[brandonbardsley]

As some of you may know my Cooper D has been back nearly twenty times, now MINI UK have agreed to buy the car back. I've decided to give the MINI one last chance and get myself a new one, here's the specification I'm thinking... Let me know your thoughts!

2016 F56 MINI Cooper SD
Sports Automatic Transmission
Midnight Black
17" Cosmos Alloys - Black
Black Roof & Mirrors
Black Pearl Carbon Seats
Piano Black Trim
Carbon Black Colour Line
CHILI Pack
Visual Boost
Harmon Kardon
Enhanced Bluetooth with USB Audio (includes Armrest)
Sun Protection Glass
Electric Folding Mirrors
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Roof Lining
LED Headlights

I've yet to order as I'm waiting to go in on Monday, but hopefully will get this sorted soon... Estimated delivery end of January 2016.

 

[opal]

Great spec, the only thing I could do without are the elec folding mirrors. I also think that anthracite headlining is a rip off though I see your point on an all black theme throughout.

Also I like the 3 cylinder D engine better than the SD 4 cylinder engine which is an older design of engine and isn't as refined in my opinion. The D is also better on fuel and has zero road tax.

 

[brandonbardsley]

Great spec, the only thing I could do without are the elec folding mirrors. I also think that anthracite headlining is a rip off though I see your point on an all black theme throughout.

Also I like the 3 cylinder D engine better than the SD 4 cylinder engine which is an older design of engine and isn't as refined in my opinion. The D is also better on fuel and has zero road tax.

I see your point about the engines, however I've not test drove an SD or heard it for that matter due to the fact MINI's insurance forbids me as I'm under 21.

Also I can see your point about the mirrors although its such a pet peeve of mine that I have to fold them in as I like the look of them folded when locked, so for £100 or so I'll have 'em!

 

[newf56]

Looks good to me. Will look great against your mums new JCW. Your car and your choice i say.

 

[kenl]

How many miles per year do you do? If you are not a high mileage user I would go for a petrol car.
Not sure about the comment about the SD being an older engine. I had thought all f56 engines were a new design?

Piano Black trim is delicate and a magnet for dust. Car is already dark inside, how about something lighter in terms of trim?

 

[Rob Arias]

Looks good to me.

 

[C2XFF]

Correct, the new SD has a new BMW engine in it creating 170bhp. I had one for 6 months and the torque the engine puts out is superb. I only changed it for a JCW. Sat at 80mph on the motorway the SD will do 70mpg. I was getting 55mpg in the city/town driving.

How many miles per year do you do? If you are not a high mileage user I would go for a petrol car.
Not sure about the comment about the SD being an older engine. I had thought all f56 engines were a new design?

Piano Black trim is delicate and a magnet for dust. Car is already dark inside, how about something lighter in terms of trim?

 

[opal]

I see your point about the engines, however I've not test drove an SD or heard it for that matter due to the fact MINI's insurance forbids me as I'm under 21.

Also I can see your point about the mirrors although its such a pet peeve of mine that I have to fold them in as I like the look of them folded when locked, so for £100 or so I'll have 'em!

I stand corrected that the 3 cylinder Diesel is a newer engine.
I drove a SD for a day and whilst i liked it, it didn't make me want one over my D. If I was your age though I would probably get one though for the looks and street cred of a 'S' alone.

It may be worth considering an S petrol as others have suggested particularly if leasing as BMW are offering them at £40 a month less than a normal D in November.

Also agree that folding mirrors for £100 isnt bad, at least they do something while anthracite headlining only makes the interior darker!

 

[Jelster]

I would have a serious think about the headlining. JCW's have the darker colour and both my Wife & I decided we'd opt for a sunroof as it allows extra light into the car.

The HUD is something I couldn't do without now, I miss it when I drive the wife's R56, and agree on the folding mirrors, I use as a way of checking that I've locked the car. If their folded, it must be locked....

 

[jeremybingham]

Stunning spec Brandon,I have the 17" cosmos and love their look. Agreed rip off 're headlining but it's a no brainer with your colour choice. The piano black trim: sorry I just totally love it on the f56. If I were to reorder it would be my only change. It looks so classy. Just carry a soft cloth in the glove box or arm rest! Have you thought about heated front screen loving mine in this weather as it demists so fast and destroys frost. Depends what you can afford of course.lines have to be drawn somewhere.I also love my hud. The three cylinder diesel is supposed to be a cracker but you'll have more welly with te sd!. Good luck with this one. So pleased mini did the right thing for you(@ last!).

 

[02fanatic]

LOL! Everyone has an opinion. Great build Brandon...so happy for you getting another MINI for all your troubles.

As you know, my JCW is "all-black", so I speak from experience:

1. The piano black trim is stunning in the interior. Leave it as spec'd. It's NOT hard to clean!

2. You absolutely HAVE to keep the anthracite headlining....you are spec'ing a black car right? Well, enough said. I would not have anything but black headliner in my non-sunroof MINI.

I like the black wheels, but, for me I prefer a little contrast to the all black exterior, so I went with the Two-Tone Cup Spoke Wheels on my JCW. Since you don't have the large Brembos to worry about fitting wheels, I'd try several other styles in silver...Silver Cosmos would look stellar imo. But, again, we all like different things so make it yours! Just keep the piano black trim & anthracite headliner! LOL! You'll regret changing them.

Enjoy,

John

 

[brandonbardsley]

Well I ordered the specification as shown on Page 1 today! So excited, unfortunately not as quick a turn around as my mum's JCW was of 3 weeks however it's looking good for a delivery before week four in 2016.

In regards to the Piano Black and Anthracite Headlining, I've had curtesy cars with the satellite grey headlining and in my opinion I'd only spec that if I was going for satellite grey door panels so that the entire interior is satellite grey, as otherwise I feel it doesn't look as good BUT that's just my opinion.

In regards to the fact of me needing a diesel or not, I probably do about 8,000 miles per year.. Which I know you're going to say isn't enough to benefit from a diesel! BUT YOU ARE WRONG, it means I only have to fill my car up once a month at best and get 500-600 miles from a tank, which I'm sorry but that outweighs the upfront cost difference for me.

I've also asked that the chrome rings around the lights be changed for black ones upon delivery, decided to go proper stealth mode on this one!

All in all super excited about:

A) having the street credit of a Cooper S for a 20 year old
B) an automatic transmission
C) SPEEEEEEDDDDDD

 

[jeremybingham]

Well done you. great spec. Hope insurance isn't too high on such a quick car. As far as I can see the ONLYadvantage of getting old is fully comp insurance for £150!

 

[brandonbardsley]

Well done you. great spec. Hope insurance isn't too high on such a quick car. As far as I can see the ONLYadvantage of getting old is fully comp insurance for £150!

Surprisingly £750 for a year fully comp! 0

 

[jeremybingham]

Wow that's very good.enjoy.

 

[Evlkarl]

Brandon, that is one good looking car however here in AZ a triple Black is like a rolling Sweat Lodge in the Summer. Glad you gave the Mini another chance hope this time all will work out to you satisfaction.

 

[brandonbardsley]

Brandon, that is one good looking car however here in AZ a triple Black is like a rolling Sweat Lodge in the Summer. Glad you gave the Mini another chance hope this time all will work out to you satisfaction.

Yes I can imagine you'd want the least amount of black surfaces as possible in Arizona! Super excited, just bummed out a bit that its a two month wait!

 

[newf56]

Yes I can imagine you'd want the least amount of black surfaces as possible in Arizona! Super excited, just bummed out a bit that its a two month wait!

Great spec! Yes its a bummer waiting but put it this way will be newer than your mums!

 

[2GOOD]

The 2.0d engine is indeed a new engine (B47), noticeably smoother in our Cooper SD compared with my 3 year old 320d convertible. Having a go in a mates 420d fitted with a 190ps B47 engine convinced me to take a look at a Cooper SD, bought the car that I test drove after originally going out to buy a Cooper 1.5d that was to replace our 2011 Cooper 1.6d

 

[brandonbardsley]

Great spec! Yes its a bummer waiting but put it this way will be newer than your mums!

Yes that's true! Almost as quick as my mums too. >