2nd Generation MINI
Discussion
Am I right in thinking the release date for these cars is sometime next month? If so, when will local dealers get a demo model in to have a nosey at? I'm keen to spec up a Cooper for possible delivery next spring/summer, but the last time I checked the MINI website there was very little information (it linked to another website, but it was very basic).
I'm not sure whether they have demos at the moment but there are certainly some places which have them - I've already seen a new Cooper S.
You could still spec it up at a dealer - they take advanced orders for delivery to a maximum of 10 years in the future. The best thing about this is that you can stamp your mark on the delivery list but you can costantly change the spec of your order up to four/six weeks before delivery.
It's what I did.
You could still spec it up at a dealer - they take advanced orders for delivery to a maximum of 10 years in the future. The best thing about this is that you can stamp your mark on the delivery list but you can costantly change the spec of your order up to four/six weeks before delivery.
It's what I did.
pvernham said:
My wife specced up a Cooper S about 10 days ago and will be delivered before end of November
So the waiting lists are quite small at the moment then? Just out of interest what spec did you go for, and what price did it come out at (if you don't mind me asking)?
TBH we're looking to have something delivered next spring (still haven't decided between a Gen 2 Cooper or a Gen 1 One/Cooper Cabrio). But when I ordered myself an MCS with JCW kit a few years ago it took seven months to come, so I don't want to be caught out again.
launch is 17th nov--the car is fantastic in comparison.
Its electrically based around 1 and 3 series with CCC as an option(wide screen and media pack)
Although it looks the same at a glance-every panel is different.
Engine is now BM built at hamms hall,and a new gearbox-BIG bonus here they now come with a reverse gear syncro(thank the maker)
Im off to oxford wednesday for technical launch and drive....nice
ps-its the 3rd generation(model update '04)
Its electrically based around 1 and 3 series with CCC as an option(wide screen and media pack)
Although it looks the same at a glance-every panel is different.
Engine is now BM built at hamms hall,and a new gearbox-BIG bonus here they now come with a reverse gear syncro(thank the maker)
Im off to oxford wednesday for technical launch and drive....nice
ps-its the 3rd generation(model update '04)
Edited by blackspider on Sunday 12th November 09:12
I got the new brochure through the post yesterday and started to spec one up - no price list with it so there are a lot of ? marks where I need to see the price, but I can already tell it's not going to be cheap.
MINI Cooper
Chilli Red with white wheels, roof, mirrors and (maybe) bonnet stripes
Black cloth/leather
Piano Black interior trim
6-Speed auto box with shifters on steering wheel (necessary as it will be girlfriends car and she only has an auto licence)
3-spoke multi-function sports steering wheel, with trip computer and cruise control
Lighting Pack
Storage Pack
Auto Air-con or Manual Air-con/panoramic sunroof
Keyless Entry/Go
Visibility Pack
Power Folding Heated Wing Mirrors
iPod Control Adaptor
As I say there was no price list with the brochure but a bit of mental guessing suggests this little lot will come in at about £18k, a lot of money but then it's a well specced car.
I'd love the Navigation Pack as it fits in with the dash so well, but I know it won't be any better than a £200 TomTom One and I suspect there won't be that much change from £2k, so it's a little hard to justify. I also like the improved 10-speaker 230W sound system but, again, I reckon it won't be worth the extra cash.
I'm also going to specify the basic spec alloy wheels and then purchase a nice set of original 17" ones from eBay. Sod paying MINI a grand to upgrade the wheels when I can buy a set for half of that AND keep the originals, hence giving me a summer set and a winter set.
MINI Cooper
Chilli Red with white wheels, roof, mirrors and (maybe) bonnet stripes
Black cloth/leather
Piano Black interior trim
6-Speed auto box with shifters on steering wheel (necessary as it will be girlfriends car and she only has an auto licence)
3-spoke multi-function sports steering wheel, with trip computer and cruise control
Lighting Pack
Storage Pack
Auto Air-con or Manual Air-con/panoramic sunroof
Keyless Entry/Go
Visibility Pack
Power Folding Heated Wing Mirrors
iPod Control Adaptor
As I say there was no price list with the brochure but a bit of mental guessing suggests this little lot will come in at about £18k, a lot of money but then it's a well specced car.
I'd love the Navigation Pack as it fits in with the dash so well, but I know it won't be any better than a £200 TomTom One and I suspect there won't be that much change from £2k, so it's a little hard to justify. I also like the improved 10-speaker 230W sound system but, again, I reckon it won't be worth the extra cash.
I'm also going to specify the basic spec alloy wheels and then purchase a nice set of original 17" ones from eBay. Sod paying MINI a grand to upgrade the wheels when I can buy a set for half of that AND keep the originals, hence giving me a summer set and a winter set.
Visited local dealer for launch on Friday - glitzy affair with bar, laser lights, loud music and all that razzmatazz. Sort of suits the car, methinks.
Anyway, I really like the new one - there's enough different about it to make it look really new. The new dash is much better than the current one, and some of the options seem really well thought out. And the best thing is, although it's built to a lower price than the last, it doesn't look or particularly feel it.
No wonder the order books are almost full!
(Looks behind couch for dosh for new Mini. Finds none. The end.)
Anyway, I really like the new one - there's enough different about it to make it look really new. The new dash is much better than the current one, and some of the options seem really well thought out. And the best thing is, although it's built to a lower price than the last, it doesn't look or particularly feel it.
No wonder the order books are almost full!
(Looks behind couch for dosh for new Mini. Finds none. The end.)
ehyouwhat said:
I'd love the Navigation Pack as it fits in with the dash so well, but I know it won't be any better than a £200 TomTom One and I suspect there won't be that much change from £2k, so it's a little hard to justify. I also like the improved 10-speaker 230W sound system but, again, I reckon it won't be worth the extra cash.
The TomTom is so much better in every way from the Mini Sat-Nav. Infact, the Mini SatNav is like going back to when Noah used it to find dry land (based on an 02 Mini).
Only benefit is that the dash layout looks more traditional with it fitted, I hate the central speedo unit and I think the twin speedo/rev counter pods look much better. Besides, it means the wife can't see what speed we're doing as easy.
Hmm had a look round yesterday and have to say there were lots of things not to like but many positives too. HATED the new side indicators, loved the air con controls. Hated the new toggles, but liked the new steering wheel and console. Lights not part of bonnet? - don't like; Rear bumper on S - really like. Bigger cans on exhaust - liked; didn't like the new arches - too wide.
To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
byff said:
ehyouwhat said:
I'd love the Navigation Pack as it fits in with the dash so well, but I know it won't be any better than a £200 TomTom One and I suspect there won't be that much change from £2k, so it's a little hard to justify. I also like the improved 10-speaker 230W sound system but, again, I reckon it won't be worth the extra cash.
The TomTom is so much better in every way from the Mini Sat-Nav. Infact, the Mini SatNav is like going back to when Noah used it to find dry land (based on an 02 Mini).
Only benefit is that the dash layout looks more traditional with it fitted, I hate the central speedo unit and I think the twin speedo/rev counter pods look much better. Besides, it means the wife can't see what speed we're doing as easy.
By all accounts the new Sat Nav system is a world apart from the previous version and has been totally updated. The layout has also been changed somewhat, so that Sat Nav is now incorporated into the central speedo. This sounds crap but is actually really very good (have a look at a photo of a satnav-spec'd dashboard) - where Sat Nav is fitted the actual speed indicator is located within a halo around the rim of the central instrument panel - and it looks very fancy and, dare I say it, BMW-esque.
There is now only ever a need for one extra binnacle above the steering wheel, although this now features not one but two digital displays, which are able to show a number of different options (including speed and trip computer information, as well as servicing details, etc).
The whole system has obviously been thought out pretty well...
...but I just don't think it's going to offer good value for money. Even if the Sat Nav is excellent it's not going to be much of an improvement over a new-style TomTom One unit, but will cost at least eight times more. I'm just not sure I can stomach such a price, given that it will return very little of its value should the car ever be sold or traded on.
Hobzy said:
Hmm had a look round yesterday and have to say there were lots of things not to like but many positives too. HATED the new side indicators, loved the air con controls. Hated the new toggles, but liked the new steering wheel and console. Lights not part of bonnet? - don't like; Rear bumper on S - really like. Bigger cans on exhaust - liked; didn't like the new arches - too wide.
To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
NCAP 5
Hobzy said:
Hmm had a look round yesterday and have to say there were lots of things not to like but many positives too. HATED the new side indicators, loved the air con controls. Hated the new toggles, but liked the new steering wheel and console. Lights not part of bonnet? - don't like; Rear bumper on S - really like. Bigger cans on exhaust - liked; didn't like the new arches - too wide.
To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
Apparently that was one of the main changes, because with the 1st and 2nd gen versions, people had a problem with when they smashed the bonnet down, the bulbs broke.To their credit at least they've tried to freshen the look while meeting the new safety regs, do we know what the new NCAP rating is anyone?
Think I'll stick with my 53 plate...
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