Ari Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Just pricing up a new MINI Cooper out of interest (don't ask!) Now I've always thought these were excellent value cars, fun funky little hatchback for twelve and a bit thousand. But to spec one up to a reasonable standard (and I'm talking just the basics to make it a nice car, 17 inch alloys not 18 inch, no xenons, no full leather, no sat nav, so not mad just reasonable) I've totted up nearly six thousand pounds worth of options!!! Thats half the value of the car again in bringing it up to a nice (not over the top) spec! And I'm sure there are more options that I'd want that weren't on the site. Didn't see an option for front spots, didn't see an option for body kit (which look great on MINI's) even though one of their "suggested spec" examples had this (and confirmed the price at over £1,000). If I got a bit generous on the spec and wanted these things and maybe xenons and leather I'd be well north of £20K for a supposedly £12K car!! (Remember, we're talking basic Cooper here, not Cooper S or cabrio). Even the flippin alarm is an option! I'm flabbergasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Have you tried looking at the packs, chilli pepper etc Ari? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Yeah the chilli pack is great value, especially on the Cooper S. But to be honest a decent spec S will set you back 18K. Still its good value for a great little car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 I someone who has just spent £25k on a Mini Cooper S Works Convertible....but it's a stunning looking car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilB Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 When Jason Dawe was on Top Gear he brought up this point, I think he said to have a checkered flag design on the roof was £500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Yeah the chilli pack is great value, especially on the Cooper S. But to be honest a decent spec S will set you back 18K. Still its good value for a great little car. [/ QUOTE ] Yep, specced Chilli. A decent spec Cooper (not S!) is over £18K Dave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Well my previous lady friend, bought a Mini one, which we took to AMD I then bought seperatly the bonnet and roof graphics and sourced a set of the 17" Cooper S alloys (the common ones these days) and had the one specced with aircon fogs and a few other bits and I believe it all came in under 13k for more than cooper performance. It can be done but you have to do things the right order, and not necessarily with your dealer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Here you go, this is what I came up with. Note, no sat nav, no xenons, 17 inch alloys not 18 inch, half leather not full leather, no spots, no bodykit, no roof graphics, not even an alarm... [ QUOTE ] General Price MINI Cooper 1.6 4-Cyl 16V £12,395.00 Hyper Blue £275.00 Clth/Lea OCTAGON Red/Blk £0.00 CHILI Pack £1,300.00 - 17" Web Spoke Alloys £850.00 - 3 Spoke Spts Lea St Wheel £0.00 - Chrome Line Exterior £0.00 - Front Foglights £0.00 - Interior Light Package £0.00 - Pass. Seat Height Adj. £0.00 - Radio BOOST £0.00 - Rear spoiler £0.00 - Sport Seats - Front £0.00 - Storage Compartment Pack £0.00 - Trip Computer £0.00 - Velour Floor Mats £0.00 6 Disc CD Boot Changer £290.00 Air Conditioning Auto £850.00 Central Rev. Counter £0.00 Darkened Glass £120.00 Dynamic Stability Control £320.00 Elec Panoramic Glass Roof £600.00 Front Centre Arm Rest £85.00 Front Seat Heating £190.00 Harman Kardon - Hi-Fi £350.00 Head Airbags-Front & Rear £200.00 Heated Mirrors/Washerjets £40.00 ISOFIX Child Seat System £0.00 Park Distance Control £200.00 Pass Airbag Deactivation £0.00 Roof&Mirror Caps in White £0.00 Single CD Player £0.00 Smoker Package £0.00 Sports suspension PLUS £0.00 White Bonnet Stripes £50.00 White Indicator Lenses £50.00 Total Price £18,165.00 [/ QUOTE ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 and if you change to an s with the chili pack, what's the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] and if you change to an s with the chili pack, what's the difference? [/ QUOTE ]Higher insurance and running costs.... Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Oh, and I'd absolutely want the bodykit and front spots, so figure in another £1,000+. Basically nearly £20K for a Cooper (not Cooper S or Cabrio, just the basic 0-60 in 9.2 secs Cooper). Thats 2.0 litre turbo 200hp Golf GTI money! (Yes I know the Golf would then need options, but somehow it needs a hell of a lot less than the MINI). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] and if you change to an s with the chili pack, what's the difference? [/ QUOTE ] It costs even more! And, as Riz says, all the running costs, fuel, insurance etc go up, which negates the whole point of a small cheap funky fun car in the first place... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 we have a good spec cooper S. Metallic, chilli pack, air con, part leather, split rim alloys, a few toys and its 18K. I did do one for myself and got to £22K. Which is a bit excessive. The mini website is not as accurate as it could be IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark88 Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 My sister has a 2004 regular Cooper, it's the hardest riding car I've ever driven or been a passenger in. Feels like the suspension is made of concrete. Is the 'S' the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My sister has a 2004 regular Cooper, it's the hardest riding car I've ever driven or been a passenger in. [/ QUOTE ] Trying sitting in a Z4..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wadders67 Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 Ahem My Z4's ride quality is great, not hard riding at all.. Of course...that would be different if I had opted for the upgraded suspension package and the 18" alloys though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 It's still VERY hard by most standards, and certainly by Mini standards. The 3.0i I drove had the 18"'s on....painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] we have a good spec cooper S. Metallic, chilli pack, air con, part leather, split rim alloys, a few toys and its 18K. I did do one for myself and got to £22K. Which is a bit excessive. The mini website is not as accurate as it could be IMO. [/ QUOTE ] That's crazy money for a Mini . I wouldn't even consider one - A late bulid Clio 182 (with cup suspension) is twice the drivers car and Renault were doing some great deals too. Alas now out of production though....... BUB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHA Posted November 6, 2005 Report Share Posted November 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] My sister has a 2004 regular Cooper, it's the hardest riding car I've ever driven or been a passenger in. Feels like the suspension is made of concrete. Is the 'S' the same? [/ QUOTE ] It is a frim ride in the S but nothing that feels uncomfortable even for a passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenny007 Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Ari, Looking at your spec, there's room for some cutting of cost you know. Harman Kardon - not worth the cash, and means you can't upgrade the hifi without it being a major pain in the butt. Parking sensors - look out the back window. The bumper stops there...... 6 Cd Autochanger - get your local ICE shop to put one in for lot less. Auto Air-Con - get the manual air-con as the auto isn't worth any more when you come to flog the thing. White indicators - get some from a specialist mini supplier and save a bit as well. The thing with the Mini's is that people think they are bomb proof with respect to depreciation. Perhaps that was the case originally but now with the new version around the corner and with Cooper's available second hand for well under £9500, oversupply is now a factor. The dealers will quote you waiting times and not give much discount (about £500 at the most although most just offer the TLC pack as free) but by dint of the fact that there are so many of the buggers out there, there is no need to pay top whack. I do agree that the options on it are a bit crackers mind. However, get the metallic, Chilli Pack, 1/2 leather option and then source the rest out from specialist suppliers and you're minimising (apologies for the pun) the hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Good advice, but I'd definitely want the HK, and dropping the rest is still only going to knock a grand off at best. I think I've discovered the sectret to the MINI's "awesome" residuals. People see year old examples selling for £12K and think thats fantastic, £12K new, sell for £12K in a year, zero depriciation. However it appears they're £18K new in reality if you want a few creature comforts off the options list like seats and a steering wheel... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenny007 Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Hit. Nail. Head. PS - for more mini advice try www.mini2.com. Really good site and no doubt you'll find more pros / cons of mini purchasing / ownership there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomk Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 yup you can get a good 2 year old 's' with toys for 12 - 14k no poitn having a new one with that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritey Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 Don't know what your talking about, there cheap as chips Ari linky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomk Posted November 7, 2005 Report Share Posted November 7, 2005 um there is something very dodgy there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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