exactly my thinking...one dealer, who lied to me about a lot of things including the Paceman flying off their lot so fast they can't keep them in stock, told me that all their new Minis are sold and the only one I could have is the base bare bones demo they had or I'd have to order one. I would've believed that except two other dealers told me they have a number of available ones coming in and getting one wouldn't be an issue.

 

If mpg is a major consideration, you may want to consider the non-S F56; it is rated for better mileage than any R56-derived model.

(On the other hand: new model BMW = teething pains. The first safety recall has already hit.)

You may be pleasantly surprised. The beetle (both current and last model) are very friendly to very large drivers.

 

You might want to qualify that statement by explaining it was limited to a very small subset of Coopers and that MINI has already shipped replacement parts prior to any official delivery dates.

 

I'm 6’3” ish, and pushing close to enormous. Think offensive-lineman-sized.

The Golf, my knee hit the steering wheel when my foot was on the brake.

The Smart I haven't sat in since I bought my last car, but it still has no tilt, and I couldn't get under the steering wheel. I did try the IQ with the same results.

The Yaris I was fine with back in 2006, but I felt I was right up against the side window this year. I had to keep my elbow tucked in hsrd. I had dismissed it last time because of the body roll.

The Mitsibushi and Spark, were like the Yaris, and worse. I couldn't close the door in the Mitsubishi.

I drove an Acura Integra for about 12 years and the Scion TC is like a clone of it, I was quite confortable in it. I lean the seat back, probably more than is safe. I expect the BRZ/FR-S would be similar.

The CR-Z felt a bit odd, like it was a long way to reach to the steering wheel. I felt tense, I think it was just the traffic, but it could have been the driving position. I really liked that car. I like CVT, the R50 you can see in the attachment in my previous post was a CVT, I loved everything about that car.

I fit in the Fiat without a sunroof, but I will think I would fit in the Abrath if I tilt the seat.

 

The Mini sport seats will be a bad thing for you. The side bolsters on the seat and the back of the seat hold me pretty tight and I'm 5'10" 160 lbs.

 

They're adjustable. I'm 6'2'' and unfortunately pushing 200lbs right now and they fit perfectly.

 

How do you adjust them?

I sat in an F56 with sports seats a couple of weeks ago and it felt very tight.

 

I don't want to, actually. It happens only on the three-cylinder F56, yes, but there are plenty of customers in the UK and Europe who have received their cars in the past couple months who will need the fix. (The US launch was delayed due to UK/EU demand, according to BMW. Someone was buying those cars ) There also are US customers who already have taken delivery of F56 Coopers, as MINI USA itself confirmed – although, to be fair, they do call it a "very small number".

The history of owners on this forum has established beyond any reasonable doubt that the first model years of new MINI designs have problems; we see the same thing in BMW forums.

We've just seen the first problem occur. So the old pattern appears to remain in effect. So, I stand by what I wrote: New model BMW = teething pains.

I'm very glad BMW found this early. But it's real and it's significant. If not noticed by the owner, a gasket leaking coolant can lead to the engine overheating and damaging itself. Running an engine with insufficient coolant is a recipe for a warped head at best, and a fire at worst.

I hope I don't sound too terribly disagreeable — but BMW model teething pains is a real thing.

(Perhaps it's inevitable with smaller production volumes, which justify less development cost, and product engineering focused on performance more than reliability. Maybe BMW is content to fix problems in the field; maybe this lets them design and go into production faster and with less cost. Your guess is as good as mine, if not better.)



Anyhow. I look forward to returning to the usual F56 enthusiasm now. The design has grown on me and I can't wait to test drive one. But I'll be hanging onto my Clubman for a few more years yet.

 

There is a round dial on the inside top portion of the seat that does the adjustment.

 

Technically, I guess, since they can't actually release them to customers yet :P

 

True, but they do not have a wait to order one. Cars that have sold at or over MSRP in the past have had dozens of pre-orders at every dealer, I have not seen that in any dealer I have contacted.

This forum shows you the level of interest. I am not knocking the car, I am more than likely buying one, but to pay MSRP or over based off my research is silly.

 

This is why I am going to go with a 3-year lease rather than a longer term loan. I'd prefer to have FULL coverage for the entire time I have the car. I don't want to take any changes of issues cropping up (and expensive repairs) when the warranty expires.

 

It is not likely that dealers will be giving discounts other than the MINI Loyaty/College Grad/USAA discounts. Not on a brand new model like this. Some might, but I doubt it will be many. To pay over MSRP is crazy.

 

Yeah I'd have to tell them to drop dead and go to their competition. That's how I ended up at MINI. VW is next door, I wanted a GTI. Their attitude of their cars made me leave, and drive back through laughing in my new MINI as I left from the purchase. I was going to buy a GTI that day, but fuggem.

 

To be clear, the service bulletin for the oil filter housing concern applies to both B38M (3-cyl) and B48M (4-cyl) F56 motors. All models are stop sale and replacement parts are now arriving at the dealer to correct those vehicles already in customer hands. It is not a safety recall but a stop order to update a part that MAY cause a problem. (similar to the 7-series e-brake switch and the new X5 had one as well) It is important to note that there has not been one reported failure, leak, damage, accident or otherwise. I applaud MINI for taking such quick action on making it right (customers inconvenienced will receive a $250 credit toward accessories or apparel).

As for keeping your '09 Clubman S, I applaud your loyalty to the N14 engine. Speaking of teething pains - there wasn't more that could have gone wrong with that motor! I would rather have the updated N18 or definitely these newer B38M/B48M engines any day. Even the W11 motor is an improvement!

Wait and buy a 2016 model, with some bugs worked out and the new 9HP transmission.

And it is ridiculous (to get back on topic) that ANY dealer is charging over MSRP.

 

"Loyalty" is a strong term. The N14 is the worst engine in MINI's brief history. The. Worst. Tomorrow morning I'm borrow in my wife's CMS to go to the dealer and buy a new thermostat for my clubby. Never again buying a car with a French-designed and built engine.

The only nice thing I can say about the N14 is that it's many, many failure modes are now well understood.

Love my Clubman, but not her engine. I've considered trading her in for an N18-based LCI clubbie or a Countryman. (I do enjoy driving my wife's!) But I've decided to wait for the F-series to get a couple model years history to work out the bugs, then trade for the rumored 4-door hatch or next gen Clubman (if they don't screw it up — that Clubman Concept has a seriously fugly rear end.)

Indeed. And I shall pay under MSRP!

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

At Vista they're asking for MSRP+$399 "paint protection package"+$699 'dealer fee.

 

If there were truth-in-invoicing laws, that would read:

Spray-on wax: $399.00
Pay us to fill out the paperwork we have to do anyway: $699.00


Can't believe throwbacks like this still exist.

 

What, no undercoating?

 

Yes, it is pretty great. The thing I didn't know when I tried to sit in the Golf is that the steering column is telescopic.

Well, now I'm so close to buying an F56 and I'm having second thoughts.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with Bob on this one.