I read that if one want s to spec 6.5" or 8.8" screen then backup camera and PDC are mandatory? That's extra $500 price increase and $1,000 for cr@@p I don't need. Thanks Mini for pushing me to GTI.

 

You don't. Just click on the Media package or the wired package and it is visual boost without PDC or rear view camera, it does add some other options though.

 

Except the current configurator is still 2014?

Her's the press release:

New Requirements – for Hardtop vehicles only
Vehicles equipped with Comfort Access will be required to take Alarm System. Both options are optimal for cold weather climates & city dwellers.

Vehicles with either screen (8.8” or 6.5”) will be required to take Rear-view Camera and Park Distance Control as well. These options add value and maximize the functionality of our screens.

What a load of manure

 

You're misreading it. They mean that if you want the back up cam, you have to have one of the larger screens. You can still have the digital screens without the back up cam or parking sensors.

And the configurator is 2015, not 2014. That changed over a few weeks ago with updated pricing and option grouping.

 

They removed both the requirements. It was only enforced for a few days. Lots of people complained about the Alarm requirement for comfort access and so they removed it.

The configurator is accurate for 2015.

 

I can confirm what MasterYoda said about the Comfort package and alarm requirement. I ordered Comfort and did NOT get an alarm on my 2015 MCS.

It sounds like you can get a Mini exactly how you want it!

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/06/...s-for-the-f56/

 

Well back to Mini for me then!

Thank you for clarification everyone

 

Honestly, this was the final straw for me, so ended up leaving MINI. I was already not impressed with the F56 and was not shy telling them that those requirements were one (of many) reasons I would not be a third timer. Then of course they changed it lol. Anyway, I'm happy with my Mazda3, but miss my R56. Looking forward to seeing if they get back on track with Gen 4. Many love their F56's - it just wasn't for me. Motor on!

 

How do you feel about the 15 Mazda3's getting a manual in the S model? It's a bigger car than I want (I have a 2006 Mazda3 now) but with the 2.5L getting a manual, it's back on my radar.

 

You still won't have illuminated switches. ;-)

 

Haha, but at least the tach is a proper size, unlike the 3i or the F5x.

 

It's great! I would have definitely gotten the S manual if I could have waited, but I had to go with an iGT which was the highest trim with a manual. I'm happy with it though, but definitely would have preferred the 2.5. I'm used to the size now, but going from a MINI to pretty much anything else feels huge at first ha! It's a really nice car for the money I think.

 

Yes, the differing dashes on the Mazda3, especially on those with manual, is bizarre beyond belief! Having said that, the tach on the F56 is good enough to impart the necessary info, but agreed that it was a strange design choice. As for the speedometer, as I have the HUD, I rarely look at the "real" speedometer, as it seems.

 

As someone who tested the 3 three times and nearly pulled the trigger (non-S's were too stripped for my taste, with insulting package options, and manual was a "must"), I can say that the F56 is nicer, for the same money, plus it's fully customizable, with whatever I wanted, and not being forced to take what I didn't want. The F56 is just as, or even more fuel-efficient as the SkyActive nonsense.

Mazda can kiss my *** with their b.s. packaging decisions. They lost a customer due to it.

I love my F56 and am GLAD I didn't compromise on a Mazda3, which would have been necessarily full of compromises. I'd more likely have gotten a fully-loaded Kia Forte5 SX. At least there, loaded means few or no compromises, too, but the F56 seduced me more.

 

Also, IDrive beats Mazda's buggy system any day.

 

Tried to get my wife interested in a 2014 Mazda3, but she insisted on a CX-5. The extra roominess of the CX-5 meant I could get an MCS. Really like my F56!

BTW, good luck trying to get an iPod to work right in your Mazda. They are stonewalling us. Her son got a 2015 Mazda6 and the same iPod problem. Unbelievable!

 

Eh, no need to get feisty peeps. I've had no problems with my Mazda3. iPod works fine, infotainment/nav runs like buttah and I don't have to form a claw to use the controller. I've heard of the issues with the 6 and cx-5 though. It's a completely different system in the 3.

Anyway, I prefer it over the F56 but not the R56. It was sort of a compromise since I couldn't get the R56 I wanted and wasn't going to get an F56. Getting the same mpg as R56 with same size tank but much more space. Smaller tank was a big turn off on the F56.

Anyway, this is a MINI forum so not going to dwell on my choice. It had everything I wanted and then some and just added some accessories to customise and saved some money too.