Went to an estate auction today hoping to bid on an '05 Mini Convertible with 55K miles. It was advertised as an S, but it clearly wasn't. I tried telling the auctioneer before the bidding started. He was basing it solely on a plate under the bonnet about the exhaust system. All it said was "Mini Cooper, Mini Cooper S"

No dual tailpipes, no air intake on the bonnet, 5 spd, no S badges anywhere at the start of the bidding, he reiterates that it is an S, and I raise my voice and say, It's NOT an S. I tell him I own two, one S, one base and I know the difference. He responds with, it says its an S, its an S and I'm selling it as an S.

Bidding starts and some unknowing woman buy it for $11,700. It needs tires, no test drive but it starts and runs good. Private Party Blue Book is $11500. hardly a deal. Book on the S is around 15K.

I would sue if I were her.

 

Apparently the buyer didn't believe you either. Guess she'll figure it out some day.

 

You should have asked the auctioneer "where in the world did you ever snag this justa? That's so much cooler than an S."

 

Deli, how is it cooler?

 

Sarcasm

 

OK got it. I think all MINIs have coolness, some are just faster.