Thank you.


Hmmm, so my MA made me quite the tempting offer today... He has a MINI on the lot with pretty much the exact same specs as mine except it's Pepper White rather than my Sparkling Silver. Subtle difference are it doesn't have the auto-dimming rearview mirror (considered ditching it anyway) mine had but it does have both sirius satellite radio (which I did want but could not justify the $950 for) and HD radio (which I also couldn't justify the money for nor did I want to). Thoughts? It's pepper white with the black roof, mirrors and bonnet stripes which I always did find to be quite the sharp combination. It's not a metallic color, of course which is a bit of a negative, and I personally hate white cars, but I'm sure those of you who have seen it know it's far from pure white. The MSRP on it is $30,600 but my MA is willing to part with it for below $30,000 (we haven't worked out an exact number as of yet). Given that the one I'm planning to order is almost $1000 more then that, it's quite the deal. The only thing I need to clarify is what wheels it has as he didn't specify. I'm thinking it's the base 16's and I'm personally not a big fan of anything less then 17's on the Cooper S... Ah, decisions! Why can't I just be more patient? All opinions are welcome, even if they're just to say quit whining and order.

 

Go for it.

 

like others have said...hopefully....you will be with this car for a while, it needs to be a car you are happy with.

 

I love the PW/B combination and the list of features seems cool. A couple things: if it has the sport package, then it almost definitely has 17" wheels. Also, I'm thinking about going with the Audio package just because I'd like to give Sirius a try and don't want to have cables going all over if I got a standalone unit. So if the only reason you wouldn't get it is price, maybe it's worth a look.

I sort of agree with what DChap said about getting something you can be happy with for a long time. Even if you purchase it out-right, you're going to have this car quite awhile. However, unless you're planning on keeping it for life, you will eventually replace it. Unless you're dead set against anything but SS/B, you can always try another color next time! That's actually advice I might need to take myself because I can't seem to choose between PW, BRG and LiB! oh, and CR! I like them all!! hehe

 

I won't give you my advice on the color combination on the grounds that it would be totally biased.

Any thoughts of getting them to add in the OEM driving lights? The R56 versions seem to look especially sharp with the PW/B and bonnet stripes--more so than any of the 1st gen autos (and I say that as a 1st gen guy). I don't know, maybe the dealer pricing is prohibitive on this option compared to aftermarket, but perhaps they'd give you a good deal.

The specs you list look great. The Sirius and HD would be a fun addition to have.

Good luck with your selection!

 

PW/B is a sexy combination. I say go for it.

 

Another vote for going for it, but I'm a bit biased towards PW in comparison to the SS. I've never been much of a fan on white cars either (E46 BMWs the only other exception), but the PW/B on a MINI has a certain je ne sais quoi. If it doesn't have the wheels you want, see if you can guilt trip your MA into cutting you a deal on a wheel swap. Maybe some sad pictures of your wrecked MINI will help soften their heart.

 

Beijing66 - I'm thinking that may be some sound advice

DChap - Yep others have said it and I know it. That's why, although extremely tempting as well, I decided to pass on the SS/B my MA offered me which didn't have the lounge leather. However with this PW/B MINI I honestly feel I could be just as happy if not happier then I was with my first one. It has literally every single options my first one had -the auto mirror but +Sirius and HD radio.

kfisto - It's true, I never thought I'd say it about any car even ALMOST resembling white but PW/B is simply amazing. It actually doesn't have the sports package, which is my single reservation. However it does have DSC and xenons a la carte, it's only the wheels that it's missing. Concerning Sirius it was solely a matter of price, so being able to get it now 'for free' in a sense would be awesome. I love Sirius but the price MINI charges for it is just too steep. I'd actually prefer if they provided an option to pay for Sirius monthly (opposed to the lifetime subscription) and therefore charge significantly less for the hardware. On the cars I cross-shopped the MINI with (GTI 4-door and MS3) Sirius is in the $300-$400 range so when I saw $950 I was just like no way. HD radio I don't plan on using, but it's a pretty cool addition. I totally feel your confusion on the colors. It really is true when NAM members say the MINI looks good in every single color so it can be ridiculously hard to choose.

mineartg - Hahaha, yea that would be biased but you definitely picked a winning combo. The MINI I'm looking at comes with xenons, so the driving lights would be overkill for me. I am getting them to throw in the bonnet stripes for free though as I feel they're essential with PW/B.


VicSkimmr - Agreed, SO sexy.

Modnar - Yea another biased member, this can't be coincidence! I literally despise white cars so for me to be drooling over the PW/B combination so much shows how 'not white' it really is. I plan to do exactly what you said and see if my MA will do a wheel swap. I'm pretty sure he'll be willing to work with me, especially if I make that my stipulation of purchasing the MINI or not. The only problem is OEM wheels are sooo expensive! And only the JCW ones come with tires so I'd need to buy those separately. On the plus side of that, if I go aftermarket, I'd be ditching the hard riding, bad handling run flat tires and heavy factory wheels, BUT I'd be stuck with having to sell the wheels and tires it comes with. I dunno

 

MA just sent me some pics of the MINI in question so I figured I'll post them here. Bonnet stripes have yet to be installed as he's only gonna do that if I buy it (for free ) and it's a bit dirty so while not quite as sexy, you can get a pretty good idea. The last thing I'm trying to work out which will sway my buying decision is getting him to give me some sort of buy back value on those OEM 16" S-Winders with all-season tires - I'm just not a fan of them at all. I'm actually trying to get a deal on these (being sold through my dealer so it's perfect) what do you guys think? http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=3751

 

Mmmmmmmmmm. Pepper White. I am so in love with mine I can't offer an unbiased opinion. I also never would have considered a regular white car, ick. BUT, do consider that you might miss the sparkly shininess of metallic paint. My last car was metallic and flat paint is different. Nice, but different.

PS: those wheels are hot!

 

Thats probably the lowest price you'll ever see on those IMO.

 

T-POD - Thanks! It really is quite the awesome color and I love how it ties in with the cream interior color line. It being non-metallic was a concern for me at first but seeing it in purpose didn't make me miss my sparkling silver at all. Between the black bonnet stripes, roof, mirrors and possible black JCW 18's it's going to be KILLER.

VicSkimmr - Yea it's quite the deal. Sorry, I should have specified. It's not the price of the wheels/tires themselves that I want a deal on but rather some sort of 'trade in' value for the OEM ones.

 

They appear to be 03-06 fitting JCW wheels meaning that on a current 07 you might have issues with
1. the lug nut size
2. the new TPMS valves that you would need on a late 07 R56

 

Good luck. The dealership may be leary of selling used tires/rims even if they are scratch free.

 

Rastven - I took note of the same thing. In checking with my MA however he assured me that the website just hasn't been updated although the tires are in fact compatible with R56's. Lets hope he knows what he's talking about... Although his main thing is that he's leary of selling me 18" rims with performance tires when the snow is about to start. Otto's doesn't have them in stock anyway, haven't for awhile and he doesn't estimate them arriving anytime soon so I guess it's back to the drawing board. Damnit, I just really hate those stocks wheels though! Is it just me? I dunno it's just something about them. I guess now I know how the Crown-spokes haters feel although I still think they're gorgeous.

MotorMouth - Well my MA is going to get back to me tomorrow so we'll see what he says. However my plan is to have them put the new wheels on before even taking delivery. And given that the MINI currently has 2 miles on it I don't see why he should have any problem with them. I certainly hope he doesn't.

 

ahh ok! You'll definiately have a better chance if you do it before delivery!

 

Okay I'm gonna purchase it! Thanks so much to all of you who helped me out with this decision, gave me consolation after the crash and just put up with me in general. You guys are awesome.

Should be picking it up sometime next week as I have to wait for both the final insurance check and title for the previous MINI to arrive. Now just gotta pick out a pair of wheels before delivery! Since the JCW ones are out and Otto's doesn't have any others to my liking I decided to go after-market. What I'm going to do is get them shipped to the dealer so they can be put on before delivery. I do not want to see my new baby on those stock shoes, it would surely kill me.

I'm still working out the details with my MA but the plan is for the dealer to outright buy my stock wheels and tires since they haven't been used at all. Just wish me luck on getting a good price for them. These are the wheels I'm leaning towards right now - all opinions are welcome.

https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whee...ip&showRear=no

 

Sounds like a good decision.

Just a thought. Maybe you should swap straight across for all seasons on the stock wheels rather than sell them back to the dealer. That way your good wheels can have good summer performance tires and your "stock" wheels can get you through the winter.

Anyway it is a beautiful car. Quite a safe car I understand.

 

That car was so new, RIP.

 

I actually considered that but it would be too expensive of an endeavor for me right now. Also there's definitely no space to stash those in my college dorm.

Okay so now that I'm decided on the car, time to help me pick its rims! I've got it pretty much narrowed down to these three (all 17x7) but am totally open to other suggestions. My preference is a 17" black wheel with polished lip. Gorgeous with the black roof, mirrors and bonnet stripes on Pepper White.

 

I like the AR1's, but after seeing the Sport Max's (2nd wheel), I might be tempted to go that way. From a practical point of view, those would probably be a little easier to bend, but they look cooler. I like how the bolts around the lip are flush, too, which should make cleaning the easier. You can't go wrong with either of those two!

Congrats on the new car! Look forward to seeing pics of it with the new rims and all!

 

Thanks for your input; I actually did end up going with the Sportmax's! Now just gotta decide on some tires... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=116112

I hope to pick up my MINI by the end of this upcoming week and will get pics up ASAP.
In the meantime here are a couple more pics my MA just sent me. It's a beauty but God, I just cannot WAIT to get the stock wheels and antenna off. :impatient

 

My wife and I were just in an accident that totaled our reliable, hard working Civic. A spaced out guy in a huge SUV made a left turn into the side of our car. As a side note we were on the way to the ER because I had broken my wrist in four places that morning while at an autocross event.

But, I've come to feel that if you can total a car without injury, it was a good day. The car did what it was designed to do, and it can be replaced. Plus, having had a little experience with your Mini you may want to order some different options or equipment. Your first Mini could be like the first pancake that is thrown away because the skillet was not hot enough.

Glad you are OK,

Joe

 

Msteadman, I've been watching this as I fly around the world these past few. It is great your fine, have found a new MINI, wheels and now hunting for tires.

I like the PW/B combo almost as much as my DS/W combo. Enjoy and drive safe. Watch out for the other nuts on the road.

 

HOORAY!!!! Get thee over to the Pepper White Peerage and pick a number . . they're a nice bunch.