[jonsteele]

I'm considering a Cooper S as an alternative to buying my existing company car, but have no experience/knowledge of the new Minis. I know there's a few on here that have/had them and wondered if anyone could recommend a decent forum to look around and ask a few questions?

Cheers,

[RCUK]

When i had a mini i used www.mini2.com

Not as nice as here - but still a lot of useful info on there.

[davyk31]

I was on mini2 regularly a few years back when I had a Mini. used to be very active but seems to have died quite a bit now. Is still a bit of useful information over there.

Cooper S from 2007 on with the Turbo engine is a great little thing. Very nearly bought a brand new Cooper SD recently but they sold it before I plucked up the courage. Drove very nice with very decent power, good economy and road tax for buttons. Predicted to not loose very much money so seemed a good car for these economic times.

No Mini is cheap though.

[davyk31]

Also ask any of your questions here as there are plenty of us who have had Minis either currently or in the past.

[jonsteele]

Ok, I've £10k max to spend, by the looks of Autotrader I'll be looking at an 07 car (although I know someone in the trade who might get me newer for the same price). My requirements are:

Must have
Climate control
Xenons
Leather (heated front)
Cruise
Bluetooth phone prep

Would like (but not deal breakers)
Sat nav (is it worth it - I've got a Tom Tom?)
Power folding mirrors
iPod connection

Questions:

1. Is there any other spec I should go for to make the car desirable at resale?
2. What 'pack' should I go for to get that level of spec?
3. What size wheels?
4. Things to look out for?

[davyk31]

You will want Chilli Pack plus a few options to get your spec. Chilli pack on a Cooper S gets your zenons and aircon/climate, auto climate control on later models. Leather is an extra cost option although was only about £500 to upgrade if the car had Chilli pack so a few have this. Heated seats an option.

Wheels on a Cooper S Chilli are 17", you really don't need to go any bigger although a few have 18s.
Bluetooth as standard on a Mini of that age may be unusual. it became part of the Chilli pack maybe 2009 ish but not totally sure.
Haven't experienced the Nav on a Mini so can't really comment but can't see it being regarded essential as it is very more expensive BMWs.

Early 2007 was the changeover from the Supercharged to the Turbo engine, there will be quite a difference in cost for the updated model but its worth it, much nicer drive.
To be honest so long as you get Chilli pack you won't suffer any ill effects on resale, any other options are really for your personal enjoyment and won't add much to resale.

JCW bodykit is a very nice addition that many owners fit, makes it all look a bit more aggressive.

[jonsteele]

Cheers, is there an easy way to spot the supercharged and turbo'd models?

[davyk31]

They do look visually a bit different and the interiors are different, different dash and speedo is the big giveaway. If you study pics of the two you will see the external diferences, perhaps the rear gives more visual difference. Price will also show the difference and anything from 2007 onwards should be the turbo.

[RCUK]

The turbocharged ones are the new shape - the supercharged the older shaped.

I had a supercharged one - think 06 was the last yr of the supercharged ones. Did look at a turbo charged one a few months back - but couldnt justfiy the outlay given im not driving much.

One thing about them though - a good spec one in a nice colour combo will always have a market.

Also - look out for the TLC and TLC XL pack - thats free servicing for 3 and 5 (or was it 7??) years respectively. Adds massively to resale value.

[Dizzle]

+1 for mini2.com, totalmini.com is quite good too.