I would be interested to hear opinions about which MINI features/options you find essential or wish you had opted for and which ones you could easily live without.

For
----
Climate control. Now that I've had a car with a true thermostat I can't believe they still make cars without it.
Cruise control. How is this not standard equipment on every MINI?

Against
----
HK Stereo. Pointless on a cabrio. Road noise always wins.

 

Xenon lights...I feel a must!

Don't get light colored leather seats with a cabrio.

I bought mine off the lot, so I didn't have a lot of say.

However, I do have the HK stereo, and w/o it, I wonder if I would be able to hear if I didn't have it (because I have the cabrio).

Run flat tires...WASTE of BIG money!!!

 

Well, the heated seats were probably the single best option we got in the cabrio. It's not just for getting warm, when my back hurts and I kick it on it's like therapy!!!

We didn't opt for any of the auto climate control, but I wish I'd have gotten
1. The Xenons
and
2. The auto wipers; the "standard" wipers don't have much adjustment for light rain (well, any adjustment really)

We didn't get the HK and I'm fine with that, most of the time my wife makes me turn off my music anyway...

Thinking back, there was a supercharger (that would have probably gotten me into a bunch of trouble) that if I had to do it over again, I'd have probably added, but it's hindsight at this point.

 

 

Heated Seats, I will never own another car without them. Sport suspension is critical as well.

 

None of them are essential, imo. I have a Cooper so I've always gotten sport seats....and I like the MFSW. I could easily live w/o either, though.

 

MFSW? I don't know what this is.
I do not have sport seats and my husband does. I like his seats better but not a must have.

 

+10 - heated seats (cold weather package - heated mirrors are cool too) must have in O-H-I-O

also love sunroof, can open any time and turn on heated seats

I lived w/out Mini option for Sirius radio, instead I got a portable so I can take it out of mini in play in boombox. +1 for me .

No run-flats, heard they were a bad idea. No need in MC since we have a spare. Right Reboopie?

 

Multi-Function Steering Wheel.

You have a Multi-Function non-Sober Wellzy!

 

Obviously everybody has their own priorities. I'm on my second MINI and neither has had cruise control and I don't miss it. I only take one or two trips a year that are 300-400miles in one direction (600-800 miles roundtrip) and for once or twice a year I can live without it. As for climate control, as long as it has AC or open windows I'll be happy. I didn't think the auto-temp system in the Premium Package on the R53 was very intelligent.

+1 on Xenons! Both my MINIs have had them and I can't envision not having them, I just couldn't feel comfortable.

Critical options would be anything that makes you smile.

 

Heated seats
Bluetooth much better than pulling off the road, and zombies with their hand to their ear need their own lane.
LSD

ipod integration Clumsy interface that cripples the ease of navigating the ipod. I'd be about as happy with a simple line in.

While the comfort access option is a nonessential luxury, I'd have to say I'd opt for it again

 

Love the climate control and heated seats

what don't I need? The worthless cup holders!!!

 

Necessary:
Panoramic sunroof- I couldn't see traffic lights without it, not to mention the convertible "feel" one gets with it.

Xenon's- Saved me from hitting a 10+ point buck on Rt. 21 the other night doing 65.

Supercharger- No explanation needed!

Leather(ette)- Easy to clean, nice feel to it.

I truly don't find any option unnecessary, although I don't have a fully loaded MCS.

Wish I had heated seats/mirrors and an armrest!

 

Don't order the factory arm rest, We did and it opens all the time and looks CHEAP.

 

also auxilary guages. Pretty much just an asthetic to me because I don't know what they mean. But they look too cool lit up in orange.

If you're talking aftermarket I'd include a rear sway bar, strut tower brace, and M7 understrut system and my eight ball shifter. Also Mini Mania JCW air filter replacement.

 

Windscreen for the convertible.

 

I read through this thread fully expecting to find someone bashing the NAV. And it wasn't here! Maybe people are realizing that the NAV, while not "critical" really does have many nice features to it, and that those of us who have it find it very useful. Yes, you can always go out and buy a Nuvi or whatever, but all the integration with the factory NAV is nice, making it so much more than just navigation.

 

For
Heated seats - I'll never buy another car without them.
Against
Auto air - I can figure out how to set the cabin temp.
HK - I listen to talk radio.
Nav - I just can't get over the price.

 

Nothing is that critical that I couldnt live without it, but here are some of my preferences:

cloth seats - cool in summer and quick to warm in winter, without electrons.
sunroof - love it - a must have.
stick - no automatics for me.
climate control - nice feature but hardly a necessity.
ipod, or universal adapter - i rarely us the radio and cds even less - must have.
control buttons steering wheel - i use these ALL the time.
cruise control - another must have.