NOTE Read the whole post if you want, but my main question, copied from the bottom of the post is this: where do you fellow car enthusiasts see 2007 MCS pricing going in the next few years? I would probably dump about $3000 into the car within the first few months, probably the usual stuff: CAI, turbo-back, coilover, PnP ecu mod (looking at Alta), wheels+tires, stuff like that. /NOTE

First off, its nice to get back into car forum posting. I used to big on it back in the day, 8 years ago or so, but havent been actively browsing and posting until now.

Here's my car situation: I currently drive a 1998 Cobra, very mild engine mods, good suspension mods, and I love the thing. Really, I do. Every time I walk to my car I know I'm going to have a pleasant (well, for me) and fun ride. But being 10 years old, it is starting to show its age. Not the engine or tranny (only 85,000 miles), but the car as a whole is aging. Not to mention the atrocious mileage.

Within the next 2 years I will be picking up a decent promotion at work, and think that a good present to myself should be a replacement vehicle. Not brand new, but maybe a few years old. I have been looking at many 2006-2008 models, including the 135i, 335i, EVO MR, STi, and a few others. Then I started considering a MCS.

*** Real quick background: my car before the Cobra was a 00 Civic Si, modded for autox and then turbocharged, thanks to prodding from engineers at AEM. I miss the agility of it more than I appreciate the raw power of the Cobra. ***

So anyway, after doing *a little* research, I think a MCS would be the way to go, over all of the above options I am looking at. I want better mileage, better handling, a better transmission (mine is STIFF!!), and a new feel for a vehicle. Plus it will probably be a little less expensive than the other options.

My main question is this: where do you fellow car enthusiasts see 2007 MCS pricing going in the next few years? I would probably dump about $3000 into the car within the first few months, probably the usual stuff: CAI, turbo-back, coilover, PnP ecu mod (looking at Alta), wheels+tires, stuff like that.

So thats it, I am glad to be a member of this fine community, and look forward to many fun and interesting chats with you all in the future.

 

Based on the other years, it looks like the 3-4 year mark sees a reasonable drop in price, but not a whole lot.

My own prediction is that there won't be too much drop in price the way gas prices are going. I think we'll see MINI's go mainstream when people realize gas is $7/gallon (predicted by 2010) and discover a MINI can get 30 mpg with reasonable performance. Once that happens the factories won't be able to produce enough cars and the used ones will retain their value.

D

 

prices won't go down as long as demand is good. Demand is still very good. Don't expect prices to go down anytime soon.

 

Agreed. This is the first time EVER I have paid MSRP for a car and not felt too bad about about it. Resale is exceptional for these cars. I cant wait for mine to arrive in September!

 

With Gas pirces skyrocketing the small car market demand will increase and with a weaker and weaker US dollar Pricing will hold or increase in coming years

 

I agree...I suspect the current trend will continue for the next few years. Keep in mind that a major change did take place in 2007 (and coming in 2009 for the carbio), and while I'm not sure that has impacted prices/value, it is a factor around which some folks will have a preference. You probably are aware that you may never get back your additional investment in the car...these should be done for your own enjoyment.

 

agreed, these things hold value and there will be a lot of demand ( i think ) for the older supercharged engine. then again i have been wrong once before but we dont need to get into that again

 

I say just order new... now. I was thinking about buying a used mini, the problem is the used ones are as much as a new mini would cost (well mine anyway, shes just gonna be basic). I think that mini prices are going to go up within the next few years on new and used ones, considering the gas crisis. So my advice is to order new.

 

As has been said, I don't think you'll find a bargain with a used R56, unless it is a lemon.

I think you should consider the factory JCW, if you can afford it. Even if you want to mod it, it has advantages over the standard MCS or dealer installed JCW kit. The factory JCW has a stronger clutch and transmission, and pistons more suited to higher turbo boost. So, you could take it farther than you could safely do with a standard MCS.

 

If you are thinking of modding it and want it to retain value, you should definately think about JCW. No dealer is going to want your car after you mod it with after market.

 

+1

 

You mentioned JCW, I didn't know much about that. Is there a reputable site that has more details, and maybe a side-by-side comparison? I DID look on eBay motors, and found this sad sad sight: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-...3286.m14.l1308

*EDIT* Here's another one I found, is this something like what you folks were mentioning? Not digging the blue interior, but that can be fixed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mini-...3286.m14.l1318

Yeah, I know that mods completely ruin any chance of dealer repairs, and they can actually lower the resale value of the car by a good bit. I just have this need to tinker. I like turning wrenches, and don't have the space, money, or time for an all-out project car yet. If the JCW is already a perfect car, then I might have to turn my tinkering elsewhere.

As for minis retaining their value, I believe that compared to their competition they will hold it BETTER, but all (well, VERY few exceptions to this rule) autos depreciate with age, there's no way around it. I do appreciate that the mini will not drop too much in value, and for good reason.

Andrewholmes mentioned the old (R53?) supercharged car, how does that compare?

One design feature I don't like very much is that gigantic center spedo. Does anybody make something to get rid of it? It reminds me of the console of a VW bug or a Toyota Echo (I think).

 

My guess is that we are headed into an inflationary cycle that is going to have a major impact on most of the things we buy, particularly the Mini. The cost of raw steel has almost doubled in the last 18 months, plastic is mostly made up of petroleum products, the value of the dollar has dropped perhaps 20% against the Euro in the last year, and imagine what it must cost to ship a Mini across the ocean. BMW has eaten this increase, but they cannot do it forever, and my guess is that we will see regular increases in the cost of new Mini's that are going to prop up the cost of used ones. Intense competition will keep the increases down (particularly for pickups and SUV's), but there are just so many costs they can afford to eat. I remember in the late 80's when German cars were increasing so fast that you could buy a new one and sell it a year later for the same price you paid for it (I bet we could sell my wife's 3 year old Prius for close to what we paid for it). I think this would be a good time to buy an efficient car like the Mini.