Hello Guys! I am interested in purchasing a 2006 Mini JCW and wanted to get a feel if the car I am looking at is priced fairly or over priced? The car is a fully loaded JCW addition with 63k miles and the owner is set on 15K. I appreciate everyones assistance!

Can you elaborate on options? I can guess but a bit more detail cant hurt.

Even with a rough bit of research on my part, I think he's asking the very top end that he can. You should have some wiggle room with him, but I don't think he's asking something totally unreasonable if it's in perfect condition.

I have cut and pasted the list of options...pretty much everything but Navigation. I had it inspected and all was good with exception of the air and cabin filter. Thanks for your input!

6-Speed Manual Transmission
- John Cooper Work tuning kit ($6300): JCW engine kit, JCW 18'' wheel and etc.
- Sport Package ($1900): Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Xenon headlight, front fog lamp
- Premium Package ($1400): multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel w/cruise, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, automatic air condition, on-board computer
- Convenience Package ($400): rain sensing wipers, automatic on/off headlights and etc.
- Cold Weather Package ($300)
- Traction Control, Stability Control
- Cruise Control/ Rear Fog Lamp ($100)
- Harman Kardon Sound w/iPhone, iTouch, iPod interface ($550)
- Side Air Bags/Chrome Line Interior ($200)/Center Arm Rest ($200)/ Cup Holder and etc.
- Leather Seats/ Heated Front Seats
- Panorama Sun Roof (again perfect for Arizona drivers)
- Premium Wheel 18'' (Astral Black)

Options:
6-Speed Manual Transmission
- John Cooper Work tuning kit ($6300): JCW engine kit, JCW 18'' wheel and etc.
- Sport Package ($1900): Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Xenon headlight, front fog lamp
- Premium Package ($1400): multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel w/cruise, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, automatic air condition, on-board computer
- Convenience Package ($400): rain sensing wipers, automatic on/off headlights and etc.
- Cold Weather Package ($300)
- Traction Control, Stability Control
- Cruise Control/ Rear Fog Lamp ($100)
- Harman Kardon Sound w/iPhone, iTouch, iPod interface ($550)
- Side Air Bags/Chrome Line Interior ($200)/Center Arm Rest ($200)/ Cup Holder and etc.
- Leather Seats/ Heated Front Seats
- Panorama Sun Roof (again perfect for Arizona drivers)
- Premium Wheel 18'' (Astral Black)

The owner is standing firm on 15K, it has every option with the exception of Navigation. I had it inspected and it passed with flying colors.

Based on what I paid for my '06 S ~ three years ago I think the price sounds pretty decent especially w/a clean PPI and if the interior/exterior condition is good. That's just based on my gut, sans any research.

Offer 14k take it or leave it. He will crumble especially if he is not getting many bites. Just like a swimming pool does not add value to a house, the JCW option does not add as much value as it cost to be installed

Not an expert either, but if the car is very clean, the price sounds Okay to me. If I find a very clean car that is exactly what I want, I don't mind overpaying a bit.

- Mark

the original asking price was 15300, I offered 14,500 and he said 15k was the lowest he would go. I figured if I were to buy an 06 MCS and add all the performance components, I would probably be at around 15K, right? Thank you all for your feed back!!

If you're willing to play hardball, stick to your original offer and if he doesn't bite, let it go. Leave your contact info. If he sits on it long enough, you'll get your price. If not, there are other JCW's out there.

That is the way I was leaning...I threw out the offer, if he takes it...great, if not, I continue looking. Thanks for the comments!!

If you like it buy it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fact is that there are relatively few JCW cars around - I agree if you like it make the best deal you can - if the JCW option is no big deal to you then pass - for me I'd never own a MINI that didn't have the JCW option. I don't agree that it doesn't add value - the mere fact that they are rare and that the option is excessively expensive when new makes them worth the small added premium -

Just to add some more insight, I picked up a 2006 MCS with all of the same options minus the JCW and cold weather package with the same mileage for $10k even. The car was 1 owner and in pristine condition.

Since there are probably 100 MCS's to every JCW, -only a potential buyer can determine if the added price is worth it - trouble is, once you decide you must have a JCW finding a good one is even harder

63K miles is not that low. I paid above high blue book for the 05 MCS JCW I picked up a couple of months ago but it was exactly what I was looking for with low miles and the owner wasn't in a hurry to sell. He knew he was going to get what he was asking. Good luck with your purchase. BTW, I was searching for about 8 months.

Completely Agree........ I was obviously ROBBED looking back on it now! Plus mine didn't have any sort of JCW upgrades/options on it at all. But hey, I did know exactly what I was looking for and it definitely fit the bill to every degree.... So I pulled the trigger.

Just saying OP I paid A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT more than this about 3-4 yrs ago now. Yes it was 3-4 yrs ago now, but I'm talking a lot more ($,$$$'s). But for what its worth, I'd do it all over again, so no heart break on the price I paid - even if it was HIGH.

EDIT: Never ever thought about how resonable these puppys are going for these days..... Thanks for the insite. Maybe its time to equip the wife! Haha.

An important lesson for all (in all transactions including a stock) is to forget about what you payed after you buy something - its over and done - enjoy it

As for the price variations on MINI's, JCW or not, is that they vary all over the place - if you check prices in different locales you'll find vast differences in prices for the same cars.

I just brought home an '06 MCS from the original owner with some JCW bits, but there was a nearby '06 JCW with 10k less miles for only $2k more that popped up for sale on the day I put a deposit down on my car. Ultimately, I decided that the color combination+options of car+service records was a better fit for me(for instance, the "other" car has LSD but no sunroof). However, had I seen the JCW car first, I'd definitely would have given it consideration.

The point being, if I were in your shoes and I was only $500 away from getting a JCW car, I'd pull the trigger and buy it.

It's a good price. But, check with Mini to make sure it's a true JCW. Just tell the, the vin over the phone. If its real, grab it! You won't be dissapointed. And, if you can, being it to Mini, let THEM look it over, they'll know what to look for, such as bushings, tower plates and bushings, ect ect. If They say it's an A+ car, go for it!

If you're set on a JCW, I'd just pay the ask. He already came down a little, you came up a little... If you both hold firm and he ends up with another buyer, you may be kicking yourself for letting a mechanically sound JCW slip through your fingers over a few hundred bucks.

^exactly

^do this first agreed (Get the most info on it as possible)

^Totally agree bud, and like I said before.... there has never been 1 regret. I guess I shouldn't have used the word "robbed" earlier. And for a JCW, to me this just sounds awesome.

(OP) Looks like your possibly going to be getting a car that you'll wonder why you were even worring about a couple hundred!

Is $500 worth letting it walk?

NADA on my 06 MCS is $11-12k in excellent condition, 50,000 miles. A good JCW should probably be a couple thousand more.

Thank you all for your feedback! It is more than I wanted to spend, but it's a beautiful car that, as some of you mentioned is rare find. I was going to by a standard MCS and add some performance parts, but as I crunched the numbers it makes just as much sense to buy the car completely done and just enjoy driving it. That being said, I am purchasing it hopefully in the next couple of days. I will post some photos when i get her home!

No matter what your ultimate plans might be in the future with MINI, I'm just trying to state that, the one your looking at (without knowing all the exact details, of course), is IMHO one of the ultimate "base-car" R53's to begin with (doesn't get much better than a fully opted out JCW). And I'm sure you'll be happy with it for a long long time, before even thinking about tweaking stuff. And that's even if you ever will want to. So..... Best of luck to you newtwomini!!!! Can't wait to see some pics, and I hope everything works out just the way you want it to.