I've loved MINI ever since I was a kid. It's been my dream car for as long as I can remember. I read everything I can on MINI either magazine, newspaper, here or anywhere else. I already know what I'm naming it and what mods I want to do to it, what stickers, rims, etc.

The problem I'm having is picking exactly what I want. I don't want to pick options that cause a lot of problems or aren't very functioning.

I'll let you know what I think I want and let you help me out.


MINI Cooper S
Astro on Astro
Premium
Convenience
Limited Slip
Xenon
White Turn Signals
Punch Carbon Black Leather
Chrome Line Interior
Piano Black Dash
JCW Strut Bar
Roof Spoiler


Stuff I'm not sure about yet:
JCW Tuning - can't really find much on what this really entails
JCW Brake Kit & JCW Suspension - better, worse, indifferent than if I did this aftermarket?

Thanks for your help.

 

Looks good, but add one more thing - rear fogs for $100. Trust me on this

Oh yeah, since you're getting AB/AB, don't forget your anthracite headliner...

 

I find the cold weather package will be beneficial.
Although with global warming, you might not need it!
tehe.

 

JCW strut tower. or aftermarket. Whichever is cheaper. JCW struts and brakes. Are you going to track your MINI? If not, then they aren't really needed. IF you really want them, then aftermarket kits are a better option.

JCW tuning kit is a new air intake box, cat-back exhaust and ecu reflash. CHeck out motoring.com (I think) and lok up the DIY section for the install.

+1 on the rear fogs.

 

I will track my mini eventually. I plan on doing a lot of aftermarket mods.(I.e.alta turbo upgrade, their 3" exhaust, their intake, control arms, tubes, etc.)

I guess I would have to research the cost difference between jcw tuning and aftermarket tuning.

The suspension seems to look better aftermarket.

 

Why rear fogs?

 

I don't feel the car's safe without them, but I come from somewhere where they're a legal requirement on all cars. Though around here you don't need them very often.

 

Getting fog lights... both front and rear... gives you a full bank of toggles.

 

Doesn't the jcw aero kit come with the rear fogs? I haven't seen a mini with that kit without lights...

 

Rear fogs fills up your toggle banks w/ a switch, as well as fills the bottom part of your bumper w/ actual lights instead of blanking plates. Besides completing the interior and exterior look of your Mini, they are very useful in limited visibility situations, and currently cannot be dealer or user retrofitted for 2008 models. Definitely worth the $100.

 

Actually I've seen the JCW aero kit w/o rear fogs, there's a pic floating around in NAM somewhere.

 

I've also seen on this site somewhere that the rear fogs can also act as a second set of brake lights for rear-safety.

Depending on where you are, the cold weather package is a real plus. Ever since I've owned a Mini (since 2004) I've NEVER had to scrape my windshield! And i lived in the western mountains of Germany - brrr. Also, the "toasty tushies" (seat warmers) is such a sweet deal...I never thought I'd use them much, but I was wrong.

Good luck!

 

get the rear fogs

you seem set on aftermarket performance stuff, so don't get the jcw tuning kit, same with the suspension and brakes... you can get better for cheaper aftermarket, if that's the route you want to take. That's what I'm choosing to do.

Convenience package.... this was just something to spend money on imo... It's exactly what it says, convenient. not necessary. Cool, but seriously, I don't think it's something you'll miss if you don't get it.

get the cold weather package.. heated seats are awesome, and being able to fold your mirrors in with the click of a button, just awesome...

Also, with the leather... it's real nice, but imo, it's very expensive... It's going to take a lot of conditioning in order to keep it in a good condition. If you're into detailing cars, then go for it, otherwise I'd say check out the leatherette.

how about DSC? pretty nice feature that will definitely raise the re-sale value of your car... you can turn it off for times you don't want it...

oh and without the mfsw (multi function steering wheel) you don't get cruise control....

 

I would get Redwood red leather interior and oak wood, that combo looks awesome. Those pics are not from my car, mine is still on the boat.
But those ones made me go with the redwood/oak interior. Oh and for 100 do get the rear fog light!

 

Yep, got and installed them, bought 'em here.

IMO they are more useful than factory rear fogs in terms of overall safety/usability - however they do not address the issue of having a blank toggle switch plate on the dash.

Anyway this option is best for those who want to retrofit after the fact, best advice is to get the rear fogs installed in the factory.

Also agree with everything dwf137 stated. Convenience package is nice, but not an absolute necessity, there are some nice alternatives to having Bluetooth in the car. Leatherette is good in that it is not high maintenance material, just clean 'em with water pretty much. Cold Weather package is good for any climate, really, esp. the heated seats. DSC is another nice to have. And MFSW is a requirement for cruise control.

 

Well the idea of the dsc is good if I sold it..... But I won't ever let go of it. I'll get the convenience for the mfsw and the bluetooth.

And I saw a jcw aero kit without fog lights and it looks incomplete. I've never had rear fogs so it would be cool to try it out. And I'd rather have full toggles.

 

Anyone have pics of their rear fogs? I don't even think I could have rear fogs on my '04 MCS with aero bumper or... am I missing something? (Wouldn't be the first time.)

 

The 04 had fogs where they should be, in the rear light cluster. Unless its different from MC to MCS. The 05 fogs are a lot different (down where the reversing light is), as are the R56s, the Cooper gets one and the S gets 2 down in the bumper.

One of the red lights above or below (I forget which) the indicator is the fogs on the 04. I don't know why they changed it, it seems to conform to the CA vehicle code when I read it, but some people said some cops objected to it.

 

i read on some thread about mini changing to a "jet" black or a black that is not so blue. can anyone confirm or deny?

 

I've seen the 05 - 06s with reverse lights included in the taillamps then the low, center mounted reverse light became a fog? Not sure, but here's mine - just taillamps with backup light down below - unless when I switch on the front fogs that reverse light is coming on and I've never been aware. I'd better go check!