DarioTexas

Yes,

I have the 4" rear and the 2" fronts, both are supposed to be new to the 542R line...

pig4bill

32k?? Sounds like that includes the ripoff John Cooper Works package. And then sounds like a further ripoff. I ordered my Cooper S for under $21k and there could not have been more than a few thousand in options available. Somebody was selling an upgrade package several months ago that boosted it up to 200 hp for just a few thousand. No headwork was necessary, which saves a bunch on installation.

dbelleperc

I ordered a Mini Cooper S and the cars are an absolute blast. The only problem is that everyone wants one so there are some dealers out there trying to screw everybody. The dealer in San Diego wanted $30K for the Mini I wanted so I called around to Texas and got the same one for $25K. And here is what I am getting on the car. <a href="http://www.miniusa.com/configurator/PrintConfiguration?model_id=2&selected=102,111,116,125,129,135,140,148,1 52,160,324,343,344,361," target="_blank">My Mini Cooper S</a>

KPV

All,
I test drove one of these things yesterday and WHAT A BLAST! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" /> My overall impression was of a late model BMW shrunk down to go-kart size. The fit and finish were very good, the feel of the switchgear was excellent and the shifter was rock solid, not mushy like some cars. And the handling and ride, what fun!! You can toss this thing around. I felt like I was in the streets of Italy under complete control. I will have to get used to the front wheel drive though. I have never driven a car to the limit with fwd. I will have to learn how it responds. The dealer did mention something about the absence of torque steer due to equal length half shafts. I prepared the dealer, when we got in the car, that I do have some driving experience so buckle up. Well, as we proceeded to their typical "test drive road" I saw arms flailing out of my peripheral vision! He had white knuckles when we were through!! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> He said he was comfortable with my driving but was simply trying to hold on!!
I have already measured the garage for the lift and both cars will definitely fit on the one side with 13 inches to spare. So that is out of the way. I will not need to relegate any car to the outdoors........Phew! So now the question is......do it or not? I like the idea of changing out the seats, etc., etc. and building a really performance oriented daily driver and really having some fun. At least I wouldn't have to always worry where I park it.

Pig4Bill,
It did include the John Cooper Works package which adds ported and polished head, headers, exhaust, ECU upgrade, etc. for 200+ HP. I also included the aero package as well as this and as well as that cha-ching, cha-ching!! I did revise it slightly to get down to around $26K.

DBelleperc,
Yours looks like my initial post. Congratulations! When do you expect to receive it?

dbelleperc

It will be coming in to the dealer the Arlington, Texas June 16.

mjc123

Sounds like you're buying it from Moritz Mini/BMW. Good dealer, from what I've heard. Stay away from John Roberts BMW/Mini in Dallas. Rip-off artists.

dbelleperc

They (John Roberts) also gave me the same price as Moritz just the wait was about a month longer. The trick is to order the car because Mini USA has to sell them at MSRP otherwise the dealers put in their own markup sometimes as much as 15%. One of my uncle's sons lives in Dallas and he drove over to the dealer (Moritz) and the cars on their lot were selling above MSRP. So I e-mail him the list of options on the car and he showed it to the salesman and right away he said "Oh you know about the Web Site and we have to sell the cars at MSRP." So just do some homework and you should come out on top. One more thing look for the Mini convertible coming out in the Fall.

TNGT3

IMO very much a novelty car. They should license with the NCAA and you could get one in your alma mater colors. I would do it just for that and drive it to games. It would be a great car for a student to have around campus.

BTW, there are a ton of them at my local dealer in Memphis and it would shock me if they are selling above MSRP. E-mail me if you want the dealership name as I am not here to sell them.

pig4bill

I has heard they are not going for gouger prices anymore. Guess that was not true. I had to wait 6 months or so, but I ordered at MSRP in the Bay area. I'd be surprised if a Texas dealer sold to a California customer. They are supposed to stay out of each other's sales territories.

BTW, don't expect BMW build quality. It's right near the bottom of the J.D. Power quality survey. Just think of it as being made by British Leyland or BMC so you won't be disappointed.

dbelleperc

The reason it is at the bottom of the list is two main things; the center mounted speedo, and the cup holders are to small for peoples latte.

pig4bill

Heh? The quality survey is supposed to reflect the number of problems per 100 vehicles. It's hard to imagine somebody buying a car and not noticing where the speedo was and complaining about it afterwards.

BTW, if you don't like the center speedo, order the navigation system. It goes where the speedo is and a smaller speedo is put in front of the driver next to the tach.

dbelleperc

It is true they had a big thing on the Speed Channel last week and do you know why the H2 Hummer got the lowest rating on JD Power. The number one complaint was poor gas mileage. Give me a break. And I did order the NAV after thinking about it for a week or so, man I really wanted the center mounted speedo. Oh well. The four things on JD Powers web site is Machanical Quality, Feature and Accessory Quality, Body and Interior Quality, and Overall Quality. The Mini Cooper scored "The Rest" only on the quality test. The other test are not available yet due later in the year (but are available on the 02 Mini.) Have a look for your self here is the link to <a href="http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/jdpa_ratings/FindJdAwards.jsp" target="_blank">JD Power.</a> Just add the Cooper in the box and what I also did is add the Boxster, 911, and Hummer. Sorry just one last thing. Yes one problem was reported, the front suspension was too stiff but starting last month was redesigned to be the same stiffness just softer on the back.

mjc123

Hey,

I've been driving a boxster for the last couple of days. and, after owning a mini S, I think the Boxster might be a bunch more fun, used one at probably the same price as a tricked out mini. Rear wheel drive is a blast (it's not a GT2 so I'm not "afraid" of it!), convertible, and still a P-car. The Mini's quite a novelty, and more storage space, but overall the Boxster's a better value. Caveat: I.M.O.!!!

Anybody else feel the same way???

dbelleperc

That how I feel also. But I figured I would get the Mini right now and in 6 months get a used 2000 or 2001 Boxster S because the prices would fall by then even more. My main reason for getting a Mini is there are a lot less Mini's in San Diego than Boxster's and I would like to try something different for a change but don't get me wrong the P-cars have that special place in my heart each and every time, and hey at least it is a little bit German. Right.

KPV

David,
What options did you get on yours?