So... as i understand the difference between "Options" and "Accessories" is that options get installed at the factory and accessories get installed by the dealer, right? My MA said just figure out the options before you place the order then you can spend the six weeks of waiting figuring out what options you want.

Now comes the wait... so first she said that although accesory prices are standard, installation costs vary between dealers - i think she was trying to give me a friendly hint to shop around for anything that needs to be installed (i.e., pretty much anything more than floor mats).

So does anyone have a list of how much these things cost in different places? For instance, I really want those driving lamps, but i heard they are $995 installed (list is $400 uninstalled) - anyone got a better deal than that?

MA also said invisishield isn't "invisi" and that Lojack is better and cheaper than the alarm in the catalog... any comments?

Thanks!
John

MINI installation charges are outrageous.

My dealer wanted $400 to install the driving lights. Many ppl just buy aftermarket driving lights and DIY or take them to a local installer. FAR FAR cheaper
$2000 to install JCW (which they got),

Everything they do they charge ... even for mirror covers figure at least $50. etc.

No clearbra is invisible, that is impossible. From a distance, you may not notice it but if your 3 feet aways, its clearly seen.

Lojack is not an alarm.

An alarm does nothing more than ... well ring a bell usually for maybe a few minutes and shut itself off. Alarms are ubiquitous, go to any mall shopping lot and an alarm is going off.

If you want to scare kids, you get an alarm
if you want to stop a car thieve, dont bother, he is going to load it on a flatbed and haul it away

Lojack is hidden radio device. You tell the cops your car was hauled away, Lojack turns on the tracking and the police can find your car VERY quickly. Some newer technology uses GPS but to use GPS, the car has to see the sky ... not very effective when sitting in a chop shop

$725 at Otto's BMW (near Philly) includes parts and installation. They also throw in a storage shelf (drivers side, under steering wheel, replaces existing panel) for free.

Invisishield - find one installed and decide for yourself. I'm torn about it - it's not very visible and does protect the front end, but it's pricey and is some what visible. YMMV.

Lojack vs. Alarm - I'm not a big fan of lojack, esp. with the OEM theft prevention chip. Lojack protects the vehicle, not the contents. IIRC, there is also a subscription fee, so I can't see that it would be more cost effective than the alarm. I went with the OEM alarm (bought it cheap and installed myself) for the visual deterent of the flashing light and the audible lock/unlock. You also get the tilt sensor (helps protect wheels or towing) and interior infrared (helps protect goodies inside.) As Chows said, it won't ensure anything, but it should make it marginally safer.

You don't say where you're at, but whereever it is, someone can surely install the accessories for less than the dealer. Depending on the item, they can range from simple (OEM alarm is plug and play) to complex.

As Chows4us said, go aftermarket and/or install the lights yourself. I don't have the driving lights, but when I got our MINI, I asked about getting the bonnet stripes ($78.50/pr). I was told that the stripes with installation would be $300. There is NO WAY the installation is worth $221.50! They were nice enough to say that they would be willing to "work with me" on the installation costs. They did all right, I had a friend do it for free.

I think the installation for the stripes is pretty funny as I am now thinking about installing the rear fog light. I called my Service Advisor and asked about it. He said parts AND labor for the rear fog light is $199-less than the installation of the stripes!

the driving lights, purchased and installed at my dealer is about $600 total. It is is NJ, Mahwah. I'd have to double check, but i know it wasn't 900.

Eric, agreed that the alarm might help stop smash & grab kids. Its not going to stop a vandal.

BTW, there is no subscription fee for Lojack. You buy it once and thats it.

I guess Lojack now does alarm systems as well as the original theft recovery systems. I'd take plug and play any day.

Nothing will stop vandals, except maybe the trunk monkey.

Oh yeah, I LOVE TRUNKMONKEY

The best part is the added weight in the boot give good downforce on the light rear end