Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, and will soon be ordering a Mini. I currently have an Evo IX RS (AutoX/weekend car) and a '96 Audi A6 (Daily Driver). I'd like to add a Mini to the fleet. It will be a manual transmission Cooper Hardtop. I had a few questions about how to configure the car.

Sport Package: Is this simply thicker front and rear sway bars, and is it worth purchasing?

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC): Can they both be turned off individually? Mini talks about a new Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) bundled together with DTC/DSC. If you disable DTC/DSC are you also turning off EDLC? That wouldn't make sense, but thats how I read Mini's description. How is the EDLC? Is it at all comparable to the recently discontinued LSD?

How much weight does the twin glass sunroof add? I was excited to learn how little the car weighs, I'd hate to hurt that by putting 100+lbs in the worst place to add weight.

Do many people order the 16" or 17" Sport Brake Kits. Are they worth the $1360/$1999 price tags?

What is the consensus on leather interior. I like the Lounge Redwood Red, but I haven't seen it in person and wasn't sure if it was worth the money. What other seat covers do people like?

How much are the Xenon bulbs to replace after warranty?

Does the Chrome Line Interior/Exterior look good? White turn signals? Anthracite headliner?

How much are dealers generally discounting? Are there any special financing rates? I found something on Edmunds about 0.9% up to 60 months, but the dealer only mentioned 2.9%.

If anyone is still reading at this point it is greatly appreciated, and I would love any feedback. I'm a car guy, but I'm fairly new to the Mini.

 

Hi there,

These are great questions! I will only answer the ones that I'm familiar with, the smarter NAM users can answer the rest.

Sport Package: Are you talking about the Sport Package or the Sport Suspension. The SS to my knowledge only gives you thicker anti-sway bars. I got it on mine (I bought mine off the lot so I had no choice). I would say don't bother, go after market. The Sport Package is different though, that's DTC, xenon headlights, bonnet stripes, white turn signals, and 17" wheels. I got that as well and I like it.

The lounge leather looks great, and feels pretty nice...but to be honest I think the consensus is that it's way too much money for the quality. I dunno, if you like the leather then I say go for it. But if you're on a budget I would suggest the leatherette. If you haven't already, check one out in person. I found the leatherette to my liking. Lots of people prefer the cloth even. The cloth seats in the MINIs are actually very high quality (and free!)

I think you can get replacement Xenon lights for about $200-300 a pair. But from what I've read they last a really long time as long as you're not constantly charging / discharging them.

I got the chrome interior but I'm not that into chrome. It goes well with the piano black dash though.

Anthracite headliner is an absolute MUST in my opinion. If you sit in a MINI with the beige / tan headliner and then sit in one with the anthracite, you might agree.

Good luck!

 

Remember that these are opinions and to some people mine might be crap.

That said:

Skip the sport suspension. Waste of $500 bucks. Spend that on springs or coilovers.

The sport package is not a bad deal if you want all the goodies it contains. It is a decent way to get 17" wheels if that is what you want.

The leather is WAY overpriced and is not the highest quality (although I have not heard much complaining lately on the quality of the leather). One thing of note is that you get the lumbar support in the seat when you order leather. MINI figured those of us who didn't pay up shouldn't get this feature. I, personally, don't like red interiors anyway so I say pass on redwood leather. That is just my opinion. The leatherette is very nice, easy to clean and wears very well. The cloth is decent too (I just don't like cloth seats).

I don't think that you can "turn off" the eldc. I think that it is on all the time like a mechanical LSD. I do not have it. Others who do say that it seems to work well. I'd wait for someone who has it to chime in (and if you're impatient search the forums as I know this has been discussed before)

The sunroof is heavy. I have it and love it, but i don't care about the weight or where it is located. The sunroof also is somewhat trouble-prone compared to other parts of the car. If you can't deal with rattles I'd pass on it.

The standard brakes stop in a hurry. Unless you like BBK bling I'd pass and save your cash.

Anthracite headliner is mandatory, in my opinion. It does get a little cave-like if you don't have a sunroof, but I don't like the beige/tan. Makes me feel like i'm in a cheap honda.

I would consider the chrome interior. The matte-silver surrounds look a little cheap, but the chrome looks a little too shiny. You'll have to decide. I do not like the standard "silver checker" dash and recommend, well, anything else. I picked English Oak and love it, but again, totally your call.

I do NOT like the chrome exterior - mostly I dislike the chrome mirror caps and chrome boot handle. Again, your call. Just please, please, please don't "black out" your car. That just needs to die.

Miniusa.com will tell you about whatever the deal of the week is as will your local dealer's website.

I can't answer on Xenons other than I think that it is a very expensive add-on for something that doesn't seem really that necessary.

Other things to consider: Rear fogs - you might regret not filling in that switch. Plus they are good for getting tailgaters to back off.

Don't know where you are but the Cold Weather package is nice in the cooler climes. Again, not sure what you want to use this car for, DD or Track.

I'd pass on the arm rest and get one of the euro-spec ones.

Hope this helps.

 

When you turn of the DTC/DSC the ELDC is engaged. Basically it uses the brakes to prevent wheel spin instead of a mech. LSD. Xenons are IMO are worth the money, great visability a night. The brakes which are standard on the 2nd Gen Minis are the upgrade brakes from 1st Gen Minis, very good and unless you are tracking/autoX are a little expensive. Rear fogs yes, worht the 100.00, white turns, depends if you like white or kellow lenses covers.

 

Thanks for the input, much appreciated!

How about the 16/17" runflats? Are they crap? Do most people lose the runflats after the first set is worn out (or sooner)?

 

This forum is full of the answers to your questions. Please spend some time to look through the posts. All of your questions and more will be answered.

I will answer a few:

Chrome line interior is nice but the chrome rings on the side vent reflect on to the window on the left and the windshield on the right.

Skip the sport suspension and buy NM springs or coilovers.

Yes. Thicker front and rear sway bars. Here is info on the rear.
Rear Sway Bar:
Standard Suspension = 17mm
Sport Suspension = 18mm
JCW Suspension = 18.5mm

17" wheels with run flats are going to ride a bit harsher.

Xenon headlamps are a must. If people say other wise then they have not driven a car with Xenon lights. Once again I would not buy a car without Xenon lights.

Leather - I have the lounge leather. I have no issues in 18 months. I Like it and I do not think its cheap. I would not buy a car with out a leather interior.

The sunroof is another must have. I have no rattles but when it gets hot outside, the sunroof sticks and its hard to open. I have to push up on the glass while I hold the toggle switch to open it. It adds about 75 to 90 pounds from what I have read.

Dealers discount differently depending on region. You will get a better deal if you take a car off the lot rather than ordering it. If you order you might be lucky enough to get $500 off sticker. Your mileage may vary.

Good luck.

 

regarding packages, options, etc.:

http://www.miniusa.com/#/learn/FACTS...uipment_List-s

For example, if you click the detail report on the sport suspension with stiffer front and rear stabilizer bars you will learn it also comes with more agressive springs and dampers.

 

Correction: Sport Suspension changes the Struts/Shocks and Springs as well as adding thicker front and rear sway bars. Definitely gives a stiffer ride.

Certainly, if you plan to do your own suspension upgrades, you should skip the SS.

But if you like a stiff ride and don't plan on going aftermarket on suspension, you might want to add the SS.

 

Would suggest you lose the runflats quickly, non rfs are necessary to get the most out of a MINI.