I have been trying to decide what I should buy to replace my 06 TSX and have made up my mind to go with the JCW this past weekend. After debating between the JCW, BMW 1 series, Golf VI GTI, (and new Golf R coming stateside), used Allroad, Used S4 Wagon. . .etc, etc. . This car is really what I am looking for. I had the opportunity to purchase one 4 yrs ago but didn't pull the trigger due to job requirements and driving. I regret it to this day.

The only thing I need to find out now is what color, what options, and can I get this car for under MSRP--my local motoring advisor says "No" but I think otherwise. . .what are your experiences??? Did you get the extended warranty? Dlrshp says 8 weeks to build--is that about right? Why or why not? Right now I'm thinking PW/B or BRG/B for colors.

Option-wise, I'm looking to get the JCW w/ Aero Kit, HID's, rear Fogs, Bluetooth--(i guess there are like 3 opt to choose from out there??--gotta go w/out the arm rest) and STD check cloth --maybe redline interior. My lease is up in March--so I have plenty of time to do my research and figure out what I want to get

I WISH I could get that Connaught Green on the F1 MINI--but thats not an option. I don't really care for the std rims the car comes with and want to either get some powder-coated, plasti-dipped, or buy after-market in black/titamium finish.

Are there any options you would/would not get again? This will be my DD. I guess anything big I buy will need to be delivered!! I like the CF bits but $$$ is ridiculous-- and how many of you actually only service your JCW per MINI's guidelines--(15k for 1st oil change?? )

I'm most excited about the enthusiast community and becoming part of that. I am a gear head myself and recently got rid of a custom 76 BMW 02 set up for autox and track--The MINI seems to be the only one of a few cars out there with such a direct and involving driving experience that I want.

-what colors are the least popular??? Maybe I'll go that route--and does anybody know how many JCW's they built for 2009 both worldwide and for the United States--I like the fact that it has some exclusivity to it.

Sorry to ramble. . .but I'm pretty excited I made a decision on this car- -- It's a big achievement for me to get to this point--I think I will be even happier when I pick her up!!
Thats all for now--

 

the chance of getting under MSRP depends a lot on the dealer. It's easier to deal with something on the lot than custom order though...

No clue on the color.

No clue on numbers, but a lot of that depends on where you are. Where I live (SF Bay Area), Minis are very, very common. It's not uncommon to have three (or sometimes more) at an red light at an intersection. Other parts of the country differ for sure.

My wife and I got our second Mini last year, and I think that a lot of the packages combine options I like with ones I don't. Make sure that you check out getting the options you want "a la carte" as opposed to the packages to get just the car if you do a custom order.

If you're thinking about aftermarket wheels, definantly stay away from the packages that upgrade the wheels. Getting some aftermarket wheels and good tires will really transform the car so why waste money buying upgraded wheel/tire combos?

Anyway, I'm sure that you'll find a million opinions on what you can/should do, just get what makes you happy!

Matt

ps, I think you'll like the Mini experience, welcome to the club!

 

I was just wondering that myself today. I won't say that the color of my 07 MCS is not "popular" I just think it is less common. Maybe because it looks so nasty on the configurator But once I saw Sparkling Silver in person, I switched from wanting to order an Astro Black (which looked like a really dark blue) to the SS and haven't regretted it a bit. Its not a color for everyone, but you should definitely check it out (in person, cuz it isn't done justice in many photos, and like I said, on the configurator it looks horrible!).

 

So why did you rule out the Golf R? Just can't wait?

 

Regarding colors, I just bought a PW/B Clubman and I love it. I doubt that it's a rare color though, I believe they've offered PW for several years, and BRG as well. I'm no expert, but I believe they often offer a JCW-only color, so if you want rare that's probably the ticket.

 

Let's just say that it will never have the same driving dynamics as the MINI--It will probably weigh at least 3400lbs w/ the AWD--and htere are just too many horror stories w/VW reliabliity--not that the MINI doesn't have issues too. But the MINI to me seems more driver-focused--less of a GT car--and I feel more connected while driving it. . .

 

Didn't get extended warranty. Would only consider if it were with BMW and not an independent company.

Took a lot less than 8 weeks for me but that was before they started the 2010 build and my dealer was able to reconfigure an existing production slot (large dealer).

I changed oil at 1800 miles and will change every 7500-8000 miles. I changed manual transmission fluid to Red Line MTL at 1800 miles (shifts even better - and was great before).

For sales info try www.motoringfile.com - lots of info. If you play two dealers against each other you can get some off of MSRP but sales are recovering and don't know how long this will continue. MINI used to NEVER discount before the world economy went into the dumper last year.

I got all 4 packages (no restraint shown here) and I really like the comfort option - key fob stays in pocket, the sport seats have lumbar and are more comfortable to me, I like the upgraded stereo and the 2010 upgraded stereo is even better I hear. I wish I had gotten the option that ran the iPod cord to the "secret compartment" above the glove compartment - mine plugs into the front of the console. The xenons are a must in my opinion. I like the chrome or you get a gray plastic surround around gauges etc. I wish I had paid the $100 for the rear fogs just to eliminate the cheezy blank plates. The rain sensing wipers are nice and I like having the garage door opener built into the rear view mirror. I dumped the runflats (see signature) - much smoother and quieter ride but still handles very well. I have the convertible so the seat heat was a must have - they are typical BMW - fast warm up. I like the 17" wheels- got the web spoke but undersand you may go aftermarket. The auto HVAC is OK - not a must have - but it is pretty nice although the temperature you set does not perfectly match the cabin temp IMO. Got sports package but did not get the sports suspension. This is my daily driver and I read some reviews where the reviewer thought the ride was too harsh. One of the car mags tested a JCW and felt that the sports suspension on a JCW was too harsh - this is all opinion but in a DD I would test drive one if you want to go with a very stiff suspension before I would order it.

In conclusion, I sold my beloved BMW 3 series convertible to get my MINI convertible and I have had the MINI since June and still look for an excuse to drive the MINI. These are agile little BMW's at heart with the heritage of the Mini - wide, low center of gravity and wheels at the far corners = most fun car I have ever owned. Happy Motoring!!

 

I have the Ipod option and would not recommend it. I always run my Ipod on aux and just control songs with the ipod instead of the radio. The interface sucks. I do like the blue tooth though.

Good luck

 

Do you also have factory NAV? Because it is a lot nicer using the iPod with the NAV with everything all integrated (once you get your playlists set up, of course).

 

Here is what I got on mine:
Sport. Cold Weather, Covienence and Premium packs
Chrome Line interiror
Cloth seats
Anthracite Headliner
Xenons
Rooster Red colorline
Saddle bag
Rubber mats
Rubber boot mat
JCW stage 1 kit [just added]

Biggest regret was not adding the rear fog. There is nothing i regret getting on the build. Of all the cars I've owned, only my '88 Isuzu Impulse Turbo comes close the fun factor of the MINI. I've had it for 19 months and still find reasons to drive

"What honey? You need somthing from the store? I'LL get it" NOTE: the route to our local Kroger is on a five mile, twisty road.

 

You say "I feel more connected..." but you've never driven a Golf R, nor has anyone else besides VW test drivers. They could really nail it and create a great driver's car. I hold out hope.

 

And if you do decide to go MINI, wait for the mid-cycle refresh in the 2010 cars next fall.

 

waiting is tough

 

Well, I just got back from the stealership and I was even more anxious to get an order in soon. They said they would even swap the black bullet 5 spokes that come on the convertible only onto the JCW for me in place of the challenge spokes. I'm leasing a car currently, and the lease is up in about 4 months--they suggest I buy out the lease and then sell the car myself or trade it in so I don't loose as much $$--I'm over the alloted mileage by quite a bit.

At any rate, I read today about the 2010/2011 refresh and it looks like they will be fixing the playskool dash and some other interior disappointments as well as possibly bumping HP. Now I feel like I should wait until March (Geneva Motor Show) to see what the refresh will bring/improve. The other possibility is that they will bring over a non-metallic green (like the Connaught Green on the R50 MINI in the UK) over here--thats the color I really want!!!!

I'm not sure what to do now--I mean I could wait forever for something that may never happen. But if they truly improve the interior and some other things. . .I would probably be ticked that I didn't wait. . . Not sure what to do!!

Test drove the Clubman JCW since they didn't have a JCW hardtop available and I loved it. . . The shorter wheelbase and lighter Hardtop will be perfect for me. . .but the Clubman gave me a good idea of what to expect .. .