I'm currently a prospective Mini owner, looking to bounce some questions & thoughts off of the current owners in the area. Thanks in advance for listening!

-Been looking at used Minis and the resale values seem very high. Does scheduled maintenance carry over to a new owner if purchased from a private party / carmax / dealer?
-When did the mini's undergo the mid-model changes ('04 or '05?)
-Any thoughts if resales will drop when the new Mini is introduced?
-LSD vs. non-LSD for street and occassional DE events?

Thanks!!

 

-Been looking at used Minis and the resale values seem very high. Does scheduled maintenance carry over to a new owner if purchased from a private party / carmax / dealer?

....-I think yes. 3years 36k miles for scheduled maintence.

======
-When did the mini's undergo the mid-model changes ('04 or '05?)
... 05
=====
-Any thoughts if resales will drop when the new Mini is introduced?
.....maybe but maybe not.
======
-LSD vs. non-LSD for street and occassional DE events?
... you want the LSD if you are thinking about DE and Autocross.

John

 

when i installed a quaife (LSD) on my gti it was a whole new world, i couldn't pass up ordering a mini with one.

i found these 2 threads interesting.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=62371

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=47140

 

Chesapeake there are so many options and choices when configuring your MINI that it will eventually drive you nuts. I did the same thing in looking at used ones and the more I looked at used ones and built new ones at miniusa the more I wanted to get one brand new. The 07's are totally new and I am still not sure about them myself but I do know that I love my 06. Where are you located and have you made an appointment for test drives yet?

 

Hey VW - I used to live in Columbia, out here in Annapolis right now. Where did you get your Mini from? Thanks for the threads, I'll check them out.

 

I'm out in Annapolis and haven't scheduled a test drive quite yet. I have been to Tate quite a few times looking over the past few years. Now trying to feel out my options. How does ordering work right now, are the '07's available to be ordered yet / are the '06's out of production?

 

i got it at tate, my dad lives in annapolis so it was kinda cool to stop by his place when i went to the dealership ^_^

i also got free floor mats at tate, and i hear you don't get them at towson.

 

Be aware the 05's had some changes as of January. So there are 05's with the 'old' gearing pre Jan build. As of Jan the new gearing came in a well as the option of the LSD.

 

Speaking as someone who had a successful buy of a nice used MINI at Carmax in Rockville, we can speak to the fact that buying used is good to!
I have had NO problems with getting stuff done at Tate, they even give us a loaner (even though we did NOT buy there, which Sterling won't do for us) As for oil changes and overhauls, I take our Soulfire up to Lucky Dog Garage, since I really like the way they treat our baby, plus they are right down the street from my parents.
But whicever you do decide, WELCOME! We just love new MINI owners!

 

Thanks everyone for the info so far!
Is there any way for me to tell if a used Mini has the LSD? I'm guessing most of them will not since it is a stand alone option.
Any ideas when the '07's will start arriving at dealerships? When is the cutoff for spec'ing a new '06, or has that time come and gone?

Thanks!

 

im pretty sure if you jack both front wheels off the ground you can rotate one wheel and the one on the opposite side will spin the opposite direction. i haven't tested myself yet =P

you might be able to look up the options a car has with the vin #? not sure where though.


if i where you, i would call a dealer and ask them if you can still order an 06.

 

They have a flyer at Sterling about their new loaner policy. If you did not buy the car there but have at least one billable hour of work done they do provide a Enterprise rental for a day... Double check with them if you're going to avail of this but I'm pretty sure I've got that right. I bought there but I read it carefully to see about other folks who did not buy there. since I knew this came up here before.

 

The new gearing came into play before the LSD did. So my October 04 build has the new gearing, but I couldn't get the LSD (because it wasn't available yet).

 

Oops! Sorry 'bout that. You're quite right of course!

 

Realistically it looks like I won't be looking at a Mini purchase for another few months. I'd say spring '07 is the target timeframe. So that would rule out a new '06, but I should get to see the 2007 models at the dealer...
Used options for me would of course include carmax, dealer and/or private.

Anyone have any thoughts on extended warrantys for used Minis?