I've been considering buying a mini for about 18 months now and I'm getting very very close. I currently drive a little 2 seater but have found its nice to have room for 4 sometimes. One of the biggest questions I have is regarding LSD. If I buy a mini without LSD can it be easily added at a later date? (yes I know it'll cost more in the end) For those people who don't live close to a mini dealership what have been your experiences if your car breaks down? I assume all warranty work has to be done at a dealership??? I live 2 1/2 hours to the closest dealership. That seems like a P.I.T.A! Or are all BMW dealerships qualified? Oh and when do the '09 models release?

 

I don't know anything about the LSD, but my closest dealership since 2003 has been 85 miles, which takes about an hour-and-a-half to get to. But MINI roadside assistance is great. If your car breaks down, they will tow it to the nearest MINI dealership regardless of how far that happens to be.

The only real PITA part is finding someone to drive you to the dealership to get your car back. The further away it is, the more 6-packs you're going to have to buy them.

But, no, you're not able to just use a BMW dealership, as the BMW techs are not qualified to work on a MINI. MINI is owned by BMW, but other than that, they really have very little to do with one another.

 

I'm no expert on the cost to add LSD to a car without it, but I believe I've read the costs were in the $2000 to $2500 range. Quite a bit more than the $500 to buy from the dealer. Best to fork it out now, if possible.

My dealer is about 40 minutes from my house. I've probably been there 10 times between test driving/buying/ and post buying stuff. If I were 2 1/2 hours away, that would definitely be cut down to bare minimum.

 

i really regret not having it. my other car does and i really wish it was in here. i can't afford to put it in now my quote for the Quaiffe and labor was about $1750 all parts and labor but i'm getting married in less than 5 months and we had to get a photographer. Can you believe 3GRAND!

 

Thanks for the quick replies. Some good feedback to chew on. The fact that my closest dealership is 2 hours away is kind of a bummer if something does happen. Questions I'll have to bring up at the dealership. As far as the LSD goes I guess its pretty much a no-brainer just to get it right away. Guess I can't really justify paying 3-4 times more in a few years when I can get it so cheap now. The LSD seems quite a bargain.

One thing I do really like is the choice to really make this car your own. The only problem is there's too many options! Especially when it comes to the interior. The colored interiors seem nice but I'd like to see one in person first and just don't see many around in dealer lots. I'm looking at getting a red mini. Anyone have some good pics of a red mini with red interior?

 

I have heard that there is no LSD Retrofit kit from MINI, there are aftermarket LSD that some would argue are better anyway. For $500, I would just add it in. Something I wish I did on mine.

 

I'm 3.5 hrs from my dealer. My MINI should be ready to pick up in about 10 days. I don't like the idea of being so far away but what choice is there? No MINI? I don't thik so.

 

Funny you should mention the Limited Slip. I really wanted it, as I know the value of an LSD when getting the power down. Cars with LSD were almost impossible to find around here (Massachusetts).
So, I special ordered it. Since we are looking at a no-discount purchase, I may as well get what I want.
So, I did. Car is being built today!

 

I'm pretty surprised at how rare the LSD is on lot cars.

I feel I got really lucky when I found my '06 MCS w/ LSD on the lot. Was the only one out of 27 MCSs they had, and was pretty close to what I would have ordered in other options.

As far as adding an aftermarket LSD later, seems like many wait until they are replacing the clutch/flywheel as apparently much of the same tear down is required for each of them to be installed. Makes it a bit more cost effective labor-wise.

Never driven a MINI with one, but based on feedback and direct experience with them on VWs the Quaife is a nicer part than the factory LSD. The factory LSD is still quite a bargain though, IMO.

 

You didn't list your options that you are looking at. I was considering LSD, but didn't realize if you get an automatic, it's not available. So if you're going that direction, upgrading later won't be a concern.

 

They make a mini with an automatic?? J/K

It'll be a fully loaded Cooper S.
Chili Red / 6speed
Convenience, Premium, Cold Weather, Sport packages
Xenons, LSD, Leather and probably some JCW options