Another big vote for manual A/C - love it . I ordered the premium package a la carte, just to get manual A/C - saved no money. Had a few BMW/Audi auto A/Cs and they all work the same.... fan turned off, gates shut and no air in cabin. Manual A/C, the gates stay open and allows free, speed sensitive outside air flow w/o turning the system on - heated even (although you do need to run the fan for cooling A/C). Had some squeaky, noise fans in the past that drove me crazy :impatient.

I always found the premium sound package much better quality than standard sound systems, and with the Mini, it was half the price (or less) than with BMW or Audi.

I like the info my crono pack gives, particular the oil temp and pressure, which lets me know when it's really safe to push the engine, and not broadcasting my speed to passengers

I thought if you get crono and OBC, cruise control and MFSW comes with it, mine did.

Like others, don't like the S-lites - heavy & rough riding. Got light aftermarket 16's for summer with non-runflats and want to sell/trade my S-lites for X-lites, or another 16, for snow tires. Consider ordering sport package a la carte for the X-lites.

I couldn't live w/o a sunroof... but that's personal preference. Come to think about it, your option list looks nearly the same as mine did (except sunroof and leather).

 

The OBC is jut a dealer program item, mine got done for much less than the $200.00

 

On the 06 MCS I just ordered, yes the OBC comes with the chrono pack, and yes cruise control comes with MFSW, but the chrono pack does not include the MFSW and vice versa.

I also agree with getting the manual a/c as opposed to the automatic a/c that comes in the Premium pack. I've had about 5 BMWs with the auto feature and I never use it. The only thing I do use is the MAX A/C button.

 

I think what El_Jefe is trying to say is that used MINIs are meant to be "thrashed" meaning to drive them hard as opposed to "trashed" meaning to criticize it. I don't know...I'm not a translator.

Anyway, to add to VWzealot's list, I'd add the chorome-line interior just to break up all the anthracite. W/o any dealer installed accessories my car came out to $26,400. Saved money by picking and choosing exactly what I wanted out of certain packages. For example, I did want everything in the Premium pack except auto a/c, and did want everything in the Sport pack except 17" wheels and stripes. I'll pick up a set of rims elsewhere.

Good luck with the order!

 

i don't really care for the s-lites, but i do want DSC, xenon headlights and foglights. thats $1,200 in options. to get the sports package its only $200 more and i get the s-lites. ill get all season tires on them, and after the winter get some real rims.

so i can't get cruise control unless i get that steering wheel? D:

my passat has cruise and i never use it, but i won't mind having it for really long trips. i also don't have any problems reaching over with my hand to change the channel or volume =P

its sucks thats the only way to get cruise control =/

what is the euro parcel shelf? the only thing i can find that might be it is the Boot Box for $80.

thanks everyone from steering me away from the auto ac, it sounds like it "blows" =P

i was doing a search www.vwvortex.com's car lounge looking for stuff about minis and i found a lot of vw guys putting mini rims on there vws. maybe i can sell my 17s to them =D

after i typed that i did another search. maybe i should go for these rims =)

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2574023

**edit after playing with the mini site these rims don't seem to be a current option ;_; **

its also kind of ironic that i changed my a2 gti to the vr6 plus axle and went from 4 lug to 5 lug. now my mini can't share shoes with my gti ;_;

 

Wow...wish I'd had the foresight to do what you're doing (i.e. asking for input BEFORE ordering...only found this site after my order was already in!). I didn't pay any mind to the automatic A/C feature that came with the premium package (mostly just wanted the sunroof, mfsw, and obc). I'm going to pick up my MINI tonight and can already tell from your comments that the auto A/C is going to bug the bejeezus out of me! Any tips for managing it, or is it possible to disable the auto function?

 

The driver's side of the MINI has a knee bolster under the dash in the USA. Everywhere else, there is a useful shelf that goes the full width from the far left side to the downtube by the radio. It's great storage for CD's, cell phones, etc.

Here's a pic on outmotoring's site.

http://outmotoring.com/euro_parcel_tray.html

Rawhyde

PS I'm the only one here, but I like the auto A/C. I set my home thermostat on the temp I want and the system maintains that temperature. I don't manually turn vents on and off and manually turn the fan on and off. I set it and forget it. With the auto A/C, the MINI works the same way.

 

is that an option you can order? or is it an aftermarket upgrade?

 

Go drive them at Tate in Annapolis. Go see the car color combo you want at Sterling or Towson though. Dark Silver Dark Silver is very nice, but you may find the white roof softens the color. Get the sunroof. Its a blast. You will see the sport drive on the S makes the ride very rough in the DC/Baltimore metro area. You can rent the mini for 72 a day at zipcar.com in MD. Its all automatic, but will answer key questions. I rented for a week. It cleared up all my option issues. I learned the standard fake leather seats are hot as *&*() in the summer and do not breathe. Plus with shorts, they are sticky. The standard radio is ok, but nothing special. Both satellite services are a waste of money. One car and driver reviewer complains that the larger wheels make scratching the side paint greater. Buy from Tate. They may discount a little and throw in mats, bonnet stripes and mp3. Other dealers in the area are too cocky and act like they are doing you a favor to take your cash.

 

Get the multi function steering wheel. It will help with resale, plus is cool. Stop fooling around and get the premium package.

 

thanks for the tips on the local dealers, i test drove at tate, i haven't been to the townson.

i don't want the premium package because i just don't like sunroofs, and it also has the auto ac that everyone seems to think sucks

 

I agree with the sunroof, I’ve never been a fan of them. I think i get the same effect by rolling the windows down lol...

and I also like the free flowing speed sensitive air from the manual AC...


the fog lights also fill up the toggle twich area, i like having all the spaces full for my cool "oil slick" stickers and such.


Only other advice I can give is not to get the center consol for $200, it honestly just gets in my way when I’m shifting and doesn't really have room for much (i have a yo-yo and bouncy ball in mine).


OH… and LSD is definitely a must IMO

 

I love the auto AC..my car is always at the perfect temp. My pre-owned came with it - if I was to chose I am not sure, haven't driven a MINI without it. I have the premium package and would defintely order that on my next mini. I don't use my sunroof much but am gald I have it, especially for resale. I also love the HK sound system. The only thing I don't like about my mini is having to hit the door handle twice to open the door, once to unlock, once to open...annoying! The only advice I have to give is to remember resale, what will bring in more $$. I paid a lot for my pre-owned MINI because of the features.

 

I say bag the auto A/C...........I have it and lately always find myself adjusting the temp or changing the venting to a different location. I don't feel as if the footwells keep a warm enough temp without directing the flow specifically there. I wouldn't order it again if buying new.

Sunroof..........I love it but it is quite noisey when open and I wish the sun shade was solid, not perforated.

Also -- keep in mind that you have the option (from what I understand) to have some functions tailored to your liking.
I.E. --- daytime driving lights/no daytime driving lights
auto door unlock when ignition turned off
(eliminates double pull to open)
--- automatic door lock (set at 12mph from factory)
Should be a list availabale from dealer and I'm not sure if this is done at factory or dealer.

 

believe me i know ^_^b , i got one in my gti's 6 speed, and i have one in its spare 5 speed >.>

i can't imagine driving another car without one.

 

when is the cut off date for ordering a 2006?

 

I just ordered mine on Saturday. They didn't tell me a cut off date, but did say it was too late if I wanted CVT (but I didn't).

 

cvt the auto tranny? im not sure what that is.

 

i got a productioin number tonight. thanks everyone that chipped in with with infos

 

Greetings everybody; this is my first post. Wifey said we could get a MINI!!!!! We will share it and we are both going to keep our trucks. I have a shed out back that I can put the MINI in during the cold winter months.

I am having so much fun with the MINI web site, I think I have every option selected! The current estimated price for the car is just over $478,000.00 HAHA

Very nice forum you all have here.

I just asked my dealer today (Princeton MINI in NJ) and they said you can still order the CVT. They said you will be able to order cars till Novemberish.
sullt, who did you talk to about the CVT deadline? I would like to talk to them. I ask because I do want the CVT.



Cheers