Hi everyone.

I've been lurking here for awhile and am finally getting ready to purchase a MINI.

I'm considering a 2009 JCW (MINI NEXT) with 11k miles, or possibly buying a 2010 MCS or JCW.

I have a few general questions before I get more serious.
(Yes, I've used the search function)

How many people have bought a MINI without a sunroof and subsequently really regretted it? I love sunroofs, but the additional cost, noise, and weight are a turn off to me. I've read all about noise issues on this forum and it appears a properly adjusted one should not make any extra noise.

Are bonnet stripes addable by a dealer to a car that doesn't have them already? If so, is it a huge ripoff?

Now a few factory JCW questions...

Does a JCW have a different body kit from a MCS? I've gotten mixed information about this and when you configure a JCW on MINI's site it appears to look identical to an MCS.

Is a JCW's suspension different from that of a MCS? If not, does the non-JCW sport suspension just add thicker sway bars?

I know the other features a JCW adds, but from those that have purchased one, is it worth the extra money? I love to have a more unique, aggressive car so the JCW seems right for me, but the price difference is substantial over a MCS!

Few MINI questions...

Is there a percentage over invoice price I should be shooting for when negotiating with dealers?

From those who have bought MINI next cars in the past, have you been satisfied with them or is buying new the way to go with one of these cars?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

Kevin

 

Posting these questions in the JCW section will get you more answers probably.

As for the bonnet stripes - Yes they can be added at any time. Dealer pricing is probably much more expensive than an aftermarket shop

As for MINI Next, I am not sure but my BMW was on this type of program and it worked out very well for me. One thing i can say is that with 11K miles most of the little annoying things will have been taken care of by that mileage where the new one may or may not have the minor issues many complain about.

 

Have a sunroof, wish I didn't. Even with a sunblocker, it's going to get hot in summer.

Lots of options for stripes, no biggie.

Body is different. Bumper covers, and side skirts. As well as the option aero kit.

Suspension? Don't think it's different from a MCS. (stock)

If it's worth it to you or not, I can't say. Bigger better brakes, and more power is always good.

 

I have the sunroof and I don't hardly use it but have had no problems with it either. It lets more light into the car is the main thing that it does. I like that but you decide. You can add stripes galore afterward from many vendors probably cheaper than a dealer. Unless you buy the aero kit I think the bodies are the same. The sport suspension for the JCW is the same as the SS for the MCS involves slightly thicker sway bars but aftermarket bars are even thicker (and cheaper). The stock suspensions are the same as well. The big kahuna for the factory JCW is the special turbocharger, which cannot be added to the MCS. That's where the extra power comes from. The brakes, pistons, exhaust, and clutch, wheels/tires are also different. Yeah, it's $6-7k more, but compare that with an upgrade for other cars, like a Beemer and it doesn't look so bad. I wish they'd let you opt out of the expensive wheels and cut the price by a couple grand but they won't. Just my .02

 

We chose not to get a sunroof and I've never once regretted that. Even if there weren't threads every week compaining about them, it's not worth the $1000 to *me*.

The standard body on the JCW is the same as the MCS. Both can add the "JCW Aero Kit" as a dealer installed option if so desired.

The standard suspension is the same between the two. Both can add the "JCW Suspension" as a dealer-installed option if so desired.

The "Sport Suspension", which can be added to either from the factory, may or may not come with more than just swaybars. Depends who you believe. Because it may just be swaybars and because positive reviews of the sport suspension relative to the standard suspension are few and far between, I figured I would put that money toward quality aftermarket suspension.

The actual bonnet stripes are relatively cheap. You may decide to find better labor prices than the dealer, however.

 

Sunroofs are a personal thing IMO. I wouldn't be without one. Others can't stand them. I think that's a decision for you based on what you do or don't like. I personally feel *any* car without a sunroof is a little claustrophobic.

I wouldn't have the dealer do stripes, unless you are *really* not handy at all. I've done my own twice, no big deal. Plus, aftermarket ones are cheaper and you can get some cool custom work if you decide you want something special!

Negotiating - depends on the dealer and how many you have nearby. If you have more than one dealer, you can get them to compete against one another and do quite well. If there's only one near you, then it's harder to negotiate.

 

I have a JCW with a sunroof and my GP of course does not have one. I LOVE the sunroof. I live in AZ and it's great to have it open when it's nice out.

My compass rose graphic on the sunroof blocks out the sunlight when closed and is beautiful because you can see it from the inside as well.

It will most likely be cheaper for you if use a private vendor for graphics and stripes.

I have the JCW body kit on my R53 which is different from the newer models, but in my opinion, they all rock.

Hope this helps, good luck with your purchase!! Be sure to post pics when you get it!

 

Sport suspension changes sway bars, shocks and springs.

Very easy to verify this at RealOEM and I have confirmed the different part numbers on my Sport Suspension equipped car to loaners without SS.

 

I'm considering installation of the Sport Stripes on my Cooper S, purchased just before Christmas. The dealer (MINI of St. Louis) told me that they contract with a local pro trim installer who comes and does the stripes right there at the dealer shop. I think he said the total cost would come to $279 - a bit higher, since the Sport Stripes involved both the bonnet and hatch.

That said, I'm really tempted to try it myself. I'm a keen do-it-yourself type anyway, and having read up on stripe application, I think I could do just as well as the dealer.

As for the sunroof, yeah, it comes down to individual preferences. I really like the panoramic sunroof myself, and so far mine has been entirely trouble free and quiet. Admittedly I haven't used it much through the dead of winter, but I've gotten used to the open-air feeling of driving my MG, and the sunroof gives a similar effect that I'm looking forward to. As for heat in the summer, I guess I'll find out...

Spridget

 

I never considered ordering the sunroof after I test drove one with the sunroof. I found it particularly annoying. The retractable sun shade is perforated, so even with the sun shade in the closed position, the midday sun was shining in my eyes. Hated it!

 

-I regret getting the sunroof. The shades suck and I've had to get mine adjusted 5 times from the dealer(!).

-The dealer will gladly add them... Likely for a ripoff price.

-Body kit is the same. Just has different emblems and side scuttles.

-MCS and JCW suspension is exactly the same.

-I think the added price is worth it, especially if you can get a discount. I know JCWs in the past weren't selling too well and had some discounts.

 

This is a great community!
Thanks for all the helpful responses.

Even though I am coming from a Miata and have always just dropped the top when I wanted sun, I do not think the sunroof on this car will be worth it for me. I'm a really picky person about my cars and I think it'll end up annoying me. That being said, I'll go test drive a MINI with and without again and see what I think.

As far as the JCW, the added uniqueness of the car plus the extra performance are worth it to me. That being said, I don't think I can justify paying the price for a new one and leftovers are few and far between so a MINI NEXT seems the route to go.

I'll post pictures as soon as I pick mine up.

Thanks again and I look forward to becoming a member of this community.

Kevin

 

Hey KNuss, I'm also from LI. What part are you from? I got my JCW last October and am extremely happy I made the choice of a JCW over the S. I got the JCW Aero Kit and I think it looks fantastic. When I got my car, the dealer actually had two JCWs in CR/B one with sunroof and one without. I've had a sunroof on 7 of the last 8 cars I owned. I decided that the sunroof on the MINI is less than ideal, and really detracts from the exterior appearance of the car (less so with a black roof), so I went without the sunroof, and instead got extra JCW goodies on an otherwise lightly optioned car. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with the car, and haven't missed the sunroof once..

 

I'm from the Huntington area.
Thats very helpful and I don't think I'll miss the sunroof either!

 

So I went to check out the MINI I'm considering today.

It's a factory JCW with a build date of April 2009.
Car has 11,500 miles and is a MINI NEXT.

I love the car and it drives amazing!

The service history shows that the car has not been into the dealer once for service since it was purchased. I assume this means that the car has been flawless and had no problems and the owner never changed the oil.

Obviously I hate the idea that the car has 11,5000 miles without the oil being changed, but there's not much I can do about it.

If it were my car, I'm sure I would've found a few occasions to bring the car into the dealer to have a few things sorted out plus I definitely would've had oil changed early on.

Do you think I should be concerned that the PO didn't take care of the car as they should have? Could I even jump to the conclusion that they didn't break in the engine properly?

One other question... the car has the chrome mirror covers and I'm not sure I like them. If I take them off, is it painted under them or do I need to get the mirrors repainted?

Kevin

 

Buying a used car is of course always uncertain. You have an extended warranty with it right? If so, I wouldn't worry so much. "Improper" break-in isn't the end of the world.

As for the oil, technically, the owner did follow MINI's advice since they advise to change 1 time per year or whatever mileage the OBC says. If they did an elective oil change at a different dealer, it wouldn't show in your dealer's systems anyways. They could have also done it themselves. Who knows!

Anyways, I wouldn't worry so much about it. If it's a good price and has the options you want, go for it!

 

Kevin -

I have an 07 MCS with sport suspension. This is a stiff suspension, especially w/runflats - just changed over to "normal" tires - enormous difference in ride, still handles great. Sunroof - would not buy it again. It's noisy, the covers don't block the heat, and it adds weight.
Regarding the car you're looking at - JCW worth the add'l $$ for the factory HP. I did not change my oil 'til 9,000 miles, no ill effects so far. If the car is certified, you really like it, and the price reduction is substantial, why not? MINI will cover any drivetrain repairs anyway!
Enjoy

Martin

 

Looks like a may be too late, but I'm lovin' my sunroof! I do have a black roof, so looks wise it blends. And the heat I get to exhaust out quickly in the summer is terrific. I can't imagine not having it! Especially when they're both just tipped up.

And when it comes to a white roof and the sunroof, I just saw the coolest add on that doesn't make that "black box" so noticeable. It was a checkered sun roof graphic - not the whole roof, just the sunroof and it completely worked! Whoever has that Yellow MCS that I spied in Hampton Bays - your MINI is plain sweet!

 

As other have stated having a sunroof on any car is a personal thing. All my cars have to have a sunroof. I would never buy a car without one. Most other cars have a shade or screen that you close and no light comes in. As stated earlier in this thread MINIs have a perforated sun shade. So you always have light coming in.

The sunroof in these cars let in way too much light and heat (because they are huge and take up most of the roof of the car.) Easy fix, get it tinted as dark as you can or get a graphic that goes on the whole roof or just on the sunroof portion. Problem solved.

I had both parts of the sunroof tinted to 20%. I should have gone darker. I am happy with how it came out though.

 

Hmmm... now you guys make me want a sunroof!

Honestly, the one locally is too good of a deal for me to pass up. As much as a sunroof may be nice, the next closest one with a sunroof would cost me at least $3k more and is lacking other options that I want.

If a similar one pops up with a sunroof I'll give it serious consideration, otherwise I think I'll learn to live without a sunroof.

Kevin