[tgoodspe]

Hello!

I'm looking to get my first Mini ever and I'm looking at the 2015 2-door Hardtops! I'm just curious as to y'all's opinions on which model is worth it, as in, most bang for your buck?

I know the Cooper S is faster than the regular Cooper, but weirdly in videos I've watched people are saying they still prefer the Cooper. Because the 2015 is new and a bit redesigned, there's really no aftermarket performance parts for it right now, so is it worth it to step up to the JCW? Or should I stick with the lower Cooper's and hold out for aftermarket stuff?

I've never owned a Mini, but I'm cross-shopping with things like the Focus ST (don't love the look), the Mustang, and generally just other faster cars. I really want a daily drive that's super quick and fun to drive. Hence, Mini.

I just don't know which model is worth it. Speccing the three models out how I want vastly ranges the price from like $25-$40k...

Let me know y'all's opinions!

Thanks!

 

[tgoodspe]

Also,

I'm not sure of the Mini's release schedule. It looks like the 2015 was released last year around this time. Might it be best to just wait a few months and go for a new 2016 one? Will those be coming out soon?

 

[TX1911fan]

You should go drive a couple. If you've never driven a Mini, the non-S version will probably be just fine for you. They are great fun to drive, very quick and fantastic to handle. I had a non-S for my first Mini (2006) and then bought an S version for this one. You won't be disappointed whatever you get.

 

[johnan]

A bit biased for the Cooper here.
I could have bought either a Cooper or S but I did a lot of research and ended up with a well specced Cooper.

It is beautifully balanced with its light engine which is easily more powerful than I need and is also relatively economical. The low road tax in the UK also helps.

You can specify a spare wheel in the non S too, which is important to me.

I also prefer the frontal look of the Cooper, but that is just my opinion.

Reading these forums every day, I have noticed the Cooper has not reported any mechanical, or I think electrical problems of a recurring nature. Only a few damper clonks from the back seem to have been reported, and the paint rub on the B post which also applies to the S of course.

The S has had problems with gear selection and crankshaft end float issues causing clutch problems and I would want more information about how these problems have been resolved, to the extent of not recurring, before going ahead to order one.
Hopefully these difficulties have been eradicated now.

It is a nice position to be in to have such a choice to make, enjoy it!

 

[jeremybingham]

I totally agree with jonan. However if you are looking at a mustang,,,,,,,they're chalk and cheese. If you relish power above all else wait for the jcw.otherwise the Cooper is great. I too could've bought either but just fell in love with the 3 cylinders torque and sound. It's great. Drive them if you can before you decide.

 

[Christian6984]

Cooper is good fun, perfectly enough power and with that comes good economy on long runs, My other Car is the Fiesta Mk7 ST and they are very different. The cooper is fun and comfortable for everyday motoring, the fiesta is fast and comes with suspension on the stiff side, ive loved having both for different reasons the Mini is the warm hatch and the fiesta the hot hatch! I originally was going to try the Cooper S which wasnt out at the time, after a test drive in the fiesta and the potential to cost me £6k more for my spec i couldnt justify the cooper S

 

[Tiger]

For me, it's all about the S. I found it sportier, better sounding and overall... better. If you want the be-all-end-all of sporty, though, put your order in for the JCW. You'll pay more, but get more. Economics got in the way for me, but I got as much Mini as I could afford and still get the toys I wanted. I wouldn't compromise out of having the S tho...

 

[24seven]

If you want something that is "super quick" Mini is not the answere. Sounds to me like you should be looking at 135M (or wait for the M2), RS3 or A45.

If you want a fun daily driver the MCS would be a good option, and it is semi quick. The Standard cooper is pretty fun to drive as well but could hardly be considered "super quick".

 

[jabberwocky]

I think if the Mini hardtop appeals to you in the first place, then all three models are "worth it." When I read your post I thought what you were really asking was what option or package was the most worth it. Mine's loaded so I've had a chance to decide which things I really am glad are included and which ones I could have lived without. (I purchased a floor model instead of special ordering)

Of all the options I got, I think the premium package with the sunroof is my favorite. Not that I drive with the sunroof open, having the light come through the roof with or without the sun shade really makes you feel like you're in a much larger vehicle. That makes the experience of driving a lot better for a 6'2" guy like myself.

Second to the premium package would be the visual boost XL.

 

[jeremybingham]

As you can see from the varied answers one person's fast is another's slow and as is what is quick enough. Here in the uk I got fed up of getting stuck behind slow traffic and not being able to use a proper quick car. Nevertheless the Cooper feels pretty fast enough to me. For useable proper quick even a cheap motorbike wins every time as you can get past the road trains! You need to drive them.

 

[hotrunner]

Hello!

I'm looking to get my first Mini ever and I'm looking at the 2015 2-door Hardtops! I'm just curious as to y'all's opinions on which model is worth it, as in, most bang for your buck?

I know the Cooper S is faster than the regular Cooper, but weirdly in videos I've watched people are saying they still prefer the Cooper. Because the 2015 is new and a bit redesigned, there's really no aftermarket performance parts for it right now, so is it worth it to step up to the JCW? Or should I stick with the lower Cooper's and hold out for aftermarket stuff?

I've never owned a Mini, but I'm cross-shopping with things like the Focus ST (don't love the look), the Mustang, and generally just other faster cars. I really want a daily drive that's super quick and fun to drive. Hence, Mini.

I just don't know which model is worth it. Speccing the three models out how I want vastly ranges the price from like $25-$40k...

Let me know y'all's opinions!

Thanks!

Quote from March 2, 2015....thecarconnection.com website by John Voelcker

"With a few carefully chosen options, the base three-cylinder 2015 MINI Cooper offers better value than the high-end Cooper S--which offers less of a performance boost than it used to."

I totally agree....a Justa would be more than fine for you.
In fact, when Mini brought out the F56, the base price at least here in Canada dropped by $4,000. This is unheard of. You will be VERY HAPPY in a Justa.
Good Luck !

 

[jeremybingham]

Noooo please don't call it a justa. It's just not!

 

[hotrunner]

It JUSTA is !

 

[tgoodspe]

If you want something that is "super quick" Mini is not the answere.

I think Mini is the answer for my needs. I'm not looking for the fastest 0-60 time or something like that, as I think that number is usually worthless for real-world driving. I'm looking for something that when I drive around the city (mostly 45mph and under) that it feels really quick, nimble, and fun. I think then that Mini might be the answer for this. It's small, light on it's feet, I think the "go-kart" feeling sounds really appealing.

Also, I'm coming from a Ford F150 that I never wanted in the first place, so I'm downsizing big time. But I used to own a Nissan Juke, and I actually really loved driving that car. That car was heavier than the mini, bigger, and had less power. So my thinking is that if the Mini is better in all those areas, then it's going to feel even quicker and be a lot more fun. So if it ticks those boxes, then that's what I'm looking for. Especially later in this year when some aftermarket parts come out and I can boost it up a bit more. I mean the JCW Mini Hardtop has a 0-60 of 5.9. So if you are looking at those numbers, that's only a tad bit behind Subaru's WRX... not bad.

 

[tgoodspe]

Quote from March 2, 2015....thecarconnection.com website by John Voelcker

"With a few carefully chosen options, the base three-cylinder 2015 MINI Cooper offers better value than the high-end Cooper S--which offers less of a performance boost than it used to."

I totally agree....a Justa would be more than fine for you.
In fact, when Mini brought out the F56, the base price at least here in Canada dropped by $4,000. This is unheard of. You will be VERY HAPPY in a Justa.
Good Luck !

I guess this is the answer I was looking for more explanation out of. Because I've also heard someone say that they were actually really surprised with the three-cylinder model. And when stepping up to the Cooper S that price vs. performance boost was a little disappointing. But I want to know more on WHY the three-cylinder is actually really good and WHY (in detail hopefully) someone should choose it over the technically faster Cooper S and JCW.

 

[tgoodspe]

Of all the options I got, I think the premium package with the sunroof is my favorite. Not that I drive with the sunroof open, having the light come through the roof with or without the sun shade really makes you feel like you're in a much larger vehicle. That makes the experience of driving a lot better for a 6'2" guy like myself.

Second to the premium package would be the visual boost XL.

I was debating on the sunroof myself, but I think I'm actually going to stay away from it. I've had sunroofs in all of my cars but never used them (not even just as a window to let light in as you're describing). It's almost like I've forgotten they are there every time. Also, it's $1,000 extra dollars I'm not sure I want to spend, and it adds a lot of extra mass really high up which throws off the handling and feel just that little bit. But 100% definitely on the Visual Boost XL. Gotta have the bigger screen!

 

[archermoo]

I was debating on the sunroof myself, but I think I'm actually going to stay away from it. I've had sunroofs in all of my cars but never used them (not even just as a window to let light in as you're describing). It's almost like I've forgotten they are there every time. Also, it's $1,000 extra dollars I'm not sure I want to spend, and it adds a lot of extra mass really high up which throws off the handling and feel just that little bit. But 100% definitely on the Visual Boost XL. Gotta have the bigger screen!

I've never had a sunroof in any of the cars I've owned prior to my Mini. My 6 year old daughter absolutely loves it. First thing she does every time she climbs in is to open up the screen on the back section. Day or night.

As far as I'm concerned, the ease in venting hot air out of the car on a sunny day makes it worthwhile all by itself.

 

[tgoodspe]

True, maybe the sunroof is an option then!

As far as models go, I might be out of luck with a JCW regardless. Just called my dealer and he said they're not even taking orders for a manual JCW right now until probably June, and I wouldn't see the car until end of summer at best (so like 4-5 months?). If I got a manual Cooper S, it's about 6-8 weeks, but still 1.5-2 months-ish.

Not sure what I should do here in this regard. Sounds like either way I'm waiting quite a while. Should I wait double the time for a JCW, or go with the Cooper S, hmmmm.

EDIT: In thinking about this, it might be more worth it to get the Cooper S, and then in late summer when the JCW would be coming out, use the $5k+ I'm saving to buy the aftermarket parts that will inevitably be available about that time, haha. Then make it faster than a JCW!

 

[hotrunner]

I have a sunroofs because it came with the heated seat option that I really wanted and needed. I am more than happy with the sun roof and retractable roof. I know for one thing, for resale I am told by the dealership is a great resale feature to have. For another reason, larger size drivers find that by having a sunroof it gives the impression that the car has more room in it and they don't feel so cramped. An option that they are looking for when buying a Mini. I could not be happier having this option. It actually is panoramic, but the rear rood does not open up like in prior years.

 

[jabberwocky]

I was debating on the sunroof myself, but I think I'm actually going to stay away from it. I've had sunroofs in all of my cars but never used them (not even just as a window to let light in as you're describing). It's almost like I've forgotten they are there every time. Also, it's $1,000 extra dollars I'm not sure I want to spend, and it adds a lot of extra mass really high up which throws off the handling and feel just that little bit. But 100% definitely on the Visual Boost XL. Gotta have the bigger screen!

I normally avoid sunroofs like the plague because they normally eat up 1-2 inches of headroom which most cars can ill afford with my height. I found the Mini's to be completely the opposite. Even with the sunshade closed, you still feel like the headroom is more expansive.

Although I don't open it up during a sunny day, it was a real treat to open it while driving after dark last night.