So, I currently have a 2007 Mini Cooper in Pure Silver. 24k miles, auto gearbox (rest of the family can't drive stick), Premium package, Sport, 16" wheels, chrome-line exterior/interior/everything, black leather inside, keyless entry, etc - it's a well optioned car. I quite like it. However....it's shaky, build quality-wise, and since I don't see the car fitting into my long-term plans (filled with mostly sports coupes/sedans and the like, subject to change), I'm kinda tempted to sell it. My friend offered me 21k for it, and I feel that's a pretty good price, considering I paid less than that for it in May.

In the 3 months that I've had the car, it's been in the shop twice to have the sunroof adjusted, once to have the sunroof fixed (motor stopped working), and now to have the entire sunroof unit/assembly replaced. Every time I go, I have some minor assorted rattles fixed - inside the door, drivers side mirror (also being replaced right now), the maplight fixture, the glovebox, the rear trim piece, this, that, etc. It's kinda...I don't know. I still like the car, but I read on the forums that early 07 cars (mine was built in April) were not as well built or reliable as the 08s and 09s have become. This makes sense, because it was the first production run of the R56, and whatnot, but it still doesn't make me feel any more confident about it.

My mother originally bought this Mini to replace her Mercedes, and decided she liked the Merc better shortly thereafter, so I ended up with it. Since it was never really my choice, I've never really gotten into the Mini as "my" car. It was always "I'm driving this for a year until I buy myself an S2000". Like, its not even something I'd consider modifying, just because...well...it's a base Mini Cooper auto. Why even bother?

I've been looking at alternatives, and a few names come up. The Audi A3 is nice, but its a bit pricey for well-maintained cars, plus the VW GTI drives better and feels better built. The GTI, on the other hand, looks pretty boring/bland/ugly/weird (wheels from a cuisinart slicer?) and, well, VW is simply famous for sound electricals and great reliability. Volvo C30 was great, until Edward Cullen got one (Twilight's main vampire dude, for those not particularly in-tune with the average teenage girl's world [for the record, I'm male and in college]). I'll keep the Mini over all of the above.

Now's where the fun starts. I was at my Mini dealership today, to drop off my car for the sunroof replacement. And then I saw this: http://www.northwestmini.com/VehicleDetails/404857023 . It's a brand new, unsold 2008 MCS auto in Electric Blue. Not as well optioned as mine, but the car still retailed for 32.5k (and still doesn't have cruise control...nice) and has the essential stuff, dual sunroofs, aux-input, etc. If I can get it for under 5k difference, would it be worth it? I feel like, I could keep the MCS longterm, modify it, and get really involved with the car over time. Plus, with the apparent increase in build quality for 2008 and the fact that its a brand new car, I think I wouldn't see many of the quality problems that I am having with my current Mini. However, I would be paying more money for a similar car.

Is it worth it? I would appreciate your opinions and advice.

(Sorry for the dissertation, I figured I should try to make my first post worth something...)

 

Stay away from the sunroof option, it seems loaded with problems. My semi basic 08MCS is tight as a drum runs great and has had zero defects after 23,000 miles.

 

If a Moderator sees this, can they move this thread to the 2nd Generation "Coupe Talk" forum?

Thanks.