Hi all! My name is Dan and I've been lurking a week or so reading everything I can about the Mini, especially after test driving an R56 Saturday. Over three years ago I test drove an S and loved it but at that point, my current car ('01 VW Beetle TDI) wasn't even paid for so I had to pass.

Now, with the bug having been paid for two years, I've decided to join the family! I'm still at a loss for what color to pick (though I believe I've narrowed it down to only 3 or 4 -- hey, narrowing it down to half the selection was tough!) and haven't really chosen which model to get. I'm leaning at this point towards a LB/W, MY/W, DS/W, or PW/B Cooper S.

As far as other options/packages, my mini would have:

Packages: Premium + Cold Weather

Performance Options: DSC, 6-speed manual, rear fog lamps

Exterior Options: Matching bonnet stripes, white turn signals, (white?) S-Winders (possibly temporary until I can afford some R90s or R99s), driving lamps, checkered or Union Jack mirror caps

Cockpit: Anthracite Headliner, Lounge Carbon black seats, Cream White color line, English Oak interior surface, Hi-fi sound system, iPod adapter

All told it comes to around $28,720 (not including installation for iPod adapter and driving lamps). I've recently cut a few things (majority of the sport package, mainly) because I wanted to keep the price down a bit. I'm wondering though if I'll miss some of those options, specifically the xenon headlamps and LSD. I thought I could do without the xenon lights since I've never even driven a car with them. I think I'm less certain about the LSD because I have really enjoyed pushing the TDI's whopping 90 horses (tons o' torque though) over the years! Despite this, the car will have mostly commuter miles, with a road trip once in awhile, especially now that I see there seems to be an active motoring club in the Carolinas!

So, thoughts anybody? In any case, I'm looking forward to joining all you owners!

 

get the LSD, two wheels spinning is cooler than one...lol

 

For the $500 from the factory it has a huge bang-for-the-buck value and it would be a nightmare to retrofit later.

 

Well Hello there.... Your specs look great - and yes - get the LSD.. As far as the exterior color - that seems to ALWAYS be the toughest choice. Can't help ya with that - it's whatever YOU really like..

Donna

 

Personally, I ditched the DSC and made sure I had the LSD and the Xenons. Too much torque steer without the LSD. My old eyes appreciate the xenons a lot. ipod adapter is not necessary for me as I just plug into the aux port and hit shuffle.

That said, whatever you do, you'll like it. These little cars rock!

 

Welcome to Nam!

 

Welcome! and LSD all the way!

 

Thanks all! You've talked me in to the LSD, too! Still undecided on the Xenon lights after hearing how they tend to make everything out of their reach seem darker. But seeing as how it's summer in the northern hemisphere and the dealers aren't open at night, I doubt I'll be able to test that out. In the end, I'll probably get them since it's only $500 and I do prefer the look of them to the standard halogens.

Still no idea what color to get... though I think I've decided to be open about it and just see if a particular color jumps out at me more than the others when I go back to the dealership tomorrow!

 

kfisto, Welcome to NAM and your soon to be MINI ownership.

Unless you go with the 6 speed automatic, get the LSD, it will help on the twisty roads and in the wet. I love the Xenon lights, I have a bad time seeing in the dark and these really help.

Super set of options, as for color, I am biased (love them all) but I love the DS/W most of all. Check my gallery or my picasa albums for some pictures of scooter. Also, you can see some of the other MINI colors in my albums, as I have a few road trips uploaded.

Enjoy, pick what you love in color, then go motor, drive safe.