I must say first, that all multiple MINI owners would agree with me these cars get under your skin. I sold my last one in Nov 07.

It all started when I went into the local BMW/MINI dealership on Monday to look at CPO BMWs. I found a beautiful 06 330i with 17k miles black/black sport premium cold hifi xenons 6 speed manual. I could have purchased it with the CPO warranty included for $25k. The more I thought about it the more I thought I couldn't purchase such an expensive car that would be worth next to nothing three years from now. SO I shot my friend and MA over on the MINI side an email to see what they had. I had already seen the special financing offers advertised.

A quick MINI history for me from oldest to most recent (all stick shift):
1. 2003 S DS/W leather, sport, premium, cold, hk, rain sense/auto dim
2. 2006 S HB/W sport, premium, cold
3. 2002 Cooper SB/W cold, 16 in wheels

Do you guys see a trend? Me too...the older I've gotten and the more MINIs I've had I began believing in a more simple motoring mantra or the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle.

So when my MA (thanks Cat) let me know that there were a few basic Coopers in stock and ran some numbers with my trade it was almost a no brainer. I told her I'd think about it yesterday and let her know in the morning. I was torn between two Coopers for the same price a CR/B with heated seats or a MB/W with no options (NOT ONE) unless you count the metallic paint.

My Jeep was red with a black soft top. I shot her an email last night and told her the MB/W was a done deal and asked if I could pick it up Saturday. I went in after work tonight and did the absolutely painless paperwork and traded in my Jeep (it was a fun year jeepjeep). I also got to visit the new MINI in different stages of prep.

Just pulled in:


Done with prep awaiting detail:


Also found something interesting inside. Keep in mind it still had all the plastic on the seats and cardboard on the doors:


Right where the arrow is point there is the slightest kink in the headliner, like the backing was bent while trying to install it. Major props to MINI qc for catching it, and then not fixing it. I can just see the brits on Friday afternoon saying to eachother "ya we really messed that one up a good bit but....fock it put it on the boat". It is a nice little character trait unique to my new MINI. I like it.

Tomorrow morning she will be detailed and my temporary reg printed out. All I need to do is shoot in tomorrow after work and I'll be motoring home. I'm extremely excited for this one. It is my first R56, however I got plenty of seat time in my sister's 07 MY/B Coop. Can't wait for the 35-40 mpg during my commute and getting back into the MINI fold in general.

The only plans I have for this one is adding on the front and rear fogs, which I hope is as easy as it was for my 06. And maybe some wheels and...

Thanks for listening to my ramble, catch ya'll on the black top.

 

And here's the very roomy window sticker!

 

Welcome back to the cult of MINI Motoring Love! Looks gorgeous!

Gonna stack any add ons onto it?

 

Wow looks great welcome back! Like you I bought my first R56 bare bones aside from the sunroof but have since spent thousands enhancing it.

 

I don't have any extreme mods in mind right now. The big white roof is just asking for a graphic though!

 

welcome back... u iwll FALL BACK IN LOVE AGAIN

 

Congrats you'll really enjoy your just a cooper R56. I really do. The normally aspirated prince engine is really nice.

I also prefer my Cooper fairly lightly optioned. I feel a lightly optioned (in your case none) is a great value automobile, ENJOY!!!

 

Indeed... I'm thinking you should hit up A/C's website and start investigating some potentials...

Also... if you have the cash at some point.. you might consider driving lamps. I think they look awesome on the blacks and I've considered them for my PS/B, just not sure I want them yet... I'm taking my time with things like that. I still haven't decided if I'm doing bonnet stripes and I've had the car a year, though I am leaning toward dark silver bonnet stripes... think it might be cool on top of pure.

Enjoy!

 

My 06 had a union jack from AC, and both my 06 and 02 had driving lamps. I just might go lamp crazy.


Oh and I picked her up! Have 41 miles so far, and getting 36mpg woohoo.

 

Congratulations... nice Mini!

 

You are lucky to find a Cooper bare bones. I've always chided my dealer for not having any minimally equipped Coopers available. Everything they have dealer ordered for the lot has a host of packages. At times I think they do themselves a disservice by not having a few bare bones vehicles around.

 

Its funny that having a car with minimal options is somewhat rare and unique which makes it desirable. I think they started stocking less expensive cars for inventory because of the times we are going through. So far very happy, with 76 miles.

 

That wouldn't surprise me at all. I haven't been to my dealership since last summer when gas prices were high and MINIs were flying off the lot. I'm planning to head out there in the next few weeks.

I wonder what it will look like when I do?

GrFA: Saw this great black MINI yesterday. Black, white roof, white bonnets, driving lamps, checkerboard A-panels and side views... MB and checks really worked.

Checks aren't a personal favorite of mine, but I grew up in Indianapolis. The city explodes into checkered flag insanity every May, in fact... I'm sure that every single convenience store on the west side has all their little checkerboard flag garlands hung up across the cash register right now... but I had to admit, it was a real head turner on MB.