Just talked with a BMW rep. It seems that with my BMWCA, loyalty , and other incentives / discounts, I can get a new 135i, moderately equipped , for 39/40K... This isn't much more than what a mini roadster S, moderately equipped, goes for. As I said in my last post , I couldn't believe the sticker price on the roadster I test drove, and it wasn't loaded. I like the unique experience that the roadster provides, but , with options, the price is crazy, and it shouldn't be in the same price vicinity of the 135 i.... I haven't negotiated with mini, yet... As I stated, I am screwed up as to what car to pursue...
Best,
JoNack

 

The roadster get LOTS of attention, if that matters. All other cars never get a second look. I have people staring as I drive by all the time. Many people have commented to me that they really like it and can't get over how much room it has. For me, I like being a little different. Some may say a lot different because I'm an art teacher (haha)

 

I can tell from Frigs signature, there's a love of driving. That is what it came down to for me. I owned both a late model 3 series and an R52 Mini at the same time. Eventually, I nearly stopped driving the BMW because the Mini was such an engaging driving experience. I sold both and ordered the R59. The driving experience and personality of these cars is very unique. My advice would be to drive both and decide where to put your money. Good luck with whichever way you go...you'll be in a fine machine.



-Steven

 

Jonack - Remember that you are comparing a convertible to a coupe. If you were comparing a 135i convertible to the Roadster S the price difference would be approximately $15k for similarly equipped cars. To me it is hard to compare a convertible to a hard top given that I love convertibles and would have a hard time living without one for an extended length of time. Don't get me wrong, the 135i is a great car (coupe or convertible). If you consider getting a Roadster S - Order it. It will be cheaper (not paying for options you don't need) and you will get exactly what you want. Good luck.

 

Jonack, I've been following your "process" for a while now, and I'd like to give you my opinion. (Please do with it whatever you wish, you got it for nothing so it's worth at least that!)

There are many cars out there that are one or more of
- cheaper
- ride better
- have more features
- better built
- faster
- better handling
- better fit and finish
- better gas mileage
than the MINI, but at the end of the day they're not MINIs. If I had just wanted a roadster of any kind, I probably could have stretched to a lightly used Boxster or 1 series convertible, or got a new top-of-the-line Miata for less money, all of which are probably "better" cars in the eyes of the motoring press, but it wouldn't have been a MINI.

I didn't cross shop other cars, never even crossed my mind to do so. This is a pattern for me and I think many others on here. I bought my R53 based on choosing from three cars that were still on the boat as surprise deliveries to the dealer on paper specs alone before I had seen any of them. I ordered my R56 on the first day that they were available to order, before the dealer had a demonstrator. I went to the dealer to buy a Coupe before any Roadsters had shipped. I drove two Coupes and sat down to order one when my wife said "why not get the Roadster instead?" so I placed the first Roadster order at my dealership sight unseen ($37k with options, didn't even haggle) and certainly un-driven, and it is hands-down the best car I have ever had. I smile every day when I open the garage door.

At the end of the day, you either "get" the whole MINI package, including the dealers, the order process, (the waiting and tracking the boat...,) the compromises day-to-day because of size, etc., the fantastic owner community, the waving, or you don't. If you're still agonizing, it's probably not the car for you.

 

Well said Spiney!!!!!!! Roadster is next on our list. (once State Farm gets off it's *** and stops playing the Bad Neighbor on a PI claim!!!!!)

 

Totally agree Spiney!

For me, my MINI has been a personality extension. There is nothing out there except the MINI that can say "this is me". It may cost a pretty penny (I still cant believe my Justa Roadster was 40K LOL), but its worth it. It puts a smile on my face everyday.

The "MINI experience" cannot be matched.

 

Spiney is wise.

I owned two Miatas and a BMW M Roadster before buying my first MINI in 2004. I was sold on the first test drive and now I'm awaiting delivery of a JCW Coupe, which is arguably one of the most overpriced cars in its class...I don't care. To me the 1-series BMW is just another sedan. To the untrained eye, they can't tell that from a Mazda 6. When you see a Mini, you know it's not just another sedan like everyone else. It makes a statement (The Coupe and Roadster even more so IMO).

Have you driven both cars? The test drive sold me on the Mini, no question. It feels more connected to the road than my M Roadster. In fact, it makes the BMW feel large and sloppy by comparison. Straight line acceleration is another matter entirely. You throw a Mini into a corner at high speed and it feels like you're going a thousand miles an hour. Everything from the exhaust note to how close you are to the ground to the heads you turn with a Mini makes the experience unique and truly loads of FUN.

I know I could have ordered a 2013 Ford Focus ST, complete with Recaros and the yellow/black bumblebee design and on paper it's the exact same 0-60 and top speed as my new coupe...for $10k less. I test drove it. The fit and finish isn't the same quality. There's a black styrofoam brick behind the seats, presumably to deal with squeaks late in production. There is a gap in the headliner and the roof large enough to fit a finger into it as if the headliner isn't attached to the roof everywhere. There's a gauge cluster on the dash and when you jiggle it the whole dash moves up and down with it. In short, the overall package shows the difference in money if you look closely enough. What's on paper is one thing, the entire ownership experience top to bottom is another.

If after a test drive you still feel like you're overpaying, buy something else. I have no regrets, which is why I am back for MINI number two (Three if you count my wife's Clubman).

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

My wife and I are sold on MINI and will not look or test drive anything else. She test drove a hardtop 4 years prior and told me it's too small so forget it and then we saw the CM and it was love at first drive. This was after looking at and test driving more than 10 vehicles. Now she wants a Roadster how ironic!!!!! As far as we are concern nothing compares to MINI's it's a different feel as Road and Track says " It's front drive nirvana" On top of that it's an eye catcher for others plus it is built solid and the steptronic is the best 6 automatic out there. Just not sure as to whether I will swap out the CM for a CMS in addition to the Roadster or Roadster S. Wife was a bit nervous in the S as it felt like a rocket ready for take off.

 

I have a 2011 MCS with the JCW package and a 2013 BMW M3. I can tell you that they are totally different cars with totally different personalities. The Mini is absolutely the best tearing around town car; poke it and it quirts. I never drive the Mini that it doesn't leave a smile on my face, even after two years. The M3 is a totally different experience. It is, in any rational terms a better car, but it does cost 2 1/2 times as much. The Mini paint job, incidentally, is better with much less orange peel then the M3. The Mini is fun all the time (except maybe during 600 mile days), The M3 is more fun in triple digits (like this afternoon). I'm happy with both.

 

Great thread...bringing out two common thoughts...nothing like a Mini for driving fun...lot's of folks familiar with BMW driving dynamics

Capt Fred, good to see you have the best of both worlds


-Steven

 

Similar experience for me. My wife always said my Mini was too small to be practical. Then her Hyundai died and we went car shopping. She looked at the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV 4 and Matrix. Mini of Peabody held a Clubman launch event the weekend it came to the US so we went. The next day, without ANY kind of prompting from me at all, she decided that's what she wanted. The car sold itself.

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

Ditto to everything that was said earlier. MINI in general is also a culture. How many "135 on the Dragon", or "135 takes the States", or "A 135 vacation in Vegas", or... Well you get the idea. There is a certain passion evoked when owning a MINI. I don't see that with a 135. Surely a great car but to me, its barely noticeable, I like unique cars and MINI's fit that bill. The JCW Roadster I have picked out is costly but unique. That's why after my R56 was totaled, I bought a Chrysler Crossfire [wanted to wait on the Roadster] back in 2011.

 

Have to agree with spiney ( and especially gemster lol )

It's a great little car 19k miles and still grinning ear to ear every time I put the top down. from the first internet picture i saw there was no doubt in my mind that this was the car for me actually walked out of the closest dealer after 15 minutes as they pushed really hard for countryman sale, they failed to mention that they didn't have roadsters available yet to order.

Only you can can decide what is the best fit for your needs finances ect either way hope you get exactly what you want

Best of luck either way

 

I test drove a 135i when it first came out in 2008. It was a blast to drive, but at the time it was not being discounted by the dealer (brand new model) and the price of a 335i was not that much more so we bought the 335 for my wife. It was the most fun car to drive I ever experienced until I bought my MINI in 2010. The MINI is just a kick to drive around town. As someone once said- Bmws are fun to drive fast, but MINIs are also fun to drive slow. The fit and finish of the Bmw is better (as it should be for the price), but the MINI is unique in its class. I couldnt see trading it for anything else!

 

This is not a dilemma to be all screwed up about. Drive both cars and pick the one that best fits your personality.

 

Both great cars and I was looking at a BMW (3 series) as well before I purchased the MINI. One major factor... when I look at a 3 series I think... time to go to the weekly staff meeting at work. When I looked at the MINI I thought.. I wonder if I can still get a spot at Track Day.

I have never driven a car that has gotten so much attention. People randomly stop me in traffic, parking lots, etc.. to ask about the R59. Some don't even know it is a MINI. It makes me wonder what would have happened if I had saved a little longer and gotten the other roadster I wanted, the Boxster.

As many MINI dealerships share the same building with their parent company BMW, you should have no trouble testing an R59 and a 135i on the same day. Buy whatever you think is best for you. Be sure to be post pictures either way.

 

Sounds familiar. I ordered by Coupe sight unseen. Never had a test drive. I have one of the very first JCW Coupes on the west coast. In fact it may have been the very first one. Took delivery in October of 2011. I would do it all over again. Not sure anything more needs to be said.

Pat

 

I had gone to the dealer for the four seat convertible. They were supposed to have a red one on the lot, but it had sold.

We went to the back lot, and the first roadster in the state was there. Red, straight stick, all the ops I have put in online to "someday" order, and there it was!

I bought it on the spot.

Then I drove down the street to their graphics guy and had my spiders put on it.

That was last March. I still have people stopping me and giving me compliments.

I had been wanting a MINI ever since I had to give up my '82 to come back to the US. Now I'm happy again!