Buy Now or Wait for 2024

  • Thread starter Thread starter BackPack
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 214
  • Views Views 41K
BackPack said:
I now have a 2023 Iconic on order in Island Blue with the Malt Brown Chesterfield leather. My wife and went back and forth between the Signature+ and Iconic trims. We definitely wanted leather and could have had the carbon black leather in the Signature+ for $500 more. She finally told me to decide so I went with the Iconic. I like the leather better along with the 17” rail spoke wheels that you can’t get on the Signature+. Parking sensors and heads up display should make it safer and easier for my daughter to drive as well.
Click to expand...
For my 2021 SE, I'm glad I chose the Iconic model. I really like the quality of the leather used for the seats (mine are Satellite Grey) in my Moonwalk Grey/black top SE accented with the Energetic Yellow blade and mirrors. Back in 2020/21, only the Iconic model came with the larger 8-inch center touch-screen, too.

The Head-up display and the parking sensors (I make more use of the front ones than the rear ones) make a big difference to me. Someday, I hope to become comfortable with the Parking Assist, but I found it scary the one time I tried it. You may also benefit from MINI working harder to get the Iconic models built and out the door than the lower-level models.

What color(s) top and mirrors will frame your beautiful Island Blue gem?
 
Last edited:
insightman said:
For my 2021 SE, I'm glad I chose the Iconic model. I really like the quality of the leather used for the seats (mine are Satellite Grey) in my Moonwalk Grey/black top SE accented with the Energetic Yellow blade and mirrors. Back in 2020/21, only the Iconic model came with the larger 8-inch center touch-screen, too.

The Head-up display and the parking sensors (I make more use of the front ones than the rear ones) make a big difference to me. Someday, I hope to become comfortable with the Parking Assist, but I found it scary the one time I tried it. You may also benefit from MINI working harder to get the Iconic models built and out the door than the lower-level models.

What color(s) top and mirrors will frame your beautiful Island Blue gem?
Click to expand...

We went with black top and mirrors. It looks pretty nice on the configurator.

I know we’ll be happy with the Iconic. I know if we got the Signature+ I’d always think about the things we could have has which in turn reduces the enjoyment.

Years ago we bought a Toyota Sequoia in the top of the line Platinum trim. Could the base model have worked for us? Of course. Would we have enjoyed it as much? Absolutely not. After 10 years of trouble free driving, we just sold it to Carvana. We just weren’t driving it enough to make it worthwhile for the extra insurance cost. We recouped over 50% of the original cost which isn’t bad for a 10 year old vehicle with 100k miles. We take good care of our cars so it’s in excellent condition. Someone will be getting a great vehicle when they buy it.
 
Here’s the rendering of the Iconic we have on order. Our build sheet has $100 credit for heated steering wheel which is fine since I live in San Diego. We also opted for no moonroof since I never use them. Plus it should decrease weight and eliminates something that can fail. Interesting that there’s no credit for getting no moonroof.

I have no idea when it will arrive. Since I have multiple other cars to drive, I’m not really concerned about it’s arrival date. My bigger concern is my wife is insisting I get rid of one car when the Mini arrives. I have such a hard time with this.

CC1C01C7-E5A8-4C47-B83F-B205AC9E7485.webp
 
BackPack said:
Here’s the rendering of the Iconic we have on order. Our build sheet has $100 credit for heated steering wheel which is fine since I live in San Diego. We also opted for no moonroof since I never use them. Plus it should decrease weight and eliminates something that can fail. Interesting that there’s no credit for getting no moonroof.

I have no idea when it will arrive. Since I have multiple other cars to drive, I’m not really concerned about it’s arrival date. My bigger concern is my wife is insisting I get rid of one car when the Mini arrives. I have such a hard time with this.

View attachment 15783
Click to expand...
Looks great! I was really torn between Island Blue and British Racing Green myself. Ultimately chose BRG since I already have a blue car (my Mach-E) in the garage.

I'm generally a bigger fan of black wheels, but I must admit those look great on the Island Blue!
 
BackPack said:
Here’s the rendering of the Iconic we have on order.

I have no idea when it will arrive. Since I have multiple other cars to drive, I’m not really concerned about it’s arrival date.
Click to expand...

It's so terrible when wives are practical! Because you're loathe to trade any of your cars for your SE I'm curious about your stable and which vehicles will be candidates for replacement. I can't remember if you already have one or more EVs. After your SE arrives I'll be interested to read your report explaining when you leave the house which vehicle you choose to drive and why.

I predict that if you keep visiting this forum, you'll become more resentful about any delays in the delivery of your SE.

Your rendering looks great--I love the Island Blue with ALL the black trim. The only thing I would change would be to switch to MINI's Sport Aerial. I bought my Sport Aerial nearly a year before my SE arrived just so I could have a part of my future car.
 
insightman said:
It's so terrible when wives are practical! Because you're loathe to trade any of your cars for your SE I'm curious about your stable and which vehicles will be candidates for replacement. I can't remember if you already have one or more EVs. After your SE arrives I'll be interested to read your report explaining when you leave the house which vehicle you choose to drive and why.

I predict that if you keep visiting this forum, you'll become more resentful about any delays in the delivery of your SE.

Your rendering looks great--I love the Island Blue with ALL the black trim. The only thing I would change would be to switch to MINI's Sport Aerial. I bought my Sport Aerial nearly a year before my SE arrived just so I could have a part of my future car.
Click to expand...

Here’s the current stable: 2004 Honda Accord EX-L, 2004 Acura RSX Type S, 2011 Toyota RAV (the appliance), plus a 2019 Honda Pilot company vehicle that I drive everyday for work. My son drives the RSX so I’m usually driving the Accord when I’m not driving for work. Both are manual transmissions. I avoid driving the RAV4 unless it needs gas. I have a son and daughter who never learned the pleasure of manual transmissions so they use the RAV4. I expect one or both will enjoy the Mini.

I’m also patiently awaiting an allocation to order a 911. That should come through by the end of the year.

If I had my way, the RAV4 will be the one to leave. As much as my wife loves manual transmissions, she says the Accord should go so we have 2 options for the kids to drive when they both go to school/work at the same time. The RSX won’t ever leave unless I decide to give it to my son when he moves out.
 
methorian said:
Looks great! I was really torn between Island Blue and British Racing Green myself. Ultimately chose BRG since I already have a blue car (my Mach-E) in the garage.

I'm generally a bigger fan of black wheels, but I must admit those look great on the Island Blue!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I’ve never been a fan of black wheels. Maybe it’s my age (mid 50s). Black wheels always look like spare tires to me. Or cop cars that run black steel wheels. I know some people love them so it’s great that we have options to get what we like.
 
BackPack said:
Here’s the current stable: 2004 Honda Accord EX-L, 2004 Acura RSX Type S, 2011 Toyota RAV (the appliance), plus a 2019 Honda Pilot company vehicle that I drive everyday for work. My son drives the RSX so I’m usually driving the Accord when I’m not driving for work. Both are manual transmissions. I avoid driving the RAV4 unless it needs gas. I have a son and daughter who never learned the pleasure of manual transmissions so they use the RAV4. I expect one or both will enjoy the Mini.

I’m also patiently awaiting an allocation to order a 911. That should come through by the end of the year.

If I had my way, the RAV4 will be the one to leave. As much as my wife loves manual transmissions, she says the Accord should go so we have 2 options for the kids to drive when they both go to school/work at the same time. The RSX won’t ever leave unless I decide to give it to my son when he moves out.
Click to expand...
Honda/Acura showed they had lost their soul when they dropped the 8,000-rpm RSX and the 70-mpg gen-1 Insight in 2006. A couple of very different cars, but both without peer.

Because you have an appliance when you need to passengerize, I agree with your wife that the SE can replace the rare and pleasurable manual-shift Accord.

Some might miss the third pedal when they go EV, but not me. I drove manual-transmission cars since my Dad's mid-60s Fiat 1500 Cabriolet--the last was my 2006 gen-1 Insight--but the stepless acceleration of my SE now makes me feel like a stick is surpefluous.

A stick in a 911, however, not superfluous.
 
BackPack said:
Here’s the current stable: 2004 Honda Accord EX-L, 2004 Acura RSX Type S, 2011 Toyota RAV (the appliance), plus a 2019 Honda Pilot company vehicle that I drive everyday for work. My son drives the RSX so I’m usually driving the Accord when I’m not driving for work. Both are manual transmissions. I avoid driving the RAV4 unless it needs gas. I have a son and daughter who never learned the pleasure of manual transmissions so they use the RAV4. I expect one or both will enjoy the Mini.

I’m also patiently awaiting an allocation to order a 911. That should come through by the end of the year.

If I had my way, the RAV4 will be the one to leave. As much as my wife loves manual transmissions, she says the Accord should go so we have 2 options for the kids to drive when they both go to school/work at the same time. The RSX won’t ever leave unless I decide to give it to my son when he moves out.
Click to expand...
We have a similar dilemma. A car with little value but a manual. I dont want to get rid of my 1 series, and dont want it to sit outside. The 987 must stay inside so outside the 1 will go, next to the volvo sedan that with 135K has little monetary value but perfect for my kid for the next few years then she will "inherit" the 1 unless she steals my Mini. The difference is my kid learned on a manual, and she likes it!
 
Tommm said:
We have a similar dilemma. A car with little value but a manual. I dont want to get rid of my 1 series, and dont want it to sit outside. The 987 must stay inside so outside the 1 will go, next to the volvo sedan that with 135K has little monetary value but perfect for my kid for the next few years then she will "inherit" the 1 unless she steals my Mini. The difference is my kid learned on a manual, and she likes it!
Click to expand...

One of my three kids learned how to drive on a manual and he will only drive a manual. He’s 24 now and has been that way since he started driving. Even took his driver’s license test using the manual Accord. My daughter has tried learning and actually got pretty good at it, but she didn’t stick with it. She’s nervous driving anyway so the additional thinking that goes into learning a manual was hard for her. My oldest son has zero interest in the manual. He longs for the day when self driving cars are a reality.
 
I'm kind of weird myself - I'm not a fan of buying chinese products especially a car. I just can't do the support the communist thing but I don't judge others who do. I understand it's a global market and avoiding Chinese products is really difficult but I hope the people in Oxford England do not lose their jobs so BMW can make a car for less. (I'd also worry about quality control issues..). In my opinion the current SE model is very attractive and a good performing vehicle from what I can tell.

But anyway I'm torn.. I wasn't going to open a new thread for my situation but - I was sold on the Nissan Leaf Plus SL, sat in one and got brochures and like the size of it.. and came close to buying but I kept thinking do I really need 200+ miles? And then the real biggest issue is the fact that the battery is only air cooled and the bigger battery does not have a battery warmer (the smaller one does). I have read some Leaf owners after 7 years have lost 30% of their batteries..

Yet the Mini Cooper SE has a thermal management system which would help for the 100F Utah days. My only worry would be driving in Utah snow with less ground clearance...and wishing I had Android Auto lol.. I might be going the mini direction though not sure how much time I have left before they make the change to the Chinese version though. To the OP: Hope you enjoy the car!
 
teslarati97 said:
1st gen Leaf used lithium manganese oxide (LMO) but I believe 2018+ models switched to NCM 523 but still air cooled to keep the prices low.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's hard to do research (thanks for that info I know I didn't know the exact name of the different battery chemistry thank you) - honestly the mini looks to me better..tight on range though of course.... our market doesn't have one to test drive but I'll have to test drive a ICE one to see how it is. The Leaf Autopilot seems nice but.. the Mini's cruise control seems to do the same minus the steering.
 
Matt007b said:
Yeah it's hard to do research (thanks for that info I know I didn't know the exact name of the different battery chemistry thank you) - honestly the mini looks to me better..tight on range though of course.... our market doesn't have one to test drive but I'll have to test drive a ICE one to see how it is. The Leaf Autopilot seems nice but.. the Mini's cruise control seems to do the same minus the steering.
Click to expand...
For many of us with multi-vehicle households, the range in the Cooper SE is a non-issue. I would equate the range to 1/4 tank of gas in most ICE vehicles (excluding hybrid and PHEV).
 
DROSE said:
BackPack, what dealership did you end up going with? I'm in San Diego, too
Click to expand...

I went with Crevier Mini in Santa Anna. I really wanted to buy from Mini of San Diego, but they insisted on $1,500 of add-ons (ceramic coating and rear window tint). The GM said they arrive at the dealership that way from the port so no way to remove it. I find that hard to believe. I have two local shops that will do full paint correction, ceramic, and tint on all windows (including windshield) for $1,700. I did reach out to Mini of Escondido. I don’t recall why I didn’t go with them. They either had a mark-up or add-ons as well that they wouldn’t remove.

Thus far I’ve been very pleased with Crevier. No add-ons and extremely helpful. Interestingly, they’re a Penske dealership just like San Diego. DM me if you want more information.
 
Matt007b said:
I'm kind of weird myself - I'm not a fan of buying chinese products especially a car. I just can't do the support the communist thing but I don't judge others who do. I understand it's a global market and avoiding Chinese products is really difficult but I hope the people in Oxford England do not lose their jobs so BMW can make a car for less. (I'd also worry about quality control issues..). In my opinion the current SE model is very attractive and a good performing vehicle from what I can tell.
Click to expand...

I always find it interesting people’s concerns about things made in China, Mexico, and other similar countries. I’ve been to China for work and came away thoroughly impressed by the level of technology in their country. In many ways they are way more advanced than us. I’d be more concerned about first year of a brand new generation. Those always seem to have growing pains, no matter where they are designed and built.
 
Matt007b said:
I'm kind of weird myself - I'm not a fan of buying chinese products especially a car. I just can't do the support the communist thing but I don't judge others who do. I understand it's a global market and avoiding Chinese products is really difficult but I hope the people in Oxford England do not lose their jobs so BMW can make a car for less. (I'd also worry about quality control issues..). In my opinion the current SE model is very attractive and a good performing vehicle from what I can tell.

But anyway I'm torn.. I wasn't going to open a new thread for my situation but - I was sold on the Nissan Leaf Plus SL, sat in one and got brochures and like the size of it.. and came close to buying but I kept thinking do I really need 200+ miles? And then the real biggest issue is the fact that the battery is only air cooled and the bigger battery does not have a battery warmer (the smaller one does). I have read some Leaf owners after 7 years have lost 30% of their batteries..

Yet the Mini Cooper SE has a thermal management system which would help for the 100F Utah days. My only worry would be driving in Utah snow with less ground clearance...and wishing I had Android Auto lol.. I might be going the mini direction though not sure how much time I have left before they make the change to the Chinese version though. To the OP: Hope you enjoy the car!
Click to expand...
Reality is everything from your phone to your clothes to your car is "Made in China, Assembled in _________." Assembling it in China saves shipping. Instead of shipping the parts from China to England and then to the US, they are cutting out the middle man, and probably using more computers so the tolerances, and quality will be better.
 
I live in Orange County, but bought mine from Escondido b/c they had one test drive (last summer). When I received it (Nov), they told me they hoped I was going to back out b/c they were selling them for $4k over MSRP (I paid MSRP).
 
BackPack said:
I always find it interesting people’s concerns about things made in China, Mexico, and other similar countries. I’ve been to China for work and came away thoroughly impressed by the level of technology in their country. In many ways they are way more advanced than us. I’d be more concerned about first year of a brand new generation. Those always seem to have growing pains, no matter where they are designed and built.
Click to expand...
I haven't heard anyone complain about their BMW 3 series or 2 series coupe coming out of San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

Many of the higher end Sino-foreign joint venture products from China are brilliant, but that is limited to the special economic zones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top