Hi all,

After visiting the dealership numerous times, building countless different MINIs on line, spending many many hours reading this forum (I've learned alot and thanks for all of the great info and opinions) and surviving IKE (Houston), we just placed our order for a new Cooper S.

Long story short, we were looking for something with better mpg to drive to and from work and tested a lot of cars. Nothing came close to the fun and uniqueness of the mini. We also tested the 1 series extensively, but the Mini was more fun and met our MPG criteria.

We have 3 other fun cars in the garage (including an '08 M3 vert and '07 335 coupe with Dinan), but I am so excited with this mini and am really looking forward to taking her out for some spirited drives. I wish we would have picked one up sooner. Better late than never. The long wait begins, mid November delivery estimated.

Anyway, here is what she will look like:

Cooper S
Chili Red/Black
Bonnet stripes
White turn signals
Premium package
Cold weather package
Convenience package
Limited Slip
17" Crown spoke wheels
Xenons
Rear fog lamp
Cloth leather/Red
Anthracite headliner
Hi-Fi sound

If we missed anything important, please let me know. We still may be able to change (not sure though since told it would go into production soon).

Thanks again for the great forum and community. I am sure I will be spending some time here.

 

Do they still offer the Sport package?
And did you consider the JCW package?

Let the count down begin..

 

Congrats & I just wanted to let you know the Astro Black Minis are the fastest ones. =)

 

Oh another Mini in Houston! I've been seeing a lot around town.

Did you go to Momentum Mini? Congrats on the Mini! I am in love with mine and I got it two months ago and I always smile walking to my car. Friends spot me all around town in my unique motoring mobile :D

 

Thanks for the welcome.

The sport package wasn't available until December. The car comes with DSC standard, but I didn't opt for the sport suspension after reading mixed reviews.

I did spend quite a while debating debating between the S and the JCW, but since this will be my new daily driver, thought the JCW might be overkill. If it was my weekend car, I would have chosen the JCW with less options. After driving all 3 models, I can see why someone would choose each for various reasons. They are all fun in different ways.

 

I've been noticing a lot of Mini's too. If you see someone in an M3 or 335 on the road admiring Mini's, that might be me.

Yes, ordered at Momentum. Jarrod was the MA and he did a great job.

Congrats on your new Mini too. I am glad to hear that you are still feeling that way 2 months in. BRG and PW were close seconds on the list. Do you get involved in any of the Houston Mini events?

 

GolfNut congrats on placing the order on your nicely configured MCS

 

MINIs are a blast!! My only car since early '03 has been a MINI (I now have an '07) so every driving moment has been eagerly anticipated, highly amusing, and greatly enjoyed. When you think about it, that's a really wonderful thing.

 

You'll find the MINI is great for getting past downed trees in the streets.

I recommend getting the clear bra at your dealer on delivery.

 

Congratulations on pulling the trigger on your order! It sounds like a sweet ride. I'm sure your stable mates will play nicely with the newest addition!

 

Golfnut,

Congrats on the new addition to the family!!! I just ordered mine recently as well, ('09 MC,) and am awaiting delivery.

-Ben

 

Congrats on the order. Mine is in QC at this time. I spotted 2 Clubman's, two MCS and one MC in less that 15 minutes in the Galleria area today.

It appears that it is the trendy auto for the upscale.

 

I haven't seen the new M3 in person yet. I'm sure my neck will stretch very far to get a good look at one of those. Congrats on the MINI! Great color combo! You'll love the MPG.

 

Which Dinan upgrades do you have on your 335i and are you satisfied with them? Also, are you worried about trade-in value, since BMW won't Certify a car with Dinan improvements (according to BMW)?

 

I hope you came through OK too. That was one bad storm. I think it will be quite a while before things get back to normal.

I'll check into the clear bra. About how much do they charge for that and when do you order?

 

Congrats I have had my mini for about 7 months now and could not be happier. Lots of fun, quick, great gas mpg and lots of aftermarket goodies.

 

Congrats

Like someone else said on this thread, The Astro Blacks ones are faster
I was so taken back by my wifes car, I had to get one too (Two!)

Have fun!!!

 

Thanks everyone for all of the warm responses and positive feedback on the order. I hope the girls will all play nice together. I am sure they will be some sibling rivalry over attention and garage space.


Ron, congrats on your JCW. Very Nice! I work near the Galleria, and I agree there are quite a few running around. I think that's great.

I am having some second thoughts on not ordering the JCW. I spoke with my MA and he said I could change without problem and they would dealer stock my original order. The difference in price as optioned would be approximately $4,600. Cost isn't the primary issue, but since I will daily drive this while tracking only occassionally, maybe 4 times a year, I struggle with going overboard on the car (I have a bad habit of doing that, anyone recommend any therapists that deal with car addiction). Then again, I would hate to regret not getting at a time when the difference isn't too much. Appreciate any input you or others may have. Also, did you consider the JCW turbo kit?

I love the new M3 and she does get a lot of attention when I take her out. I think sales are pretty slow as I still haven't seen another vert and have seen only two coupes and one sedan on the road here. They have some great incentives now (which unfortunatey I bought too early to receive any, who knew), so maybe there will be more on the road soon. I don't think its the car so much as the economy and MPG (I average around 15, but they are all happy miles ). The handling and speed on these cars are amazing. The vert is a little heavy, but it hides its weight fairly well. Looked hard at the coupe and decided to give up some performance for top down driving. The V8 at 5000 - 8000 RPMS with the top down is incredible. I absolutely love this car.



I have the Stage 2 Dinan software package. Dinan warranty through 4 years and dealer here seems to have good experience with them. THe package puts out approximately 385 HP and 420 lb-ft of torque, over the stock 300/300. It is incredibly quick with power everywhere on tap, almost scary fast. I drove a friend's 335 recently and was stunned by the difference compared to my car. It actually felt slow and not fun like the MINI. I assume the trade-in would be lower since BMW won't CPO the car. I don't know that for sure, but that seems logical. I accepted that I would have to sell the car on my own to another enthusiast when I put on the package. I also have a 6MT so I am sure that hurts trade in the BMWs anyway. Then again, I usually do better selling myself than trade-in anyway, so not a huge sacrafice there. I just narrowed pool and need to find right buyer.

 

I had an 07' S (whole storey on it's own) and I completely miss it now. I picked up an 08' Accord coupe recently and I can't stop missing the Mini. The Accord is fun and has all the bells & whistles, but the Mini was a blast. I'm actually thinking of getting a Mini as a 2nd car. Out of all the cars/trucks I've owned I've never missed any of them like the Mini. I think next time I'll go with the JCW.

 

congrats.

not sure how important all those packages are to you. when i first configg'ed my mini (several thousand times before), i originally had 2 packages. then when i read stuff here, i opted out of the packages and picked and choose separately the stuff i wanted (since I wasnt fully stoked on all the stuff in the packages). now i ordered my mini without one single package. took the extra money and threw on a JCW aero kit (so it will look diff than other minis on the road, plus, i love the aggressive look it has).

 

Thanks for the input. I spoke with quite a few people and after more research, decided less is more (at least with options).

Picked up a relatively stripped JCW today. After smiling all the way home from the dealer, decided I made the right choice. I was so busy driving and having fun that I didn't play with any buttons.

Posted new post and pictures here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=155440

Anyway, thanks for everyone's input and look forward to being part of this nice community.