1) 2005 MCSa with premium, sport, convenience and xenon lights. ~26k miles. $22k. I might be able to bring it down a bit. This one will give me tax break since I'm buying it from a different state too.

2) 2007 MCSa with sport and premium package. ~13k miles. $25k. Might be able to bring this down a little but it's priced at blue book value.

3) 2006 MCSa with sport, premium package and xenon lights. ~8k miles. $23,500 OBO. SOLD

4) 2006 MCS with sport, premium, xenon, HK sound, anthracite headliner, JCW package and extended 100k warranty. 35k miles. $26.5k - I really wanted a MCSa but maybe the JCW package will sway me back to a manual transmission.

Which one would you guys choose and why? I'm also looking to add the JCW Tuning Kit so I don't know if that matters on which year would work best.

Thanks!

 

R56!!!!!!! buy yourself some studs from TX speedwerks too. TURBO

 

NOTA

Three looks to be the best because of mileage and no sunroof. I don't think you can do the JCW package on an auto...if you can it's probably limited (no pulley/head). Why you stuck on an automatic?

 

Studs?

Yeah, I test drove an 08 yesterday. Awesome car. I haven't tried the supercharger yet. Big difference?

 

Thought sunroof comes with premium?

I think you can do the Tuning Kit right? (ECU, intake and something else)

Auto because I commute. Had a manual before and got sick of traffic. It was great for the weekend though. The paddle shifters will be fine for my daily manual fix.

 

I will buy the second choice, there is a big change in engine, interiors and exteriors between the 2006 model and the 2007 model, the R56 will be my choice

 

I would go with the R56.

 

I would just order a brand new one, for not much more money. But if u really want used definitely get the r56.

 

Thanks.

A new one would probably put me close to $30k including $2,500 mark up and October delivery. I need the car within the next month.

 

Drive the '06, drive the '07 ...if looks matter, look at them both closely. If ergonomics matter, judge the interiors carefully. Then make your decision based on which car you prefer. That's how I chose.

 

The turbo is less lag, In all honesty, I love MINI so 02-09 I would own any year the new R56 is more refined however....BUT I am not worried about Warranty, you can spend money in both set-ups and have a VERY FAST car, some prefer the super charger WHINE, I love the turbo boost at 1200 rpm with a PPPSSSHHHH at my shift point. Ya studs....This sucks, but (i could be wrong on date) in late 06 to all new turbo models have the lug Bolts they are 14 mm with an odd thread pitch ONLY shared by classic ALFA's, it makes it impossible to mount after market wheels brakes, spacers and so on. I have an 07 and I had to purchase this kit from texas speedwerks... , M14-M12 Studs with Black Chrome Nuts
M14-M12 lug nut conversion kit with black chrome lug nuts.without this your aftermarket wheels and addons wont work. Its BMW steppin in as BIG BROTHER making it difficult to put other wheels and parts on the Coop! Call Jeff he'll hook it up

 

Thanks for the tip.

I think the only thing that was holding me back a bit from the 07 was the xenon lights. I've had HID's on my previous and current car. I absolutely love it.

 

educate me..... HIDs are Xenons right? I have xenons on my car and they are ok, You CAN ALWAYS do aftermarket kits! All in All I love my R56S, as with all MINIs we take the bad with the good. SHe always gets me home.

 

LOL yeah, xenon = HID. Sorry, I meant the 07 one I listed does not have xenons.

 

If it was my choice I'd buy #3. With 8,000 miles it's essentially a new car with a whole lot of warranty left. It's an R53 & IMO it's a nicer car.

I also like the R56, but until they figure out exactly what the cause of the cold start rattle is & how to fix it I won't own one.

 

she does warm up.... Yay that is bad mine x10 times, I just dont rev her when its does it for 2 minutes ,you never know when shell do it. I can imagine its chain slap. or lifter. Im no MINI mechanic however, I just DONT rev her when she misbehaves....HELL a McClaren has tranny trouble until its warm about 5 miles of drive! MINI is exotic too!

 

That was the part that stood out the most for me. Owner claims to have 4 cars and is about to retire so he wants to get rid of some cars.

So older male that doesn't drive the car that much =

 

I'm with Crashton, the cold start rattle needs to be addressed before I'll buy an R56.

 

Yes! Great advice. Start with the basics. Sit in and drive the different cars. I drove 6 mini's before making up my mind. I will be picking up my 06 Mini S this Friday.

 

Wow 6 MINIs! Mind me asking which model years and why you went with the o6?

 

It was a mix of different Mini's. The first two I drove were owned by relatives, pre 2005. The third one was a highly modified R53, and was one of the funnest cars I had ever driven. The fourth was a dealer's R56. The fifth was an automatic R53. All models were S models.

Oops, maybe it was only 5. Well the 6th is the one I am buying.

I like the supercharger whine, and the handling of the R53. I didn't personally care for the massive center speedo of the R56.

As for the '06 model year? Well it was the most recent model year of the R53, so I figured the factory would have the chance to solve some of the issues during production of a new model and also mileage would be lower.

But sometimes of what you buy, obviously depends on what you find, the condition, price, and the options. A pristine 05 would have suited me just as fine, I'm sure.

I happened to come across a great seller, with what appears to be a very well cared for 2006, with all the options I wanted. (Like Chrono pack, etc.)

 

#3
because of low mileage,...and last of the R53's

 

I would take the 3rd option purely because it has far less mileage on it. It's really quite a big difference!

 

Regarding your note on option #1:

If you live in CA and plan to register it for operation in CA, I am not personally aware of any tax breaks for an out of state purchase. You might not pay tax at the time of the out of state transaction, but my guess (I'm not a tax specialist or an accountant) is that the CA DMV will expect to tax you on the purchase at time of registration in CA.

 

Well you are right the 2006 is the last R53, but the 2007 is the first R56, it has a brand new engine with a lot of technology it makes at this time more power wit less fuel cons. I will consider a deeper look at the plus the 2007 has.
please check this page before you made your choice.
www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/14/new_mini_38_psa_engine_range_in_detail/