R50/53 Need help buying an 05 Cooper S

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 6, 2004 | 01:26 PM

#26

Banned

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 7,756

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven

You weight weenies are really funny.

It makes me laugh each time I read posts from folks on these forums that tell someone else not to purchase a sunroof because it adds too much weight to the car. And the ones that really make me laugh the most are the ones who cry about the difference in weight between the 16" and 17" factory wheels.

Come on now, do you guys really think that the average MINI owner is ever going to be able to tell any difference at all between a MINI with 16" wheels and no sunroof over one with 17" wheels and a sunroof???? I think NOT! (although I'll give you the fact that some folks might notice a very small difference in ride quality between the two)

I've driven both types of MINIs back-to-back for quite some time and I sure can't tell any appreciable difference between them. Therefore, for those of you trying to decide on your new MINI's spec, I wouldn't listen to any of the weight weenies out there and I'd just get what you really want (unless you're a serious auto-x-er and you're buying the car solely for that purpose that is).

Personally, the MINI's HUGE sunroof and sweet looking 17" wheels are what attracted me to the car the most. I'd rather have them and be enjoying them everyday, then to have missed out on the options just to have of save a few silly pounds on the car. Get a grip!

Too much caffeine this afternoon?

Dec 6, 2004 | 01:32 PM

#27

DrkSilver163

5th Gear

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 1,015

Likes: 0

From: ??

^^^^Hes right. You get what YOU want. I autocross my ...car despite having it fully loaded and did more than fine, even on the run-flats. the S-Lites you can always change just for the track. Sunroof is just too damn cool to overlook. if you want an autocross ...car, get a base cooper S.

Dec 7, 2004 | 07:53 AM

#28

stylin99

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Charlotte, NC

...

Dec 7, 2004 | 09:22 AM

#29

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylin99

I wanted the Limited slip but since it wasn't available until January, the base price would be $500 more by then. Evidently the base rate just went up from 19899 to 20400 and I just got in before the cutoff.

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that any MINI sold from the dealer's current stock BEFORE 01/05 would not have the price increase, but those sold AFTER 01/05 would. i.e. it doesn't matter when your order was placed nor when your car was manufactured, but rather when you take delivery of it. Since I doubt that you'll take possession of your new car before 01/05 (unless the dealer knows that they have a car coming in that meets your desired specs), you'll probably get hit by the $500 price increase.

I could be wrong, but this is the way that I currently understand the price increase situation to be like.

Anyway, congrats on your order!

Dec 7, 2004 | 03:09 PM

#30

MarkS

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 683

Likes: 0

From: Grand Blanc, MI

Congrats, stylin! Sounds like a nice spec and I know you'll be happy with Classic.

Office, that's my understanding of the price situation. I was told that if I took delivery before the new year I'd beat the price increase and, if the car came after the new year, I'd have to pay the $500 regardless of when I placed the order.

Mark

Dec 7, 2004 | 03:43 PM

#31

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkS

Office, that's my understanding of the price situation. I was told that if I took delivery before the new year I'd beat the price increase and, if the car came after the new year, I'd have to pay the $500 regardless of when I placed the order.

Mark,

It makes me wonder what they're going to do about the window stickers on all of the cars sitting on the dealer's lots? Obviously, the window sticker will reflect the old MSRP, but the dealers will be forced to sell them at the $500 higher price tag. I'd be kind of bummed if I bought my car and the window sticker listed the car at $500 less than what I paid (assuming you were told that you were paying MSRP that is). Maybe MINI will send re-printed ones for all the cars that haven't sold by 01/05??? Who knows...

Dec 7, 2004 | 03:59 PM

#32

MarkS

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 683

Likes: 0

From: Grand Blanc, MI

That's a good point! I was thinking in terms of special ordered cars when my MA told me that, of course, but I do wonder what happens to the cars already on the lots. Unless the increase doesn't apply to those, but that wouldn't seem right, either.

Mark

Dec 7, 2004 | 04:09 PM

#33

MINIAC

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 2,319

Likes: 94

From: Tsunami Zone

As it was explained to me ...

The price increase only applies to a car released by the VPC to dealer after December 31st.

Dec 7, 2004 | 05:37 PM

#34

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIAC

The price increase only applies to a car released by the VPC to dealer after December 31st.

Ah, now that would make sense since I believe that the window stickers are printed at the VDC. Thus, one could still buy a MINI from dealer's stock after 01/05 without paying the $500 price increase as long as the car had passed through the VDC/VPC before the 1st of the new year.

Dec 8, 2004 | 05:36 AM

#35

stylin99

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Charlotte, NC

What's the VDC?

Dec 8, 2004 | 05:50 AM

#36

BrewSwapGuy

Formerly PassatDoTd

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,817

Likes: 0

From: Phoenix, AZ

Is this price increase reflected on MINIUSA.COM?

I mean, if you build it now and order it now you won't get it before January anyway. If those prices are pre $500 increase I'm pissed cause my sales guy certainly didn't mention it.

Dec 8, 2004 | 06:04 AM

#37

MarkS

5th Gear

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 683

Likes: 0

From: Grand Blanc, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylin99

What's the VDC?

The Vehicle Distribution Center. It's where your MINI goes after it arrives at port from its ocean voyage. They check the car for damage, repair any problems, and from there it's off to your dealer. According to the Owner's Lounge, btw, mine is still there even though I have photographic evidence it's at the dealership.

Mark

Dec 8, 2004 | 06:32 AM

#38

erik99

3rd Gear

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 247

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta, GA

I ordered my MCS last Friday, it will be here in February, and will get the '04 pricing. My MA actually pointed this out to me

.....must be the holiday spirit

.

I felt the LSD would be worth the wait. But like everything Mini, "to each his own".

Dec 8, 2004 | 06:37 AM

#39

MandaBoo

6th Gear

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,742

Likes: 1

From: Cincinnati

Quote:

Originally Posted by erik99

I ordered my MCS last Friday, it will be here in February, and will get the '04 pricing. My MA actually pointed this out to me

.....must be the holiday spirit

.

I felt the LSD would be worth the wait. But like everything Mini, "to each his own".

Not fair! I ordered mine with an LSD the 1st week of November and I got the $500 price increase added to my invoice. At least when I started talking to my MA in July and said I wanted to wait for a Jan. build she pointed it out to me then, so I guess I can't complain too much

Dec 8, 2004 | 07:29 AM

#40

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by PassatDoTd

Yes, they sure are... The old base price for the MCS was $19,899 and now the MINI USA web site lists the new base price of $20,400 (so it's actually a $501 increase). The same goes for the MC, MCC, and MCSC as well. The web site's prices were updated at the same time they added in the new 01/05 features (such as the 6-speed auto trans for the MCS, the LSD for the MCS, Convenience Package, etc.).

Dec 8, 2004 | 07:31 AM

#41

BrewSwapGuy

Formerly PassatDoTd

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 1,817

Likes: 0

From: Phoenix, AZ

Thanks Maven! $20,400 was the price I was going off of.

Dec 8, 2004 | 07:33 AM

#42

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by erik99

I ordered my MCS last Friday, it will be here in February, and will get the '04 pricing. My MA actually pointed this out to me

.....must be the holiday spirit

.

I felt the LSD would be worth the wait. But like everything Mini, "to each his own".

Your dealer is wrong... If you're getting your new MCS without the $500 increase (and it is being delivered from the VDC AFTER 12/31/04), then they are giving you one heck of a good deal (i.e. you'll be getting it at $500 below MSRP that way). I'd double check with your MA about this one just so you don't end up getting burned with the additioal $500 cost once the car arrives.

Dec 8, 2004 | 07:35 AM

#43

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by PassatDoTd

Thanks Maven! $20,400 was the price I was going off of.

Excellent! So it wasn't a shock to you since the increase was already figured in your spec.

Congrats on your new MINI!

Dec 8, 2004 | 09:32 AM

#44

stylin99

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Charlotte, NC

...

Dec 8, 2004 | 09:40 AM

#45

XAlfa

Banned

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 2,399

Likes: 0

From: Berkeley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylin99

Red on Red
Black Leatherette
Silver interior accents
Multi-Function wheel
17" S Lite wheels w/perf tires
Fog Lights

stylin - nice spec. This is basically what I went with, although no chrome or msfw and DS/DS (oh yeah, and jcw

).

Might I make one suggestion? Instead of just the front fogs, I went with the front/rear fog package for $199. For another $60 you can add rear fog lights and fill out your bank of toggle switches.

Dec 8, 2004 | 10:19 AM

#46

planeguy

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 1,443

Likes: 0

From: Wichita, Kansas

yeah, that missing toggle bothered me so much I paid $250 to get the rear fog retro fitted for my 03

Dec 8, 2004 | 10:37 AM

#47

erik99

3rd Gear

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 247

Likes: 0

From: Atlanta, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven

Damn, I just looked at my invoice again and the base is $20,400. My MA got it wrong on the phone

Dec 8, 2004 | 04:07 PM

#48

TheOfficeMaven

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,497

Likes: 0

From: Orange County, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by stylin99

Officemaven, how are you so sure about the increase being the date it arrives to VDC? Do you have some documentation you found? Was it your dealer that said it? I'd like to find that out for sure. Because Classic Mini was very specific about it being the date the order was placed. I have it all in writing with a confirmed price of the lower amt, so if someone tries to backtrack and charge $500, I will be upset. But I'm hoping that our agreement on paper is sufficient to hold the number we agreed on.

I'm not absolutely sure... This is just coming from stuff I've read on the Intenet. However, MINI USA just did a press release today (i.e. 12/08/2004) with the folowing statement in it:

Quote:

Pricing Changes and Product Enhancements for January, 2005
Separately, MINI USA announces a price adjustment effective for models wholesaled to dealers from January 1, 2005 onward. The base MSRP for the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible increases by $501. The MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Convertible base MSRP both increase by $500. With new product enhancements for the 2005 models, MINI continues to offer customers a compelling price/value combination and premium positioning.

Thus, according to the official MINI press release, the price increase is in effect for ALL MINI models wholesaled to the dealears from 01/01/2005 and onward. Thus, if your MINI is being built on or after 01/01/05, then you're definitly going to be paying the $500 price increase (unless you can get your dealer to eat it - which I doubt).

Here's a link to the full press release that was posted on MINI2 (it talks about the new LSD and 6-speed automatic trans as well):

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost....2&postcount=20

I hope this helps some (and I'm sorry if it costs you $500 more)...

Dec 8, 2004 | 04:40 PM

#49

stylin99

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 253

Likes: 0

From: Charlotte, NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven

Thus, according to the official MINI press release, the price increase is in effect for ALL MINI models wholesaled to the dealears from 01/01/2005 and onward. Thus, if you're MINI is being built on or after 01/01/05, then you're definitly going to be paying the $500 price increase (unless you can get your dealer to eat it - which I doubt).
..

It doesn't say "Being built after 1/1/05." It says "Wholesaled to dealers". It's still inclusive. It can be read either way. Thanks for the link though.