Incidentally, I saw a silver MINI with black cloth seats. The package looks great. I don't think you'd go wrong with this combo.

-

 

Ah, but they most definitely did!!!

 

I made a similar decision before purchasing my 05 S with LSD. Drive them both! If you plan to mod, test drive a JCW to see what an S should really feel like! Thats what I did, 30mins later i was sold...

 

I think EricB is mistaken - you get 16" rims stock, but they come with runflats (Dunlop Sport 5000, IIRC), as the MCS has no spare. Doesn't mean you can't swap them afterwards though.

DSC is insurance. Several threads debating the merits in MINI TALK.

 

bummer! anyone have a link to the specs on the new car? should I wait?

 

Eric Rowland - you're right of course... what i meant to say is I wanted the S-Lites but didn't want to pay extra for them (& the 17" perf run flats I wasn't into to begin with) when I knew I could get them on the cheap cheap second hand off of ebay, get them powder coated, pick out the right tires, and have everything ready when the car actually showed up...

sorry for the confusion,

-e

 

I had the ability to get a few options and I decided against them. Piano Black dash is kinda odd. Yes, from photography itself looks cool. But, it does not match anything else in the car besides the really neat looking trim around the interior of the doors. Yes, in and of itself looks cool. But, in terms of looking at the interior as a whole, it doesnt match another highlight in the car. It was a hard toss up but I decided to not go with it. If you do it, it must be done with chromeline. If you dont, then its gloss wont match another thing inside the cabin. I guess you can do whatever you want, but I was a set designer for so many years that I just enjoy seeing a meaningful tie-in to some other important highlight. One could however easily aftermarket other parts or creatively paint other things to match the piano dash black gloss and it's interesting circles

DSC in a place that never rains snows or whatever is probably useless. It can help though if your car breaks traction on DRY roads as well, the asct slows down wheel spin, 1 out of 4 calipers squeeze, the car gets righted.

kinda rare though id guess youd have to be going nuts

 

Ok, I've done the research and decided that if I'm gonna get a new car, it's gonna be the cooper s, and it's gonna be this year's model. I much prefer the supercharger to the turbo. I'm having a hell of a time with the color choices though... I'm looking at red/black top, black/white top, or hyper blue/black top. leaning toward blue at the moment.

Another question for you guys... my mini dealer says they all sell at MSRP... is there any bargaining with them at all if I am going to order mine?

 

Many dealerships mark them up, so MSRP is a good deal, Jim. Hyper Blue/Black sounds gorgeous!

I want to chime in as a yes on DSC. Once you start motoring, what happened to me may happen to you: you just may find yourself taking really long road trips, which involve all kinds of weather and road conditions. I love having the runflats for that reason, as well as the DSC. It's a must through rain and snow.

There is also a nice leather/cloth upholstery option. But you would probably be happier using that money for LSD.

 

they can go 300-400 below msrp if they are a high volume area. NYC is a high volume area. if you town is lower than 20 million people, you might want to stick msrp and get great customer service. I never bargained for 1 second and he (Dennis Miniero at Hassle mini in Freeport, NY) removed more money from it on the 2nd day I came for a test drive and chat.

I always suggest getting at msrp and leaving it there. your customer service will be great when something bad happens or whatnot.

 

cool, I just wanted to make sure. I'll let you guys know what I decide to do!

 

Better order soon or the supercharged S will go away.
Ah.. a minimalist S, that's a great way to go, keeps the weight down, avoids the heavy S-lites of the Sport package, the car comes fairly well equipped as base.
That's about all I would want to add is the LSD, cruise/multifunction, cold weather package (not necessary where you reside), the anthracite dash as a N/C option, you can add the aux input yourself if useful to you.
Ah.. to be ordering again...

 

Think about the anthracite (black) headliner. I don't know where they get off charging $200 for a color change, but it completely changes the look of the interior. Personally, I love it in my black/tan leather w/ chrome-pack, but it might not work on all interiors.

 

I'd say the only downside to buying the mcs the way you have it configured is that you are going to find yourself wanting to mod the crap out of it instead of just use it for a daily driver.

No offence to your mr-2 but hey lets face it... it's tough to own one of these things and not dump money into it, especially when you smile everytime you drive it.



as far as the piano black... It looks amazing and i think it's worth the price but a good comprimise is the anthracite interior.

 

I have to agree with El Jefe...
I would highly recommend getting Chromeline interior (actually regardless of what other option you get) because otherwise you'll notice that the bezels arouns speedo and vent won't match the bezel around the tach... that seemed kind of weird, getting chromeline made it all matchy matchy

i don't really get why a portion of the door panel inserts that come colored to your taste are semi gloss (horizontal bar on which the padded elbow rest is mounted) when the rest (elliptical motif) is gloss... seems like someone forgot to spray some clear... doesn't seem intentional enough.

-e

 

My arty farty eye noticed this too. Maybe has to do with unsightly hand smudging or something im not sure.

When I sit in other "luxary" cars, I notice now how boring they are compared to any mini regardless of interior options.

i cant wait

 

If you live anywhere where it gets hot in the summer or cold in the winter, go with cloth seats!

Leather is hot and sticky in the summer, and cold in the winter - cloth is much more comfortable in both situations, plus it costs less and is easier to maintain in good condition...

Just my $.02...

 

GTI = bloated 3,300lbs is insane for a small hatchback, thats where it looses the agility the MINI has. It is almost 700lbs heavier then the mini, almost an additional 1/4th the weight.

i think most people know how i feel about leather/leatherette...two words for ya....SWAMP BUTT!

Leather wrinkles, cracks, burns you on hot days, and makes you sweat. It only has one actul benifet over cloth which can be easily avoided. If you spill something on leather it wipes right up and doesnt soak in, like with cloth. But if you never bring drinks/food into your car then who cares. Cloth holds up better and breathes to keep you cool during the summer and its not an ice cube during the winter.

can you tell i ordered cloth?

 

If you do any motoring in a rural area at night, take a serious look at the Xenon headlights. I live out in the sticks, and my eyesight ain't the greatest in the world, so max power illumination is a big deal to me.

Rawhyde

 

No question. Buy the Mini. Serious autocross, get limited slip in particular if you mod the vehicle, head, header, cam, airbox and fuzzy dice. It is a rocket on rails and you'll find the front end wants to spin inside tire.