You'd never believe who falls under the spell of the MCS. I'm a YupNeck with more Red than than Yup, but after driving an 07 MCS, I've decided to order one. Who woulda thought a truck guy...of the diesel persuasion...would be ordering a Mini. Not me in a million years. I still love my trucks but I am in need of a daily driver with zip. Here's an apology to Mini drivers everywhere who I've made fun of for so long. Sorry guys.

Well, if you've forgiven me, I am in need of some advice. Please bear with me as I'm only 3 Mini days old:

1. How long does it take from order to delivery? For example, if I ordered one May 8th, when do you all think it would arrive? I am in a time crunch as I am going "away" (not the slammer )for a couple months starting July 8th. I realize you all cannot give me an exact length of time, but some examples of your wait would be appreciated.

2. Do dealers really have "build allotments?" I guess this would mean some dealers would have a quicker turnaround after the order?

3. Is the Sport Suspension on an MCS worth it, and what does it consist of? The advisor at Mini of South Atlanta was a bit vague. Would it be better to install aftermarket springs and bars?

4. If I did install the H&R Springs which claims to lower the car 1.4", would that be too low for everyday driving?

5. Anyone have experience with Mini of South Atlanta? They charge MSRP plus $499 Doc fee and said the MCS would take around 6-8 weeks if I ordered it tomorrow. Thoughts?

6. How is the build quality? Do they rattle and jiggle like my wife's VW's after a couple thousand miles?

7. How is maintenance? I plan on keeping the vehicle past the 3/36000 complimentary service, but don't want to have to spend $500 for some ignition parts and filters.

8. Is the Leatherette look/feel decent?

Whew. Thanks for all your help guys.

 

Welcome Mr. Neck. You're making a good choice. I live in the hills of VA and the MINI is getting some respect here now.

I'll answer a couple questions (it beats working right now). Order my MCS on March 7, picked it up on April 17. 6 weeks. From all the time I've spent on NAM in the last 2 months, I think that's pretty typical for the eastern USA.

Dealers do have build allotments so some are quicker than others depending on how many cars they have assigned.

Don't know about sport suspension. I'd try to talk the dealer out of the Doc fee. Or at least some of it.

I have no real complaints about the car. It's absolutely great.

Good luck.

 

It can vary considerably, but six weeks is probably a good estimate. Mine is looking like eight or nine, but I'm on the west coast and going through the Panama Canal takes longer.

Yes, if your dealer's allotment for the month is full, you can be waiting an extra month. The trick is finding a dealer who doesn't charge a dealer markup over MSRP, and still has space on his allotment.

I don't know. It was not available to test drive when I ordered. Reports so far are that it does improve handling, but is not harsh. I believe it consists of heavier sway bars and springs. The after-market suspension mods are likely to be more radical.

I would guess that depends on the kind of roads you drive. There are a few people who have done it. Perhaps they will respond.

Not bad. My dealer charges a dealer markup of $1,500 beyond the normal prep fees.

Might be too early to tell. This is a new model. Indications are that it may be less rattle prone than the previous model. Time will tell.

Oil filter is about $7, IIRC. Haven't heard anyone mention ignition parts. The days of replacing the points and condenser are long over, I think.

I didn't really look at it. I went for the cloth seats after debating the leather. I figure they will be cooler in the summer than leaterette.

 

Since you are on the east coast, I would go with Mini of the Hamptons. (I am one of those guys stuck on the west coast where prices are above MSRP.) I looked all over the country for a good deal, focusing on supporters of NAM. I even got my father-in-law to wring concessions from a dealer he knows in the Chicago area. The best deal by far was from Mini of the Hamptons, which agreed to ship my car across the country for less than the total cost of shipping. And the car was at MSRP. And they threw in some goodies. And the MA, Jerry, has been outstanding. They charged me $500 for shipping, which is less than your document fee.

 

It looks like my order is going to take exactly 5 weeks. That is for an order in the Boston area. I ordered on 4/4 and was in production on 4/16.

Yes, find one that can promise you an earlier spot.


I don't have the springs (or even the car yet) but plan on doing the H&Rs. Some may think it's too low, others will tell you not nearly low enough. I'm used to driving lowered cars so I don't imagine it'll be a problem. You just have to remain aware of it in certain situations. I've driven lower cars than the MINI on H&Rs as daily drivers and did just fine.

I'd reccomend searching around a little. I don't see a reason why people on the eastern seaboard should be paying over MSRP. There are a few stories of people out here getting MSRP plus some decent freebies. I paid MSRP and couldn't get the free mats (had to fork over $100 for the carpet mats)

Have you sat in a leatherette MINI yet? I test drove one with leatherette and thought it was alright. It felt a little nicer than the R53s I've been in. I probably would have gone with leatherette if I wanted to save a little on seating, but ended up getting the red lounge leather. I haven't sat in a cloth seated MINI yet, but the ones I saw at the dealer looked decent as well.

 

I got the cloth/leather seating and love it. I don't think the leatherette is very comfortable, but others disagree.

 

I strongly recommend MINI of South Atlanta - they are GREAT people and they sell at MSRP + a doc. fee. (Head and shoulders above the other Atlanta alternative....and they are not arrogant! In my and experience.)

I have the leatherette and it is nice - the color works very well with the grey and black tones of the interior.

MUST HAVE LSD and Sport Suspension, if you really want to maximize your driving experience. I chose factory options for warranty purposes.

I received my car in six weeks to the day.

Good Motoring!

 

I have leatherette in my MCS and I like it. If I had the money, I would have sprung for one of the lounge leather colors, but the leatherette is pretty nice.

 

I am glad to hear about the leatherette - mine arrives next week and that is one thing I have potential buyer's remorse on.

 

What is the cloth/leather combo?
I thought leather seats are just all leather?

Leatherette got the cloth inserts which I like...

 

I pick up my LiB/W MCS this Thursday 5/10, ordered it on 3/9, so 9 calendar weeks. I ordered it from Mini MotorWerks in Bloomington, MN. They must have had an alotment because I got my production number before I left the dealership.

 

I have people asking if my seats which are leatherette are leather. The look good and feel good as well.

Paid MSRP. My dealer wanted $200 doc fee. In that I paid cash and did my own car registration at DMV The dealer waived the doc fee.

 

The leatherette in my 2003 MC looks like leather and is soft and comfortable. I ordered red/black leather/cloth in my 2007 MCS strictly because I wanted some color . if leatherette was availabe in color I would have gone for it.

 

I've got the sport suspension and am very happy with it. It includes stiffer springs, stiffer shocks and a very slightly bigger rear sway bar. I'll likely spring for the H&Rs as we're trying to pimp our ride a bit and slamming it is a necessity. But if it weren't for the need to drop, we'd be sticking with sport suspension.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm probably going to stick with my local dealer. Here's whats going on order:

07 MCS = CR/B - Premium Package - Sport Package with no bonnet stripes - Sport Suspension - Fogs - LSD - 6SPD Manual - Black/Grey Leatherette - Center Arm Rest - 17" Crown Spokes - Floor mats (3) - and the upper/lower Clear Bra.

Did I leave out anything worth getting? Since this is going to be my commuter car, I don't want to get too much into it or my wife is going to have my hide.

BTW, are the Web Spokes lighter than the Crown Spokes, and by how much if so?

 

Is that rear fogs? The front fogs come with the Sport Package. The 17" Crown Spokes also come with the Sports Package.

Since you are trying to keep cost down (in spite of ordering the Premium Package ) you may not want the NAV, but the Parking Distance Control seems like a nice option. Without the NAV, it is just an audio warning. With the NAV you get an onscreen graphic of where objects are behind you, and how far away.

What about the Multi-Function Steering Wheel? If you want cruise control, you need this option.

Then there is the HIFI upgrade...

No, they seem to be about the same weight. Crown Spoke are 22.5 lbs. and Web Spoke are reported to be 22.3 lbs. That's on the heavy side. I got a set of Center Line RPM that are rotary forged and weight 15-16 lbs. Center Line sometimes has overstock sales. Now all I need is for the car to arrive.

 

I don't know what clear bra they put on at your dealer but make sure it's not that stuff that will turn yellow in 6 months so that then you'll just rip it off.

 

One more thing you might want to consider in a convertible. I live in Texas so I thought my MA was nuts when she advised I get the cold weather package with the heated seats. She was dead-on, well worth it in a convertible.

 

The MFSW comes with the Premium Package.

Not getting the NAV or the HIFI. For $2100, I can purchase a Garmin w/ Bluetooth, Speakers, an Amp, H&R Springs/Links and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Yes, the Fogs I am referring to are the rears.

I am now going to add the Auto Dimming RV mirrors and Keyless Go. I'd rather not have the Auto Wipers/Lights as I dislike using wipers.... and Bluetooth will be covered by the Garmin.

Also adding the Anthracite Headliner and cold weather package.

The price is quickly going .

Question: Is the clear bra "Invisishield" ($240 for hood and bumper) that is configurable on the MINI configurator site applied at the factory or at the dealer or VDC? I was assuming it would be the good 3M/XPEL stuff warranted by MINI, but am I mistaken? I'd rather pay more and have it applied later if that is not the case.

Question 2: What is the difference between the Chrome Mirror Caps and Chrome Exterior Mirrors that are $10 less on the Accessories page?

Are the Accessories listed under MINI not actually installed/painted on the car? Would that cost additionally to have the dealer install it?

Another issue/feeler. The JCW aero kit is $1595 installed and painted from the factory/VDC/dealer correct? Or not since it is under the Accessories page? Thats the price the configurator has. I really dislike the rear bumper of the JCW kit, but I like the side skirts and front bumper. If I was to purchase the JCW kit from Classic Mini for $12XX, would anyone be interested in purchasing the rear JCW aero bumper from me? Or do you all think that would look wierd having the regular rear bumper with JCW skirts and front bumper? Or do I even care what you all think?

Other little things: Glove box organizer, Sun shade, MINI valve stem caps, and wheel locks.

Oh, and the convertible is just way way too "cute" for me.