Discussion
We are looking at buying a new mini cooper this weekend for a daily use car. my other half wants an auto (im not fussed either way) but struggling to get through the option list. We will go for the pepper and heated front screen, is there any other "essential" options? I'm also guessing any good deals are going to be a struggle so will push for the TLC pack to be included FOC.
L1OFF said:
We are looking at buying a new mini cooper this weekend for a daily use car. my other half wants an auto (im not fussed either way) but struggling to get through the option list. We will go for the pepper and heated front screen, is there any other "essential" options? I'm also guessing any good deals are going to be a struggle so will push for the TLC pack to be included FOC.
Air con if it's not now standard.L1OFF said:
That's my thinking, Chilli has some nice to have features but the current spec is at 18k. The auto has added £1200 so I think we will leave it there.
How about Sat Nav?Will be speccing it on our next Mini pool car.
And why on earth were you posting at before 05:00, it's not right.
Auto transmission is a good choice for commuting.
Pepper & heated FS cover most of the essentials.
TLC 'thrown in' is pretty much a cert.
Auto air con is in the Pepper pack (main reason to get it really, though it does add a 12V socket in the boot - the rest is mostly tat like interior LED lighting). [Manual air-con is standard in the UK. On the R56 the temperature being blown out was a bit random, very dependent on engine revs.]
Rear parking sensors are very useful as I found the rear much harder to place expected (heavily curved mirrors don't help).
"Multi-function controls for steering wheel" gives cruise control in addition to radio and phone.
If you live out in the country the Xenons are a leap forward in lighting (I had the R56 without and then with; big difference), but not necessary if most of your driving is in lit urban areas.
Pepper & heated FS cover most of the essentials.
TLC 'thrown in' is pretty much a cert.
Auto air con is in the Pepper pack (main reason to get it really, though it does add a 12V socket in the boot - the rest is mostly tat like interior LED lighting). [Manual air-con is standard in the UK. On the R56 the temperature being blown out was a bit random, very dependent on engine revs.]
Rear parking sensors are very useful as I found the rear much harder to place expected (heavily curved mirrors don't help).
"Multi-function controls for steering wheel" gives cruise control in addition to radio and phone.
If you live out in the country the Xenons are a leap forward in lighting (I had the R56 without and then with; big difference), but not necessary if most of your driving is in lit urban areas.
daydotz said:
The LED headlights get my vote 
I like the look of those, the other half is not bothered but I may try to get them if not in the deal at least discounted. We are test driving tomorrow and will proberbly order. The spec will be3 dr Cooper Auto
Volcanic Orange with black roof and mirros
Rear Park Sensors
Heated front screen
Pepper Pack
(TLC in the deal)
and try for free \ discount on Led lights.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the help chaps.
daydotz said:
Nice spec I'd be interested in hearing what you think of the engine & gearbox combination
I have the R56 Cooper + auto and it is really quite good (I prefer it to the rather balky manual in my first MINI). The auto box is a torque converter, but none the worse for it; changes are as fast as I need. The ratios are well matched (for example, it changes up at 29mph on a neutral throttle so is running at minimum revs in town) and the change is normally smooth. Took me a couple of thousand miles to make the transition and learn to work with the box, but I wouldn't go back. Reversing up a steep hill takes some practice as the normal creep is insufficient and throttle modulation alone is too aggressive.
It has three modes of operation:
1. Normal 'D' drive mode. If you have the paddle option (was £35) you can change gears and it will reassert auto mode after about ten seconds.
2. Sport 'S' mode, later shifts in auto mode. To enter this, nudge the gearstick to the left from D.
3. Manual mode. To enter this, be in 'S' and change gear with either the paddles or by nudging the gearstick forward or backward. It becomes a sequential shifter, though I believe (not tried) it has anti-stall and rev limit changes still operative. Shame it's configured for LHD and the stick is positioned further away from you in this mode.
Unlike the VAG DSG, it doesn't cut the throttle if you use the brake (but check on the new model).
L1OFF said:
I like the look of those, the other half is not bothered but I may try to get them if not in the deal at least discounted. We are test driving tomorrow and will proberbly order. The spec will be
3 dr Cooper Auto
Volcanic Orange with black roof and mirros
Rear Park Sensors
Heated front screen
Pepper Pack
(TLC in the deal)
and try for free \ discount on Led lights.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the help chaps.
What's the Mini auto like then? I am imagining gutless.3 dr Cooper Auto
Volcanic Orange with black roof and mirros
Rear Park Sensors
Heated front screen
Pepper Pack
(TLC in the deal)
and try for free \ discount on Led lights.
Looking forward to it. Thanks for the help chaps.
L1OFF said:
We are looking at buying a new mini cooper this weekend for a daily use car. my other half wants an auto (im not fussed either way) but struggling to get through the option list. We will go for the pepper and heated front screen, is there any other "essential" options? I'm also guessing any good deals are going to be a struggle so will push for the TLC pack to be included FOC.
You will get at least ten per cent discount on the car and options if you push. If not, walk away. Eleven said:
What's the Mini auto like then? I am imagining gutless.
Ordered on Saturday, the petrol 1.5 Auto will serve it porpose (commuting for the good lady) and a general runaround. Struggled to get a good discount, the dealer was packed on Saturday, with people atually buying. They seem to be selling like the proverbial hot cakes. Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff