Hi, everyone!

I live in Hampton Roads, VA and I'm in the market for my first-ever MINI! I've been trying to read as many threads on NAM as possible, as well as getting info from Edmonds.com, KBB.com and Kiplinger's. The FIRST thing I did after registering was purchase a 2007 NAM calendar and window decal.

I can honestly say that I'm definitely NOT interested in getting a convertible; other than that, I'm torn between the MC & MCS!!!

My favorite colors so far are Purple Haze (too bad it's no longer available!), Hyper Blue, Royal Grey, British Racing Green, Dark Silver & Pure Silver.

Definite "must haves" are:

Cold weather package, premium package, and sport package
Xenon headlights
All-season tires

Optional features:

Chrome Line Exterior inc. Chrome Mirror Caps
Radiator grill bars & boot handle in Chrome (std. on MC, but opt. on MCS)
Chrome Line Interior
Chrome Fuel cap (MCS only)
Bonnet Stripes

Still undecided about whether to lease or finance--I'm not trading in my current car or selling it privately--so if anyone has any tips/advice for the financial aspect, please feel free to share the info or point me in the direction of past threads here on NAM.

I've also been playing around with the "Design & Build Your Own Mini" option on MINIUSA.com for the 2007 MC/MCS.

Quick question...what exactly does R56 mean?

Thanks for letting me introduce myself & I hope to learn a lot from this forum.

 

Welcome to NAM! It's a MINI wonderland of knowledge and good people. There's a thread or two about the R56 look in the MINI Talk thread, I think!

 

Welcome to NAM, JJSV!!! R56 refers to the model number of the next generation of hardtop Coopers and MCSs, beginning with the 2007s. Have fun with your MINI shopping...hope you find the MINI or your dreams! (that's usually how it works out)

 

Welcome to Nam!

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

Great to have another Virginian in the club. My wife and I are relative newcomers to NAM - we took delivery of our MINI Cooper S on Halloween night last year. We shopped for quite a while and settled on an S because of the additional horsepower plus Deb loved the sound of the car when she punched it during the test drive - I created a monster

Either way though - whether you decide on a MINI Cooper or a MINI Cooper S you're getting a terrific automobile - plus you're joining a very exclusive and maniacal group of car enthusiasts. Welcome to the asylum!

 

Do you (or anyone) have a link to those threads?

 

If R56 is the next generation, does that mean a 2006 MC/MCS would be an R55?

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks!

 

Did you buy your MCS off the lot or did you order it?

 

I, too, am researching and working on my configuration. If you are doing any "spirited" driving...look into getting a limited-slip differential. You budget may be limitless, mine in not...yet I'm going to get a LSD. Read the forums about...it will help.

 

Welcome to NAM. There is a ton of info here - the deeper you dig, the more you will find. In answer to your question as to what is R56, I offer the following link

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/05/...ooper_reviewed

Down near the bottom on the right are all the R#s and what they mean.

 

Welcome and Good Luck

 

We ordered ours. Initial paperwork was submitted to MINI of Sterling toward the end of August. We received our production number mid-September and took delivery at the end of October. One of the cool things about the process was being able to track the production and the transportation of our MINI online.

 

Welcome!

Chuck