Test drive an SE today, some questions...

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Vinnie

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Hi everyone! I test drove the SE today and have a couple of questions:

1. I did not see this as an option to all the trim levels so I thought it was a standard feature. But does any of the higher trims include a power-adjustable front seats? I was kind of expecting this so I was surprised it was not on the Sig trim so I'm wondering if it is available in the Sig+ or Iconic.

2. My dealer tried to offer me a bunch of dealer options and I want to know what others think about them:
- Cilajet ceramic paint protection - is it worth it? Initially it was offered to me at a ridiculous price (2.5k) but I was able to negotiate it to $750. Now I'm worried if they are even going to use the same quality application like they would've had I paid the 2.5k. But I was really surprised how low I was able to negotiated the price for this option
- SWAT protection - since the SA who took my order forgot to add the car alarm system that I had on by build, I was offered a discount on their S.W.A.T. protection system. Is this a car alarm system or just a gps tracking device? Not sure if I really want this.
- Maintenance service contract - was offered to me at 2.4k for 7 years. The pitch was that I would be able to recover the cost after the 2nd brake service for the SE. I've never had a Mini before so not sure how much it really cost for a brake service so not sure if this is even a good deal or should I even consider this option at all.

3. Insurance - should I be expecting about $100 a month to insure the SE? Wondering what insurance rates others are paying.


Thank you all and looking forward to owning my first Mini!
 
1. Yes they are manual throughout all the trims. Only seat material changes throughout the trims - in addition, the Iconic trims you'll get manual lumbar.
2. a) $750 would be a pretty good price for ceramic coating if you plan to drive the car regularly. Whether you keep or decide to sell the car, it's definitely great to have. The lowered price may have been done by them playing with some of the numbers from the cost/margin of the car since they probably aren't discounting much at all - if any.
b) no input on the SWAT system
c) you can definitely pass this option especially if you will be one-pedal driving. You just won't be using the brakes as much. On top of that the brakes on the MINI aren't anything special and parts can be had online for cheap and any EURO indy shop can do it for way cheaper than 1.2k/brake service
 
simplex123 said:
1. Yes they are manual throughout all the trims. Only seat material changes throughout the trims - in addition, the Iconic trims you'll get manual lumbar.
2. a) $750 would be a pretty good price for ceramic coating if you plan to drive the car regularly. Whether you keep or decide to sell the car, it's definitely great to have. The lowered price may have been done by them playing with some of the numbers from the cost/margin of the car since they probably aren't discounting much at all - if any.
b) no input on the SWAT system
c) you can definitely pass this option especially if you will be one-pedal driving. You just won't be using the brakes as much. On top of that the brakes on the MINI aren't anything special and parts can be had online for cheap and any EURO indy shop can do it for way cheaper than 1.2k/brake service
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thanks for your input. Had the same thoughts about the maintenance service package too.
 
1. The seats are manual only.
2a. Ceramic coating only makes the car easier to clean, it offers no stone chip etc protection. For that you would want PPF (paint protection film). Whether $750 is worth it for a ceramic coating is your call, personally I’m not a big believer and would prefer to spend day $1,500 getting the front of the car covered with PPF film. (Disclosure: I had our entire Mini covered in PPF for $5k which is in no way a good decision financially but I like the paint to look good and we’ll be keeping if for 8 years if not more. I got a complimentary ceramic coating on top of that).
2b Waste of money, you can check the car location at any time using the mini app.
2c. Prepaid maintenance depends on several factors but I never buy it. This is because in my experience and circumstances it’s not significantly cheaper than pay as you go. I don’t see why I’d hand over the money to them instead of leaving it in my bank account. Further more the SE needs very little maintenance. Essentially a check over every 2 years to make sure the brakes are good and nothing is worn/loose on the suspension. They swap the cabin air filter and if they’re over eager the brake fluid (I’d only do it every 2 years personally). Due to lack of use the brake calipers may need lubricating but that’s it. So if a gas Mini cost say $400-500 per year at a dealer every year then the SE should not be more than that every two years. It should arguably be less. However the package they sell is based on a gas car, you can see that as it talks about oil changes and engine filters. I refused the package.
3. Insurance depends on so many factors it’s hard to say for your circumstances. We have both cars on a single policy so it’s hard to break out fairly however we insure a Tesla and the Mini for 2 drivers at $260 but that is with every coverage set to the max, it would be a lot less if we just took minimum coverage. I suspect the Mini on its own would be around $90 for the both of us if it was the only car on the policy and closer to minimum coverages.
 
Regarding brakes: I've got 28,000 miles on my SE and the brake pads are checked twice a year when I do my seasonal tire swaps. So far there has been very little wear thanks to regenerative braking. I think when I had my winter wheels put on in November they were still at 8mm-10mm.
 
Puppethead said:
Regarding brakes: I've got 28,000 miles on my SE and the brake pads are checked twice a year when I do my seasonal tire swaps. So far there has been very little wear thanks to regenerative braking. I think when I had my winter wheels put on in November they were still at 8mm-10mm.
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MINI still wants you to change your brake fluid periodically even if you don't use your brakes very much.
 
Do a full bumper/hood/mirrors/headlights of XPEL self-healing film at an independent shop. You might be lucky to get it done for under $800. As for maintenance, I would just skip extended warranty and pay out of pocket. At least half of the extended warranty is just commissions and find yourself a really good shop that specializes in MINIs when it is out of warranty.
 
insightman said:
MINI still wants you to change your brake fluid periodically even if you don't use your brakes very much.
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I'm sure that'll be covered at my SE's two-year maintenance appointment. If I'm paying less than $100/year in maintenance costs that's another reason the SE is awesome. :)
 
I think the only way the extended maintenance pays off is if you're going to the track or doing auto-cross regularly and chewing through brake pads.

We've gotten the extended maintenance twice in the past and it hasn't been worth it for the amount we drive. I don't think they even lower the price for the SE, which is absurd.
 
revorg said:
On #3, insurance. I'm now paying a bit more for the 2022 SE than I was for my 2020 ICE S.

http://www.1revorg.org/mini.html
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More on insurance -- the insurance rates vary widely by state, coverages selected, the insured's driving record and credit, whether you have multiple products from the insurance company in force (e.g., homeowner's insurance, extended liability insurance, etc.), and so forth, so it really isn't a very good general question that makes answers easily comparable.

All of that said, I would advise against whatever the "SWAT protection" is the dealer is offering, as all you are doing with this sort of thing IMHO is paying out your hard-earned $ to buy something that insures the insurance company itself against having to return your insurance premiums (also paid from your hard-earned $) in the form of a claim.
 
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