Hello my new Mini Friends!

I have been researching cars for an upcoming purchase and (mostly) settled on Mini. I'm looking for something fun to drive, not crazy expensive, and small enough to share a garage stall with a motorcycle. Mini seems to be tailor made for these requirements.

Test drove one for the first time last night, and was very pleased with how well it fits a 6' driver. The drive was at night in traffic, so I can't really comment on handling or performance, but it was fun.

I talked with the dealership about test driving the car to my house to make sure my garage packing plans are realistic, plus I intend to test drive an S model, but if all goes well I'll be buying a new Mini (probably a Cooper S Hardtop w/ 6-speed manual) sometime in the next 30 days. I'm so excited!

I've already spent hours reviewing the options lists and browsing the forums, but still have many questions.

If anyone can offer some advice on which options are "worth it" and which aren't, it would be much appreciated. Here are some thoughts and questions I have now:

1. Is center-console Navigation worth it? I'm an Android user, so the Connect thingy seems less useful to me and I hate to spend for it. So I'm tempted to skip the built-in Nav (which seems to be pretty unpopular among Mini owners) and just get a Garmin mounted instead. Not sure if I'd want to do my own Garmin+mount or let the dealer install the official MINI Garmin.
2. Is the HK stereo upgrade worthwhile? I haven't yet listened to either system, so I'll definitely see what my ears think, but the dealer (unsurprisingly) thought it was an important upgrade. I saw some discussion in the forums about after-market upgrades, but that seems like a lot more time and more money.
3. How do the different interior materials compare? Any significant differences in how well they wear? The base leatherette stuff felt pretty nice, but I'm wondering if cloth or real leather would be a better way to go.
4. Any must-have options? I'm a big fan of the park distance control, and saw some posts here recommending it highly. Any others? Are the Xenon lights important?
5. Any best-to-avoid options?
6. If I want to stream music from my Android phone to the car speakers, do I need any upgrades? I believe the base model has audio-in and Bluetooth, but it's a little unclear to me. Does the Bluetooth support stereo audio streaming?

 

So, I put down my deposit last Friday for a custom order: Spice Orange MCS with Nav, cold weather, premium, and sport suspension. Still waiting on my build number and date, though the MA said to expect 9-10 weeks.

It's only been a couple days, and the waiting is already painful. I must be strong...

Typed slowly on my Xoom using NAMotoring

 

Welcome. Cant speak to the nav. I sprung for the Hatmon cause I like good sound and I'm not spending 19 hours installing which is what it took me to redo 2nd car's system (gun to head).
The waiting is brutal. hang in there. it will be worth it.
JD

 

May be a nit picky thing for me, but I will not drive a car that has normal halogen lights. I've been driving cars with HIDs (xenons) for about 5 years now and the difference between them and halogens is, pardon the pun, like night and day. Plus with MINI's HIDs, you can get the neat looking black headlamp housings if you don't opt for adaptive light control. Other than that your build sounds great! I have an iPhone and kinda wish I had the Connected in place of the giant speedo, but eh, I'll cope. Be sure to post pictures when she arrives!

 

Ok, I was being modest. I did get the HK stereo plus xenons with adaptive lighting.

 

My new Mini has the connect and the Nav. The Nav sucks, sent me the wrong place 2 of 3 times I've used it. The one on our Jeep is much better. The connect is gimmicky but fun. Love my lounge leather and HK. Only thing I wouldn't do again is the Nav.

 

Ah yes, didn't even think to mention HK. My last MINI had the normal stereo and it was pretty horrible. I guess my last car (a 328i coupe) spoiled me with its sound system, which was much better than even my current MINI with HK but after that I definitely wouldn't have wanted to downgrade to the base stereo.

That being said, my current MINI's stereo speakers suck. They vibrate a lot, especially if it's someone's voice through the BT system. I'm planning to have them checked the next time I'm at the dealer but it's something I can deal with for now. It doesn't help that our other two newer cars have amazing sound systems.

 

Welcome to the forums and the fun...you realize you are in for many sleepless nights waiting?

 

Welcome aboard. Good luck and post some pics when you get.

 

Welcome!

 

Got my production number today! Apparently I got a slot that was originally scheduled for a dealer car, so the config is all wrong in the lounge, but I guess it takes them more than four hours to get everything updated...

Waiting is hard.

 

My night vision isnt the greatest.. but the greatest is Xenon Headlights. I love them and it kinda sucks driving in my other cars that do not have them... To me it is worth it.. Seeing at night in Texas is imperitive with all these annoying Deer everywhere and faded highway lines...

 

I like having the navi just because I like speedometer in the middle, but it is pretty useful on long trips and stuff. And I hear the nav on the new ones is much better than the R53's. HK is totally worth it. had it in my previous MINI and don't on my current and wish I did every single time I get in it. And congrats!! Prepare to fall in love!!

 

Concur,
If you have a nav you eventually use it,

As any farmer will tell you,
It's better to have something you don't need,
than to need something you don't have.

 

My sense of direction is fine, but I use the navigation in my current car (and the add-on Garmin on my motorcycle) for almost every trip. I like knowing what time I'll reach my destination, probably because I'm usually running late for something.

I've been polling my car status in the Owner's Lounge since Friday, and tonight I was happy to see that my Mini's specs have been updated according to my order. That was quick. Woo-hoo!