I love my MINI. It is the last car that I will buy before retirement so I went all out and got everything I wanted in it. The only thing that I am upset about is that the 2011 models will not have dvd nav so now I have a 2010 dvd nav model and the next model year comes out with cool new nav stuff. Dang, Dang, Dang. However, I got the Mayfair and I wanted the special edition so it was so worth it to me. I just hope they keep making the DVD updates for the nav or are us dvd nav users going to be stuck with old road maps lol......

 

Pick up a JVC KD-R810 head unit and swap out your stock unit. The JVC looks like it came with the car (you can set the LED colors to exactly what you want), and it comes with front and back usb (ipod controlable), bluetooth, and is only about $190. If you're leaving the stock speakers, then you don't need an amp or anything else.

The JVC KD-R610 is cheaper, but doesn't have bluetooth or a rear usb.

 

I have a 2007 MCS, so it has a different layout. The head unit is in the speedometer.

 

Well I can't speak to the sunroof since I have the convertible, but I LOVE the heated seats! I've had ocassion to drive topless at 32 degrees (some others have braved colder) and the heated seats were just awesome. And when the wifes back starts hurting I turn on her seat and presto, (almost) instant relief!

I am also a really big fan of the auto-dimming mirror with the garage door opening buttons on it. A similar thing came with my Prius and it's great. Of course it was a real PIA X2 to get programmed correctly especially when I had to do the operation by myself.

Regrets:

Not having the wireless entry feature like the one in the Prius. I just love being able to enter and start the car without ever removing the little FOB from my pocket. I looked into the convienence package, but it was at little too expensive so I just added the mirror after I bought SJ.

Source of minor irritation:

The speed (actually lack of) of retraction/extension of the convertible top. I make sure I drive extra slowly leaving the house or parking lot so there is enough time to retract the roof without hitting the speed limit that causes the car to start complaining quite loudly.

Sources of fascination/awe:

Performance, handling, gas mileage, the ability to customize a lot of the options and that the profile is saved in the FOB so each driver can have their own profile (and I don't have to worry about the dealer changing MY settings), and finally did I mention handling?!?

 

no regrets at this time. would like rear distance...but not a big deal.

 

I regret taking my Mini out to the Lost Coast up in Northern California and driving too fast and hitting a pot hole and blowing both right side tires and knocking the suspension out of alignment. And they were nearly new tires.

 

I've had my Lil Guy, MCS, for about 9 months now, and no regrets, but if I were to do it again I would get a JCW.

 

I bought my Mini during the Cash for Clunkers program, so I needed to buy one from dealer stock. This gave me several options I wouldn't have picked, and one option I wish I had.

Things I wouldn't have ordered but now love:

1. Sunroof. I've never used them in the other cars I have owned, but I LOVE the Mini sunroof. The vented sunroof keeps the car cool while parked in the sun, and gives the whole car a bright, airy feel.

2. Nav. I wouldn't have paid for this pricey option, but I really love the integrated display for the radio, bluetooth calls, and occasionally nav functions.

3. Xenon headlights - love them

4. Auto air - very convenient, much more useful than I thought

5. "S" version - oh yeah!

Things I would have ordered and miss:

1. Keyless entry and keyless ignition system found in the convenience package. It's overpriced for what you get, but I still wish I had it.

 

I wish I'd skipped the "justa" clubby with the JCW aero kit and gotten the S that I was considering along side it. The kit just looked so NICE though!

 

Good one...spoken like a true smawt ayuss.

 

 

I have had my MCS for little over a month now. I pretty much ordered just the things I wanted. I love every option I have, the only other thing I wish I would have added was the Ipod adapter and I would like to have tried the comfort access.

 

I really wish I had seen a set of white turn signals before I ordered mine. It's amazing how much I'd love to change that one little detail about my Mini - I love it other than that.

 

Shoulda gotten convenience package and LSD

 

i bought my 05 cooper s used, so i have no say in "wishing" i ordered this or that.

but here's what i wish it came with from the used car dealer:

auto-dimming mirror (although i do have the garage door buttons, figure that one out!) i had an auto-dimming mirror on my last vehicle, and i miss it every day! the dealer told me that the mini had it and i believed them (along with LSD!!!)

(and with that said) i wish it had LSD!

xenon lights. i bought some off ebay for dirt cheap and i love them! the stock halogens were good, no complaints about them, but i just love xenon lights! the ebay ones i bought work better than my stock lights (yes, really!) and took about 20 mins to install. all plug-n-play. it took longer to adust them right, lol

bluetooth. i drive a lot and with a lot of states passing (or trying to pass) hands-free calling laws, it would be a nice feature. (anyone have one they'd be wanting to sell????? i have navi so it'd have to work with that )

oil pressure and temp gauges! this is the first car i've ever owned that didn't have gauges for it. stupid on-board computer "lets" me know when it's too hot, but at that point you pretty much have to stop and let the car cool down. and with no reservoir, you got wait a while......

that's about all i wish i had......

things i hate!!!

no option available for window vents (you know, the little visor things that go on the outside of the car so when you roll the window down a little in the rain, the rain stays out instead of pouring in!) if you can find them somewhere, please tell me ASAP!!!

the electric power steering pump. german engineering at it's best there! i drove through a big puddle that barely even made it to the bottom of the car (from local flooding) to get to work, with no way to go around it, and it died right then and there! i'd love to meet the genius who thought it was brilliant to put an electric motor on the bottom of the engine where it would be subjected to the elements! i'd take my old p/s pump and shove it up his f***ing a** sideways!!!

the cup holders! thank god mine had the one on the center pillar when i bought it. seriously, unless all you drink is red bull, you can't use the stock cup holders!

run-flats! what more do i need to say? sports tuned cars should have sport tires, not all season run-flats that suck and cost a s***-ton to replace, and don't last long at all.

no rear mud flaps for 2005 models!!! did they just forget or something??? i'm tempted to buy a set from a different year and try to make it work!

it has a curb weight of 2882lbs with me in it! a small hatchback like this should be a good 500lbs less!!!

the whole back-firing/gar-galling thing that they "supposedly" fixed but never did from 2800 to 4500 rpms. it's stupid and why does it not do it if you rev to 5000rpms and let off the gas, but rev to 4500rpms and it does it like crazy???

the mushrooming of the upper strut tower pillow tops! this should have been a recall, not the stupid catalytic converter thing thing, which i didn't receive a notice in the mail on it until the day after i passed 100,000 miles while going to work! they'd replace it for free if you had less than 100,000 miles!

the lugs! i know it's a german thing, but seriously, the "locking" lugs suck and the adapter is easily messed up.

wheel speed sensors that ALWAYS go when i change the brake pads!!! is this something that MINI did intentionally, or am i doing something wrong here??? i don't like spending $300 to do brakes myself!

and with that out of the way, here's what i love about it:

the supercharger! god i love that whine and with my smaller pulley you really hear that b**** scream!!! no if only i could put a blow-off valve on it instead of the by-pass valve.....

the go-cart handling

the navigation (all thought the "menu" button doesn't work. the navi still works but can't get in to the on-board computer screen. i have a post up about it, any takers? lol)

the fog lights

being able to tool on wrx's, honda's, and vw's

the heated seats! even in the summer, i use them with the a/c on!!!

the fact that the rear seats are almost impossible for a full grown person to sit in so i never have more than 1 passenger

the glove box is refrigerated when the a/c is on

the weight balance is off. heavier on the passenger side to accommodate for the driver's weight, making it more balanced with a driver in it

the panoramic "sky" sun roof. i grease mine up every couple months and open it up several times a month to ensure it works fine (like using the a/c every month to make sure that will stay working) and it's awesome. i am getting mine blacked out to eliminate the sun glare

the fact that i'll never need to replace the batteries in my keyless entry again! 2005+ recharges them when you drive

the floor area and door sill lights. i love that they turn on when you open the door or turn the center roof light. sure makes spotting a puddle at night easy when getting out, or looking for that lost turnpike ticket that fell on the floor!

pretty much everything in the car that i didn't ***** about or wish i had, lol and i know it sounds like i was bitching a lot. and well, i was! lol but i think that no matter how many people you have working on something, it will never be perfect. now, i don't think all the stuff i listed isn't nearly as bad as any other car company would get from the owners. it could always be worse, i could be driving a ford focus again!

but i am superbly (that's a word! google that s***!) happy with my MINI!!! i'm gonna drive it into the ground, or at least until i can get my hands on a newer one! i'm really liking the fact that the countryman has AWD!!!

 

Love the Xenon's and the Sport Supension, wish I'd had the JCW Aero kit installed from day one. Hoping somebody will give me a love-tap in the parking lot and I can get the Kit it replace the stock parts

 

+1 to what you said above.

in order to make my '10 base clubman "feel" like an S, i treated her with these upgrades:
S gas cap, checkered mirror caps, 17" BBS R90 anthracite wheels, checkered roof decal, JCW honeycomb grill, bonnet stripes, K&N air filter, white side marker, and more.

-calvin

 

XEON Head LIghts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Bought mine used so it wasn't a matter of ordering the right car but finding the right car at the right price. Ended up with an '02 MCS last year after eight months of looking.

My MUST have were:
Supercharger (did not want a turbo)
Sunroof
6-speed
Sport Suspension w/ 17" wheels
Leather Seats
Southern car
Clean CarFax

Like to have:
Heated seats (got them)
HK Stereo

Have upgraded my speakers, really sound good for a base HU.

But what I REALLY wanted was a Checkmate Edition. I know it's just a looks package but I love the interior appointments. After eight months I had to give up on a Checkmate but if the right one comes my way I just might have to upgrade.

 

Cruise control was a must have in my second MINI, it was lacking in my first one. I've used it only a handful of times in the past 2 years. Turns out it wasn't as important to me as I thought. Those heated seats are another thing, though. Very very glad to have them.

 

I really miss the XEON headlights that I had on my first MINI. I wish I'd gotten the convenience package, too.

I also don't particularly like the color on the MINI I have now (astro black), but color was the least important thing on my list. Now it kinda bugs me when I look at it.

 

I wish I would have gotten the moonroof, but I'm thinking of getting the AC Schnitzer roof to remedy that decision..... or just picking up an '07 S.

 

Wish I wouldn't have gotten the harmon kardon sound system, I recently upgraded and it was a nightmare. Had to replace the amp and the speakers because harmon's product only works with other harmon products.

 

Don't get me wrong, we love our 'Moster', but looking back... I wouldn't have bought this exact one.. I would have looked a little longer for the right one.

It was advertised as an '05 MCS, sold in Germany to an American soldier. Built USA-spec, with the Chili package, leather seats (listed as factory fitted) and the SatNav option. The seller (a garage) told us it was dealer-maintained, had the power steering pump replaced and some other parts replaced under warranty. It was sold to us with approx. 95k kilometers on the clock.

The garage blatantly lied to us... But by then it was already too late :(

It's a 2005 MCS, without the chili package, has (very poorly) retrofitted leather seats of which one came loose this week. The car is not dealer-maintained, the seller falsified these documents. We are not sure about the mileage (kilometrage). Also the SatNav runs on a copied DVD, we expected better from a garage!
We knew there where a few things wrong with the car:
- The front brakes (discs and pads) need replacement before November 2011.
- A balljoint needs replacement
- the handbrake-cable is "loose"

We agreed on this garage not doing the work to fix this, saved us about €2000 ($2600).
We payed €12.000 ($15.500) for the car, which is a great deal here. If it would have been a chili with only the known problems...

There's a few more and I hate it.
- The passenger seat has a busted sensor: approx. $390
- The DSC-switch did not work (DSC wasn't functional): 12 hours to find and fix a loose pin in a connector ($30)
- The fan for the power steering motor is missing! (Completely gone!): $125
- The Belt tensioner needed replacement, as well as the adjustable pulley (and the belt): $450
- The oil had not been changed in over 30.000 miles! $100
- Nearly all replenishable fluids where low (oil, coolant, wipers): $25
- The washers for the Xenons where both clogged up (should have tested that, fixed it myself.. Took me 3hours)
- Needed new wipers, couldn't get the ones I wanted, have to do it again: total $90

All in all I feel violated, have made complaints at the garage, at al kinds of companies and authorities.. But no one can help. Mind you, I live in Europe. I cant just go and sue these guys, it'd cost me just over $1000 to sue, then I'd have to pay the lawyer myself and then I would get a maximum of $2500. It's not worth it!

Right now I've added some options to get it up to Chili-spec, I'll fix what's necessary and when that's done.. That will set me back to a grand total of about $17500-18000.
After that I think I'm going to sell it and get another one, current market-prices are high: this car is valued at over $19.000 right now (with 70k miles, SatNav and the other specs) if it is in good condition, which it will be Hope to get my money out to buy another Mini hatchback. (We don't like the clubman, the Countryman is out of our price range)


-----
The options I mis:
- Climate Control (automatic air conditioning)
- Heated seats (can be retrofitted for ~$200)
- Autom. wipers
- Autom. Dimming mirrors
- MFN steering (with the phone-upgrade, but also for the cruise-control)
- Park assist
- Aero-package (pref. JCW)

What we have and want:
- Harman/Kardon sound
- Leather seats (Lounge is preferred)
- Sunroof
- OBC
- Xenons
- Painted wheel arches
- 17" S-spoke (I like the flamespokes too)

Retrofitting for a new car:
- Alcantara dashboard-top/roof-liner
- Custom-art dashboard vynil
- Mount a GReddy Informeter (don't really like the scangaugeII)
- Hard-wire the TomTom iPhone carkit
- DDM CAI

 

I only regret a couple of things.
1) Not getting a MINI sooner.
2) Not contacting MINI of Pittsburgh first!!!

Other than that, I am super happy with mine. Then again, I am really easy to please, heck I would have been ok with crank windows.