I am test driving at prestige mini in nj on sat. My gf has an 06 S (Astro). I might pick up one myself. Is the sports package worth $500? Should i be picky and look for one with Limited slip diff?

 

I think you mean sport-suspension. I have ordered both limited slip and sport-suspension. Do you want the ultimate in handling or are you willing to compromise a bit to get into a car quicker? This is the real question. Here on the west coast it takes a lot longer for a car to get here. I put my deposit down on a year 14 months ago. My car is due at the dealership in about ten days.

 

All depends on what's important to you. If you think you'll miss the LSD (or repeatedly wonder what you're missing) order it to your specs. No discounts for buying off the lot, AFAIK.

 

For custom order how long is the wait on the east coast these days? 2 months?

 

biggest factor might be your patience :-) ask the MA what the allocation looks like for your dealer. if it's 6 mos, that car on the lot that you can drive off might look better. unless you're willing to wait ... in which case, NAM is a great place to hang and commiserate!

dave.

 

Why don't you try to go in with your options open? It is satisfying to order exactly what you want, not too much or not too little. But on the other hand, maybe you can just walk around the lot and "meet the cars". Like the proverbial puppy in the window, one might just give you that look that you can't say no to and you fall in love!

 

Ordering and waiting for my car to arrive was one of the best experiences I have had when it comes to cars. Getting just what I wanted and tracking it from the plant, across the ocean and through the VDC to the dealer was exciting!

 

Depends on your dealer, but could be as short as a month now.

 

Judgeing by the way that I have seen some MAs let demos be driven at dealerships, I would recommend that you order one with the specs you want, unless you see one with very low mileage. Well worth the wait.

 

I ordered my 2007 MCS on February 28, 2007 and was told 6 to 8 weeks until delivery. It *should* be here right at the 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 week mark. Of course, your situation may vary so take this with a grain of salt. FWIW, I say order one with whatever options you can't live without on it.

 

Ordering is ALOT of fun! You get to custom spec your MINI, so it is built uniquely for you. Plus you get to track its status through the production process, like when it is on the line, in the paint shop, etc. Then you can track your MINI as it makes it's journey from Cowley to Southhampton and even across the ocean! Some are even able to find out exactly where in the Atlantic the boat is! It it a truly unique experience and one that I don't think you will get anywhere else!

 

I was planning on ordering a MINI in June for delivery over the summer. I went up to a dealer in MD that I have worked with before, test drove the new MCS, and asked him what he had. There were over 20 MCS cars in a variety of colors and with many different options. I don't think he had two MINIs alike. Out of 20, four were almost exactly what I had speced online. I ended up picking one of the four based on color, seats, wheels and LSD. As you can see, it looks pretty sharp! I'd keep an open mind and see what your dealer has.

 

At this early stage of R56 in the states (out just over a month) I really dunno if there would be dealer stock to choose from, other than maybe someone who bailed after the car was built and shipped. Also seems too early for any demos to be sold, yet. This could change in six months tho.

Just custom order your car, it's so much fun and so personalized, and U get what U want!

Now if U want a 2006 there may be some new dealer stock left with some discounts off MSRP, a REAL rarity in the MINI world

 

i was told 4 weeks for mine to arrive. i ordered on 3/17 and the car was built and left the factory on 3/26.

 

I custom ordered mine on March 7th and It is on the ship right now with estimated delivery of April 15th in California (5 to 6 weeks total). You need to talk to your dealer and have him give you one of theirs that they have already allocated to them.

 

If it's got the options you want, it's affordable, and doesn't have too many things you don't want - go for it. That's how I bought mine, and if I had the option to eliminate anything it would have been the chrome mirror caps and the PDC; other than that I'm very pleased with what I got, and no waiting!

 

I bought mine from dealer stock. I was lucky and found a loaded MC in just the right colors. It also had fabric seats which was important to me since leather/plastic seats suck in the Summer!

I looked at the PT Cruiser and the VW Bug first before going to Mini. When I finally test drove the MC I was hooked. I needed a car right away because I was sick of renting. My dealership had plenty of 07 cars in stock to choose from so that was not a problem. I spent a little more money than I had planned but given all the features my MC came with I think it was worth it.

Since this is my first mini I wanted to try the MC first and if I like it I will buy a MCS next time around.

 

i bought off the lot. i made a comprimise as i wanted to have it then and now. i wanted black on black and got silver on black

 

I test drove a yellow cooper s with the "Coop" vinyls 6spd. Wonderful car! much more noticeable torque. I didnt have to even downshift when stuck behind a car to make a lane change and accelerate. Very Very Fun. My gf has an 06 cooper s and its much more noisy, but that can be a plus or minus. the torque diff is very noticeable. it was difficult but i decided not to buy. I figure if we have two mini's than we in essence paid $50k for 1 mini. Thats my finance background talking :/

Enjoy your wonderful mini cooper's everyone.

 

I live in NJ and the process took 5 weeks from ordering to delivery.

 

After my first MINI, I tried both a VW Sport and a PT Cruiser Turbo GT Convert. IMHO, once you've experienced MINI the others don't come close. I think you made the right choice.

 

Follow up. I might be getting a R56 afterall. But custom ordering. Also the test mule had the sunroof. Pointless option vs the earlier cars. the new sunroof is no bigger than a typical sunroof. Boooooo! so i will prob order mine without sunroof and anthracite head liner.

 

Ordering also will save you money on hair cuts and nail appointments, as you will be pulling out your hair and biting fingernails down to nubs while waiting.

However, the savings are offset by the increase in the bar tab.

Tough call. If I had it do all over,...wait,...I am still doing it!!!! ARRRRRGGGHHHHHH!!! WAAAAHHHH!

 

The dealer would never have the MINI I want on the lot. Okay, let's just say it's highly unlikely. I tend to want exactly what I want and have very good reasons for it....I also fall in love with the MINI I've ordered because a big part of me is in that car...my design preferences and bare-bones (more or less) option preferences. But that's just what works for me...someone else would take an entirely different approach. As it is, I've yet to see an R56 that meets my specific wants/needs, mostly because the Cooper manuals, Cooper-specific colors, and a few other items aren't out yet.

 

Then if you don't see what you want, and won't settle for whatever they have (hey-it's your money! you have to be happy!), and can wait, then you're kinda answering your question!

If you're buying new it would have to be more fun that way too, no?