If you had asked me a few months ago if I would lease a new MINI when my current lease expired I wouldn't have even thought about it. Of course I was going to get another MINI. MY 2012 MCS is the most fun car I have ever driven and I love it. But as the time got closer to order the new one, I found myself having reservations. I just don't like the new styling and the price of an MCS the way I want it got me to thinking about other options. Today I drove a BMW 228i and tomorrow I'm going to place the order. It's an awesome car, just as fun as the MINI and in some respects even more fun. It's a lot faster (0-60 in 4.9 to 5.4 depending on who you believe, versus 6.4 or so for the MCS), just as responsive even with standard suspension, a lot more refined, much quieter inside, and you can get options that even JCW owners can only dream about. Incredibly, it's also about the same price, but of course you can drive that price way up with options. I can get a 228i with the Track Handling Package that includes M series adaptive suspension, M series sport brakes, variable sport steering and Michelin Pilot Super Sport NON-run flats on lightweight 18" wheels for less than $500 more than I was quoted for my well equipped 2015 MINI S ($33,487 for the BMW with Track Package). The standard equipment on the 228i is much more impressive than on the MINI. I'm also ordering the Premium Package which takes the price much higher than a MINI, but you really don't need that stuff, I just want it. I'm going to miss the hatch and most of all I'm going to miss the MINI "lifestyle", but in the end, I decided that MINI left me no choice. I'm excited about the new car but I'm sad that it isn't a MINI. I wish they would have left well enough alone with the styling and that they didn't push the price so high that a BMW was an excellent alternative.

 

So the Cliff Notes are that you lost interest in the 2014-15 MCS, and decided instead to get a BMW 228i. Enjoy it. Buy what you like, and like what you buy.

 

So many cars, so little time. Drive as many as you can.

 

Enjoy the 2-series. It will probably be a lot of fun. But they are far from ".... about the same price." As far as I can tell the 2-series as you configured it is $41.7K and not 'well equipped' which is slightly over $8K more then the well-equipped MCS. I don' think most people would cross shop these two cars but if you like the 2-series and don't mind paying for it than go for it and enjoy.

 

Well...You're staying in the family at least.

I too cross-shopped the F56 S and the 228i..but loaded up there was at least a 10k difference and I could not justify it, so I went with the loaded Mini. As I do not like driving stripper specials, I have no regrets.

I wish you many happy miles with 228i though...nice car for sure.

 

Well, be happy with your choice, but no way they are "about the same price".


Having come from a string of BMWs, IMO the MCS is a very fun car, at least as much if not more fun than my 135i. If I were getting a 2 Series, it would be the M235i, no question.

 

The M235i is selling at sticker which is 48-49K because of supply and demand. The 218i with Track Package is a very good middle of the road performance option. The 218i is plenty quick and the M235i has power that you won't use 98% of the time.

 

My MINI build priced out at $34,222 (sport and loaded packages, HK sound, auto, cross punch leather seats) and the dealer offered $1,000 off MSRP. A comparably equipped 228i was $38,000 with a $2,000 discount so the difference is about $2,800. The bimmer has a lot more power, eight way electrically adjustable seats, an 8 speed electronic auto transmission, 17" wheels standard, much nicer leather seats, and gas shocks. Not bad for $2,800. Having said all this, I'm still sad about returning Habanero (my MCS). I don't think I'll be naming my BMW.

 

Enjoy. Two totally different cars. Totally different vibe.

But if you're happy, we're happy for you.

 

You're right. It's the vibe that I'm sad about. I'm sure I'll enjoy the 228i but it isn't a MINI.

 

Looks like a great car. I find it hard to believe it's "comparably equipped" at that price, other than the wheels and suspension. Having been in the BMW world for a while, they have a habit of making everything an extra. Awesome engine in that car.

 

Yeah, I understand the sadness. I started looking at a new car about a year ago, test driving several. After everyone, when I got back in my 09 MCS, I found myself going "nice car, but it's just not a Mini".

Sure the F56 changed (many don't like and aren't shy about saying so), but you still come away with the Mini "vibe".

Your new car will be different but great.

And if the sadness doesn't pass, we will always welcome you back

Not to mention that all former and future (even possible) owners are always welcome to drop on by at our Mini events and our Mini forums. So, don't be a stranger.

But be safe in that new rocket!

 

Devil's advocate here--where is it written that you have to lease a new car? Why not buy a lightly used MINI, something pre-F56? Makes a lot of sense compared to losing all that depreciation money. If warranty's the issue, get something CPO.

Personally, I'd never rent a car for 3 years, but that's me. I tend to keep my cars 7 to 10 years, or more. Then again, I don't like car payments. YMMV.

 

 

Looks like I am not the only one! I also looked at 228i when my '14 Justa was delayed for unknown reason at VDC back in July/August. Coming from a 4-door Japaneses sedan background, either cars are heaven for me performance-wise. I didn't pull the trigger simply because of pricing. My perception based on advertisement here in SF Bay Area was that 2 series wasn't discounted as much as 3 series, ie: some 10%+ off MSRP.

 

Been there - done that with the pricier but, for me, soul less larger German drives. Premium:check, higher price:check - bored of the car within 12 months and aghast at the devaluation:CHECK.
This time, I've found a car that I want to keep and that stirs my inner driver every damn time I get in it. It's a Mini in a sea of flash Teutonic cages. Most of the drivers in these cages are just going from A to B not even sure of the car they are driving.
I hope your choice thrills you and by all means, make sure you keep it because the devaluation will be staggering if you decide you would prefer the JCW next year

 

I was looking into BMW 228i before ordering a MINI Hardtop for leasing. Price difference wasn't that big if I added things I wanted on the MINI, but then decided to not spend all that on packages, so I went for a MINI Hardtop base with only auto trans and Sports package.
I think the having a small car (smaller than F56 won't work though) with pretty much basic features will be very fun. Hopefully it's problem free (but I'm getting worried reading horror stories on reliability), then I'll buy it at end of lease.

If OP liked this car so much, why not just buy it and keep it?

 

Honestly, the MINI was the first car I ever leased and I've bought lot of cars over my lifetime. I leased it because of my concerns about long term reliability (which came mostly from reading this board) and the outrageous cost of repairs (BMW parts and labor prices). I don't mind the car payment so much because it's the only recurring payment I have (other than mortgage and utility bills).

 

You're right about the 2 Series not being discounted as much as the 3 Series, or other series for that matter. The M238i isn't discounted at all and you're lucky to get it for sticker (which approaches $50,000). The 2 Series turned out to be a more popular car than BMW anticipated and supply isn't meeting demand. There are only about 6 2015 2 Series cars on lots in all of the LA area. I got about a 5% discount on mine about $400 over invoice) and I'm happy with that. The 3 Series isn't as much of a "driver's car" as the 2 Series. "Squishier" handling and less "oomph" because it has the same engine with more weight.

 

I looked into buying my car at the end of the lease, but I can't. The MINI residual percentage is so high that the buy price at the end is more than the car is worth (book value). In my case by over $2,000. The high residual percentage makes the lease attractive because it lowers your payments, but it makes buying the car at the end very unattractive. As for the fun, you will no doubt have fun with your new MINI. As I said in my OP, it is the most fun car I have ever driven. The styling just didn't do it for me on the F56, but that's a matter of personal preference. Many people love it and think it's nicer than the R56. I won't argue with them because it's a matter of taste just as it was when the R56 was introduced. Many R53 owners thought it was a monstrosity, but I liked it. Enjoy your new MINI and I hope I enjoy my new 228i. Who knows, maybe in three years I'll be in a JCW.

 

I hear ya, Diana. I had a 335i before my MINI. I think the 228i with the Track Package (M variable steering, M brakes and M adaptive suspension) will "stir my inner driver" and keep the car from being a "Teutonic cage" that instills boredom, but only time will tell. I'm not concerned about the depreciation because I'm leasing.

 

You don't escape depreciation just because you are leasing. It's a factor in your pymt amount and the residual. There is no avoiding dep'n.

 

Sadly, an F56 isn't very 'mini' either.

 

Yes, I understand it's factored into the residual percentage, but the percentage on the 228i is 59% (36 mos/15K) and, if I recall correctly, is was 62% on the MINI, so not a huge difference. The residual has as much to do with what cars they want to move and how much they want to push leasing as it does actual anticipated depreciation. I saw the sheets at the dealership and there were some BMW models that were as low as 42% and some as high as 64%.

 

BMW and mini have among the highest residuals in the auto business.

The larger BMW's depreciate like mad though. You can get a 7 series CPO for a steal. 90k car for 40 or so after 2-3 years.