They are thurough and professional and work @ the Escondido location. Tell them Cale from UV Vodka sent you! Enjoy!

 

I went on my first test drive today! Brecht Mini is way too far away. I went to South Bay Mini and went on a drive with Chris, who was very nice. I really like the car, and I'm starting to narrow down options. I'm sure I will have lots of questions in the next few months! The first is: Sport seats or no? Leather, cloth, or leatherette? I'd love to get my MINI with *everything* but I'm on a bit of a budget.

 

If you can try sitting in all 3 options ... I like the sport seats and the leatherette ... it's pretty durable and feels nice and comfortable ... but I don't think you can go wrong with the leather ... it's nice quality as well and the different color options are nice ... hadn't tried the cloth so perhaps someone else on here can give their opinion (there's also a couple threads on this I'd search for as well). I like these seats better than my old Acura RSX Type-s's seats ....

 

LOL you're going to get a lot of opinions on seats. I've heard some folks like the cloth seats, some like the leatherette, especially if you have kids I've heard. Me, I went with the sports seats in Leather. Just love the smell and feel of em, that's just me though. Best advise is, yes, go down and check them out. See which fits better for ya.

If you're like most of the folks here, you're going to be spending a lot of time on the mini site with the configurator deciding what you want and how things look. There's a few threads here where folks show good pictures of their color choices and options, I checked out a lot of photos on this site to see what I liked before I ordered. Have fun deciding!

 

I was in your shoes a few weeks ago...now with my production number, I am anxiously waiting for my car to arrive. Good luck and have fun with the process...this is my first new car experience and I've enjoyed every minute of it...except having to wait for the car(hahaha!)

 

Welcome Robin!

The excitement of MINI ownership will continue long after you first pick up your car. The wait sucks the most.

As for seat / upholstery options, sit in the different types, ask questions here, look at NAM "Interior" threads. The most fun is to visit dealers and sit in cars. There is a Southern California section here, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=27, to ask questions and find owners local to you. SCMM.org is also a good place to go to check out the SoCal MINI Maniacs, you don't need a MINI to join (I had an Acura when I first joined) and there is no membership fee.

Good luck. Take your time and ensure that what you get is what you want.

 

welcome onboard!

south bay is a pretty decent dealership. when it came time to shop, you might also want to check out long beach mini. both had nice people but since they're all selling msrp, it doesn't really matter. i have cloth seats in my r53 and i almost always prefer cloth in any car. the lounge leather, however, is absolutely beautiful, imho, especially the brown one. are you getting an mc or mcs? if you're really on a budget, ticking the cloth might save you some $ for other nice things, like sport suspension. in any case, you'll love it. have fun w/ the configurator

 

My first '03 Cooper had the black profile Leather, and I really liked it. The lumbar **** was great for my problem back.

I then bought an '05 Cooper S with the cloth seats, and have found them to be very comfortable. Recently I bought another NAM'ers leatherette interior, and put the rear seats and bench in leatherette and kept the cloth front seats, and the comfort difference is night and day. I didn't realize how comfy cloth was.

The leatherette is hard, stiff, and slippery compared to the soft cloth that's comfortable and grippy. The biggest drawback of cloth is that it stains easily and is hard to keep clean. Maybe not so if you pretreat it with a spray on cloth protector in the first place, but since I bought this MINI used, I didn't have that luxury.

Definitely try out different seats and see which you like most---without comparing them side by side, all the seat configurations feel nice. =P

 

Hi Robin! I am also a newbie, but I have not yet post myself yet. I know how excited you are, because I have been inlove with the mini for five years! I just ordered my first mini in December of 07 and hopefully I will get it by the middle of February. I got the s, premium pkg. cloth seats, armrest, and the color is sparkling silver with black roof and mirrors and black bonnet stripes. Yes, definitely go and test drive, you will want the car even more then! Good luck!

 

Welcome!!

I'm also live in the LA area. I joined about 6 months ago my self. Enjoy your MINI

 

Wow! A lot of people have posted in here since I last had time to visit. Thanks for the advice everyone! I've decided that I just don't have the money for leather, so I'm going to get the sport seats in either cloth or leatherette. I'm going to try sitting in them next time I visit the dealer. I don't think I'm going to be able to make that decision in front of a computer.

Here is what I've decided (for sure) so far:
Cooper
Lightning Blue
White Roof/Mirrors
White Sports Stripes
Sport Seats
DSC

I almost wish I'd held off on this research... I don't know how I'm going to get through the next few months! But I really need to wait til I have the full down payment. I've never bought a new car before, and I'm determined to do it right and not screw myself financially.

 

IMO try finding a used one (R53), there are some good prices on them. Alot of 05-06 MCS for good deals. If you need a new one put it on order now for 08. Don't get 07 at a dealership it will be overpriced and not exactly how YOU want it. I have not been on 2nd genereation forums but MINIs are made by BMW and general knowledge is the 1st year of car introduction usually has some bugs to work out, thats why I'd go for 08 instead of 07. (I prefer 05-06)