Hi,

New to forum. Want to get a mini but was thinking it might make sense to wait for the 2007.

Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

There are some lengthy discussions regarding this subject, and it comes down to personal choice really. The 06 has an excellent advantage in that mini has had many years to work out the kinks of the current product, the supercharger is quite popular and the engine is very well built.

The 07 should see a good boost in mpg numbers, even with the turbo, turbos are also well known for tuneability, so it holds an interesting potential to see some impressive hp numbers. However, there is a lingering risk of new problems that will pop up with the new engine design that has not been proven over time.

I've got an 03 and I'm certainly not ready to preorder an 07, but am very interested in a test drive when they come out, more than likely i'd wait for an 08 or 09, but thats me.

 

Much has been said here. The 06 has been tested and is pretty solid. The '07 will have a new motor and much retooling.

I say '06. but I'm a little biased.

Good Luck!

 

Read all the posts and go for 07...you may have no choice in the matter soon, as dates for builds are closing depending on where you are.

 

I am on that fence too, and ready to pull the trigger on an 06 MCS.

One factor I was considering, since 07 starts another new car year, MSRP +$$$$ starts all over again. Whereas dealers may relax a bit (the better ones) on the '06s with 07s coming out.
Just a thought. I am sure someone will come along and blow that theory to bits!

 

I agree!

regards,
Red

 

I say be one of the first with an 07 on the road

 

We just ordered an '06 DS/W MCS. Before ordering, I was wondering if we should hold off and wait for the '07. I've seen some of the "spyshots" of the '07 and if the dashboard design remains as I've seen.... it will be enough to make me happy that I got in on the '06. So the interior design would be enough to make me want the '06.

I am also not sure that they slight redesign of the front end is an improvement. I think by grading the headlamps back a bit, they've lost a bit of the car's character.

"Beauty" is always in the eye of the beholder. But if you like the current Cooper, you can always fall back on the "most of the bugs should have been worked out theory".

Good luck with your decision...

sbp

 

I'd go for the 07. It's unlikely IMO to be anymore trouble prone than an 06, so you might as well not get a MINI that will immediately be "outdated" by the redesigned 07 model.

 

I'd do an '06. For me the extra 2 inches of the '07 breaks the deal, the MINI is too big as it is. But to each his/her own

 

I am struggling with the same decision with the GTI thrown in the mix to confuse things more.

I am leaning towards the 07 because it should be lighter due to the aluminum block engine, and because of the efficiency of the turbo.

You will see posts regarding lag on the turbo, but if you look the VW FSI low pressure turbo,(similar to the forthcoming mini engine) you will find that it actually has a flatter torque curve that starts at lower rpms than the current supercharged mini does. That translates to no lag and more throttle response at lower rpms. Hopefully, the new mini turbo will have the same characteristics.

I think the current mini looks better than the 07 and though the 07 center console does not look all that good, I think the additional room in the footwells will be a nice change. Neither interior thrills me.

I do think people make valid points regarding the debugging of the current mini as it is at the end of the model cycle.

If I decide to go with the mini, it will most likely be an 07 unless I find a good deal on a low mileage used mini with the JCW kit.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20060713/...20060711076685

 

My theory is to get an '06 now, and if I end up REALLY likeing the new design, I'll switch in a couple of years since the resale value should still be pretty good...

 

Sure! You work out all the 07 bugs and pass the info to all of us so in 08 or 09 we'll know what to expect and what was fixed.

Way to go "EGmini55" take one for the team.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I plan on twin charging my 06 in a couple of years and I'd rather have that proven (by Fireball Tim and others) bullet proof block of the 02-06 than mess with the aluminum 07. Sure you could add a bigger tubo to the 07, but how much will the aluminum block take?
Seriously I'm no expert, but I know there's some expertise in this forum, any thoughts?

 

I highly doubt that the material of the block (aluminum) will be an issue. Aluminum has been used as a block in very high horsepower cars since the 60's. Chevrolet produced an aluminum block 427 in 1967 that was well over 400 horsepower in factory form. Current aluminum blocked motors range from the 900 horsepower crate Hemi to the 200 hp Accura TSX motor.

I am seeing a lot of concern over the upcoming mini motor which is probably not necessary. The technology is already in use in other vehicles by peugot, and other manufacturers make very similar motors. There is a tech document in 2007 mini talk that goes into great detail over the engine and shows some current applications.

 

Whoever wrote this article obviously spent no time investigating the emerging technologys on the 07 mini and barely even mentions it. The article basically says, the current mini is great so buy it. We already know the current mini is great, but what if the next mini is better?

I think from a performance and economy standpoint there is a lot of evidence that the next mini will in fact be better. Whoever wrote this article did not bother to even try to find out.

 

Possibly true, but from what I have seen of the exterior and interior of the new MINI so far, me no likey... I don't care how great the fuel economy is or how great the performance is, if it's fugly, it's a no-no for me

I guess we'll have to wait until March!

 

FWIW, I just called the closest dealer (San Antonio), and they said they expect to take the first orders in October or November for February '07 delivery. It'd be great if that means they'd have a showroom sample in October or November as well. I'd definitely want to wait until I could see for myself, live and in-person, what the cosmetic changes are. Spy shots of mules and proposed interior mockups are always misleading.

-W-

 

I have a '05 MCSa. I bought the car from a dealer lot, so it wasn't customized by me. I was also struggling between '06 and '07, then I understood I have to order one until it's discontinued. Now it's on the ship, coming home, my MCS with full JCW package.

There are several reasons, that I think you may want to order the '06. First: the current model looks almost perfect from any angel and proportionally; second: it's already a part of history; then: JCW garages are closing, so most probably the '06 JCW is going to be one of the most desired models; and finally, as a designer, I don't think the current model will look outdated next to '07.

Good luck!

 

This is true however there is a HUGE diffrence between a block designed from the factory to make that kind of horsepower and modifying one to make horsepower. To double the design HP is taking a huge risk with an aluminium block ....in general a cast iron block will be much more durable and modifiable and to a much higher degree than aluminium block engines.

 

I have to wait before I can get my Mini. the good news is I get to order it with whatever options I want. I will get a MCSC and found this on Motorfiling
The R52 convertible (2004-2007)
Production continues unchanged until 2008 when an R56 based convertible should arrive.

So does that mean that the 2007 MCSC will have the same look as the 06?
What about the engine and other mechanical components?

 

Since I live over an hour away from the nearest MINI dealership I would wait for the 07. The service interval is increasing from 10,000 mi oil changes to 20,000 miles. That means, at the rate I drive, I won't need service for almost 3 years.

As for the interior changes the 2007 should be considered as upgraded in terms of higher quality materials. How upset can you be about the new radio/CD player? The current one is not very stylish to say the least.

The thing with the 07 models is that the Cooper vs MCS is going to be harder to choose with the Cooper coming in at 150hp.

 

I'm 99% sure it means it will be exactly the same as the current convertible until the 08 change.

 

me personally, i think that the newer cooper styling doesnt look as good as the current model. newer looks a little more boxy and larger. ehh.