Hi friends ,
I finally got to test drive the mini roadster S... Bedford, NH, dealership ...
My passenger was Andrew, 6'4, 250lb salesman...
I drove on highways and on rural , winding roads; top up, top down, sports mode, and regular...
Impressions:
More bottom clearance than expected... Don't have to fall into the seat... Spacious for a two- seater ... Can hold a conversation at higher speeds with top down , side windows up, and back deflector up... It has pop... Smooth shifting... Very responsive... I'm 6 feet tall, but all in torso; short arms, short legs, so I am close to the steering wheel... Top of head exposed a little more, so I will back off the wheel, somewhat ... I expected more noise with the top up... Didn't experience this ... Solid, tight... The gauges, switches are not intuitive (clutter ), but will be an easy adjustment... FUN to drive...
The price was bothersome... Car was listed at $35,000, and not loaded... No nav, comfort access... Yikes... Not far off a new 135i with equivalent additions...
I will drive my car through the winter, since I purchased new snows last year ..
When I do make a move, it will be between the roadster S and a newer 135 i... I want driving to be a fun experience: the mini passed tge test...
Question: if the S goes for more than 35k loaded, then what does the JCW
Cost? Must be = to the 135i... Should the JCW be considered?

 

i... I want driving to be a fun experience: the mini passed tge test...
Question: if the S goes for more than 35k loaded, then what does the JCW
Cost? Must be = to the 135i... Should the JCW be considered?[/QUOTE]

Hi there, although I don't own a r59, I believe that I will in another year. As you can see from my signature, I own a 2011 JCW. Whether or not you decide to do the JCW, it does have its advantages. Bigger Brembo Brakes and stronger engine. It's still the Prince engine, but beefier, same with the transmission. Some say that the suspension is beefier too, but Mini says no. The rest you can get with the JCW Package that is now offered on the Mini S, which is the direction that I intend on going next time. Do a few mods to the exhaust, turbo tubes, ect and pick up possibly 15-20 hp.

If you do the packages right, you can get a pretty nicely equipped Mini S with the access ignition and Auto A/C in the Premium package. You can get the GPS/Mini Connect in that for about $37k with the auto trans. Less with the six speed, of course.

As an owner of a factory JCW for me, it will be difficult to give up the torque of it if I go the Mini S. The JCW adds about $5K, so you have to figure if it's worth it. In anything other than a roadster, I'd go JCW, in a roadster, I think that I will stay Mini S.. Hope this helps, any questions just ask away, love Mini's.

 

Was there a "Market adjustment" or something on the price of the car? That seems expensive for a non-loaded S.

I just placed my order and came out at $36,300 MSRP and I did every package except the Sports Package and JCW package, plus added on some things like the reverse park assist and folding/heated/autodimming side mirrors and a few other things. You really should go on the website and configure one to figure out what you want.

Between a promo they had and a bit of haggling my out-the-door price will be almost $1500 under the "Total As Configured" MSRP shown below.

2013 Cooper S Roadster
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Base MSRP* $29,250.00
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DESIGN
Midnight Black Body Color $500.00
Carbon Black Color Line $0.00
Dash Surface in Piano Black $250.00
Door Panel in Carbon Black STD
Leather Sport Steering Wheel w/Multifunction STD
Black Headlamp Housings $100.00
Body Color Mirror Caps STD
White Turn Signals $100.00
Semi-Automatic Soft Top STD
Center Arm Rest INCL
Leatherette: Carbon Black STD
Sport Seats STD
Standard Floor Mats STD
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PACKAGES
Cold Weather Package $750.00
Heated Front Seats
Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets
Premium Package $1,250.00
Alarm System
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Automatic Climate Control
Chrome Line Interior
Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps
Technology Package $1,750.00
Comfort Access System
Harman/Kardon Sound System
MINI Connected
SIRIUSXM Satellite Radio
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PERFORMANCE
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
Start/Stop Button STD
Turbocharged 16-Valve Alloy Engine STD
4 Airbags w/Side-Thorax Protection STD
Dynamic Stability Control STD
Sport Button STD
Auto Dimming Mirrors $250.00
Front Fog Lamps STD
Rear Fog Lamp $100.00
Retractable Headlamp Washers $0.00
Xenon Headlamps $500.00
17" MINI Yours Twin Spoke Black $1,000.00
All-Season Tires $0.00
Runflat Tires INCL
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INSTRUMENTS
Openometer STD
Wind Deflector STD
6-spkr AM/FM CD Player STD
HD Radio STD
On-Board Computer STD
Rear Park Distance Control $500.00
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MSRP w/Factory Options $36,300.00
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Dealer Accessories** $0.00
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Total As Configured $36,300.00

 

[QUOTE=TheZlog;3617542]Was there a "Market adjustment" or something on the price of the car? That seems expensive for a non-loaded S.

Looks like a nice order. Most dealers will deal with you a little. When I got my Lil Guy JCW, I got the adaptive, HID head lights, H-K sound system, plus $1200 off. I felt, at the time, thought that I got a very good deal. There's more dealers now, so getting a dollar off deal's a little easier. The interest rate now, is more important to me now. That can eat you up. I got a 3.9% sucks, but that's what it was. Believe it or not, but if I'd have waited one week to finance it, they had a .9%. I wasn't happy, but not much I could do. Hey send pix when you get your lil roadster. I'm a bit more than a year away from getting serious, but these roadsters do get my blood going. Pepper White with lots of black accenting.

 

You didnt list what city you live in, but try a car buying service instead of trying to haggle with a dealership. I have purchased the last few cars this way. Unfortunately, the Mini Dealerships in Seattle do not participate in any car buying services and would not budge off MSRP + a markup. I flew cheaply to another state, saved $1700, and drove back with a smile on my face and money in my pocket.

You may have to try several surrounding big cities to find a partipating dealer if the dealerships do not participate in your area. Right now, I can get $1430 off MSRP on a Roadster S in SanFrancisco. It would cost me $117 to fly there, and drive back the scenic coastal highway, topless. Ahhhh.

Try www.penfed.zag.com or www.carsdirect.com

I will never ever buy another new car again without going through either of these car buying services.

Happy Hunting.

 

This is so true. The additional 3 percent for a five-year $20,000 loan costs $1,563. If more was financed, or the loan was over a longer period, the difference is greater. Too many buyers get swept up in their rush to purchase the car and don't do the math. It makes a tremendous amont of sense to take time before buying. First, open a savings account at a local credit union. It doesn't take much to start. Then talk to them about their car loans. You will be amazed at the difference in finance rates.