Hello lotus!

 

You mean "twin-scroll" turbo

 

I'd want to know what Tif from Fifth Gear thinks of the new 07's

 

I'd get an 06 just so you can get motoring sooner. I have had mine 4 weeks, have 2,600 miles on it, drove from Atlanta to Indy for the 500, ran an autocross, went to a great party with about 40 or 50 other Mini's and who knows what this weekend holds.

No one knows if its better or worse, but we do know that time not spent motoring is wasted time. Plus, my luck I'd wait the six months for the 07 and get hit by a bus the day before it comes in.

 

This was my most compelling reason to order last week! Not to mention all the other arguments against waiting for '07s...

BMW seems to be cheapening out, IMO, and I want the best MINI for my $$$, which I feel is the tested, most improved, and most thoughtfully designed '06 model. Good luck!

 

As some have suggested....get an '06 now and then, if you want to, turn it in for an '09.....50th Anniversary MINI. Yum!!!!

 

I never considered this! In the words of Austin Powers, "Yaaaaah Baaaby!"

 

I don't think BMW is intent on making the new model worse. My concern, as I stated on the first page, is that the current model has set the bar pretty high, and that the R56 will have to be outright amazing to completely outclass it and reduce current owners and pending owners to quivering, sobbing sacks of regret.

In other words, BMW outdid themselves the first time out, and in so doing have a challenge on their hands to improve upon greatness.

 

There have been several comments about accelerated depreciation of the '06, once '07s come out... Maybe, maybe not.

Fortunately, I live for today and choose products (MINIs included) for what they are and do right now... not on speculation of their future resale values. I could have chosen an '07, but for me, the '06 fits my criteria perfectly.
Each of us are likely to have our own little (or large) laundary lists of ideosyncrasies that we bring into the equation each time we choose a new automobile. Merely stating that one year versus another as a better choice is very, very simplistic.

 

I would agree with this assertion if say we were discussing the merits of 04s vs. the 05s, but when a factory has to be closed twice for retooling and other preparations for a completely redesigned model with an all-new powerplant, well, that's not "very, very simplistic" in a comparative sense.

I doubt I'm the first to make this prediction, but I predict there will be very significant "growing pains" with early build 2ndGen models just because so much is being changed in a relatively short period of time--plus already taxed service departments will now have two different models with two different engines to deal with. I know my SA is NOT looking forward to this (of course, he's partial to the old, iron block, low tech, SC'd engine.)

I could be wrong, but based on my experiences in the industry and present indicators, I'd take this to Vegas if I could.... JB

 

I have a August 02 build MCS and I absolutely love it, part of the attraction for me is that it is a first year build....Regardless of what consumer reports and everyone else said, It has been a great car considering it's a guinea pig...LOL..
Buy what you like...I like the first gen better ...My 02 is a keeper
good luck and please do revive this thread once you decide....(And post pics)

 

Keep in mind that this interior picture is VERY dated, and doesn't look as much like the newer pictures that have been posted. I think that every picture since this one here, has looked better and better. Keep in mind though, that I personally don't like it as much as the current interior, and I don't think I'll be owning an 07-09. I just like the current ones too much to move on.

 

I read a lot..... always have about 5-10 books going on all kinds of subjects.....one I just finished is "Future Shop".... I don't know that I recomend it but it talks about (besides Ebay) time value of money, opportunity costs etc..... might be worth a look .

 

Tell me...I still haven't gotten over styling of the '02-'04 Cooper!!

 

and I love the 57 Chevy, 65 Mustang, any Cobra, early XKE, early Porsches, Lolas, on and on and on..... our cars are classics no doubt....people will love these cars when you can no longer buy fossil fuels.......

 

'06 MCS = functional hood scoop

 

Well, after three pages of mostly yes go with the 06, are U convinced yet?

 

A month or so ago my wife and I test drove some MINIs just for fun, and weren't seriously considering buying one...until I saw some spy photos of the '07 later that week. We went back to the dealer literally the next day and put down a deposit on an '06. I saw it as my last chance to have a REAL MINI.

IMO, the exterior of the '07 is just as ugly as the new interior. Some might think the changes are subtle, but to me the new model just doesn't look as MINI-like. (And yes, I've seen the photos without the camoflaging panels.)

Here's more food for thought regarding "new and improved." When Apple announced the iPod Nano, on paper it seemed like a huge improvement over the iPod Mini: color screen, smaller, and flash memory instead of HD. And then people saw them and handled them, and the issues with easily scratching screens surfaced. All of a sudden people were scrambling to find iPod Minis again, and prices on eBay soared. There are people who think the Mini is way better than the Nano, and wish Apple would bring it back. (Or at least bring back its best feature: the colored and durable aluminum shell.) All this to say that sometimes new and improved is not necessarily better.

Cheers.

 

Ditto I ordered my wives 2006 three weeks ago, did not want to deal with the unknown :impatient

 

All this time I thought this was about MINI Cooper and not ipod mini. So there you go. Get the Apple.

 

Just one question if you're going for an '07....

Do you feel lucky?

While most of the problems that the '02's experienced (rattles and windshields) will probably not plague the '07's, I am wary about the new power plant, and would let the bugs (that will invariably pop up) get ironed out.

If you get a new R53 now, you can still get a new R56 later if you like it better. You'll never be able to get a personally specc'ed brand new '06 after this year...

Of course, you may be able to wait and get a cheaper '06 when the R56 comes out (not to your specs though).

Hard decision... good luck!

 

Perhaps alternate versions of the toggle panel will have altered spacing rather than blanked off positions for options not selected. This would seem to be a poor business decision. The blanked toggle positions no doubt helped MINI to sell a whole lot of front and rear fog lamps.

 

Turbo cool-down is most likely not a problem. I'm not sure about the 07 MINI, but my 2002 TT has an oil cooler for the turbo that keeps running for about 10 mins. after the engine shuts down. I'm too unfamiliar with the 07 to voice an opinion (too much of a MINI noob too)....all I know is I'm very happy with the 06.

 

People who bought the '02 had no alternative i.e. if they really wanted a MINI that was the only option. Now people can decide between the old and the new, and new doesn't always mean better.

 

I ordered my 06 MINI because the new turbo engine, exterior and interior I have no love for whatsoever.. If in 3-4 years I need to replace my MINI, and the 2010-11 models are as terrible looking as the '07, I will probably be looking for a used '06, and maybe drop a brand new OEM engine into it.

I may be looking for a brand new OEM engine to keep in storage until then soon!!!

02-06= a soon to be classic age of our cars
07-??= red headed stepchild..