Hi Everyone,

This is an awesome site and a great community.

I'm a newbie considering my first MINI and am hoping to get some advice and to take advantage of the knowledge available here.

I live in Southern Arizona and will drive the MINI about 15,000 miles per year, mainly for work. I'm trying to decide if the base MINI Cooper will meet my needs or if I should get the S. My main concern is if the non turbo version will have enough power to run the AC on extremely hot days, or if the higher horse power of the S would be needed. Also, the pure silver is available with a pure silver roof or with a black roof. Does anyone have the black roof in a hot climate? It is harder to keep the car cool inside? How does the black paint hold up the srong uv light?

I plan to get the 'sport' package and the LSD (should I select the S).

Thanks!

Jim

 

Welcome to the NAM family!

Not sure how much I can help with the MC question. We've only got experience with MCSes. But someone will be along with the answer.

 

I'm not having any problems with my AC yet with a justacooper. Then again, the only car I've ever had with air conditioning issues was my 68 Mustang! heheh.

I purposely went light on the roof to help with the heat. I DO have the sunroof, but I put reflective shields in most of the time. Unless I want to motor with an open top, they're in.

There are a lot of great threads on sport pack vs. future upgrades, so poke around a bit. I didn't want or need the turbo, so I'm of no help on the S either.

 

Welcome! An owner for a month now, I have a NFR MC with black top and sunroof.

This morning 36F but will be in the 70s on the ride home. The black top gets warm in the sun, but the AC had no problems on warm days.
I like all colors on the Minis, but stayed away from white because I like to stand out from the snow.

I would take a white top if I lived in AZ.

 

I'm exactly where you are in the process of getting my mini (this is my first post here and I haven't placed an order yet), but agree with Mininightflame. I'd get the white top if I lived in AZ, but will probably get black for myself, given that I'm snowbound for several months out of the year.

Congrats in advance on the new mini!

 

If at all possible, make sure to get the xenon headlights. The swath they light up with pure white light in front of the car is amazing. I now feel sorry for everyone I see with "yellow" lights.

 

We've visited my sister in Glendale in winter and summer. Found only the daylight hours of summer unbearable for the cabrio. Winter (or what you call winter) top is down 100% of the time, even when we went up to ski at Sunrise.

 

Jim, do you have a dealer nearby?
It should be getting hot soon; I grew up in San Bernardino, CA and can understand the AC issue.
Take a test drive on a hot day and put the AC on and see if it meets your specifications.
The MC is fun and I would jump on an S if the roads were better here.
The Xenon headlights asT2NAV suggested would brighten up the dark desert night.
What ever you decide you will love your MINI!

 

I have and recommend the turbo. Living in southern Arizona, I would think a black roof would capture a little more heat than you would like. All silver might be the way to go.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm going to the dealership in Scottsdale for the first time tomorrow. I hope to drive both the MC and the MCS as well as check out all the options I am considering.

 

I have the MC w/Sport Pkg and DSC but I think LSD is only available with the S version. I find my power to be quite satisfactory - at that is at 7000 feet.

 

If you're going to do xenon headlights, please order them with the car. I've been blinded so many times while driving at night by people that have put them on aftermarket and don't have them aimed properly . It's worth the few extra bucks to save someone else's life!

Congrats on the dealership trip! Give us all the details when you get back!

 

+1 on the S. Lots of get-up and go when you want it. The S comes with a very good sports suspension - no need to touch that unless you get into Mods. Buy the stock wheels (there are 2 default designs to pick from). If you want 17s, etc - get them aftermarket - a much better value and lots more choices.

LSD if you plan on driving hard around corners.

Whatever paint you get - plan to get some nice detailing stuff to protect it in that sun. Octaneguy can help with this.

Feel free to lay out a full list of details - you can be sure that we'll comment on them.

 

Hey, Jim. I just bought my Mini in Scottsdale. Nice enough people. Smart man for going on a weekday. Weekends are busy.

So far, my S model has shown no difference in performance for me air conditioning on or off. I did not drive the MC, so not sure if it will be the same. One of the gear heads can correct me if I'm wrong, but with the turbo not being an 'always on' type power feature, the AC performance will still largely rely on the engine with normal aspiration. You will see some acceleration differences with the AC on, but the extra HP won't really help while you're idling or moving at constant speed. That said, I haven't owned my MINI through an AZ summer, sooo....YMMV.

Roof color will affect cabin temperature. I went with white so cannot speak to a black roof performance.

I highly recommend you schedule an appt (if not already) to make sure they have the type of vehicle features you are wanting to test drive (i.e. 6spd manual, leather, sunroof, etc.). Their online inventory listing is helpful, but not up to date -- my MINI is still listed & she's been with me for days.

 

I have a BRG with black top non S. I live in Kentucky. My clubman will be an S model because of the air conditioning issue. The regular cooper serves me very well with the exception of the hottest months when the combination of the crazy sunroof which cannot be totally shut off, the black roof, and english leather dark gray interior work together to make it sweltering hot. With the AC running you have to really watch your revs and feather the clutch much more delicately on take off. Hope this helps.

 

I have a 2008 DS MCS with a white roof and live in South Africa where the temperature ranges from hot to very hot for most of the year. I have the aircon on all the time in fact I hardly switch it off. The only time I do switch it off is if I have the windows down to listen to the engine. Not that I do it too often because it is not usually wise to drive around with your windows down around here (another reason I use the aircon so much.) Anyway the point Im making is that the aircon does not affect the performance of my S. I cant speak for the cooper though because Ive never driven one.

 

I, too, am a new member in the deciding stage of ordering my Mini. I'm quite set on the BRG and I prefer the black top and bonnet stripes. I live in SC where any color car is hot in the summer and I just like the black better. :-)

I'm leaning toward the Cooper, as opposed to the S, and the options I really like are: Premium Package, Fog Lamps (I live in a very wooded area), Auto wipers/headlamps, Chrome Line interior, Multi-function sport wheel, Chrome gas cap and mirrors, Alarm system and Invisishield.

The last two options were dealer-recommended, and I'm not sure about their necessity. Anyone with thoughts about what to get or what not to get would be awesome! My goal is to build the perfect Mini (at least for me!).

Thanks!!!

 

Yes on the invisisheild-- minis attract rocks. If you do a search here on the forums, you'll see it discussed a lot.

The alarm? I have it, but there are a lot of strong opinions on that as well.

 

My MA advised against the alarm system. He said the only difference between the system and what the car comes with is a horn. So, for $500 you get a horn. Big deal! You should still get the insurance deduction because the silent system disables the motor, etc.

 

Like the others, I can't speak for the MC types, but I can for the MCS. You may SAY it's just going to be for puttering to work and back, but that's NEVER the way it turns out...It's going to start with a little road trip here, and a little one there.... I'm a HUGE fan of the MCS and the turbo. More fun with punch and power and like OPC said, the turbo isn't a constant so you needn't worry about the drain AC does on most cars.

I have a well-tripped out (stock) BRG w/ white roof and panoramic sun roof - and while it got pretty hot in Germany (100+ temps in the summer time), it's not like living in AZ. I was content with the black interior, the tinted sunroof and the white roof, even in those temps. HOWEVER...I'd err on the side of caution FOR YOUR STARTER MINI, and then if you decide you want the black roof after all, you can order it on your second Mini later on down the road. I am also a huge fan of the sun roof. Keep in mind they have graphics that will darken the tint -- either with a graphic or just a darker tint. Check out Aesthetic Creations vendor website (there are links on the vendor forum on NAM) and you can see what I'm talking about.

EDIT: oh yeah...I went ahead and got the stock alarm and iPod adapter, too...The alarm DID help with my insurance, and it's a little more than just the horn -- but someone can correct me if I"m wrong. It's seizemic sensors (if someone lifts the Mini or even shakes it hard), and the alarm includes the open-window sensor -- the alarm will go off if someone messes with the Mini even when the windows are down. The fuel shut-off option is only if someone tries to start the car without the key, or tries to jack it up in front.

Wise choice, getting a Mini. Happy Motoring!

 

From looking at the PDF file on motoring.com of installing it yourself, It is a couple of sensors and a reprogram of your computer. looks like all of the extras, like fuel cut off ,etc are programmed into the computer. If you really want one, order it from Morristown Mini or Classic Mini. Install it yourself. then get your car reprogrammed.

+1 on factory xenon lights. Aftermarket kits are garbage IMHO, and they are NOT street legal. We decided against the sport package. If we do any mods, I would rather use the $1500 for aftermarket mods, not OEM. LSD is a nice option, but for our uses, we really wouldn't see the benefits of it.

Talking with owners in Florida, it does get hotter in the florida sun. Some owner have tinted their sun roofs and have reported that it gets a little better with the tint.
Havent heard any problems with the paint fading.

 

Now with the sun getting brighter at 50F the interior gets warm enough to put on the AC.
I didn't go for the alarm, my Mini stays inside at home. For going out I try and park where I can see it. There are only a few places in NH that I would worry about. And I picked the MC with 15" wheel because I live in the country/ woods with potholes, bumps and in winter Ice Heaves. I picked mine off the lot and wished it had fog lights.

 

Thanks everyone!

I placed my order this week with the following options:
Pure Silver with Pure Silver top (I would have prefered a black top but it's not practical in Southern Arizona)
Sport Suspension
DSC
Front fog lamps
Xenon lamps
Alarm
Sport seats

I went with the stock 15" wheels instead of the 16" with run flat tires. From what I can tell the 15" wheels and tires offer a 29 lb weight savings over the 16" and run flats. Also, from what I understand the run flats are not repairable and are quite expensive to replace.

I'm very happy that I chose a MINI!

Jim

 

You will love your MINI!
I'm up in Prescott, AZ, and I have the CR with black roof. It is the Clubby S and I have to say that the black roof hasn't really affected the cabin temp for me.
We took a trip to Southern AZ and were not at all uncomfortable. Actually last week when we were in the 90s up here I didn't notice it was hot in the car. I keep it covered in the daytime and on the way home I simply opened the windows. It has so much cross ventilation with both windows open I never even thought of putting the air on.

Glad you made a decision. You won't regret it either way. Drew was my MA, hope you had a nice one too.