Hello everyone and thanks for reading my post.

I plan on buying a Mini Convertible and can't decide whether on a used one or new one. Here's what I found.

An 06 JCW with 6k miles for 27k plus tax ($1,500 more if I take their 3yr warranty) or an 09 JCW new - price was $37,950 dropped to $35,500 plus tax and anything else the dealer throws in there.

So besides the 7grand more or $120 to $140 more a month. Is buying the new one worth it? What are the major differences in the redesign? Does the new one ride smoother? Have better handling? Better performance? Did the quality of the car improve? Are the new ones more reliable? etc???

Please enlighten me?

Keep in mind that I have not driven neither one of these cars. I have driven an 08 S (non convertible) at the dealer and I was impressed. I don't know anything about these cars. I've owned cars with superchargers and driven cars with turbos.

hogrules

 

You need to drive both. They're both MINIs and have the same go-kart like feel, but the similarities end there. Read the reviews on MotoringFile.com comparing the two. The 2009 Convertible (R57) was designed on the new R56 body (which is the body style of the 08 S you drive), is smoother, quieter, has more amenities. Quality isn't too far off. The 2006 JCW engine has it's unique supercharged characteristic, but it's not to everyone's liking.

 

Why not look at a new S (not JCW) would save some $$$.

 

Although JCW is more expensive it would give me the performance I'm looking for. I don't have the money to put down and buy mods. Mods would be many years down the road. Also I plan on financing most of the price tag.

After reading a few reviews and comparisons, I'm leaning toward the new one. It seems you get more from the factory installed JCW than the dealer one. Also some changes to suspension and differential were made. And Most say its a smoother ride and or more comfortable.

Both cars are about 100 miles from me and of course in opposite directions. I hope to test drive them both some time next week.

The difference in price between new and used is still making me think about. So will see. Thanks and keep the comments coming.

Has anyone sat in both of these cars and compared the room in the rear seats?

hogrules

 

"the room in the rear seats"

I have an '06 JCW convertible. There is NO room in the rear seats -- not for anyone with legs, anyway.

 

Wow that stinks. I have had a chance to sit in the 09 S Convertible at the Philly car show and I must admit I was impressed with the room from a car this small. My wife and I sat in the front (I'm 5'7" ; she's 5'3") and my 20yr old daughter with her boyfriend sat in the back. (she's 5'5" ; he's 5'11"). We moved the seats in the front so that everyone was comfortable. It was a little tight for him but do-able especially for short rides. I then switched places with my daughter. Her in the drivers seat and her boyfriend and I in the back. Again it was tight for our shoulders but not too bad for our legs. Top was down of course. So I guess the new one has more room in the back.

hogrules

 

I keep both front seats in my '06 pushed all the way back -- necessary for me to drive (I'm a bit over 6'), but not on the passenger side. I suppose if the passenger seat were pulled forward a person could still sit there comfortably with somebody sitting in the back seat on that side. I don't know, however, how comfortable that would be either in the front or back, because I have never tried it.

 

Does anyone know how many inches of rear seat room the newer one has over the older model?

 

I would not let rear seat room be a very significant decision maker. The two cars are different in many more important ways. You probably don't have a lot of time to browse around the forums reading a lot, so I'll give you my OPINION. If "visceral" at the cost of comfort doesn't scare you away, and if the idea of enjoying the sound of your car every time (and this means after 60K) you drive it grabs you, then go for the 06. If comfort and refinement are more appealing, the R57 is probably what you should get. I have an R52, and I hope I get to drive it for the rest of my life.

 

You make a good point. Which is why the 06 is still very appealing. The car will not be a daily driver. Weekend and days off for the most part. I'd rather take performance over comfort. I'm not saying that the 09 would not a well performer most if not all reviews were positive. I'm saying that the feeling of a supercharged car is different than a turbo. And if I understand you correctly I think you prefer the feeling of the supercharged as well. Which is why I can't wait to test drive them both. Could someone tell me what is missing in the 06 JCW from the newer factory installed version? I ask because maybe some of the money saved in buying the 06 could be spent in mods similar to the 09.

hogrules

 

The dependability of the MINI's improved in the later year models. Check out Consumer Reports for frequency of repair stats. Both the '06 and the second generation MINI's are pretty good. The '09 convertible has the same mechanicals as the '07 and later MCS hatchbacks.

I have the '09 MCS Convertible and I absolutely love the extremely wide torque band of the new turbo. The supercharger sounds cool and has a very linear power response but the turbo kicks in massive amounts of torque just off idle.

The new turbo engines are highly advanced, direct injected gasoline units and they are more efficient and very responsive - particularly with the way BMW set up the turbo. Direct injection provides better control of the combustion process and better cooling of the combustion chamber, lower emissions, higher mileage and more responsive power. The exhaust feed to the turbo is dual scroll and they gang the exhaust from two cylinders into each turbo inlet. All this tech jargon to say they have effectively removed turbo larg. Punch it in any gear at almost any RPM and you are pressed back into the seat.

Don't know if you are going manual or auto but the 6 speed manual is wonderful and very easy to shift.

I have sat in the back seat of both an '06 and my '09 convertible and I can't tell any difference in leg room (other other room) at all. I am over 6' tall and I have had 4 grown adults in the car for a short 25 minute rides - even with the top up. You have to move the front seats forward a bit to share the leg room but you can do it for short trips.

The new engine was developed along with Pegueot and Citroen and the '06 engine was developed with Chrysler but both have been good engines.

One notable difference between 1st and 2nd gen convertibles is the new generation has pop up roll bars and the 1st generation's roll bars are fixed. The feel with the top down is a little different. The 2nd generation top can also be operated at up to 20 mph. Sounds silly until it starts to rain and you are approaching a redlight!! Comes in really handy and encourages you to go top down even if conditions are a little iffy.

I agree with davavd = go for the earlier generation if you want a little more raw experience and the newer turbo units if you value more smoothness and refinement. You will have a blast with either car.

One thing you did not mention is does the used car have the BMW Next warranty to 100,000 miles or is it a private seller?

Happy Motoring!!

 

Wow!!! Thanks for your response and input. You guys are great!!!!

Thanks for the info about rear leg room and how you felt sitting there.
I was a little concerned with turbo lag since most of the turbo cars I've driven are older ones and most have had lag. I definitely want a manual transmission.

The use one is being sold by a small dealer salesman said the factory BMW warranty is transferable but did not know the Lent of the warranty. He said he would have to call BMW, give them the Vin to find out. He also said I could also buy a third party warranty if I wanted.

Does BMW charge for there 100,000 warranty on the new cars? If so how much?

hogrules