Hi, i have recently decided to get a cooper s. the problem is i have seen the info on a refresh coming out soon and don't want to have a dated model just six months after getting one, so should i wait?
What do you mini enthusiasts think?
right now my 02 protege is kinda getting ready for some larger repairs and would rather sell it before it all hits the fan, so i am torn,...help!

 

The longest you're going to go without having a dated model is a year anyway, so I just try not to worry about it. The existence of a newer model doesn't make your car any less fun to drive.

The changes to the engine don't really seem like a huge deal. I thought briefly about waiting to buy, but decided I'd rather be enjoying the car now.

Frankly the wait on production is bad enough... I'd hate to be waiting until the 2011's arrive (or possibly later).

 

I think that it's like buying a computer...there is "always" going to be something more just around the corner to come out. You can talk yourself out of ever buying anything.

I've ordered a Camden Cooper S and it is just about to arrive at the dealership for me to pick up...not a single regret on my part.

As a side note for reference we are already a MINI family...my wife has a 2006 Cooper S...to be honest...there are things that I actually like about her car that are no longer to be found on my 2010 MINI about to arrive...so go figure...there is nothing to say that next years model will be "better".

Buy one and enjoy it I say...they're one fun car to drive...which is why we're buying a second one.

 

both valid points that my husband and i keep bringing up, if it was just trim or just valvetronic then it would be easier than both.

if i order one now, it wouldn't be here till june, (in Hawaii), makes me want to wait more, because it would only be a couple more months till sept.

but then does that mean that you would be able to order it before the refresh or not be able to order till sept and get it in dec?
the dealers need to order them anyway, so how would that work?
would we put in our order before sept?

so confused

 

If your Protege is on the verge of crashing, I think I would get 2010 MINI. I don't think the refresh items are that big of a deal, plus you know the price will increase. I wouldn't want to wait 6 months for a car.

 

If it was a brand new model, I'd wait. But its only a refresh with some tweaks to the engine and interior. Just buy it now and be happy. Its a good time to buy now. MINIs aren't flying off the lots like they were in the past. What if gas prices soar around the time the '11s come out? Then they are going to carry a premium like they were when gas was $4.50/gal. If you're ready to purchase now, just do it!

And like how others have said, theres always something new thats going to come out. The all-new model is due in 2013. Your car will be "outdated" either way.

 

you have made up my mind 2010 laser blue black stripes, black roof, black wheels it is, thanks for your advise.

 

Glad we could help! Another future happy Mini owner!

Good luck deciding and debating on which options to order. That part drove me insane. I lost sleep over it

 

I went through the same dilemma last month. Listened to some good advise here and decided to pull the trigger, ordered a few weeks ago.

Which black wheels you going with?

 

good choice. I kind of wish i had gotten one of the 08s (albiet probably off the lot) as id have 38K on an 08 vs an 09... makes a difference (even to me as much as id rather not admit it being the original owner lol)

 

Sometimes the next model year is not as good as the current model year...

I'd wait til the next MY is available and then decide.

 

Mini has a promotion with free pakages and low rate financing, seems like it would be worth it to buy now. I got a "free" auto trans and 3.9%, not bad for a car this hot.

 

This is sage advice. The economy right now is puttering along, but most likely prices of things will go up from now on. I haven't seen so many MINIs on the lot before, it's kind of surreal. I see a lot of older MINIs on the road but not a whole lot of new ones, so I'm sure dealers are itching to sell as many 2010s as they can before the refresh hits and they have to store even more of them. In fiscal terms, now's the best time to buy. In terms of fun, you (and I) should have bought a MINI 8 years ago!

 

I started with a 1952 MGTD in 1960 which is sitting in my garage with four others including my new Mini. I didn't miss out on much!

 

duplicate

 

I would have waited. The 7-9 extra horse power would have been worth it in my opinion, plus they are hinting that the refresh will make the car more efficient which could mean better gas mileage. Of course mini has reason to down play all of this because they have a bunch of 2010s they are trying to sell. They arrive in September and will make the 2010s look like yesterday's news which may mean even better deals on the 10s. Just my two cents. I'm thinking of a JCW Clubman but want to wait to see what is coming down the pike in 11/12 but it's easy for me because I already have a mini.

 

/me is so jealous!!!

 

If your protege can not last for a couple months, you do need to get a car. You can immediately buy a 2010 mini, or rent a car from rental company while waiting for the 2011 mini, or spend some $ to fix the protege. It's your call, basically you need to find your balance point between these factors.

If your protege can make it until your 2011 arrives, I would suggest you wait for it. Right now besides the confirmed updated engine, you won't know what else goodies BMW will offer on it. For example, just several months before January this year (the time you can order a 2011 1-series), no body could think of BMW offers free leather, N55 engine, double clutch transmission for the 2011 model, and its cheaper than before! (since the free leather, which costs $1450 for the 2010 model) So just wait a couple more months and see. Worst case, no other new things offered for 2011, you still get the updated engine and updated audio system, you lose nothing.

 

I was recently told by a MINI dealer in California that the 2011 Mini S engine will not change from the 2010 engine. The salesman said the revised engine will be in the new Mini Coupe and Roadster for 2011 but not the Mini S until 2012. This contradicts what I have read, has anyone else heard this?

 

I'd also keep in mind that the 10's have the "bugs" worked out since they have been in production for three years. The 11 refresh is a chance for new bugs to appear. Not a certainty, but a chance....food for thought!

 

I think the dealer just wants to talk you into buying a 2010 model immediately.

Was he 100% sure what he was talking? Does he dare to write down what he has said on his dealership's letterhead paper and sign it?

 

Ill be waiting! I plan on getting one around april of 11. My current car's powertrain warranty will be close to being up so out with the old in with the MINI!!!

 

There was a link saying engine changes for US cars were delayed until the 2011. I don't think it said anything about excluding any specific model?

 

I'm having a hard time warming up to the MINI Countryman. My fear is that the 2011 face lift to the coupe will be to 'Countryman' the front end.

 

That contradicts what I've seen as well. The revised engine is already standard in Europe and currently being shipped. For some reason MINIUSA has delayed the revised engine here until the 2011 model year.

If I were not in a hurry to buy and on the fence about getting a 2010 vs 2011, I'd wait and keep an eye on MotoringFile for the 2011 debut and details. After the announcement, you can see what changes are coming and decide whether you want to wait (at that point, 2011 still won't be available for several more months and you can get a 2010 instead). Some of the changes that have been mentioned by MotoringFile include: revised bumpers, revised headlights and LED tail lights, new Nav system and MINI Connected, interior controls changed from silver to black plastic.