Hey everyone! this might sound kinda stupid, but I am not getting my mini (nor my license) till march 2013, but i would still like to seek tips and tricks along with aesthetic and performance advice from the knowledgeable people on this forum..

First off, My budget entails either a partly loaded JCW or a Loaded to the top Cooper S.. I am not sure which to go with yet, that's pretty much the largest of my inquires

The (Planned) JCW includes paid upgrades: Tech package w/nav, Premium package, Black headlights, Xenon headlights, White turn signals, Black Driving lamps, And a gearshift indicator.

The (Planned) Cooper s includes paid upgrades: Tech package w/nav, Premium package, Black headlights, Xenon headlights, White turn signals, Black Driving lamps, gearshift indicator, Black conical spoke (I might be thinking aftermarket,) roof rack, JCW tuning kit, JCW aero kit, carbon fiber scoop, and sport gauges.

I would also like your opinions on satin paint, I am interested in doing a satin white with black accents (rims, beltline, mirrors, roof, pretty much everything) and possibly a black offset vinyl stripe, but i'll see when I cross that road.

for means of performance parts, I need to get a feel for the vehicle first, before i start making my little devil too reckless haha

So yeah, after reading my essay I would like your input if you have a moment :D i really want to compile as much information as possible before purchasing and modifying my mini!

thanks!!

 

Isn't this pretty much a "suit yourself" deal? For example, I would forget the tech, premium, driving lamps, roof rack, tuning kit, aero kit, fiber scoop, gauges, and shift indicator. For me, the xenons are important, also the rear fog lamps and sport suspension. I bought the HK stereo, but I hardly ever listen to it, preferring to hear Molly's exhaust.

 

I guess it is preference, But I am also going for a certain look, wide and low... the roof rack is needed for transporting a 6' by 3' mini skatepark table, lamps are for improved visibility, and the shift indicator for my insecurity of my manual transmission skills haha

 

No worry with manual shifting skill; it will develop. The MINI clutch and gearbox are the best I have experienced.

A couple of features I like about the MINI: one of the computer settings shows continuous, realtime fuel economy. I love to see 99.9 mpg when I let off the gas pedal. Also, although I have driven manual shift cars for over 50 years, I appreciate the MINI's Hill Assist, which holds the brakes on inclines, for up to 2 seconds, or until the clutch is released and you're under power.

 

A new Cooper S, or a JCW and you don't have a license yet? Are your parents stupid? Can I please buy a life insurance policy on you?

What a dumb idea, why not a new Shelby Mustang? How could you think that wouldn't be a good idea?

 

i'm not one to question the way one spends their money, but i agree. a brand new, loaded , $35k+ car is a bad idea for a first car.

 

Ah, this sounds fun!

First off, not a stupid question, at least you're excited! :P

Honestly i'd go with the factory JCW, you wouldn't want to be left thinking that there was something better you could've gone with. Personally I wouldn't get the shift-indicator, nor the nav (the nav is preference though). So honestly you could save some money on the shift indicator and use it towards something else(roof-rack, since you said you needed it).

MINI is coming out with the black accents around the lights and stuff to replace the chrome, so maybe by the time you order it you'll be able to get those.

The satin paint, while it looks nice, from what i've heard is a pain to take care of, if some sap from a tree or bird droppings fall on it, you better be around to clean it off or else it'll be ruined :\ (maybe a vinyl wrap instead of full on paint?) There was someone else on the forums that had satin white vinyl on their car and it looked bad a** so I'd definitely consider that.

The JCW rims are a bit on the pricey side, so I'd definitely go with aftermarket, there's tons of choices around.

I'll see if I can find the guy with the satin white paint, he had a flickr so i'll look for that...


Found it!:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonwi...7618320603651/

 

Great help, thank you so much, I'll most likely get the jcw.. vinyl wrap sounds like the perfect idea, and it looks amazing by the means of that picture. what do the wraps usually go for? the paint was quoted at 4k so i'm guessing it might be cheaper to wrap it.
And the nav is a must, although I can go aftermarket for that too.. and the shift indicator I might just lose, seems as it's not vital.

thanks again! you guys rule.

 

I've called a few places before I get around 2k from most of them, and they last ~5 years, so if you change your mind you can always peel it off and get a different color. So two temporary vinyl wraps for the same price as one permanent paint-job :P

And as far as the nav, I just use my phone that's why I wouldn't get it

 

Hey Conrad,
I'm a Motoring Advisor at a MINI Dealership and MINI is all about want the car you get and get the car you want. If this is going to be your first car you may not want to go with the JCW. If you have previous track experience then I would say yes, but as a first car it is a powerful unit that requires some acquired driving skills especially when it comes to shifting the car as well as "energetic driving". Skill and experience are key to safe driving. Remember, not everyone else on the road may share your enthusiasm and if you make them mad the fun can be stopped with a simple cell phone call. So let a bit of common sense prevail. The S would probably enough for you to handle and still have a lot of fun with as an initial car and then you can "graduate" to a JCW as you hone you skills. Trick it out the way you want and have fun.

 

It's all about individual taste and preferences... that is why Mini says that no two Mini's coming off the assembly line in a years time are alike... all because of the number of choices and packages you have to choose from.

As far as Nav... I agree with Cherrio... your phone can do more and will be updated much quicker than any on-board nav system.

 

I actually just saw this, I make and manage all of my own finances and they won't be contributing to any part of it.. on those terms it's my own choice, there's also no need for hostility.. I'm seeking help. not confrontation.

and I might go with the S, just so i have more wiggle room financially, and I can tune it on will.. No nav, you all have convinced me. I have an iphone, i'll survive hahah. i can just get a mount.

and the vinyl sounds perfect, a lot easier than paint.

 

ConradMuscarella, you seem thoughtful and level-headed. When I see your reasons for editing your post, I am all the more convinced of it.

WeaverNH gives good advice. The Cooper S is a great car -- an amazing car for a beginning driver -- and is not a "lesser" choice.

Happy Motoring -- when the day comes

 

thanks i appreciate it :D I'm going for the S, it will actually be around 6k cheaper after vinyl so i can use that for aftermarket products and such. Going to the dealership on tuesday (there's one 8 minutes away) just to get a feel for everything, and become friendly with the salespeople.

 

One thing though, prices might have changed by the time you order your mini in march. If I'm not mistaken, the 2013 models are due out fairly soon, and I'm not sure if the pricing and options pricing will remain the same as for 2012 models. Also, I thought I remembered seeing the 2013 jcw will be available in auto as well, but for a first car/new driver, the s should be more than enough power and fun for a first car. And if u start with the top of the line first, it makes it harder to decide on your next car by not wanting to "downgrade" to something else after. Haha.

 

Yeah, the S seems perfect, I'm already partial to manual cars though.. seems more entertaining. and i'm excited to see the 2013's

what ever happened to the goodwood? I would love to see interior options like that on upcoming mini's

 

Sorry for the double post, a few more updates/ question(s).



that's my config for now, pretty much finalized besides the wheels, (going to get aftermarkets)

does anyone have experience with polar beige or the wood interiors? I would love to see some non-professional pictures..

 

These are not good pictures, but they show the English Oak.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/eisenbar/Comet008.jpg

Feel free to look at the pictures of Comet. There are 3 pictures of the interior. Two by me and one from the MA when it got there.
http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i76/eisenbar/


I still like it, but it is not as good as the picture on the MINI builder page. Not sure if you know, but it is plastic and it looks plastic. Still IMO better than the shiny options. I knew it was plastic but when I ordered I was going by the MINI builder page pictures. My dealer didn't have any cars with the English Oak so I couldn't see it in person.

I have a Justa and love it. I agree with the others on getting the S. If you get the JCW tune you aren't far from a JCW in HP.

Nice to see a "kid" (Not meant to be offensive) today that is responsible, mature and intelligent. Wish you the best and hope the pictures help.

 

The oak looks pretty good, I think it will nicely compliment the light interior.. And yeah I know the oak is synthetic, I was considering fabricating a dash from walnut burl or quatersawn rosewood, but I can always tackle that in a latter period.. Seems like a lengthy project and the English oak isnt any extra, so I'll go with that. Comet is nice! I like that sporty look, I was originally going for that. I changed my mind to a classy racecar haha.. Something unusual. And I appreciate the compliments, and "kid" is never an insult.. To be young at heart, is to retain fun thanks for the help!

 

A little update/ thank you/ input seeker :D

I have finalized my configuration, and will be ordering by the end of august (unless the 13' comes out) I am really happy with my selections, and i'm glad I strayed away from my original design

Eclipse Grey, Black bonnet/roof/mirrors, White turn signals, Toffee Leather/Cloth, Oak dash, Toffee color line, Technology Package, Premium package, Jcw package, Xenon Headlights.



I'm excited.. anything I'm missing?

Once again, thanks for all your help!

 

I like it. I think the toffee goes better with the oak then polar. I like the Grey which wasn't available for the Justa. Still would have got the LiB. Things you may want to consider. The armrest, I got the dealer updated one for the storage and padding. It is ~$400 vs. the $250. If you go to the dealer you can check out them out and decide. Maybe the JCW Sport Guage (Really pricy)? This for coolant temp. It annoys me I don't know when my cars is warmed up. Have you considered mudflaps?

Otherwise I like it. Some good choices.

 

thanks! and yeah, the toffee is a ton better and the cross-stitching on the seats is awesome, one of my favorite things about the interior.

The sport gauges were a consideration, although I might also take a look at aftermarket options.. i'll see from there

 

One thing I would advice if you haven't already, but try to see the eclipse grey color in person and in the sun. By just using the builder I was set on eclipse grey till I was at a dealership and saw it in person in the sunlight. It had a slight greenish/brown color undertone in the light that I didn't realize it had from just usin the online builder and decided to change colors upon seeing it in person. In the showroom and in the shade I thought it looked like an amazing color though