I'm ready to order. Are there 1st year issues to be solved in year two of the R56 S? Are there rumored new or returning options that are going to be offered?

I want my MINI, but will wait if need be.

 

Clubmen due in Feb 08. Minor changes for MINI. Check with your dealer on waiting times especially for MCS from Portland. You may not have a choice between 07 and 08 with waiting lists.

 

"Now".. it's my motto.. After a number of very close brushes with meeting my maker over the past year, I'll no longer wait for anything that I (really) want in life.

 

'08s are going into production in December, meaning you wouldn't see it until sometime in January. The R56 was originally scheduled to be released in '08 and they decided to release it a year early, so don't count on many changes at all.

I say order it now! I did.

 

I expect only minor (if any) tweaks in R56 for '08....the cabrio and the Clubman will be the big news and their styling will be of the current R56 vintage. The only big late '07 news will be the JCW.

It's kinda the same way it was w/ my early '03 (Cooper)...same car as '02 but maybe w/ the latest software. Only at mid-year did the dampers change to a less harsh version.

The '07 are performing rather well it seems...a software update here and there...but overall I see no real (or reported or rumored) reason to postpone things.

 

Order now

 

i started to really last year about this time, i finally ordered one friday june 22nd. so i say order now.

 

I'm wondering about the engine off idle feature. That seems like a good idea and will probably come with a couple of other economy features. I'm hoping MINI keeps working the "economy through efficiency" approach rather than just dumping power to build a more fuel efficient model. So far so good.

I'm also very intersted in the Clubman as our next MINI would be my wife's car and she is used to driving a wagon.

 

I'd wait.

 

I saw a spot about this on the website and assumed it was left over from last year or planning ahead for '08... If it's avail for late '07 I'm getting my order in ASAP.

 

I'm in the same boat, sold my Mini this past weekend and will wait for the 08. I already know what I want and am anxious but figure it's only a few more months, and if there is a new color or feature added I want, it will be worth the wait. The drawback is a price increase.. it's a gamble.

 

I'd go for it. I don't have any real issues with my 07. Wouldn't expect much change in 08, latest sw, change in VIN numbers. Not sure I'd want to wait for the auto off feature or the smart alternator feature, those new features would seem to maybe be prone to a first year sw bug, particularly the smart alternator feature.

 

Is there any talk of a chono pack for the '08. (I assume it used to include a temp gauge and oil pressure)

 

i would say get the 07. i did. but there are rumors of a dark chrome option for 08. that would be sweeet.

 

I'd get the 07. Probably won't be until 09 that MINI will figure out how to sell touch-up paint in the US.

 

Most people who have an 07 are going to say order now.
Also, most people are going to tell you that there aren't going to be any major differences, but what are the minor ones? No one knows yet, only speculation. So I'd wait unless you need a car before then.

 

Good point...thus far we've heard nothing officially on this either way. If the OP is ready to buy as he/she states, then the R56 does seem to be quite solid, and the CEL issue (only thing to come up) has been resolved. Also, the OP asked about rumors of things to come...there have been few (...good catch in the dark chrome) so unless that is an interest there is no compelling reason to wait, imo.

 

Not an 08 model but from reports it'll probably be an 09 model... available to order in the US in about November/December 2008.

http://motoringfile.com/2007/06/27/d...ange-race-car/

 

My MA told me that the JCW will be done at the factory on the 08 models and also would have more JCW options. He did not go into to details. I am looking at an 08 due to the fact my current lease will not be up in time for an 07

 

That makes sense...I had the opposite happen. I was gunnin' for an '08 but circumstances changed and fortunately was able to lose no time in jumping in. I'm so glad I did!! Why deny oneself such fun...unless one has a compelling reason to do so, and those reasons do exist. Lucky for me, when I was ready to order, my "must-haves" had just become available (6-speed manual for Cooper, Oxygen Blue, oak steering wheel). That was the main reason I was waiting: first for initial niggles to get sorted, and second for all/most of the options I wanted/needed to come on-line. As it is I'm still waiting for the OEM alarm, but I can live with that.

 

I'd order now. BUt, there will be some MAJOR changes for the 08 models.

A motor start and stop and red lights (automatically, and it can be disabled), and a disconnecting alternator to save fuel. The altinator will only run when the battery really needs charged.

 

In the first thread on this it was stated that these new features would only be available on European models, not US models. Take that into consideration, or at least verify that you can actually get these features next year if you want them before waiting to order an 08.

 

The stage 1 JCW engine kit will be a dealer installed option in 08.

 

Now for some that would be worth waiting for!!!

 

Actually, it'll be available for dealer install July of '07.