Hey all,

I have a tough choice ahead of me as I venture down the road to buying a mini and I think you all with your experience may be able to help give me insight to my question.

I have around $24 $25k to spend, but if I can save money all the better. So my question is: Do I get an 05 mini and save money and get more options but get less MPG --OR-- do I get an 06 mini and spend more money and less options but get better MPG, and better safety?

How different are the 05,06,07 minis when it comes to safety? I"m only referring to the Cooper and S, not the MCC.

Thanks all,

Jason Soo

PS. I'm really into bells and whistles (mainly GPS)

 

Really depends what options you'd be giving up and how much you'd miss them. Also, whether you need a car to be to your spec, or you're ok with what you can find used.
I'm a used car buyer, so I'm a bit biased in that way.
It would take quite a while for the gas savings to reach a breakeven point, but again, that depends on the mileage you drive.
I don't think the '07s are any safer, unless you're a pedestrian and get hit by one...

 

07's safety rating went up in the Europe crash tests from a 4 star rating to a 5 star rating.

So yes it is a bit safer according to there tests.. But I mean its just a test..

I would drive both.. They are different.

 

Drive them both. I think you'll find it's a no-brainer.

 

I HAVE an 05 which is the best year, but I'd rathen buy new then used.

 

As it understand it, the 07 is not only more fuel efficient, it's supposed to be faster. But I think my 05 is subjectively a bit more fun to drive. However, if I were to buy a MINI today, I prefer to buy new for the sake of the warranty.

Good luck on your decision.

 

You didn't say if you are looking for a MC or a MCS; that may make a difference. If MC, go for the 07 for the transmission upgrade. The 05 will have either the Midlands 5spd or the CVT auto, both of which have had some serious issues (not all are affected, but enough to get your attention). The 07s get the upgraded MCS 6spd trans, either manual or auto.

 

I thought '02-'04 MC had 5 sp Midlands, '05-'06 had 5 sp Getrag.

 

If you are into more bells & whistles, that is the way I'd go. Nav is a $2100 option on the 07, so that may enter into your analysis. My car, as described below, was about 31000. It's pretty belled and whistled. MPG and safety are supposedly better on the 07, but it isn't exactly like the 05, 06s are gas-guzzling death traps.

 

Depends on your want to mod.
07 will hard to mod for a while. 05 or 06 with some mods will be faster than an 07, at least until the mods start for the 07.

I mostly only buy used to save money, and then I mod. For me the choice would be a discounted new 06 or a used 05 with low miles.

 

Take your pick. The 05 drives like a MINI and the 07 looks like a MINI

Just kidding. If I were to buy one today, I'd find a low mileage 05/06 MCS, probably with JCW bits on it.

But I am truly anxious to see what the tuners do with these new turbo beasts and expect that eventually I will have one. . . .

 

'05 and '06 MC and MCS tintops are basically the same exact cars. Only differences between these 2 years were color availability, factory installed JCW package and other factory issued trim packages. For example, in 2005 you could buy a Jet Black, Liquid Yellow, Electric Blue or Solid Gold and Purple Haze MINI. In 2006, all these colors were discontinued with the exception of Liquid Yellow that continued to be offered only on the NC tintop. In 2005, Hyper Blue replaced the original Indy Blue metallic previously offered since launch in '02. In 2006 new colors were introduced: Royal Gray, Space Blue, Astro Black and Solar Red. Solar Red was short lived and only offered in the Cooper model. In 2006 for the first time, you could order a full factory JCW Cooper S. Also the fairly unpopular Checkmate package was offered in both MC and MCS. '06 also saw the limited edition JCW GP Cooper S model, of which 415 were imported into the US out of a total 2K worldwide production. The '05 and '06 are a bit safer than the '02-'04 MINIs. Some changes were made to the side reinforcement of the car structure, second generation smart airbags were introduced with January 2005 builds (The front passenger airbag automatically shuts off if no one is seating or it adjust deployment force according to passenger size and body weight). 2005 was the "midlife Facelift"of the R50-53 hardtops which coincided with the launch of the R52 MINI Cabrios. There were numerous cosmetic changes (For better or worse) but mechanically, both cars were improved: The Cooper S received a bump from 163HP to 168HP. A second generation JCW-Eaton Supercharger with coated splines. Revised ECU programming and exhaust burble. Also the 6-speed manual transmission received revised gearing. 1st and 3rd gears were shortened for better acceleration from standstill. 2005 also saw the introduction of the optional factory installed LSD and an Aisin derived 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles. The Cooper never received a HP bump but it did get a brand new Getrag sourced 5-speed manual gearbox with shortened ratios. The previous Midland Gears 5-speed was ditched due to less than stellar reliability. The Cooper CVTs are essentially carry overs from 2002 until 2006. The Cooper CVTs saw no mechanical enhancements during their product lives. Hope this helps. The '05 and '06 MINIs are the best of the bunch. Tried and true design and fairly good reliability. Must bugs were worked out by the time these cars were made. The '07 R56 is a new design from the ground up, with totally different engines (Turbocharger instead of Supercharger) and more complex mechanically.. VANOS, direct injection, DOHC, etc. First year reliability issues are a possibility on a new '07. Personally I would wait another year or two until some issues get sort out with the new cars. You'll have the next 5-6 years to buy a new R56. You have almost no chance on getting a R53 which is already considered by some to be a classic. If I were to get a R50 or R53 I would stick with the '05+ model year. If you look around, there are still some dealers in the country with brand new left over R53 MCS hardtops for immediate delivery and possible discounts from MSRP.

 

The '07 R56 MC and MCS are completely different cars from the previous R50-53 generation. As suggested try both to see which one you like best, I personally prefer the look and feel of the previous cars but most others will prefer the refinement and added smoothness of the new generation. It is up to you. Spend quality time with both and don't rush to buy until you are sure about which one you will get.

 

07 MCS Bare bones has alot going for it for the price!Your $25,000 would cover it , tax licence the whole deal.

 

Goto a dealership and DRIVE the two cars... they are very different animals.
I chose getting a CPO '06 (save ~$6K AND get a better warranty...an extra (limited) 50K mi ontop of the std. 50k mi).

The newer R56 ('07) is a biger car, it rides smoother so its responses are dulled a bit IMHO. Yes it gets better mileage, but you trade a turbo for the SC, and they react VERY differently.

Besides the minor (or not so minor dep. on who you ask) exterior differences, the interior is also very different. The nose is higher (to meet euro pedestrian regs), the car overall is bigger (like it was scaled up 10%) various trim changes to windows/intakes... and the key isn't (its a fob only that you insert into dash)...

You may love the newer car.
or not. (I'm in the later group)

For the mileage difference (32 vs 36) it costs an extra $0.012 per mile (that's a penny a mile), or you will need to drive ~487,000 mi. to make up that $6k difference! (the cal. was done with gas costing $3.55/gal)

FYI, the local Mini Dealership has an '04 R53, loaded for $17,000 (40K mi), and its CPO.

Good Luck on you decision!