Looks like MINI USA has finally put up the 2012 MINI Configurator for all of their models now. Laguna green and the MINI Yours Soda Exterior package have been added for the Coupe. Go check it out!

 

Boy... I'm sorry, but anyone who spends $600 on a rear-view mirror for their MINI (i.e. auto-dimming $250, compass $100, and universal garage door opener $250) needs to go see a shrink! If that's not highway robbery, then I don't know what is.

 

Cool, I was finally able to configure my MINI and discovered I paid at least $3000 under the configuration price. I couldn't find my tires/rims for some reason...so I just put the lowest price 17" run flats they had on there......so if mine are in the higher end it could be closer to $5000 off.

I have the 17" black alloy if anyone knows anything about them.

 

@OfficeMaven
funny, the garage door opener is the one feature my wife really wants for her coupe. Yes, Highway robbery indeed, but what is that saying... "a happy wife"....
I can't seem to find it in the Coupe configurator. Where did you find that?

 

MA told me the coupe's sloping windshield will not accommodate the universal garage door feature, so it's not available on the coupe. I'm bummed about that loss.

 

Also no sunroof on the coupe.

 

Well of course.. we all knew that. The thing is rounded and it has areas on the inside that cut in to create more headroom.

 

Did anyone notice the glove compartment door is fatter than the other MINIs? It puffs out about an inch and a half. The other 2012 MINIs I have looked at aren't like that.

Also, dealerships have a limited supply of Coupe brochures.

 

I noticed that in the demo model they had touring around the US. It was a bit weird.

 

I read the Coupe brochure cover-to-cover tonight, of course.

Just for fun, I built a 2012 MC in Laguna Green and White. My girlfriend was happy about the news so she can build a 2012 MCS. She's hoping to get back into a MINI sometime next year.

 

See my first hope of the Coupe in Laguna Green with Silver would have been fantastic. I like the Lighting Blue we settled on but I think a Laguna Green JCW would have been a very rare beast on the street (not a color that I think would be hugely popular).

 

yeah, the Laguna green looks great on the configurator. I wonder how it looks in real life? Space Blue looked totally different on the configurator than it does on my car.

But if I were to order one I think it would be Laguna/silver with the stripes of course.

I need to get over to the dealer and take a ride to see if I like the car or not.

 

Fixed that for you.

 

Thanks. Going for a ride tomorrow, so then we'll know.

I think I am falling for the Laguna green/black combo... Now if they would just make Connected Android-compatible...

 

Agreed. No way I'm getting MINI Connected as long as it remains only for iJunk.

 

+1

 

OK, just back from a brief test drive. Took out a base Cooper Coupe. The MA was encouraging me to really push the car, but there was a bit too much traffic and congestion to do a whole lot. But I will say it was a LOT of FUN to drive. The rear visibility didn't bother me as much as I thought it might, but it was a pretty short drive.

Since I have a 1st gen 2006 Cooper you definitely notice a difference. I know I have read complaints about the glovebox, but apparently it bumps out like that because it's an airbag. There are tons of neat little storage spots around the cabin.

Ultimately though I am not sure how much sense it makes to get rid of my current car which just went over 17,000 miles. I don't get to drive a whole lot. I think they also low-balled me a bit on potential trade value of my car. And they claim the coolant is low and it might need a water pump. I think I need to get a second opinion. But they told me they would give me more to sell it to them now rather than 8 weeks from now when my car might be built and ready. They claim that they need cars, but the lot looked pretty full to me. The MA said they had low inventory all summer and are just now ramping back up. They must have at least 100 new cars but not a whole lot of used inventory.

So, anyway. I am conflicted a bit. Need to crunch the numbers a bit and sleep on it a bit.

With respect to Connected, I think I would probably go ahead and get the technology package. Even though the connected features only work with the iPhone, it does also provide that cool screen with audio (and mp3) and other info. I just like the way it looks better than the speedo. And the bluetooth works with some Android phones.

 

I have the garage door openers on my mini and sure will miss them on the coupe. My coupe is headed to Georgia. It is supposed to get to my dealer by Oct. 5th.

 

[QUOTE=glennaa11;3369321]OK, just back from a brief test drive. Took out a base Cooper Coupe. The MA was encouraging me to really push the car, but there was a bit too much traffic and congestion to do a whole lot. But I will say it was a LOT of FUN to drive. The rear visibility didn't bother me as much as I thought it might, but it was a pretty short drive.

Since I have a 1st gen 2006 Cooper you definitely notice a difference.

I also drive a 2006 and would be interested in more detail as to the "differences".
I also have configured the base Cooper on MINi USA and it shows the front grill with black vanes and a chrome sorround, but all real life photos and videos show it as all chrome, did you notice what it was on the test car?. Thanks...Jim

 

Sorry I did not notice. This car is much faster than my 2005 mini. I have to watch out because there are a lot of police out here. I could also see fine out the rear window. I have to like this car because I am close to getting it. ski

 

I've been more focused on the S, so I'm not sure about the base grill. A lot of pics are of the concept/preproduction coups and they have colored grills etc. maybe post a few links to the photos you are are thinking of.

 

you know I really wasn't paying close attention to the grille. But I seem to recall a lot of chrome.

The differences are that it is a teeny bit bigger but it feels more solid and refined. It's hard to describe. The motor makes more sound that's for sure. :-) Of course there's the push button start and all of that too. The turn signals and wiper controls are different and feel a bit more solid but they also operate slightly differently. There's the "sport" mode that changes the steering a little. It just felt faster...quicker to get up to speed, more responsive. You just have to go drive one. :-)

 

Cool ! Thanks for your impressions...exactly what I was looking for !

 

as for the grille question, I did get a copy of the Coupe brochure. and the pictures in it show the base Coupe with a chrome grille like the regular HB with the 3 bars across. The S and JCW have the black grille with chrome just around the top.

 

You can either a colored grill or order chrome for the grill. ski