I'm about to put in a purchase but still considering whether to go for a '07 or '08. I'm going to be leasing the car for 3 years then decide to either buy it out or get a new model at that time.

My MA told me the wait for the '07 will be the a late Nov delivery. Should I wait 2-3 more months for a '08? The only confirmed change for '08 is the price increase and the auto up driver side window .

While we're at it, here's the spec for the MCS I'm looking to get, please give comments/suggestions!

paint
White Roof/Mirrors $0
Lightning Blue Body Color $450
White Turn Signals $100

package
Cold Weather Package $300
Heated Front Seats
Heated Side Mirrors and Washer Jets

Premium Package $1,400
Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction

performance
Dynamic Stability Control $500
White Alloy Wheels $0
Front Fog Lamps STD
Xenon Headlamps w/Power Wash $550
Rear Fog Lamp $100
Limited Slip Differential $500
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
16" S-Winders (Performance) STD
All Season Tires $0

cockpit
Sport Seats STD
On-Board Computer STD
6-spkr AM/FM CD Player STD
Leatherette: Black/Grey STD
Comfort Access System $500
Interior Surface Fluid Silver $200

 

There is one other change for the US spec'd Minis in 08, they are adding a USB connection to the stereo system.

To answer your question, should you wait. That is a highly personal question that only you can answer. If it were me, I would order now, there isn't enough of a change for the 08's that would make me hold off. However, each person will have their own opinion but only you can make the choice that will be right for you and your situation.

 

You will get a slightly better residual value on the 2008 Vs. the 2007. Ask the dealer to work up the lease prices for the 2008 Vs. the 2007. That may help in making your decision.

I just ordered at 2007. To me the wait for the 2008 was too long and the difference in the vehicles was negligible.

Good luck with your decision and welcome to the Mini family.

 

You should wait for the 08'
Take a look at all the stock problems/issues that this first model year is having....especially those that have to do with the clutch and transmission.
Minor issues are one thing to deal with, but those that have to do with the drivetrain and functionality are another.
Hopefully they will address these issues for the 08' models.

 

Thanks for all the input!

The slight better residual value would make me lean towards the '08 if it were true. I'll check with my MA.

The one thing I was worried about is the problems/issues too. There's a dilema though. The new '08 might have fixed some problems, but the first couple months of production might also introduce a few problems! I guess it's all based on luck on my end.

 

Well, hopefully you'll have better luck than I have had

 

Look, I own a R56. I bought it in early April. NO PROBLEMS. However, the slightly better residual value may help. How many miles do you drive? If under 12K then it makes sense to lease. Leasing also requires a better credit score. My first MINI, a 2003 R53 MCS recently sold for over 18K. So there is also a plus side to buying over leasing.

 

Your specs look great. The only thing I would advise (you did ask) is to get the summer performance tires and skip the all seasons. They will so much better take advantage of the car. Pick up a second set of wheels/tires from someone who has dumped the factory tires . . . they are always on sale on NAM or elsewhere (I got a set of cooper 15 wheels and all season tires for $300 from the dealer due to them absorbing unwanted tire/wheel combos from customer's new cars). I'm currently using the 15 inch all season tires as my "winter tires." I'll switch to performance winter tires when they wear out. I originally got 16 inch runflat all seasons which were handicaped as performace tires and useful only for getting home and parking the car when it snowed.

 

The leasing part I've been debating with myself for a while. I couldn't afford to buy it straight out so that's out of the question. Now if I need to finance it, why don't I pay half the interest instead? I do have plans to save up every month and see if I want to buy out the car in the end of 3 years or trade up to whatever's available at that time. Another advantage for lease is the tax, since I'm buying the car out of state, I only need to pay little tax every month instead of the big chunk of tax up front.

The performance tires is a good advice, I'll definitely have to think of a plan for the winter/summer situation. Do the all-seasons and the performance tires make that much difference?

I guess another option would be to keep the all-seasons and buy another set of rims/tires for summer.

 

I get so sick of these posts talking about ALL the problems the R56 is having. There are a HANDFUL of people who have had major problems with the R56. You will have this with ANY car, new or old model year. You have MUCH more visibility to these problems because they are the ones making the most noise on the forum. Nobody starts a post saying how great their car has been running, and how they have zero problems.

Don't listen to this guy who I would love to call a yahoo but can't because apparently that is offensive, if you don't mind waiting 5 months for your MINI, get the '08. If that sounds like an ridiculously long time to wait (it does to me!), then get the '07. You're gonna love it either way you go.

 

I agree. I see this with computer forums all the time. If I waited until the "issues" were resolved with new computer hardware I'd never buy one . Granted a car is a lot more money but the principle is the same and as ratt (hope I can call you ratt) says above you don't see too many touch-feely threads, only ones with issues. And what's to say that in a year there won't be threads that argue the first year of the R56 was better than the 2nd?

 

heres a update on the 08's

seems theres the known ( USB ) and then theres the unknown but confirmed of AUTO UP on the windows.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/08/...2008-r56-mini/

 

Number one I'm not some yahoo
number two, when I called into the dealer today to report my newest problem with the clutch there were two others already there with the same problem with a slew of others on record. The clutch problem is not minor nor is it a limited few that are having the issue!
You should check your facts before you start throwing around names!

 

Apparently I am being requested to edit this by "the man" because I called you a yahoo.

 

Where do you live?
The Dealer here in Orlando can get them alot quicker!!!!!!!
I put a deposit last Sat. and production started today.
To answer your question, the 08's won't be much different to be worth the wait and pay more also.

 

The '08 USB connection will allow you to connect an iPod and control it with the buttons on the Multi-function Steering Wheel. If that is important to you, the current iPod Integration (which does the same thing on the '07) will cost somewhere around $600. However, since you are not getting the HIFI upgrade, audio is probably not worth the wait for you.

Otherwise, our options are similar, except I'm not a skylight person (us vampires can't stand too much sunlight), and I opted for the NAV, Parking Distance Control, and HIFI. All of which I highly recommend, but they are expensive.

 

FWIW, I've got over 7,000 miles on my '07, and NO problems, either. Remarkably few niggles, too--better than what I've experienced in other new cars I've had.

 

I'd say go for the '07. The extra few months of enjoyment would be worth it for me. As everyone else says, the improvements are miniscule and the price will be higher. It's like the computer analogy someone used...you can always keep waiting...

 

Leasing is like renting. Cheaper up front, but you give it back at the end of the lease. It usually makes little sense to continue to finance the car at the end of the lease. It's like borrowing for 7 years. Good Luck.

 

Personally I'm not gonna wait I'm gonna put an order on mine(07) in about a months time. But really it is up to you.

 

How much higher exactly is the price gonna be? Is this documented anywhere?

Thanks...

 

That'll be one of my deciding factor too. Hope we'll get more detail soon.

I'm really leaning towards an earlier car pickup though

 

I'm so jealous! I live in Washington, the dealer here is selling way above MSRP and have a 6-8 months wait. I'm getting from Portland which is better but still 4 months wait.

 

There is always the option to buy from a dealer on the East Coast or Gulf Coast, fly to get it and drive it back.

 

The wait for the West Coast is excruciating, though I will say that I was luckier than some of my counterparts on the same vessel since the dealer I purchased from has a higher allotment (and sells at MSRP) so my order got pushed through several weeks faster than theirs. Still, it was 6+ weeks of agony for me.

Best of luck to you.