I'm trying to choose between two vehicles and looking for some advice. Both are 2006, clean, garage kept, roughly the same price, and are in excellent condition:

#1:
-2006 CR/B Mini Cooper S
-Silver/black cloth sport seats
-Premium and sport packages
-Convenience package
-24,000 miles
-1 owner, garage kept (granny owner), all records
-red dash interior trim
-arm rest
-six speed manual
-black racing stripes
-chrome exterior package
-located 215 miles away, so it would be a trip.

#2:
-2006 Dark Silver with a silver roof and silver mirrors. Also a MCS
-gray/black leatherette seats
-premium and sport packages
-Harmon Kardon system
-2 owner, garage kept, all records
-anthracite interior trim
-unique silver swooping racing stripes and silver hood scoop inlet
-38,000 miles
-2 years left on an extended total care warranty (or 70k miles)
-located 35 miles away

Tough decision for me, because although I prefer the color and geographic closeness of #2 (as well as the warranty), the low mileage of #1 is really nice. Convenience package vs. harmon kardon I guess is a wash....

any input is appreciated

 

Looking at the colors that you've owned
I'll bet that the Dark Silver one is going to be your first choice.
It's also my favorite of the two color choices.

But having said that if I was choosing I'd take the one owner low miles Chili Red and Black MCS.

Hope this helps...

 

Tough pick there. Car #1 is well optioned. Car #2 has the warranty which can make you sleep better at night. Don't worry about the silver graphics that was a option in 2006 very similar to the Checkmate package in 2006 and can be duplicated.

I think I would take Car #1. I want a car with more in it for the $ and can deal with repairs.

 

It is a tough pick... they are both MCS's, and IMO they are both equally spec'd. The CR/B has the auto headlights/wipers with auto dimming mirror, as well as the chrome line exterior, however, the DS/S has the HK stereo and leatherette (which I believe is better than the cloth, which can stain)... I guess I could have worst problems

 

You are right! I am leaning towards the DS/S... how'd you guess?

 

For me, the only thing going against #1 is the cloth interior. I had it in my 2005 MCS when I got it and hated it - swapped it out for the leatherette and loved it. My MCS is DS/B, and I have to say I'd really like it to be a brighter color (as there are so many dark, greyish cars around these days, not just Mini's). So if it were me I'd go for #1. Low miles are what would do it for me. My stereo is only on when my wife is in the car, so a lack of HK wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

 

The distance shouldn't really be a deciding factor either. It only takes a day to make the trip/purchase for years of ownership. Also, driving it back home is the best part!

 

Very true!

 

CR is a "throwing it out there" color. DS is far more conservative and businesslike (or as conservative and businesslike as a Mini gets!). Couldn't be more different... and given you're a previous PW owner I'd have put my money on your liking the DS also.

You say maintenance is up to date, how about wear items like brakes and ties, which can amount to some $ after the sale? Which wheels are on each? Which wheels do you like better?

Given that these cars last quite a while when properly cared for, and if the price reflects the mileage, 38k is "about right" low enough mileage. I've had cars before that were not driven enough, and showed premature exhaust and brake failure due to corrosion.

Seats are easily swapped via the Marketplace, a salvage yard, or re-upholstered.

Personally, the Convenience package does for me the things I'd rather do for myself, hence should be called the INconvenience package, and H/K is far more valuable. To me. It's a really nice commercial system if you haven't had it before, but if you're into dual 12" subs and an audiophile system, it may not *quite* measure up. It's also removable and has resale value. I really like my H/K.

What it REALLY comes down to is this: Close your eyes. (OK, read these instructions, THEN close your eyes). It's the beautiful pre-dawn of a sunny weekend and you're going on a leisurely 2 hour drive on some deserted fun roads. Walk down to your driveway, where a beautifully-detailed, fully-fueled Mini awaits.

What color is it?

 

I know what you mean! I let a LY/W get away from me the other week...

I don't mind the cloth seats, especially in a hot climate, but I feel that the leatherette really gives it a more upscale look and feel. Not sure about the red interior trim too...

 

Dark Silver. This is exactly what I needed, Thank you!

I'm an attorney, so a conservative color fits "me" better. Not sure about brakes, gotta check them. Both are S-Lites. CR/B still has the RFs on them... I have had the "Boost" stereo on my two previous MCS's, and was good enough, but always wanted a little more... nothing like the Logic 7 on my 335i - that was the best stereo I have ever heard (quality wise).

 

#2 :-)

 

I would suggest you schedule a day off and find a friend or family member to help you go get #2. The cloth seats in #1...to '80s... After you get it have a quality stereo shop install some quality audio gear, and enjoy!

 

Thanks. Assuming I do get #2, I would probably leave the factory Harmon Kardon stereo.

Forgot to mention that #1 has an armrest! :-P

 

take both to a dyno and buy whichever one lays down the most power. =)

I love my CR even though I hate red. I only bought this because it has the red roof as well. I am anti any color roof on CR. The HK stereo is not a big factory as if you like music you will probably want to upgrade it at somepoint to a unit with Bluetooth audio streaming. I would in all honesty just drive them both, I haven't felt 2 Mini's ever drive the same. Go with which one puts the biggest ear to ear grin on you.

 

#2. Because it is very close to what I chose, and I love it. You won't regret the HK sound, or the Warranty peace of mind.

 

I agree... Cr/cr is the best, followed by cr/w and then cr/b. Thanks for the feedback!

 

you can always add an armrest... you can't add HK sound! :-)

 

I'd go with No. 2, but then as you can see from my photo, I'm a little biased. To me the warranty is a key factor. Plus, if you are like me and like your interiors to look as factory as possible, then go with the HK option so you don't end up with an aftermarket stereo.

The mileage difference isn't that big a deal in my opinion. The more important factor there is how the care has been maintained and driven.

By the way, I have the cloth interior and it does stain, so you have to be careful. It does have the benefit of not heating up in the sun as much.

 

Yep, on my second R53, I had the cloth seats and they would stain (the silver part) with just a drop of water... very frustrating! I actually think the higher mileage one was better maintained (just by the looks of the interior, the first one was dirtier and had scratches on the back of the seats)... anyway, I'll definitely post whichever one I end up with!

 

Update: #1 was sold and #2 was suddenly "backed into" and is no longer for sale :(

Going to check out a 2005 R50 w/ 68k miles on her. Asking price is $10K, thinking about picking it up if it is in good condition....

 

When I was searching for mine I also had a similar experience - if you spot a good one, particularly an 05 or 06, with low mileage (i.e. under 40k) you really need to jump on it quickly. I've only driven one R50 - and compared to even the stock power and performance from an R53, its a big disappointment - so after having 2 R53's you might want to keep your search parameters to R53's!!

 

Good tip, for sure. However I am currently driving a Kia Rio5 and am perfectly happy with the power and drivability - safety not so much (poor side impact ratings). This is why I am selling it and buying another MINI. Compared to the R53, I kind of like the fact that I have to row through the gears more often in the Kia. Makes driving fun! Figure I might have a similar experience with the R50.

 

Just to point out the crazy asking prices of some late model R53's up here (Seattle) I just spotted a late 06 MCSa, with only 13k on it, for 18 grand! And I test drove another one (mid 06 MCSa, 38k miles) a couple of weeks ago - the dealer wanted 21 grand for it!! The reason I was test driving automatics was that my wife can't drive a stick - but then I decided I'd never let her drive my Mini anyway so it was better that it was a stick!!

 

Unless B-spec racing... R50 will leave you unhappy.