Hi all,

I am going into the dealership to make an order next week. My order will be against 2008 specs but held for 2009s when they start, with adjustments made as needed when 2009 information is available.

Anyway, I've spec'd out what I want but I have a few questions folks might be able to help with, and I'd welcome any critiques or feedback!

Mini Cooper base (non-S)
Mellow Yellow Body/Roof/Mirrors
All Season Tires

Packages

• Cold Weather
• Premium Package

Performance

• Dynamic Stability Control
• Front/Rear Fog Lamps
• Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps - I noticed when poking around the dealer's lot that the rain sensor takes up space at the top center of the windshield. It looks like it is right behind the rear-view mirror so not blocking a view that is not already blocked - am I right?
• Automatic

Cockpit

• Sport Seats
• Anthracite Headliner - I debated leaving this out because the upholstery is so light but realize this would tie better with floor/dash.
• Gravity Tuscan Beige Leather w/ Cream Line and English Oak Interior Surface
• Comfort Access System
• Alarm System - I have not seen this mentioned much. Do people usually get the alarm system or not? Is it better to forgo this for Lojack? My current car doesn't have an alarm, so I don't have much experience here.
• Wood Sport Wheel w/ Multifunction - I was interested in the Tuscan Beige wheel but they don't list the dealer price OR installation charge, seemed like this would go just as well and perhaps be more economical in the end.

Genuine Motoring Accessories

• Tuscan Beige E-Brake Handle/Automatic Selector. I will drop these if the installation fee is exorbitant.
• MINI Portable Navigation System. Does anyone know what Garmin unit comes with this? I have a Nuvi, but it is several years old and the on/off switch doesn't work (have to use adapter to cigarette lighter to get the thing to turn on and off), so I need a new one anyone, and like the mount they provide. I'm not a DIY'er.
• iPod Adapter - Glove Box. The description lists this as providing the ability to control the iPod through the Stereo interface. Does this extend to the MFSW if it's installed, also? Seems a waste to have the MFSW if the iPod can't be controlled from it.

That's it! There are some things I purposely didn't choose. The Nav, for instance, is attractive, but I much prefer Garmin and I think the Nav overall will be outdated quickly in the coming years. I'd rather go classic here.

For a bunch of the questions above, I have searched over the forums but either missed the question/answer or they haven't been discussed in detail.

Thanks! Just writing this makes me get a little drool-y!

-sarah

 

No feedback but a question:

When do 2009's start being produced? You say they were going to hold your order for that. Would 2009's increase in price?

 

Hey, sorry, I should have expanded on that. When I did my test drive, the MA told me that they only had a few slots left for 2008 production orders. He recommended making the order against 2008 specs and then finalizing it against 2009 specs when they get them (he said July/August). He said he would expect, in that scenario, for delivery to be in October.

For changes, he said he didn't expect the car overall to change very much, if at all. He said some package composition might change and that some prices might change by a few hundred dollars.

I am going to re-quiz him on that when I go in to make sure it is October for delivery and not ORDER, but I'm pretty sure I understood him correctly. Trying to get in for the last few spots of 2008 when I wasn't done thinking through options was too rushy-rush.

Basically, we would be reserving a place in line for 2009 with the option to re-do the order in light of new specs and prices, which they don't seem to have many details on right now.

-sarah

 

The Nuvi and bracket are great. Here are my only two issues:

1. The Nuvi 360 doesn't come with a traffic antenna
2. The bracket isn't generic to Garmin. It only fits the Nuvi.

Now, regarding your order for a 2009 instead of a 2008. I fully expect the price of the car to go up a few hundred bucks. If that's cool with you, then fine. I would be suspect of that. Of course, your car will be 1 year older as soon as 2009s are available which may affect resale value.

Just a couple things to consider.

Congrats!

 

Concerning the 2008 v 2009.

I ran into that with a previous vehicle. I bought it right at the beginning of availability so it appears now younger with more miles to people I'm trying to sell it to.

For instance: Say I bought a 2009 and got it in late September. Then I put 20k miles a year on it. Then two years from now (which would be 2010) I decide to sell it. All the seller sees in 2010 is a car that is presumably 1 year old with 40K miles on it. In reality it's 2 years old with 20k per year. See what I mean?

I'm actually glad I'm getting a 2008 during the waning months of 2008 so I don't run into this again in the event down the road that i want to sell it for some reason (upgrade to a convertable? )

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the food for thought about the 2008 v. 2009 issue. Both of my previous cars I drove to the 10-year mark with middling mileage per year on both. Current car is 10 years old with 78K miles. I plan to do the same here so I am not terribly concerned about the timing of the model year.

I DID think it was fishy to be put off by the MA to the next model year. I would think he would want me to buy a car sooner rather than later. My only thought is perhaps he sized me up as a lower-end purchaser and wants to save their last few slots for deep pockets. That's only a guess though.

If the price of the car doesn't jump too much I won't be unhappy. I added a lot of options that are purely luxury for me so tweaking them down to offset an unexpectedly large price jump is not untenable.

-sarah

 

Hi Sarah-

The MA's explanation sounds right to me...I don't think he's pulling anything over on you.

I too am on the fence over ordering an 09 vs late 08, and so far am leaning toward the 09. If it is a justacoop or an S, it isn't a model year change, and the differences will be as he said - in the option packages, perhaps color choices, and perhaps some price diffs. My dealer (one which sells a ton of MINIs and has no problem getting production slots) has no clear answer on when the '09s will be cleared for production. He did show me his computer ordering system, and orders for 2008s definitely can be booked into the 2nd week of September. That might mean 2009s could come shortly after that, but even that isn't clear. MINI might extend the 2008 run for God knows what reason. I mention this only because i don't think any '09s will be built before mid-Sept, which optimistically would mean late October deliveries to the States.

If the JCW '09s are any guide, we may see the Premium Package move to being sun roof/climate control/MFSW instead of SR/CC/Hi-Fi stereo...along with a $250 drop in the price to reflect the cheaper MFSW vs Hi-Fi price. The CWP might have slightly different mirror functions, and some features which are currently options might become standard (stability control perhaps?)

I'm not really worried about these changes. I simply hope the drop in the dollar vs the pound won't lead to a massive repricing upward on the base MC/MCS for 2009.

 

I didn't think about that. Another reason to buy now. BMW raised their prices 1% overall.

Sarah, so what are the pros of waiting to order an 2009 instead of ordering one of the last few 08s?

I'm not judging, just curious.

 

Might be some MINI 50th Anniversary special stuff in the '09 release.

Maybe not.

Perhaps some minor internal tweaks could occur, correcting any recurring problems observed by the service departments (window seals, gaskets, changed part suppliers & so forth.) Who knows.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about an alarm system. Insurance statistics show that a yellow car is the least likely to be stolen. There are so few that law enforcement catch thieves quickly. I forwent the alarm for my MY/W MCSa. I have had cars with and without alarms. In my experience, if the alarm goes off - most people ignore it. Your car sounds terrific.

 

The ipod can be controlled by the MFSW - you can advance tracks and change the volume. Just be sure you order the dealer installed glovebox option instead of the factory usb hookup at the bottom of the center console.

 

Re: alarm -

Like Minimama2 said. Also, I believe MINIs have an anth-theft device built in, in that the car should stop running after a few hundred feet if the car were started without the key fobs. So any guy hot-wiring you car won't go too far before saying "WTF." Therefore, I'm blowing off the alarm when I order.

Might depend where you live.

 

Wow, lots more good info and questions!

Mike - I'm a slow purchaser. I've been shopping for a new car for about 4 years -- I just take my time with it. I'm looking at a price under what I can afford, so I'm not sweating every dollar (although I do pay attention!). In general, I prefer to think things over and be sure I am getting exactly what I want. For these reasons, waiting for a new model year does not worry me too much.

Since I can't make it back to the dealer until next Wednesday because of personal scheduling, I may be stuck anyway if they sell their last slots. What I'll probably do is check on the 2008 slots when I first arrive and kibbutz with my boyfriend on whether I should go ahead with '08 if a slot is still available. If there isn't, I'll get an '09 slot and worry about the price increase/option changes when the time comes. I now feel comfortable about dropping the alarm system and sunroof which gives me room to maneuver if the costs do go up shockingly. There are probably a few other items (Comfort Access) that I could drop as well.

Basically I have a personality inclined to slow down when all signs point to "RUSH!" I'd rather regret not buying something than buying something and regretting it afterwards!

Minimama2 & eurotrash -- Ah, I didn't think of the stolen car rate for yellow cars, that makes perfect sense! And I double-checked, the Mini does have an engine immobilizer if the car is driven without the key fob. So I do think I could drop the alarm system comfortably.

weinerdog - Perfect! The glovebox adapter is the one I am interested in. Glad to know it wouldn't be wasted in combo with a MFSW. I don't currently have an iPod, but getting one and filling it up with music could certainly fill in the looooong wait time to a new Mini.

Thank you guys so much for the input... the 2008 v. 2009 question has given me a lot to think about.

-sarah