I'm in a big dilemma. At first, I had 2 choices - the brz and the r56 MCS. Eventually, I realized that i really wanted a mini cooper S. I'm torn between buying a brand new mini cooper S; this would be a 2013 model. Or waiting for the next generation mini cooper S.

I want to take into consideration the longevity of the car, the stock problems that come with it, aging and PERFORMANCE.

For the longevity of the car, is the 2013 model very durable? I live in a country where it only rains and shines. I plan to change oil every 6 months or 5000km to prevent any oil build up.

For waiting for the next gen model, it will have problems right? So it would be advisable to wait for the car to sale for at least 3 years?

I heard that the next gen will be a 3 cylinder car.

Thanks for the advise.

 

I like the R56, and I'm dubious about the next model. I'm also dubious about the first model year of a new model (like Tristan), if it were me I'd buy now. In fact we did buy now, we just got a new one. I'm also thinking of maybe trading in Tristan and getting the last of the R56s before they go away.

 

It's a crap shoot no matter how you shake it!

The MCSs have their bugs, and no matter how reliable the model is or isn't there will be some real lemons that come off the line no matter how new or old the design...

Waiting until 3 years into a run probably won't help much as car designs are tweaked continuously, and while most tweaks will improve the design, the previous "lemon" comment has more weight IMHO, though, given you will have a warranty to cover defects it may not matter as much to you.

Long term reliability is tougher to predict. If you drive a car hard, I don't care who made it, it will die sooner or cost more to maintain (with more wear and stress related failures) than a 'less spiritedly' driven car - all other factors being equal... The guys who took us on the tour of the Oxford plant insisted I would have the car for a very long time - they were quite proud of the construction of the car and even though they knew I live in the rust belt, were convinced the car would be around in 20 years if I didn't crash it!

New model releases... My family has had a lot of luck over the years with new release Hondas (new model Civic we couldn't kill, CRV same, Integra same) and some really bad luck too - 1984 Toyota minivan that has killed my desire to EVER own a Toyota again...

WRT a new Mini now or later, I have a tough time thinking BMW (a performance car company) would consider de-performancing the base Mini without offering at least one model that could out do the current set...

So with all that said, can you afford what you want now, or would you have to wait anyways? Summons had to wait a year until we could afford what I wanted, and in some respects I wish I had waited longer to get that JCW!

Good luck and happy Configurating!
E

 

I'd rather buy a fully refined version from a proven line than be a beta tester for the first year of an unproven line. That's just me, though. Then again, that's why I never stand in line for the newest smartphones or OS's. IMHO, with the 2013's coming out, this is the best time to buy a MINI.

 

Guys, Thanks for the feedback.

Summons: I don't drive my car hard nor do I trash it. I'm careful with potholes and debris on the ground. I really want that JCW but it wouldn't matter if I waited. I'd still get the MCS.

With that said, I have been reading for a while at the problems that come with the r56. Does it affect the 2013 as well? Or has it been exaggerated because of the ratio of owners to the people who post here? And to the manual that says to change oil approximately 10k miles. Here, the mini suggests having your oil changed every year or at 8000km. I think this avoids some of the issues regarding the oil.

Lastly, how good are the HK set? That's one of my priorities.