Thanks and take two!

Hi to all you Mini enthusiasts!

This is my first post, thank you. I am in midst of making decisions before I take my first, big splash into the Mini pool, and need some help and advice. I am from the Boston, MA area (Brighton). I have decided to go with the Royal Grey/Silver MCS but need some advice in packaging and dealership versus broker options.

Packaging:
1. I am looking at combining packages (cold weather, premium, sport and convenience) and wanted to know if a combination as contemplated can be negotiated in price. In addition, I was originally thinking of only adding the JCW intake/air filter kit ($450 plus installation – how much could be expected for installation by the dealer?) and the limited slip differential ($500) at a total add on of $950 but was wondering if I should instead go for the whole enchilada – the JCW tuning kit ($6,300)? Is it worth the extra money -- $5,350 less the installation of the filter kit? Also, given the extra performance of the JCW kit, what is the gas mileage like? And what about the insurance cost with the addition of the JCW?
2. What do folks think about the 17” Web-spokes (run flat performance) versus other choices, like the R99 17” Silver (or Polish) Wheels? It appears to me that the Web-spokes are a better wheel, but the R99 have a nice look?

Cockpit:
1. Leather: English Panther Black – is it worth the extra $1,700? I have seen it and am impressed but are there other choices that may be better bangs for the buck?
2. Interior Surface – thoughts on the “Seven” Piano Black finish? It is hard to picture in building the car from the Mini online website. Alternatively, I was just thinking of sticking with the interior surface silver?
3. Center Arm Rest – any negative feedback? Does it get in the way? Does it justify the extra $200 add-on cost?

Accessories (through the dealer):
1. Rear Saddlebag – worth the extra cost ($119 plus installation)?
2. Glove Box organizer – hard to make out its functionality; is it worth the extra cost ($32 plus installation)? Are there better after market options?
3. Auxiliary Gauges – they look good but are they worth the investment ($250 plus installation)?
4. Sport Link – looks like a worthwhile investment for my biking needs, etc., right ($239 plus installation)?
5. iPod Adapter – I have and iPod; is this feature worth the addition ($149 plus installation)? I was considering the Hands Free Phone w/ Bluetooth ($450 plus installation) but evidently it cannot be added if the iPod Adapter is installed (at leas that is the case in building the car online)? Any feed back on the Hands Free Phone versus the iPod or other peripherals of this type?
6. Bumper Protection – a worthwhile add-on ($40 plus installation)?
7. Chrome dual exhaust tips – worth the extra cost ($99 plus installation)?

Other Accessories (after market):
1. Winter rims (size) and tires?
2. Radar and laser? The BEL RX65 ($330) appears to be the best bet on the radar front with the BEL LaserPro 905 laser jammer ($500 including installation) as a good packaging partner. Shelling out the bucks here – is it best to get both and do they fit easily the Mini (any suggestions of where to mount)?
3. Navigator systems (outside of factory installed)?
4. Auto-up windows (Mini circuit) – a worthwhile investment even though I do not use toll booths that much? Dealer installed cost?
5. Any other suggestions?

Who to Buy From?
1. Dealer – Herb Chambers vs. Mini of Peabody. Herb Chambers is right down the street (5 minute drive).
2. Broker vs. Dealer – is it worth the extra bucks for hiring a broker with a dealer so close? Can they package the car with installations of accessories at a better negotiated price? Can a broker get me a better financing deal? Any broker recommendations?

Here is what else I have decided on:
1. Chrome line exterior (incl. chrome mirror caps) and interior, with chrome hand brake cover.
2. Silver Bonnet Stripes
3. Rear fog lamp
4. HK sound system
5. Marquee Plate “Cooper S”
6. Black Rubber Floor Mats (front, back and boot)
7. 4 wheel locks

Pricing:
Assembling the Mini is loads of fun but the price mounts rather quickly. I would like to save, maybe in negotiations if that is possible or forgo some of the add-ons.

As priced online with all of the above, including those in question, here is where I am at:
1. MCS with JCW Tuning Kit: $36,649
2. MCS w/o JCW Tuning Kit but with LSD and CAI.: $31,299
Difference: $5,350

Thanks in advance for the all the good opinions.

 

Welcome. Cut and past then highlight your paste and click the top left box "remove text formating"

 

My gut feeling is that you're not going to get much if anything in the way of negotiated price. MINI is a very popular car that only recently has started coming down to the MSRP price. Not very long ago most dealers were charging MSRP plus a premium. As it stands most dealers have little or no inventory on their lots and are backlogged on orders which basically means demand is high so there's no reason for price negotiations, the car, or as is the case right now, the production slot is going to sell with or without you.

Add to this the fact that the factory is closing down soonish for a switch to an all new style MINI and you are not suffering the least bit of glut on the market. Many people are leery of the 07 with it being pretty much a completely new car so there's something of a small run on the 06's, the last of the current body style, engine, etc...

As for what you have decided on... a lot of dealers are throwing in the black rubber mats, front at least, with the car. Goodwill gesture. Not all of them though. They can be purchased seperately from a dealer such as Classic Mini with a nice discount if your dealer won't supply them for free.

Nav system. It works and it has that polished built in look. After that the general opinion from my research has been that it's not worth the money. I decided against it and am going with a Palm T|X with a GPS pack. The price point is hella cheaper and it appeals to me. There are numerous aftermarket solutions that seem to be much better and less expensive than the factory nav system. Plus you get to keep the center speedo. That was important to me.

MINI standard arm rest... MY opinion, not even close to worth it. The look is right but the sliding top doesn't 'click' close, it just flops around. Move your arm, that sliding top moves with it. There are tons of aftermarket center arm rests with varying price points. I'd shop around.

Accessories are really just all personal choice. I'll toss this in though. Most dealers get between $75 and $125 an hour for their work. There are minimum rates and they don't seem to feel compelled to go against them. The auxiallary jack for example, $40 part, 3 holes drilled and plug in, $100 installation fee. My take on accessories is look around on the web. There are several great MINI sites (this one very much included) that have how-to's and original installation guides. See if you can do it yourself and save some serious cash. There are also aftermarket acessories that are the equal or superior to MINI offerings. My thought is only buy an accessory that is installed on the factory floor, is hideously expensive to upgrade after (i.e. seating), or is more complex to install than your skills allow (major engine works for me).

I can't really speak to the rest of your questions, JCW vs. non JCW but I wish you the best of luck and there's plenty of very knoweldgable people here that can help you with that.

 

Hello right back at ya!

THis is such a personal decision on the worthiness of the JCW package, so without getting into another JCW vs. aftermarket debate, I'll simply give you my rational for buying the factory JCW option. I wanted more performance and didn't want any warranty issues, and without trying to sound snobish, I like the exclusivity of the JCW car. Now, if I were purchasing a used Mini that was out of warranty, I would not hesitate going to the aftermarket.

As far as my fuel consumption goes, I've been averaging about 28mpg (65/35 city/hwy ratio), usually driving part throttle and not often above 4500rpm. On the highway trips I get a solid 36mpg at a steady 70mph.

My insurrance is not much more than our family minivan (about $100 more per year). I think age and driving record will have a big influence on this. I don't think JCW option makes any difference in the rate.




I have the Web-spokes and think that they look fantastic!! Again, this is a personal decision, get what you want. Some on this board may not like them because of their weight, but unless you are taking your car to the track, there won't be much of a difference.

If I did it again, I would probably spring for the English Panther Leather. I had not seen it until I went to the dealer to pick up my car. It is much softer than the regular leather/leatherette, and has a very classy, english looking thread design to it.

I think that it's a crime that MINI charges for an arm rest, but I went with it anyway. Yes it seems a little flimsy, but for me it does not get in the way.

Whatever you choose, definately make sure you get the LSD!

Good luck, it seems you are close to reaching a decision. Welcome to the community

 

I have and am quite happy with option 2 here, I test drove a JCW a few weeks ago and did wasn't as fun, even though you could tell by the #s there was more power there, but I'm also almost out of warranty so I'm not worried about that aspect of it.

Don't expect to go below MSRP with negotiations.

 

My opinion ...

the JCW tuning kit ($6,300)? Is it worth the extra money

Here is the bottom line on JCW. For the extra money you can go aftermarket for half that but your basically on your own. With JCW you got the full warranty. Do you want bits and pieces from different vendors or a package designed for the car. Its totally your choice as obviously some do and some don't. Before you decide, do a thorough search on this site of warranty problems. Some ppl have been denied warranty service (and you will use your warranty) In particular, read this https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...477#post823477

And what about the insurance cost with the addition of the JCW?

Made no difference that I can tell for me, after all, its just an option. Collision might be a bit higher because it costs more to replace.

What do folks think about the 17” Web-spokes (run flat performance) versus other choices, like the R99 17” Silver (or Polish) Wheels?

Totally a personal choice. Many ppl dump the OEM wheels because they are too heavy. Some do, some don't. Personal choice. I like mine, the R90s in anthracite since being BBS 2 piece wheels.

Leather: English Panther Black – is it worth the extra $1,700?

I got leather and wouldn't be without it in this little car. I'd say yes.

Interior Surface – thoughts on the “Seven” Piano Black finish?

Interesting. Dunno how much it costs, you might look at the JCW CF dash.

Center Arm Rest

Go aftermarket

Rear Saddlebag

IMO, waste of money

Glove Box organizer

I never bought one. Its a glove box, who cares? Throw your stuff in there and it works fine.

Auxiliary Gauges

I have them. IMO, you can't have enuff gauges ... oil temp and volt.

Any feed back on the Hands Free Phone versus the iPod or other peripherals of this type?

If you want Ipod, go for it.You can get a BT unit aftermarket. I think MINI limits the phones you can use. Aftermarket does not.

Bumper Protection

Yes. If you don't and load groceries or stuff in the boot, eventually you will scratch the top of the bumper. I would get this.

Chrome dual exhaust tips

Bling.If you go JCW, you get a different exhaust anyway. If you go aftermarket for more performance, you get an new exhaust anyway. Forget about them.

Winter rims (size) and tires?

Coming from Boston, and I am originally from Boston I would do what most people seem to do. Get the standards S-light wheels or whatever they are called and buy four snow tires. Tirerack.com sells snow tires packages for the MINI. Then you can buy four other wheels for summer/performance driving.

Radar and laser?

This has been discussed many times. Most ppl go for Escort or Valentine. There are two different camps, just pick one. Bel, I thought was really an Escort/[passport?

Navigator systems

Many choices here. Tom Tom, NUVI is hot right now, Magallen, Garmin, its all a personal choice. Read about them and pick the one you like. You can get a bolted in, permanent mount for any of them via a panavise mount that uses your radio screws.

Other suggestions?

If you go JCW, get the suspension too, more balanced car and eventually a larger rear sway bar. If you go aftermarket, then its a huge market.

Who to Buy From?

Isn't Peabody one of the biggest MINI dealers in the country. I'd go there.

Black Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber mats show dirt, mud, etc very easy. Beware of that.

Forget about the hope of negotiating, most likely, its not going to happen.

Best of LUCK!

 

I when through MINI of Peabody, and they were really cool there. They took us out to a nice stretch of backroads for the test drive and the sales guy I dealt with (Vinny) really knew his stuff, and told me things that are worth the upgrade, and just a waste of money... For instance, I wanted the Xenon headlights and he suggested I dont get them because of the high theft rate.. He didnt really have to do that, as he was losing 500 +/- off the price, but I thought it was good he was looking out f or my best interests.

 

Unlike cloth and l'ette seats, U get the adj. lumbar supports with the leather and leather/cloth seats so to me and my sketchy lower back at least it's well worth it.

The MINI armrest is a flimsy-*** ripoff. Mine is an $8 15 Jewel-CD case I got at Target. Works wonderfully, fits nicely between the seats, if a tad short. But hey I can rest my arm on it, and it serves other important functions.

Vinny and his remark on the Xenons is way off base. Xenon theft seems to be more Acura/Honda/Nissan related, because the market for stolen Xenons is MUCH MUCH larger. Get the Xenons, U will NOT regret it (if U do, spring $50 and get the 3M headlight glass protectors.)

If I were to do it again I would get protection for the rear bumper cover because Chowzer is right, they do scruff and scratch easily.

Forget negotiating. Pay MSRP like (most of) the rest of us and be happy that your car tops resale value lists across the board.

I can't comment on JCW because I don't know.

If you're in Cold Climes the Cold Weather pak is really well worth it--especially for the heated seats. mm mm toasty.... Good luck Jimbo

Addendum: the rear saddle bag is an overpriced POS. Actually, it can get in the way of other stuff you may want to load into to the boot. The boot box, however, is knida neat in an organizational way. Also, consider the rear seat "floormat" for when the seats are down. This is a worthwhile accessory.

And the 16 inch V-spokes are the lightest OEM wheels for the S. Avoid the 17" S-lites, they are very heavy. Also, silver is much easier to keep clean (brake dust) than white wheels, and anthracite are much better in this regard.