Hello everyone,

I just joined recently and am looking for some advice/information before I go put down an order for a '12 MCS. As a long time BMW owner (I consider Mini's BMWs too) I've always been a big fan of Minis. Now the wife really wants to downsize from her X5 4.8is to something smaller and nimble so here I am.

So a few questions I have are:

1. is the new turbo much better than the old SC versions?
2. when did they refresh the car?
3. does the new turbo motor have valvetronic?
4. is there a built in oil cooler for the turbo?
5. how reliable is the new turbo and MCS in general
6. heard a little about the carbon build up and is there a fix for that?
7. can you still get white wheels?
8. Is the navi system worth it?
9. How much off of MSRP do these cars go for now?
10. What options are best to get (I priced one out and it came to 32k with all the packages and navi/connected drive).


I think thats it for now.

Thanks!

JT

 

1. Depends on what's "better". Different, yes. Lots of linear power, fantastic economy, but faces carbon-buildup issues inherent to direct-injection.

2. 2011, great refresh.

3. Yes, 2011 N18 has full Valvetronic.

4. I think so.

5. Somewhat. High hopes for 2011 cars but still some reliability concerns in the MCS. Time tends to work the bugs out, with the aftermarket stepping in for corporate with obvious trouble spots. If I had to pick an MCS to live with forever it would be the last two years of the generation, either 05-06 or 11-12.

6. BG is developing or has released a product but haven't researched it at all.

7. No, thank God.

8. MINI Connected can be ordered with or without NAV, $750. I like Connected, not sure about NAV as I haven't used it as I love my Android phone. I wouldn't order it but would consider Connected.

9. We really don't stray from MSRP, minus factory incentives. They sell insanely well here. We're going to burn through our allocation very quickly as it is.

10. For 2012 it's a shame they screwed with the Premium package. I would do heated seats vs. ZCP Cold Weather if I was feeling stingy, would definitely get ZSP as every option is gold, skip ZPP Premium unless those features matter to you (alarm is fluff, Comfort Access limited in features, rain-sensing wipers is nice, auto headlights is fluff. Those are nice if you spring for Xenons, and then do the $100 Adaptive feature). If you want ZTP Technology go for it.

The way I order 2012s is going for the standalones.
Must haves:
Anthracite headliner (but it does get dark with no moonroof, be careful)
Chrome line interior
NOT LEATHERETTE. Either checked cloth sport seats for free or Lounge if you are feeling spendy. Polar Beige is beautiful with some colors, and you don't need Anthracite headliner if you do Polar Beige with Polar Beige Color Line. You get the color line free as well as any trim so use this to your advantage. Piano is a great choice always, as is the striped alloy. The wood is rich and great with Hot Chocolate).
ZSP Sport Package. If you skip this make sure to get Xenon headlights, they're a steal at $500.
Harmon/Kardon isn't cheap but it's a great system, and the base system is a joke.

 

Thanks for the great response!

I am big on buying late in the model year even though it means a newer model will come out shortly. I'm thinking 2014 they will have a completely new Mini? But since its a classic body, I don't fear that they will change too much. Facelifts are considered halfway points for BMWs so I'm guessing if its an '11 facelift then the car will run until the end fo '13 at the least. Correct me if I am wrong. It sounds like you may know more than I would since you work for Mini.

So anywho, I went down to the local Mini of Ontario and checked out the MCS classic and was a little interested in the All4 Countryman. Its just the right size and its a crossover type vehicle that maybe useful down the line (and still gets 30mpgs!). The wife still loves the lines of the classic, but we'll have to come check out the countryman during the day and see what direction we want to go in.

Coming from a long line of BMWs, I actually like the fact that all the packages are similar to BMWs and would check off all of them. I'm a little on the fence about the Nav since BMW DVD based Nav SUCKs (except for the new HDD based ones). Unfortunately they didn't have one Mini with the Nav so we could try it out.

I'm sure BMW will come out with a factory retrofit solution for the carbon buildup. With enough complaints and failures like they had with the N62 turbos not cooling properly (with a subsequent turbo cooler retrofit made available to CA residents for free) then I'm sure they will have to do something for the MCS unless they want negative press that their Turbo cars have carbon buildup. Since turbo'ing is the way of the future for all BMW cars, they wouldn't let Mini take the hit on their rep. At least this is what I'm hoping.

So now the hard part is waiting for the '12s to roll out and then to decide if its the MCS or the All4 Countryman S that we want....hmmm. Decisions, decisions...

Any further input is welcome. Is this board usually quiet? seems a little quiet to me??

 

The board can be a little quiet especially with these types of questions.

Between the two, I love classic lines of the Hardtop but also intrigued by the Clubman. Probably not what you're looking at but I'd split the difference and see if the Clubman is for you.

If you're looking at a Hardtop I can't say that you will be 100% satisfied with a Countryman instead. Not that it's not a great product, just very different in philosophy.

 

Well, I just found me a Laurel MCS hardtop and put a deposit down. Looks like I got bit by the mini bug and couldn't wait!!! Plus I was shocked to have found this Laurel!!! just listed today on Autotrader!!!

 

Congrats, that's about how long the turn-around time is on these cars...I bet it would have been sold by tomorrow, not kidding!

 

Thanks! There you were giving me advice about ordering a new 2012 and then I stumbled upon this post just this morning before heading out to work and then I just jumped onto Autotrader online to poke around and found this car that was JUST LISTED THIS MORNING.

Called the dealer up and made an offer. Went back and forth a little bit and they ended up taking $1500 off the asking price (which was LOW) so I feel like I got a fricking STEAL!!! Flying out of OC tomorrow and arriving in Texas tomorrow afternoon to pickup my wife's new ride!!! She's so excited too! All she asked for was a base model mini LOL. I couldn't let her roll around in that so I figured I'd try to find her something a little more special. 1 of 100 is pretty special!

BTW, are these cars individually numbered? Maybe by VIN?