I'm waiting on my new '06 MCS, but when I was thinking about what I wanted, I noticed that it seemed like there were quite a few used Minis on the market. That kind of worries me. Why are people selling them when they're only a year or two old? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

I think many people want to get this year's MINI since the '07 is supposed to do away with the supercharger and go to a turbo, and because the current engine is supposed to become a Peugeot engine...at least that's what I have heard [somebody correct me if I am wrong, ok?].

 

Yeah, there were substantial upgrades, especially to the MCS in '05 and '06, revised gearing, and others... as well as many reliability upgrades throughout the years. There are a lot of people who are trying to get '06s to take advantage of all the updates, before it dissappears and the brand new (with new problems of its own) '07 comes out.

You should easily be able to do some searches to read testamony from people who have upgraded to '05 or '06 models from previous Mini's, and the loss of the supercharger (to a turbocharger) for many is saddening :(

 

I sold my '02 MC to buy an '05 MCS with LSD (Limited Slip Differenntial).

 

the LSD is the stuff

 

I agree...many of the used MINIs you are seeing for sale are being replaced by the last year model of this MINI platform. Not to worry! And welcome to NAM!

 

I sold my 2003 MCS, and will take delivery of 2006 MCS at the end of February. There were some good, and bad things. I wanted the LSD, better gearing, new warrenty, and some options that I did not get with the first car. ( ie. cruise control ). The bad thing was I could no longer get the Electric Blue color that I had on the 2003, as it was dropped at the end of 2005 model year. I had very few problems with the 2003 car. I am not thrilled with the changes that will come with the 2007 model. I can't say that the 2007 car will be better, or worse than the current MINI, we will all have to wait and see.

 

Plus, you're just starting to see a lot of MINIs come of leases. Go back 3 years, that's feb of 03, and you see a ton of importing going on.

 

Thanks to all who replied. I feel much better now. Just one more question. Being new to the wonderful world of Mini-ing, and to NAM, I'm still trying to figure out a lot of the acronyms y'all use. For instance, LSD. I've always thought that was a recreational drug! Help me out here. What is LSD in the Mini context?

 

If I could sell my 02 and keep some of the mods for an 06 and not get hurt too bad , I think I would

 

Just sold my 03 Cooper and will be taking delivery of my 06 MCS late this month. There was nothing bad/wrong with the Cooper. I just wanted to change to an S before the 07s came out and before Purple Haze was discontinued.

 

I don't think you'll see any more Minis than you do any other car for sale on the market. and so I don't see any need to worry.

 

LSD is limited slip differential, it's an option that wasn't available until '04 I believe. Many got aftermarket LSD's before that, and they cost a pretty penny to have installed. LSD's are more common in sport cars and are often attributed with making cars able to accelerate better out of turns. Do a search for LSD's and you'll find that the earlier LSD's in the Mini had some problems with noise that was fixed by certain transmission oil/fluid being used. Apparently they have addressed the issue but have not announced officially that there was a problem, only how to fix it at the dealerships.

 

LSD added with January '05 builds.

 

Welcome to NAM!! When I saw your question I was going to say people are selling 02/03 etc to buy newer. If you do a search you will find someone is selling their MINI to get a new one with the color they want as the color has been discontinued.

There is a list here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...light=acronyms

Earl

 

Many thanks to Muggy and all who responded. It's good to know we aren't talking about lysergic acid diethylamide! Wish I had found this site before I ordered my Mini, I would have been a lot better educated. I'm still pumped, though, & can't wait to pick it up. Motor on!

 

Awww...you're gonna have sooo much fun with your new MINI...and insodoing, you'll become one with the rest of us....