So... my mom went with me to test drive a Mini and she ended up loving it... so she is getting herself one too!!!

She is getting a few add-ons to the mini because she hates how her camry resale value dropped 10k over 2 years. That's one reasons he loves the mini, is the resale value. So... she knew in order to resale a car in the future she has to have things on it that make people want to buy it. Here is what she came up with (and the color could change to a basic color to knock of 500 dollars, she doesn't know what color she wants and want to decide at the mini dealer). This is what she came up with and she asked me to come on here and see if there are options she could remove and still hold good re-sale value.

Or, if she should just keep it all. She can afford it, but obviously she can afford a smaller loan alot easier.

Something I forgot to add, she wanted to know if she could switch the dual sun roof to dual moon roof or one sun one moon roof? If so, what are the differences in the two (sun and moon)?

My 2008 MINI Cooper

Base MSRP* $18,050 Destination & Handling $650 PAINT IT
Black Roof/Mirrors $0
Black Bonnet Stripes $100
Sparkling Silver Body Color $500 PACKAGES
Convenience Package $1,500
Comfort Access System
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction
Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod Adapter
Universal Garage Door Opener
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps
Center Arm Rest
Premium Package $1,500
10-Speaker. Hi-Fi Sound System
Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof PERFORMANCE
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
15" 5-Star Spooler (Perfomance) STD COCKPIT
Standard Seats STD
On-Board Computer STD
Leatherette: Black/Grey STD
Interior Surface Fine White Silver STD
Computer Nav. System $2,000
Alarm System $500 TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $24,800 JOHN COOPER WORKS ACCESSORIES**
No selections in this category GENUINE MOTORING ACCESSORIES**
No selections in this category TOTAL ACCESSORIES ** $0 TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $24,800 TOTAL COMBINED $24,800

 

Oh yeah, she also wanted to ask, is the automatic worth the extra money? She drives in city traffic alot and she knows how to drive standard. She didn't know if she wanted the automatic but liked how you can be manual and auto in it. She said that auto has its advantages, but minis seem to be a manual car. But auto would also add alot to resale value.

 

Greetings,

I opted for the auto tranny and have fun downshifting using the peddles on the steering wheel coming into turns and to a stop light. If she does a lot of city driving she's probably in traffic a lot, and bumper-to-bumper is no fun with a stick shift.


CROC 411

 

Get the rear fog lights.

 

MINI only makes the dual pane sunroof which comes with fairly ineffective dual sliding sun shades.Your mom can get a roof graphic installed to cover the glass portion to cut down on the heat and sun or get aftermarket pop in sunshades(which I have from minspeed.net).

The 6-speed automatic works great and since she does a lot of city and stop and go driving that would help considerably along with the resale value.

 

DSC is a great option to have, and particularly with the manual, DSC gives Hill Assist, where the MINI will hold the brake for a few seconds (to give you time to engage the clutch) so you don't start rolling back on an incline.

DSC also helps keep your MINI going in the twisties.

Another NAM member posted this to show the difference between DSC on vs DSC off.

 

Also, I'm only aware of a handful of people who have the alarm system. Reason being is that the MINI is equipped with a multi-stage immobilizer.

The MINI will not start without sensing the key's RFID chip. Furthermore, the steering wheel column will not unlock.

In fact, my insurance agent (State Farm) told me their system doesn't even have an option to state that the MINI has an alarm system. But it's all personal preference, and if you want it, go for it.

 

I was going to get a auto on my new one but test drove one and its much nicer in manual, Plus you might not have the headaches like the older ones 8K for tranny problems at 50K miles yipes..I say dont get the sunroof as here in florida even with the shade closed, it gets way to hot...

Good luck, I am happy for you

and auto for resale, nope no differance......more people want manual one

 

Wait a minute...R53's have the imobilizer system as well as the hill assist?? Since when??

 

R56. The OP is looking at a 2008 MINI. I'm not sure if the R50/R53s have the immobilizer, but the Hill Assist is a new option on the DSC for manual R56s.

 

the automatic also has shift-tronic which is a nice compromise between standard and auto. I prefer the six shift but both are good choices. I agree with adding rear fog lamp. I added the cold weather package because I hate to be cold! sounds like a neat car!

 

The auto on the new MINIs is the Aisin traditional automatic, which is what has been equipped on the R53 S and now both R56 models. This is not the CVT that was on the R50s that had problems. So the auto tranny shouldn't be a concern, just ask the 1st Gen S owners who have one.

Plus the auto is quicker than the manual Quarter mile times:

 

During my shopping for a used MINI in my area, I discovered that automatics are extremely uncommon around here, and are highly sought after and prized. The automatics tended to sell quickly (one of them I saw sold the day it listed), and tended to sell for asking price. Manuals will stay up for sale longer, but MINI drivers seem to like them a bit better because they are more popular. That's really the only difference between the two transmissions that I saw, other than personal preference and possibly some miles per gallon.

Eventually, I gave up on getting a used MINI because I wanted an automatic and the used automatics were going so quick that I couldn't drive out to see a car before it was already sold to someone else, so I bought new and now I have Viola :-)

 

That says far more about the driver of the manual MINI than it does about the automatic's performance ability.

Not to mention, how similarly equipped were the two MINIs in question?

 

just speaking of resale, having nav will net you a lower percentage resale.... nav systems don't add much value to a used car

 

This is my car!!! All but the alarm and the navigation system. You can't switch the sun roof, it only comes 1 way. I don't know how much she needs the alarm because they would not be able to start the car because if the key less entry and start. Also everything is computerized including the gas peddle so she would be fine. I love my sparkling sliver. You don't see too many and it changes from a champagne to silver depending on the angle. I have the interior and exterior chrome which I love. If she doesn't want both I would recommend getting at least the interior, it looks a lot more expensive.

 

+1

Cybergypsy... Why are you posting misinformation about the Aisin? Several times I have seen similar comments from you implying that the R56 automatic has problems at 50k+ miles when that is just not the case. The 1st Gen CVTs were problematic true... but please do not knock the Aisin. It doesn't deserve the negative comments.

PS. Just want the Aisin to get the respect it deserves.

 

That was a Roadfly test with both pro drivers and journalists.



Check it at the 4 minute mark.

 

+1 Minibella!

I've seen several people make this mistake on the forums. If MINI hadn't put the AISIN tranny in, I wouldn't own a MINI (this is reason #2 why I did not buy used), but they did, in 2007.

Newly purchased vehicles will not have the same transmission issues that the earlier models experienced.They also have a different motor in them. So the idea that they would experience similar mechanical issues with either of these things is sort of... um.. silly.

 

Interesting... I'd be curious to see results from other comparisons as well. For now though, I stand corrected - at least on R56 models.

(Still not enough to make me want to buy an auto though! Heh.)

 

We dont know of any problems with the current one yet....
Its not misleading, just a good reason to buy manual, Things happen with time before i decided I sat down and talked to a mini mechanic...about my choice....of auto vs manual..... and that info was super helpful.....

This is one reason I went manual and also the auto felt for a better word, generic.... it was just lack luster.....I am not knocking it... if you love auto buy it....however it does not do justice to the car......I have had many more cars then most people as Apple will be #61, in about 10 years.....Which makes me a person who has driven and researched many cars,some cars are ok in auto other are not.......IMHO

 

I wouldn't call it a deal maker or breaker, just another bit of data to think about. It's no DSG, of course.

 

LOL if i wanted quick I would drive the R8 i just ordered

I want a DD

 

personally, I think she would have a quicker sale in the end if the car has a standard trans.

 

mula, what's standard? *chuckle* I've always driven automatics and to me, that's standard....

The quicker sale really depends on your location. Here, they can't keep automatics on used car lots to save their lives. I had several salesmen refer to them as "the rare automatic" when I asked them about the cars. They weren't that rare, but for every five MINIS on sale within driving distance of me, only one is an automatic. So, when they get them, they go right back out on the road again.

I suggest researching the used car market in your area and looking at what is moving off lots at local used car dealerships. I'm sure if you called them and asked, they'd tell you what moves faster. In terms of used vehicles, I do believe the automatics sell faster because more people know how to drive them and more often than not, a used MINI buyer is not going to be an enthusiast until after the purchase.

Enthusiasts tend to prefer manual transmissions, folks just exiting the appliance market that are looking to get a car, will probably need their training wheels a bit longer. Kinda like... I dunno... me?