I am looking to purchase a Mini Countryman (also Hard Top Cooper) and I need help figuring out which options are essential and why.

I have a friend who bought a Mini Cooper last year and she tells me I must get Comfort Access and Auto Dimming. She explained how important auto dimming was but I don't know if comfort access was all that important other than that is was just a cool/convenient feature.

I would appreciate everyone's advice.

 

You by no means need comfort access, but you get addicted to it if you have it. When I bought our JCW I would have never ordered it if I was buying new. However, the used car I ended up getting had it and now when I have to actually use a key it feels very inconvenient. The convenience package was the option package my wife had to have when we bought our Countryman.

 

Wow two more need less options there are not, did she tell you, you need an alarm too.

The only option I would say is essential are xenons, as many that did not get them are saying the stock headlights give off very poor lighting. The rest are all dependent on the individual preferences. I myself felt the anthracite headliner was essential, but that was because I didn't have it on my R56, and once it was put in my head gnawed at me. To each their own, figure out whats important to you and what you can live without.

 

+1

My 2cents - Xenons are arguably a beneficial NEED.
Every other ancillary feature is only a WANT.

 

1. ALL4
2. Adaptive Turn Lights w/ Xenons & White Turn Signals
3. Heated Seats
3. Sport Suspension
4. HK System (Had 4 MINIs...this is by far the best sounding system)

 

Yes comfort access is cool....but in my opinion not essential. We have it on our countryman and like it but if you aren't used to it in the first place you don't miss it.

I agree xenons would be a good option to get as they are great at night and worth the money in my opinion.

We did get auto dimming rear and side view mirrors. In our old MCS my wife would always get blinded in the side views by trucks and suvs. While the countryman rides higher my wife really wanted the auto dim side views. Just last night I noticed how nice they were when we were driving home at night. Not necessarily a need but they do tend to make driving at night much nicer.

 

I agree that xenon are mandatory - and that means
Xenon headlights
Adaptive light control
(White turn-signal lights - with xenon)
(Rain sensor and auto headlights - with adaptive)

also I wanted

Bluetooth

and

Automatic climate control (manual was terrible)

 

How you plan to drive the car and your own personal preferences will determine which options are of greatest value/importance to you.

I live in northern NJ and my kids like to ski so All4 was critical for us and without it we would not have purchased the car. But if you live where it rarely snows or otherwise don't find yourself in situations where AWD is needed, then ALL4 is a waste of $.

Likewise, if you plan to drive aggressively or take you car out on the track, the sports suspension could be of great value to you. As well, consider the performance tires in place of the all season tires if this is the case.

I also agree with the folks above that Xenon headlights are a good idea as they give you significantly improved visibility at night...an excellent safety feature and well worth the extra $. As is Bluetooth for hands-free phone access.

Beyond that, the remaining options are really more a question of desire than true need. For myself, since I'll be driving this car for many years to come, comfort is important so I added the heated seats and automatic AC. And since I'll be taking the kids skiing in the winter, the roof rack base was something of a necessity for me so I can attach the Thule ski rack I already own.

Other than that I'd say that most, if not all, of the remaining options are strictly 100% "want to have" items...I have difficulty imagining that any could be considered as "needed", although I'm sure some folks will argue for their favorites. So, if having a good sound system is important to you then go with the stereo upgrade...if you want more storage and/or a place to rest your arm, add the center arm rest...if you want the convenience of leaving your key in your pocket, include the convenience package...etc., etc., etc. None of these are truly "need to have" items.

The only upgrades I've really seen mixed/poor reviews on are the Mini Connect and NAV system, and the single piece center rail. It seems that some folks are having problems with Connect & NAV while others seem to really like them. I didn't need/want either feature so I didn't get them. And as for the center rail, I opted for the two-part rail so my kids can move from one side of the car to the other w/o having to climb over the rail. Even if I didn't have kids I'm not sure I'd want that rail in there restricting movement in the back and that's a concern I've seen lots of posts about.

Outside of the Connected & NAV system issues and concerns about the center rail, I've not really come across many complaints about the other available options so I think you're safe going with most anything you decide that you need or want.

Good luck!