Hi Everyone,

I'll be ordering a 2010 JCW in a month or so, and I am making my decisions as to what options to choose but there is some I cannot decide on so I thought I'd see what people think. I know that some of the choices I have are aesthetic and will come down to my person tastes but I would still like to hear your opinion.

Just for the record this would be my 3rd Mini. I had a Black 2004 Cooper S, and I currently drive a Pure Silver 2006 Cooper S with Leatherette Seats.

Anyways, here are the choices I'm thinking about:

Color: I'm sas that they no longer do Lightning Blue, so I'm leaning towards Horizon Blue with a Black Roof.

Stripes: Can't decide between Black Bonnet Stripes and Black Sports Stripes (my current Mini has Bonnet Stripes)

Suspension: Is it worth it to get the $500 Factory installed Sports Suspension or the $1255+ dealer installed JCW Sport Suspension over the stick suspension?

Other JCW Options: Any other JCW options you'd recommend? (I'm leaning towards the JCW Aero Kit).

Interior: I was going to get leather seats but keep reading bad things about them, so might stick with leatherette. IS leather worth the $1500/$2000?

Interior Surface: Cannot decide between the Fluid Silver or Plano Black. I generally like darker coloring, but I'm worried that the Plano Black is too shiny. (I know, I should check them both out in person).

Any other options you would highly recommend?

Thanks, and I look forward to reading your opinions.

 

H/K stereo,comfort pak,factory jcw aero kit with painted arches, JCW steering wheel.

Order the sport suspension ( to get bigger front swaybar ) but install eibach prostreet coilovers ($965 with free shipping)with a 19 mm eibach rear swaybar($99 with free shipping).

 

I've heard the leather is very poor quality, and poor value given the $$$.

 

JCW Steering Wheel - changed handling more than anything for me. (I went with leather, as Alcantra tends to wear quicker)

Stripes - I have the sport/LeMans stripes on the Clubman, think they're better on the rear.

I have the piano black, my only other option would be CF (which I had in my old car). Leather will breath better in the summer months (be less hot)

I have all 3 packages, I prefer xenon lamps. Supposedly the H/K stereo is good; as the HiFi sucks.

 

My car was light on options, but I like waht I now have,(read below as to how my car is set up). I like the Rooster Red seats( see the gallery section for photos),best of both worlds,cloth and leather. I wish I had gone for for the Nav,but 2K was a little high for me.I think for an every day the cars base suspension is great. Keep in mind I have a 2005 Lotus Elise for canyon fun.
Ron

 

I reckon you should wait until the new BMW Vanos engines come out.

 

Don't forget the rear fogs, only $100 and the toggle row is full. Even if you never turn them on you won't have a hole in your dash! It's a major issue to add the switch to the dash at a later date.

 

+1 on the rear fog lights
+1 on waiting for the new engines (that's what I'm doing)
I would not get the sports suspension, put that money towards the jcw aero kit.
If you want a better suspension, go with aftermarket.
I like the sport stripes better than the bonnet stripes.
I wouldn't get the leather, it's just not sporty IMO

 

+1 for the best color... Laser Blue
+1 for the JCW LEATHER steering wheel
Black bonnet stripes
Forget the sport suspension and get the full JCW suspension
I like the JCW aero kit with the unpainted black wheel arches. That is how a MINI should look.
Definitely spend the $100 for the rear fog lights
I have the lounge leather seats. They are great and are definitely NOT crap.
I also have the piano black. I like it.

 

I might be the wrong person to answer this question being that I actually looked for the least optioned JCW I could find.

I got a Mellow Yellow 09 with a multi function wheel and blue tooth. I come from a traditional hotrod background. I brought the mind set with me that if it doesn't make it go faster it isn't worth buying.

That said, I can tell you that I have the sport suspension and the car handles great. I can't complain at all. With the 17's and the run flats it already rides pretty stiff. I wouldn't want to make it any harder, considering how well it handles already. I hear alot of people say that you'd be better going with after market suspension over the JCW option if you're not happy with the sport.

I like my leatherette seats. However, I must admit that I might have gotten the leather if I wasn't so cheap...

I personally don't care for the aero kit. I like the badges being the only indication of the fact that it's a JCW. Once again this is my background coming into play here. I'd rather spend the money on performance under the hood.

Whatever you choose it'll be a mini and a JCW. There are no bad choices

Good luck with it!

 

Rear fogs are definitely worth getting installed at the factory.

Unless you prefer to customize your stereo, go with the HK system.

Hope it turns out great!

 

does MINI still offer the blue/black leather/cloth seats? Kind of a nice medium between full leather or full cloth, plus U get lumbar supports (if U get cloth or l'ette w/o the LSs you will feel the g-forces on your lower back upon heavy acceleration). I think these seats would look grand with laser blue, and they are ez to take care of. Just put those seats in onefish2's car for a general idea.

See my gallery for the red/black leather/cloth seats

+1 on the rear fogs. Even if U dont get fog, they're great for keeping tailgaters at bay, and being seen in heavy rainstorms.

+1 on the JCW suspension. It's a travesty these cars dont come with at least the Sports Susp

aero kits IMO are bling, and add extra weight.

stripes are subjective.

And they're not "new" engines, just tweaked with variable valve timing and a little more HP/Torque

are we confused yet??

 

Interesting, I didn't realize that you could have a JCW steering wheel and the Multifunction controls.

Thanks for all the comments so far. Here's a full list of the options I am definitely getting and those I am still deciding about:

Color: Horizon Blue with Black Roof (90% sure on this)
Stripes: Either Black Bonnet Stripes or Black Sports Stripes (Have to have stripes)
Packages: Definitely Premium and Cold Weather, definitely not Convenience.
Suspension: Factory Sports Suspension (would love the JCW Suspension but can't afford the price difference, so will settle for Sports)
Lights: Definitely Xenon Headlights & Rear Fog Lights (I have to have all the toggle switches, so Rear Fogs is a Must)
Upholstery: Probably Leatherette, but not 100% sure
Dash: Still cannot decide between Fluid Silver and Piano Black, will get Chrome Line either way though.
JCW Accessories: JCW Aero Kit, no arches (I know it's bling, but I like the way it looks), JCW Side Scuttle, maybe JCW Strut Brace, maybe JCW Steering Wheel having seen OneFish2's photo.
Other Accessories: Black Driving Lamps

Finally, would any of use recommend the Invisishield to protect the front of the car from flying stone chips?

 

It's expensive. $2000+ if memory serves. BUT... I live in NJ and drive on the interstate constantly. My car has some chips on it after only having it for 6 months. I wish I had gotten it now... I have a can of factory touchup paint that I use, but every time I wash the car the chips are screaming at me "SHOULDA GOT THE INVISA SHIELD!!!!"

 

Full Invisashield on every forward facing surface only $350 installed

 

From the dealer? I just called the dealership and they quoted me $795 for half way up the hood, or $1495 for the full hood. None of the local shops will so it for less than $1000

Where did you get yours done? I would do it right now for $350

 

I am a Dealer and my cost is $350 for the $1495 package.Had my car done by the guy that is contracted to do all tint and clearbra installs.

 

Oh. Too bad you're not closer to NJ

 

I had the Ventureshield installed on mine when I bought it http://www.ventureshield.com/. This was the same thing the dealer offered here in VA. I had mine done at a shop about a mile from the dealer (the same shop that did it at the dealer) for about 1/2 the cost. If memory serves me it was about $500 for the complete front end (1/2 hood) and mirror caps.

 

JCW wheel takes the multifunction "pods: if you have them.

My car came with Xpel installed. Entire front bumper of the car, full hood and mirror caps. Dealer asking price was $1400. Dealer through it in as part of the deal. Its hard to take it off to sell someone the car .

Its kinda like insurance. Pay now or pay later but at some point you are going to pay.