Hi this is my 1st post, I am thinking of ordering a Cooper Works @ Bob Smith in Calabasas CA. I was looking to do this back in 2003, but they charged over sticker then so I walked. Well I was there yesterday and presto they sell them @ sticker! If the sale of my car goes through this week I will order a 2010 in about a week. If I go ahead with this I will then ask what you guys what you think of the way I am thinking of building it.

 

Read / search this site and then choose your style and whats best for you.

 

have u drive one yet?

 

Thanks for the fed back. Yes some one in my family has 2008 Cooper S Six speed man. that I have driven. And I test drove a Works on Saturday @ Universal Mini. They had four of them (While Bob Smith had 0 Works cars). I will still order from Bob Smith. Universal has a high creep factor!! And they still mark up the Cooper Works cars by well over $2000! I only was able to drive it for a few blocks and could not rev much over 4500 rpm's. I could still get the feel that is was a cool car.

Let me give you guys some history on my self. I am 52 years old and have owned and still own some great cars. At this time I have a 1965 Jaguar E-type coupe show car, and a 2005 Lotus Elise that I ordered new. I also have a 2003 Maserati Coupe GT six speed man. That I bought used three years ago. This the car that I am selling for the Mini. Don't get wrong I love the car, but it is killing me with upkeep $ ($4500 for a clutch job).

So the Mini will be my every day car. I drive about ten miles a day no freeway at all. I have also taken about ten or so driving schools over the last 25 + years.

This how I am thinking of ordering the car. Keep in mind that I am looking more for performance than comfort.

1. Dark Silver roof and mirrors all the same color no decals or stripes.
2. Rooster red color line & leather/ cloth Rooster red.
3. Xenon headlamps w/power wash.
4. Interior surface Fluid Silver.
5. Leather & alcontara steering wheel/multifunction.
6. 10-speaker.Hi-Fi
7. Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod
8. Center Arm Rest
9. Suspension Strut Brace.
10. Sport Gages / Coolant temp.

I did think the sport suspension or brakes where needed since this my work car. And I do have the Lotus for weekend fun.

What do you guys think?

 

Ya, go for it. I just bought myself a 2009 MCS, 6spd, turbocharged, and I love it. I is so fast and it gets great gas MPG. About the sticker price, their is no bargaining whatsoever. you get for what it says. But in the long run if your a mini fan, then your going to love driving it and doing all sorts of different stuff with it.

 

Go for the JCW.

 

Ya, that all sounds great. I believe from what you are saying that you will be getting a JCW in which all the stuff that you just relayed to me has most of the options in the JCW. The only thing that you did not mention that I would get if I had the extra money, unless you are not an exhaust fan, I would get the Supersprint Exhaust. I know the JCW comes with an exhaust, but if you want to boast hp and sound go with the Supersprint.

If you check out youtube they show you how to install, not that you'd be doing it your self, but its helpful and they tell you what it will be improving. TTUL

 

Don't know if this even applies to the JCW. I have a 2009 dark silver MCS convertilble. I had no restraint on the option list but one thing that I wish that I had ordered is the rear fog lamps for $100. I have no real interest in rear fogs but on the S if you don't order them you get some cheezy blank plates in the rear bumper. I would have gladly paid the $100 to avoid the obvious blanks.

I love the xenons and I thought the comfort access that eliminates the need to take the key out of the pocket was silly - but now I really like having it.

You may want to take a look at the carbon fiber hood scoop as the regular plastic scoop can have distortion from the underhood temps being too high. Had an '08 loaner the other day and it had at least a 1/16" sag in the middle of the scoop. It is a warranty item - but senseless.

I am also glad I got the MINI Hi Fi although the true sound fans tend to trash it a bit. It sounds much better than the stock unit and I believe that the 2010's (at least those arriving after Dec I've heard) will be Harman Kardon.

I am not sure which seat you are getting but ai have the sport seats with the lumbar support adjustment and it is a lot more comfortable to me than the standard seat w/o the lumbar.

The rain sensing wipers work well.

Sounds like a great JCW is coming your way. Happy (future) Motoring!!

 

I would call and get a get a quote from other socal dealerships heard bob smith overprices, try south bay, monrovia and new dealership in ontario might give at msrp since they are new.

 

Thanks for all the fed back. Bob Smith now is at sticker,Universal was $2000 over or more on Works cars. A family member got two Mini S's from South Bay @ sticker over the last five years. How ever when she goes in for service, the only way for her to get a loaner is to go to the dealer that she bought from I.E. South bay. They are at least 25 miles from me,unlike Bob Smith that is about 5 miles. Is this not true?

 

i think only getting a loaner from the original dealer is utter BS.

Buy from whoever isnt marking them up.

The configuration you listed above sounds great. Do it

 

I'd call MINI directly and ask for the offical MINI loaner policy to cut through the BS.

BMW dealers have for years insinutated that only those that bought their cars from that dealer get a loaner when in fact it is BMW policy that you get a loaner. The dealer may give out the BMW loaners to those that bought from them and put other customers that bought from another dealer in non-BMW rental but transportation is required.

I am not sure what MINI's offical policy is but I would find out as this is an area where the sales departements can be a little "creative" when they are trying to get you to buy from them.

 

I know you said you aren't looking for comfort, but full leather seats are MUCH easier to clean, especially on a daily driver. Getting stains out of cloth is a pain! Happy motoring, sounds like it will be a nice MINI.

 

mini doesnt officially have a loaner policy it is at the discression of the dealership. I know some dealerships dont give loaners unless you bought from them; however, south bay gives you a loaner as long as you make an appointment and request one.

 

Good to hear that South Bay makes the service experience more convenient for its customers.

With sales and service generally being two separate profit centers I would think that most service departments would appreciate the work - but I guess that is not always the case. My nearest BMW dealer (for the wife's 530) doesn't play the "buy from me or no loaner" game - they provide loaners to all service customers as you do at Southbay.

Are you guys covered up in clunkers yet?

 

we try to make it as convenient as possible!

clunkers... we've got em! lots of them!

 

I drive past Universal, Alexander and Bob Smith in order to get to South Bay. Well worth the extra 30 miles IMHO! I have heard good things about Alexander but had bad experiences from the other two. In fact I bought both my MINIs from Amanda ^ and had great purchasing experiences both times. She took great care of me and my family (below MSRP both times). I never would have thought that I would buy 2 cars from the same dealership let alone the same salesperson. And up until a couple of months ago MINI was the only car she's ever driven (I still can't believe she sold her GP!) so she's very knowledgeable. Anyway, I say SB is at least worth a look. Good luck!