Hi all,

I'm new here and hope to be here for a long time.

I just have a couple of questions regarding the MCS 07+. If I were to plan to mod the bejezuz out of it (suspension, engine, etc), does it make sense to get just the MCS with no options and buy aftermarket parts or JCW kits separately?

This means that I'd have no premium package (double moonroof thing is intriguing), sports package (DSC, limited differential). Do I need them right off the bat or can I get them later with hopefully comparable or superior products than what the dealer had to offer?

In addition to the above, would modding my mini with aftermarket parts void my warranty, both maintenance and factory?

Also does it cost more to order your own Mini? I'm assuming yes.
Is Mini Select payment program a good idea?

I do care about the "go kart" handling and power.

I'm hoping to test drive one today, and get it at the end of the month.

Thanks

 

Only option you should get ... LSD.
JCW stage 2 will be a lot cheaper to get it installed from the factory. JCW 2 may not be even available at the dealership.

Ordering is the same price. Most people order because there is a long waiting list at most dealerships.

Mini Select is not very popular. If you are gonna buy, traditional financing will cost you less.

 

If you know you're going to mod the hell out of it, get all the parts you know you're gonna throw out as cheap as possible.

Stuff that is from the factory only, like LSD or sunroof if you want it, order it now since it'll be near impossible to add later (or you'll just have to pay a ton).

Technically, they cannot void your warranty for having parts - they have to prove the part broke the car. But, more often than not, dealerships will give you much more resistence if you have aftermarket parts on the car.

 

If you want to try to spec it as low as possible to have money to MOD, a few things I wouldn't skip are:

LSD
DSC
rear fog lights

and if you like HID's, don't forget the Bi-Xenon.

 

So I went to the dealer today and test drove the car.
I like it!!!

Pepper White
Black Bonnet Stripe
Sports Package
LSD

$26,125 after tax

Now here's my question.
I'm planning a 5K down, so my options are.

Traditional Finance
60 mos, $425.00 per month.

Lease
36 mos, $290.00 per month (not planning to get the lease since I'd be modding the car)

Mini Select
36 months, $265.00 per month with 15,912.50 balloon amount

Which one would you pick? Any pros and cons anywhere between these two methods of payment.

Thank you

 

I would probably go with traditional finance. The mini select only makes sense if you know you will have the balloon money available or if you think interest rates are going to take quite a dip so you can refinance the remainder. Also, refinancing the remainder usually falls under a higher rate than a new car finance rate.
Your best bet is to get the best loan rate you can. I prequalified with my credit union and mini matched the rate. The best thing you can do for your rate is to get rid of any unsecured debt if you can. Paying off the credit cards boosts your FICO considerably. Go in with pre-approved financing. That way, you have no surprises.

 

You are not adding rear fog lamps? Are you getting the 2007 or the 2008?

 

You can buy the LSD later... my dad did. The problem is that it cost him $2500 to add later instead of the $500 from the factory. Its a must have IMO.

 

I would suggest not using Mini financial services for either leasing or buying...their rates are not competitive and you could get something a lot better if you do some leg work and use another bank. I know for a fact that the best lease money factor that MFS offers is still in the .003xx range. You can find money factors online for .00255. You could probably also get a finance rate of 6.5% elsewhere. I think the mini one is like 9%.

 

I'd get one with the MFSW for the cruise control.
Other than that, LSD and xenons are the only must haves for me.

 

I got 5% finance from Navy Federal Credit Union for 48 months. If you do 36 months with them the rate is only 3.5%

 

Is this available to anyone? Can you tell me how I can get that rate?

 

You need to have someone invite you, or something like that. let me check

 

Eligibility Checklist

Navy Federal's Field of Membership is determined by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). If you are in any of these categories, you are eligible to join.

• All Department of the Navy (DON) Personnel—regardless of location or rank, including:

• Contractors assigned to DON sites afloat or ashore
• Officer Candidate programs, NROTC, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
• U.S. Government—Military and civilian personnel employed by the U.S. Government assigned to, stationed at or working at a Navy installation, afloat or ashore
• Retired—from any of the categories listed above
• Family—including:
  • Grandparents
  • Parents
  • Spouse
  • Siblings
  • Children (includes adopted, foster and stepchildren)
  • Grandchildren
  • Household Members

Once your family members have joined, they can extend the membership opportunity to their family members, too.

 

So I can't join..i don't do anything for the Navy, nor does anyone in my family.

 

The only really essential options are DSC and LSD, in my opinion. Skip the sunroof - heavy, expensive and problematic. Other meaningful safety-related options are Xenons and foglamps. Everything else is gee-gaws and decoration.

 

Then sign up.