Hello everyone. We owned a 2005 MCS; I believe we got every option from that year (kept manual trans). Loved the car. Drove it 10,000 and sold at 3 years for $4,000 less than we paid - high price per mile but well worth it!

Now I'm about to buy a 2009, and I'm trying to get to specifics on what changed from 2008 to 2009, as well as what DOCUMENTED changes are made with the JCW factory upgrade of a MCS - no hype or rumor, factory documented changes - I'm seeing a lot of debate and concerns about what was or was not upgraded. So before I talk to the sales folks, I thought I'd see what you all have to offer, thanks in advance for anything you know!

So far, the changes I've found relate to availability and pricing, and weight. Availability wise, I concluded that you can not get the electronic stability options until December on a MSC, but they come right now on the JCW, correct? Pricing, I believe that the $1000 Sirius radio lifetime option is gone, and you now get a straight 1 year Sirius radio/subscription for $500, correct? (Great for me, a lifetime subscriber already). Also, navigation appears to be lower priced at $2,000, correct? (at least from the $3000 I believe we paid in 2005 year). Last, I've read that weight is up and I saw the spec (2701 lbs?) and that sounds higher - any facts? For colors, it looks like dark grey is gone and we now have or still have dark silver (my old car was dark grey).

For a JCW, I hear beefed up suspension, clutch, trans, brakes, some badge differences, but on the mini web all I can confirm is the HP boost.

Again, thanks in advance - I believe a concise list of what really changed from 08 to 09 will help many.

 

well per the mini site the sports package has been modified, and will include the EDLC, bonnet stripe, 17"rims, HID lights, and white turn signals all for $1500. if you check out the mini site and go to the full specs and options section it will list what everything will cost for the 2009 model year

 

I believe the only change from '08 to '09 is that DSC is now standard and the MSRP has gone up $500. The sports package has now changed and includes DTC, and some pricing of other options changed. But the difference between '08 and '09 is very minimal (which is why I went with '08 instead of waiting for '09).

 

Thanks! Also, did EPA rated MPGs go down by 1 mpg? Weight related decrease? (I've used the cost estimator, and the sport package doesn't cost out but I did see the $1500 somewhere too (I had sport, preimum, cold weather and convenience packages on my 2005). Sport pkg is a good deal, as before. What's EDLC?

 

... and PS, this info will help me consider looking for a left over 2008, but usually they're hard to find with nav, etc. That Sirius radio price change offsets the base price increase for me. Were the bluetooth integration features existing in the 08 models as they do in the 09?

 

Astro Black is gone......

 

A lot of the packages contents were shifted around and re-priced causing them to be the same or slightly higher priced (i.e. convenience package 1,500 vs new convenience package w/comfort access $1,750 but same stuff). Then they forced you to buy the DSC for $500 bucks, that's about it as far as I know.

 

Thanks for the advice and any future input too; it's very helpful. Still wondering if that weight increase has any validity.

 

It is? It's still in the config. at MINI USA.

 

Actually, that was just rumor -- my 09 JCW is AB.

 

its pretty much an electronic limited slip diff and its not avaliable as an option till december unless you get a JCW mini. I don't know if anyone knows if they are going to ditch the mechanical LSD all together?

 

Astro black is not an option for 09's after Nov 08. Offered instead is a non metallic black. Jet Black I think.

My order is an Astro Black MCS that should arrive in Dec.

 

My 2009 MCS has a speedometer that reads to 160mph. Apparently in prior years only the JCW had this (of course, seeing 160 on the speedometer and ever seeing the needle get there are two different things!)

 

The sports suspension was also removed from the 2009 sports package. If you want it, it is a $500 option for the thicker sway bar...

 

Uh, no it is not

 

Uh, yes it is... The configurator has Midnight Black. I was on it yesterday and surprised to see Midnight Black instead of Astro Black.

 

Early 09 orders had Astro Black as an option but apparently not anymore.

 

The convenience package doesn't include the arm rest anymore. Premium package doesn't include the hi-fi audio. They now say the sport package includes either crown-spoke or web-spoke but you still have to pay $500 more for the web-spoke. I like the packing options better in 08 than now, but thats just me.

 

I was annoyed that they took the Hi-Fi audio out of the Premium Pack. I'm trying to keep the cost down when I order mine, and now I'm left with the "to Hi-Fi or not to Hi-Fi" question.

 

TO HI-FI! After a drive today in a cooper with it.. Do it.

 

Skip the hi-fi. The system is a joke. You're better off going with the base system and upgrading to aftermarket components.

And if you really want the tweeters in the A pillars you can buy those separately (I think fastmini.net stocks them).

 

Midnight? Astro? they're both metallic black, I wonder what the diff is?? I wonder if it's the same color, different name??

 

Midnight looks like a "truer" black to me, at least on the web...Astro seems to have a very dark blue within it, when I've seen it in reality.

 

Haha...See my dilemma? Two different opinions in two posts! Currently I'm in the "not to HiFi" camp because it'll save me a few bucks a month on payments (I am a lowly grad student.). I never really listen to music very loudly so a super amazing sound system might be lost on me. As long as I can plug in my iPod (which is standard on both systems), I'll probably be happy. Who knows, though. Tomorrow I may feel differently.

 

Sabastian, if listening to music loud and the sound quality isn't important to you, then skip the hifi. The standard radio is fine. Personally, I love the hifi. I'm the opposite, I really enjoying listening to music in the car.

Btw, looks like you have a nice setup. You'll love the xenons. I'm driving a loaner without xenons right now and the difference is noticable. Also, I think if I ordered again, I'd get the premium package with the sunroof. I didn't want it before because I heard the sun always shines through, but a lot of people tint it so they can enjoy the light without the uv and heat.