Hello Everybody!

Totally new to the world of Mini, and I want to buy one. I know they are great cars but I was hoping somebody could give me a little insight and help with a few questions so that I could make an educated purchase.

1. Are there any major CONS with the 2012-13 Coupe s Automatic?

2. Are there any options I should make sure I do without and are not necessary to maybe save a few bucks?

3. Are there any options I definitely need which would totally make the car that much better?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated and useful!

Thank you all in advance

 

First, welcome! I just bought my MCS last weekend, so I'm new to the Mini scene myself. But I did a lot of reading/research before I bought.

You may not get a ton of input to your question, because there are countless threads on the forum discussing the "issues" with the Cooper S (aka MCS). In fact, there's a whole subsection devoted to it. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ms-issues-188/
Read through and you'll get a good grasp of things to watch for.

As for options, that's purely subjective. What's important to you? Whatever that is, then you can't live without it. For me, it was the pano roof and heated seats...my wife wanted those.

Best of luck!

 

All depends what you are going to do with the car. I have a S and a Cooper. Both are great. Next a JCW. If your main thing is durability get the Cooper. If it is performance go with the S. Option are personal deal. I thing Zenon lights are a must, heated seats, and HK stereo. These are why to hard to upgrade later. All others can wait.
My $.02 worth.

 

I wish I hadn't gotten the sunroof, could have saved $750. That's about the only thing I don't use. Plus you have to get a zippy shade, or put 5% limo tint on it to keep your car from being a solar oven. It's really loud when open, it's heavy and the weight is up high, it's prone to rattles and leaks...

The gotta haves are, bluetooth, smartphone integration, Bi-Xenon lights, (adaptive are even better), and the HK. (no it isn't that great, but it's way better then the std radio.)

Then everything else is up to you. I really like the auto air, rain sensing wipers, and heated seats, (although they are almost too hot with the cloth seats. Even low is nuclear), IMO the anthracite headliner looks better than the lighter color.

 

Just keep in mind that people only post problems. There are A LOT more minis' out there then there are NAM members that bring up problems with the car. My 2003 MCS was very reliable with few issues. I expect the same with my 2012.

 

I just went through the configurator and decided what I couldn't do without. My four "must haves" were sunroof, Xenons, Bluetooth and since I have a bad leg an automatic. Assuming it is the same as the hardtop I would spend $100 on the rear fog lights so you fill up your toggle switches. The HK stereo is also worth the money IMHO.

 

Having ordered three MINIs with various options since 2007, I have discovered I need:

heated seats for my back problems, seats with some leather because they have adjustable lumbar support, xenon headlights for better visibility, rear fog lamp for safety, traction control for safety, rubber floor mats for Iowa weather

 

Of course, opinions are like noses

An automatic is nice in traffic, but a manual is much more fun to drive.
The convertible top is the most important option after the Turbo.
Heated seats are nice on cold days.

So...get an "S" manual convertible, the rest is whatever you like.

 

Like everyone else has said, it's all very personal...and I think that's the greatest thing about a Mini (even if I don't have mine yet)