Greetings,

This is my first post. I'm not yet a MINI owner--I'm still in the shopping mode, but since I've been encouraged by admin to post something, here we go.

I'm leaning toward a Clubman S and am not inclined to add much in the way of options to keep cost down and because I don't see much need for most of the optional stuff.

If I purchase a package, it will be the sport package because I want zenon lights and electronic diff lock. However, I don't know if I want 17" wheels because I'm afraid the ride quality would suffer too much. I don't want the bonnet stripes and don't care whether the tail lights are white or not. So, the question is whether to order the zenon lights and electronic diff lock as separate options, or get the package. I can live with the bonnet stripes and white tail lights if the 17" wheels are a plus rather than a negative.

BTW, what is the difference between the electronic diff lock at $250 and the other (mechanical?) diff lock at $500?

I will also need a roof rack of some kind as I carry bikes quite often. I currently have a Thule base rack with Yakima bike mounts on it. I would be nice if I could continue to use some or all of this stuff.

All the best,
Paul