I will be purchasing a Certified Mini (2011-2012) within the next few weeks. I have test driven the base model with 121 hp, which did seem to be underpowered for freeway merging. I have not test driven the S model. Is the S model worth the extra cost in comparison to the base model? What is the difference in terms of value and reliability?

 

Drive them both see which one you like better. If reliability is a main concern of yours you might want to look at something else.

 

Between the two models you are looking at, the base model is far more reliable with less issues than the "S".
It's a trade off with more performance vs more reliability.

 

Agree - go find an S and drive it (are you looking at manual or auto .. BIG difference too) .. you ARE talking closer to 200hp on a light weight car . . .

Reliability:

for every one with a problem who seeks out this site as a place to complain or whine there are 500 owners who have NOT seen anything out of the ordinary on their MINI

My 2007 S had $400 'extra' maintenance costs between Aug 2007 and Nov 2013. Beyond that it was routine oil and filter changes and a set of tires and a set of brake pads (choice on those). I consider that pretty reliable.

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how much are you looking to spend?

 

'Certified' may seem comforting BUT if the oil was only changed every 15k miles (S model) then make sure it is changed immediately. If it's an auto drain/fill the fluid once as well. The S gives more power at the cost of higher stress/heat so regular maintenance (more than dealer recommended intervals) is highly a good idea. If you can DIY, it's not bad. If you need a shop to change oil for you, find one that knows these cars.

 

i was in this very boat when i bought my CPO 2011. I went with the Justa cooper for the 48.3 mpg that i am currently getting and the more responses of reliability VS the S model.

 

I will be buying one with an automatic transmission.

 

I will be spending around $20,000.

 

You should be able to find a nice 2012 MCS for 20k, I would recommend the auto with paddle shifters on the steering wheel and the H&K sound system.

Owned two 2011 MCS’s (his and hers) with zero issues...the turbo S really gives you the power you need to control your environment on the highway and put the nuts behind out.

 

When you go see it, try haggling with them. I was able to lower mine from 20K to 17.9K and the car was actually posted for 22K at the store (2013 Mini Cooper only 7K miles on it).

Take a friend / significant other and do the good cop/ bad cop routine. You can say you really want to buy it and the other person can say, "you shouldn't... this one they are selling at "the other dealer" is cheaper and has "sunroof" , or "leather", etc" or whatever they want to mention to make the "other" cooper at the "other dealer" sound more attractive. Print out some papers to show them so they know you did the research.

The deal almost didn't work for me. They told me they couldn't lower it too much, so I said thanks, I'll go somewhere else. I used the restroom and when I got out, they were waiting for me with a new offer :D.