Hi,

My local dealer's '07 R56 is listed for $19,980. Has less than 14,000 miles,
still under warranty, and has Next warranty as well.
Has Cold Weather, Conv., Sport packages, Front/rear fogs, on board computer, LSD, chrome line interior, auto ac climate control, rear parking distance.

I feel like everyone who was loaned the car just had to wring it's neck to see
what it will do. I know I would have, but then, that is what they are made for.

I haven't travelled to see the car yet...it is about 90 min to the dealer.

It seems like quite a deal; looking around here as well as at online dealer ads,
the price seems right; an '09 similarly equipped is +/- $29,000.

My concern is the deal with 1st. year production of ANY item, car, motorcycle, heck, even coffee maker! I've read the reviews, and see the car
is a better daily driver than the R53 (which I'm also considering). I have also
seen that some owners seem to have the "1st. year blues"....so, I'm sitting the fence, weighing pros & cons of the 2 Minis I'm considering.

The other is a '06 R53, with 27,000 miles. It was listed for sale on these classified ads back in Sept. It has similar features to the R56. The owner sold it to Carmax, and it is at my local Chevy dealers lot @ $22,000. It has the Dinan S2 package. The only
thing Dinan makes that it doesn't have are the optional cam & brakes.
It is super clean, has a great carfax, & I have spoken with the original owner as well, he spent well over $30,000 buying/modding this car. I know the car is under warranty a bit longer, both by Mini & Dinan.
I've spoken to Dinan as well to confirm the mods/warranty. I'm sure my local dealer will deal-it has been on the lot over a month.

So, color me conflicted; a R56, with warranty to 100,000 miles, but a 1st. year car, or a properly sorted R53, with the full Dinan S2 kit-the best year of
the original, but with a much more limited warranty. I think I can buy either
for roughly the same price. By the same token, a new R56, minimally optioned, is available at my dealers, for just under $24,000.

Either way, it is a 90 minute drive for me to get to the dealer for warranty service.

Should I really consider either, or one over the other, or do you think these prices/deals aren't that good & just keep waiting?

TIA,

Jon
because deals are always around,

 

Really loaded question.

There are several threads here talking about the pros and cons of first gen vs the current R56. Do a R53 vs R56 search and you'll see. I won't dredge that up.

For me I like the better 'daily driver' aspect and although wanting a mini for years, waited for R56 to take the plunge.

You have to decide what's best for you. Are you looking for a better daily driver? Better mileage? More connected to the road? Supercharger or turbocharger? I'll let you decide on the merits of the R53 vs R56 debate.

But if you were to decide R56, even with 100,000 mile warranty, I'm not sure I'd go for a dealer loaner with 14,000 miles. If it were me I'd order new with less options. I could configure a R56 MCS at 23,450 (23,950 w/metallic paint) with MFSW, LSD (or DTC). A minimally configured mini is still a very nice car.

 

Its like buying a rental.....not me

 

Gotta agree... their is a reason that price is what it is. Check them out and go from there!

 

jstone1203,
It does sound like you did your research on both the used ones which is good to see.

But IMO I would go for the lowest priced new R56.In addition to what the others have already posted you would probably get a lower interest rate on the new one as opposed to used.

 

BTW if its a 2007 and a convertible, its NOT an R56: its an R53!! Convertibles were not R56 until 2009!!! So really, your looking at a Last year (well, they sold them until 2008) R53!

Correction, A convertible R56 is actually an R57 which started production in 2009. Up until then the convertible was a first gen and was designated as R52, but I dont know about a Cabrio S model. Just call them and ask if its supercharged (R52/R53) or turbocharged (R56/R57).

Take a look at the left side of this page: http://www.altaperformance.com/

 

I don't think it is a Convertible. I think the OP means that it has Convenience package.

If you are looking for a daily driver, the R56 is a better choice. But if you are going to mod it and use it as a daily driver, test drive the R53. Then make your choice of which is better for your needs.

 

Just keep in mind that test-driven and loaner cars have the likelihood of being abused. I waited to order one because the only one available was the one I test drove, and looking at the dirty fingerprints on the A-pillars and stuff made me think of all the drivers hammering on the car.