Getting close to a deal - here are the choices:

Used 2017 Mini S Convertible - 8K miles, Harmon Sound, Better engine and all the Cooper S stuff - like sports seats - no back up camera

New 2018 Mini Convertible - advantages - Harmon Sound, Led Lights, back up camera (important in a car like this with no visibility). Full Warranty

Much better financing options with the new mini.

The difference in price - $1300 - the new one being higher.

Thoughts?

 

Both engine configurations are fun to drive. If you are not a speed demon then the 2018 would be the one. 8K car is like new, but without inspection you don't know if they beat on the brakes or under inflated the tires. I bought mine with 6K on a 2014 and the tires were pretty bad by 10K as they must have driven the first 6K without ever checking tire pressures.

With that price difference and better financing I'd go new, knowing what I know about both engines. You can also throw on a tune or piggyback tune and have the non S scoot around pretty fast.

 

Well you did ask.

The psychology factor should not be discounted as IMO no matter what tune you can do on a NA engine, the male mind is going to perceive that the S is always going to be more fun. The mind will therefore induce the "why did I do that" feeling for the duration of the ownership.

 

I appreciate the input. The 2017 Cooper S is missing a few things, LED Headlights, and back up camera. The financing on the new 2018 mini's is .09%, that is very strong.

There is also a 2017 Plain mini with no LED but with sport seats and harmon sound, I think it has the performance package it is about 24K with 11K miles. No back up camera here.

So the spread between a used mini is about $4000 and that 4K gets me, LED lights, a back up camera and a new warranty. I could pay cash for the $24K model and would have to borrow a little money to get the new one.

I am no a speedster, I get perceiving the S is more fun - I like the exhaust sound on the S!

So it is kind of like settle on one or get everything you want on the other. Can anyone comment on the reliability of these auto if maintained properly? Is the back seat usable at all (convertible)? OK thanks for the input.

 

Is the 2017 Certified Pre Owned? If so you'll actually get a better warranty.

 

 

5 years (from new) / 75,000 miles.

 

WOW - That is awesome.

 

I'd get the S. Are aftermarket LED headlights an easy swap? They are on some cars, like Jeep Wranglers. I'm not sure about MINI, worth checking into. I definitely would not want halogen headlights!

Are you looking all around the country? I had to get on a plane and drive 1k miles back home to get my perfect Cooper. Don't be afraid to travel!

 

Can anyone point me in the right direction here, does anyone know where I can find a detailed explanation of the changes in the R57 convertible from 2015 to 2016 and on model years? Thanks in advance - reason for the question is I am considering a 2015 model compared to the 2016 and beyond. Thanks!

 

Only help I can give you is my first Mini (aquired 7-12) was a vert with auto and was the last year for a supercharged Mini. The hardtops all went to year one of turbochargers. The 'vert went to turbo in 2008. Still miss the wonderful whine of the s/c.

 

OP, I have a 2017 MCS convertible F57 which we ordered new which now has 22k miles. We traded a 2002 Miata on it and thought we just had to have another convertible. We love the car, but now twenty months into it, if I had it to do over, we'd have bought the JCW 2 Dr F56. IMHO, the $6k premium one pays for the convertible just isn't worth it. We live in Florida and most of the time its just too hot to put the top down mid day. Evenings and certain times of the year can bet glorious though.

Over the next six weeks I'm installing coilovers, bigger rear sway bar and Dinan elite piggyback module. If I had purchased the F56 JCW I doubt I'd be doing any of that. But who knows. :-)

Anyway, whatever you decision, enjoy your upcoming Mini. Mine is the coolest car I've ever owned.

 

Contented - thanks so much - I live in Florida as well and was concerned about the heat as well. I have not considered a hard top - I will have to think on that, I would absolutely need a moon roof. I like that that convertibles has the half open option. I wish I could spring for a Mini S, I just can't swing it financially and the deals are really good on the regular mini's now. .9% Financing up to 72 months. That is cheap. Do you like you mini better than your miata?

 

I almost never put the convertible top into the partially open position - too much noise and wind buffeting. The nicest thing about the convertible is you can open both front and rear windows w/ the top up and no door post in the way. A nice look and wind noise/buffeting is quite tolerable. This is my default mode.

A Miata and Mini are two different vehicles. The Miata will corner better w/o the understeer of an unmodified Mini. I guess that's the nature of the beast with front vs rear wheel drive. Your driving habits may be different than mine. Our Miata had 37k original miles on it when we traded and was in excellent condition. But I'm 6' tall and getting in and out of the Miata was giving me back issues, plus my wife almost never drove it because of the manual transmission. She could, but didn't like to. The Mini is taller and with an automatic transmission solved both problems. I personally like the Mini much more than the Miata.

Can't speak to the 3 cylinder Mini, and have never driven one. But I can't imagine that it is any less fun to drive than our S.

BTW, I just checked and on the S model the convertible premium is slight over $5k.

Have fun and enjoy the process.

contented

 

Thanks so much greatly appreciate your advice/opinion.