Hello All,

My wife and I are on the verge of ordering a MCS SB, we are still shopping dealerships...as if that really matters. We have the luxury of living within a 2hr radius of 3 dealerships (1 in SC, 2 in NC).
Our current vehicles are 02 Jeep Liberty Sport 2WD (wife) and an 01 Dodge Neon ACR. We decided to look at cars that are more fuel effecient than my wife's jeep as her new job takes her 85 miles roundtrip 5 days a week and the jeep is getting around 20-22mpg, not bad at all for a 3.7L six. So we started looking and i convinced her to look at mini's. First test drive and I had to fight to get my turn behind the wheel, she is hooked, and WON'T look at any thing else. It seems impractical (to non-mini owners this still holds true) but since we have no kids yet, might as well jump on and get a mini. We drove an O5 MC CVT, and she hated the tranny, as did I, so we drove a MCSa and she liked it much better... now the question is should we go 6-spd or Auto?

It was funny when she drove the 6-spd car, she didn't know they made trannys with more than 5 speeds, she asked what to do with 6 gears, i told her same thing you did with 5 gears...shift them.

So we are now waiting on some pricing to come back to order from the dealer with the lowest Doc fee basicly. The only options we want are front and rear fogs (to fill up all the toggle switchs, a issue with my wifes OCD about a void to fill), multifuntion steering wheel, on board computer...

Question: should I spend the extra 100 for the chrono package? not sure about having the speedo on the column, kinda like it on center. Looks like it maybe hard to read on the column due to the small wheel.

Well I look forward to posting and reading how-to's for modding... as I am no stranger with my ACR...the only thing now is deciding if we are going to sell both cars (if i get a company car) or only sell one car (my ACR gets 32mpg on Premium)...

Oh well, lunch break is over back to work...

Later guys,
Rob & Tiff

 

Don't have the chrono package so I can't comment. Just wanted to welcome ya to NAM and congrats on the future Mini

 

Welcome to NAM. The South NC dealer is great the people there are very caring and helpful; it is where I got my '06PW MCS. I have had an '03 without the chrono and my '06 has it. They actually both work very well and the speedo on the column is not hard to read at all. It did look very cool in the center as well but on the column is in your direct line of vision. I would opt for the 6 speed after driving both, but it depends upon how much you like a clutch and how much traffic in which you drive. I totally understand the OCD thing and the fog lights!!!! Go for the chrome package, it really sets the interior off. Good luck and have a great time motoring. The service department is really good at that dealership as well. Knowing people have purchased from all three dealerships, I don't think you can go wrong in NC and SC.
Art

 

Thanks for the welcome guys...
I'm getting prices back tonight and so far there are some differences...primarly in doc fees from $284 to $399. Does anyone have a master list of doc fees for potential buyers? If not, maybe something to start, good consumer info.

 

I have the Chrono Package, and love it. I like to know what's going on under the hood, and not rely completely on idiot lights.

Also, considering how fast I find myself going, it's a good idea to have the speedo more in my line of sight!

 

Most of the questions you asked, you and your wife are going to have to answer as they are based on preference. If you want opinions, though, I can do that. I personally prefer the distinct mini trait of having the huge speedo in the center. If you want to see speed on the column...I think you still can if you have the "computer" on the tach...there you can set it to read the speed digitally from what I remember from the test drives (I don't pick up my Mini until tomorrow, so I'm not sure about this one).

As for additional guages, the chrono pack includes fuel level, oil and radiator temps, and oil pressure. Two of these, radiator temp and fuel level I believe, are on the speedo anyway. More could be added as aux gauges if you want. You can add these down below the stack (battery and oil temp) or next to the tach (Boost and Battery voltage). It would cost a little more this way if you wanted all the gauges, but I just personally like that big middle speedo. There are probably after-market options as well...these are just the dealer and factory options.

Anyway...my two cents...but you have to figure out what you want. Good luck, and happy motoring.

 

I rely exclusively on the digital speedo on the column. Too busy to look over to the center.

 

Wow, well I learned something new... didn't know about the digital speedo in the computer. These cars have so many bloody options its tough to figure out everything the car can do.

 

Good luck with ordering your MINI. I have the chrono package and love it - I like having the speedometer in front of me next to the tach. It is also great having the oil pressure and oil temperature gauges. As far as the transmission choice, the MCS has plenty of power with either the automatic or the stick. It's really up to your wife which one she prefers. We had initially taken out the MC with the CVT when we were shopping for our first MINI and neither of us felt that the car had enough oomph to it (especially when the AC was on). No such worries with the MCS.

 

I would go with the upgraded lights there amazingly bright. If your thinking about an IPOD adapter I would check out the DICE over the factory one. Here is a link to a forum about that https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=68267&page=12

 

Welcome to NAM, SC and best of luck finalizing your MINI. The options in question are mostly a matter of personal preference....compared to classic Minis, ours MINI are opulent!!! I have only a few select options on my Cooper and love it this way. So, looked at things from my perspective, one might actually "need" very little. However, study the functions and see what you prefer. At the very least, it's a great opportunity to you-ify your car from the factory!

 

Check my signature to see what questions you might have about mods. The MCSa is a great car. Not to turn this into a auto vs. manual discussion, but if she commutes, she should DEFINITELY get the auto since it gives you the best of both worlds. Easy on the commute, yet paddles to shift when she wants fun.