I am looking to replace a Subaru Crosstrek with a Mini Cooper after eliminating a Mazda CX-30 & Mazda3 hatchback from the search. It is a 3rd vehicle that my college age son will use when home as well as for general errands and the occasional commute. I should also say I had a 2009 Clubman many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed test driving the current version. The new Minis are just so much more refined and comfortable than what I remember.

I was contemplating a Mini Cooper Hardtop Oxford Edition, but they are impossible to find. My salesmen thinks they will be available as a 2022 model, but there are no guarantees on timing (believe 2022 production starts in March). I am now contemplating if I should consider leasing a 2021 Cooper S instead, reflecting it the updated version is coming out soon. Are 2021s still be delivered? Is it a good time to get a 2021? Any thoughts if the 2022 changes are worth waiting for? I like the idea of the larger 8" screen, but CarPlay will still not be standard. It seems like most of the changes are cosmetic. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

If you were contemplating the Oxford edition, budget must be important, I would give serious consideration to a 2021 model. With the 2022 models already announced, you might be able to get a good deal on a 2021. Assuming you can find one that fits your desires...

 

Thanks for the reply. I think the Oxford Edition is such a good value that I find it hard to justify it financially getting a standard Cooper with the 1.5L. The car would also likely go to my son after graduation wherever he may land in a few years. Upgrading to a S would be more for my benefit, knowing I will probably be driving it more over the next 2 years or so.

 

I really like the facelift for 2022. And as you said, the larger screen is nice too.
I'd wait if I were in your shoes.

 

I say grab a deal on whatever is at the dealers lot (or dealers lots if you cast the 50Kms net wider)
The upcoming 'botox update to the midlife facelift of 'LCI FY19' is all totally cosmetic:
front clip tweak; rear clip tweak. new colours and wheel options. Inside: updated horizontal dash/insert design. Minor display/connectivity feature addition. Fabric options.

If you wait 6 months to see if entertainment options are upgraded - you'll be in the loop from hell aka 'im not buy a PC till the next chipset/card/display comes out. Your kids getting the car anyway - for a longer termer. Its all going to be one step off the pace and growing for him once you hand it over as his back from university car. save the cash i say.

 

I was hoping to buy an Oxford Hardtop too because they are such great value. But they were basically unicorns, almost impossible to find. I found one a couple months back, but it was in Omaha. Oxford Countrymans, however, are easy to find, at least in Los Angeles.

I wouldn't count on the Oxford Edition being available for the 2022 model year. Even if MINI brings it back, it could restrict it again to military/college. So, if you find something you like now, I'd go for it. Better to go with a sure thing than to take the risk on the Oxford.

 

If I was looking at an Oxford Edition, I would be worried about the same sort of things. Eligibility changes (yet again). Availability. Content (reductions obviously worse than additions).

 

Some additional thoughts:

If you're looking for errand runs and occasional commutes, you may want to consider the SE. Sure, the range is short (about 100 miles), but if you can charge it at home, you should be able to charge it nightly and it'll be good to go during the day. Also, there are substantial incentives associated with electric vehicles, depending on where you live and your income.

The 4th gen MINIs are rumored to come out for the model year 2023, although with the 2022 refresh, I suspect they may push 4th gen further into the future. To me, it wouldn't really make sense to do a refresh right before the debut of a new gen. In the meantime, (1) if you find a good, used deal that you like, you can buy it now; or (2) lease. After the 4th gen is out, you may want to skip the first year or two for them to work out its problems. Then you can either sell your car or wait until the lease is up (the timing will be about right, since leases last 3 years) - then buy/lease a new 4th gen. By that time, CarPlay should be (hopefully) standard, or at least an option. The thing with this plan is that, if you do want to hold out for the possibility of getting a 4th gen, you should probably not buy a new one now, since new cars depreciate so much in value in the first few years.

 

The 4th generation Mini will be a 2024 model (not 2023). So it's still about 2 years away.

 

Each dealer gets on line 2-3 Oxfords per year I was told by a sales person.

 

Good point on the SE and I did consider it. I think it would work for the short term, but not necessarily when my son needs the car at school. His campus is also not local, so that would further complicate coming home (probably 2 charging stops needed). I did search out the charging station along the route, though. I also know I will likely have an EV in the next few years.

 

I appreciate all of the responses. My dealer solved the issue by finding me a 2021 2-door Oxford Edition waiting to be shipped to the US. My dealership was able to coordinate a trade with a dealer in the SE. Apparently they can divert it before it ships so it will go to the port in NJ. I am surprised this worked out, my dealer willing to search for a low value car, and the a dealer giving up an Oxford Edition which sells itself.

The car is not my ideal color choice, British Racing Green with black wheels, but it is too good of a value to pass up. My salesperson says it should be about 3 weeks for delivery. Interestingly, I am expecting it to have an analog speedometer, but my salesman indicates there is a chance it may be the digital one (thought you needed navigation). It will also have the simpler 6.5" non-touch screen radio. I believe I can get CarPlay added after the fact, but the threads on the subject are not the easiest and most consistent to follow. Once again, thank you for the responses.

 

I'm glad and jealous that you found an Oxford. You have a good dealer.

I love the BRG4. It's their special 60th anniversary color. What color is the roof?

 

Thank you. BRG, body, roof & mirrors.

 

Good find! I think that if a dealer has ordered a car (like the Oxford) that they haven't sold and another dealer (like yours) can get a deposit from a customer (you) on that exact car they can "hijack" it.

 

I thought I would provide an update. I picked up the Mini Cooper Hardtop Oxford Edition last Saturday. The BRG is growing on me. While it wouldn't have been my choice, finding an Oxford Edition is almost impossible, so I feel fortunate my dealership tracked one down. The color will also be a hit with my son who is in college who will also be driving the Mini, and will likely become his after he graduates.

Some initial thoughts:

• The 1.5L engine is great, better than I expected. It is adequately peppy off the line, and has good passing power on the highway, more so than Crosstrek it replaced or the CX-30 (non-turbo) we were also considering.
• It is a fun ride, handling is great and I appreciate the torque when taking off.
• It is such a busy ride that I even checked the air pressure. On smooth roads comfort is fine, but pretty unsettled on less than perfect back roads. My son is not a car person and I wonder if he will comment on the ride quality. (it is so far better than my long gone 2010 Clubman). I test drove a signature model with 16" wheels and it seemed smoother at the time. Any thoughts if going from 17" to 16" will make a significant different?
• The car is fun & dynamic, but in a totally different way than my Miata RF. The Miata feels slow in comparison, but a more natural handler with a nicer ride. The Mini feels like that over eager puppy, while the Miata seems more settled. The Miata will remain my fun car.
• The Entertainment & Communication system is really poor, probably the worst I had in a car in years. I am spoiled, and use to CarPlay and better sound quality. The interface just seems old. At this point I stream music via Apple Music or Sirius and use Waze for navigation. It is just awkward to change stations in Sirius even when using favorites. I also went with a ProClip mount with a magnet. It works really well.
  • The Oxford only has the front speakers. There are none in the back. i am surprised that volume needs to be at 60-75% to get adequate sound.
  • I expect my son to comment on the sound quality, not really as a complaint, but just that it is not great compared to the other cars, even the Miata.
• I may add SiriusXM just to make the interface easier. I also thought about upgrading to CarPlay (I think I have a EVO interface), but I don't think makes any sense since it is not a touch screen. I rather not spend much, knowing the Mini won't be a daily driver. My son won't likely care since he just streams music.
• The Monroney label still shows a spare tire which I find surprising since I thought Mini did away with them quite a while ago.

Here is a picture....


Does this dash picture indicate a EVO system?


I know I may seem critical, but the Oxford Edition was a great buy. At $21,600, it is a car that I am comfortable with my son taking back to school at some point. I also didn't have the time to wait for a 2022 Oxford Edition to show up, provided they will even be produced. Some of the new features are really nice such as the 8" touchscreen and blind side monitoring, but not enough to spend $25K for a lesser equipped car or $28K for a similarly equipped model. Overall, I really happy with the car.

 

Oh, I too thought MINI did away with spare wheels. A dealer told me that they now come with a flat-tire repair kit. Have you seen the spare wheel?

A dealer also told me that they won't be making Oxfords for 2022. I'm bummed.

I like the 8" screen too, especially if one has navigation.

Glad that you like the car. Happy for you.

 

Thank you for topic!

 

Spare wheel is just for the Cooper as it has the room.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1685150611570/




I have not check on a 2022. Look under the rear bumper of the Cooper (NON S or JCW).

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=71_0803

Has a big cover: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...l/36106857373/

 

Thank you for the topic!