Hello,

I'd like some opinions on the following OEM accessories, big thanks in advance :

Glove compartment organizer: This seems worth while, but it doesn't seem too secure. Any problems with this? Worth it?

Center console tray: I've seen a few opinions where people have said it should have come with the car in the first place. As it stands right now, I have a few things set there without the tray. Do you think this one is really worth it?

Valve stem caps: These are cool little trinkets, but I've read a couple of people who have had them get stuck on the valve stems. Having to get a valve stem replaced with the sensor would be terrible for such a little trinket. Worth it?

Bumper protection strip: Clear or black, I haven't seen one of these on any MINI out there (at all). I've got a couple of scratches on the bumper already, not bad for being a couple of years old. Did you find this worth while getting?

Rubber boot mat: I could imagine this being worth it, prevents things from getting too ugly if some liquid container leaks. Worth it?

Luggage compartment cover: Might be pretty useful if you have to transport the random pet, have read online that this cover is not really form fitting (at least not to the r56) and it just a big sheet that goes behind the front seats, drapes to the rear. Pretty pricy for a big piece of fabric. Worth it?

Grocery bag holder: I could imagine it's usefulness, but I've read a few people who said it was flawed and they don't use it. Do you?

 

The glove box organizer is fairly useful, it just sits in there but it does give you space to put more items without rummaging through everything. It's inexpensive. I'd buy it again.

I have the Union Jack valve stems, and like them very much. I remove them at least once a month to check my tire pressure and have not had any sticking issues. I would buy them again.

Can't help you with anything else, but here are a few things that I really do like very much:
1. third brake pulsar from GoMiniGo. Quick DIY, and it helps keep people off your tail. Less than $30, less than an hour install, very happy. Noticed a difference right away.

2. collapsible trunk organizers from Harbor Freight, for the boot. Holds groceries. Actually, holds everything. Fits perfectly in the boot recess. I have two and adore them. They fold flat when not needed. About $10

3. Cravenspeed dip stick. Not everyone feels the need to have it, but I love it. Lets me check my oil quickly and accurately. Or, modify your dipstick to make one flat side with holes in it, and shave down the lower bulb so it doesn't drag oil.

4. Window tint. Wish I had gotten it sooner. Just a bit on the sides, and medium on the back three windows. Makes a difference!

You weren't asking about those, but thought that you might like to know about them. :-)

 

I have the rubber boot mat, it came with my MINI and I'm glad it did. I think I'd probably buy it otherwise. The nets in the back keep most things off of the mat but the mat was a whole lot easier to clean than the carpet when my gravy container spilled in the back this thanksgiving. Tho it probably wouldn't have spilled if I wasn't taking corners at 30mph

I just have the little "S" valve caps. I think they're a whole lot better looking than some black plastic and I definitely would have bought them if they didn't come on the car.

The bumper protection strip would definitely be worth whatever the investment is. I would absolutely get one if my car wasn't wrapped in vinyl already.

My car has a little rubber mat in the center console tray. It's not the one pictured, it's just smooth without the bumps. I don't see how anything additional would be necessary. I don't think I've ever put anything down there so I think the tray is pointless.

I've been pretty interested in the luggage compartment cover to protect my interior when I'm carrying around some of my camera gear in big heavy cases. I'm interested in hearing what others think about it.

 

Good, I'll probably pick those up.

Yeah, that thing is a pretty bad design. I remember watching a MINI video where they show how to check the oil, and they have to clean it 3 times to get a somewhat accurate reading. Definitely going to do this one sooner or later.

Being in Cali, the tint laws here are pretty terrible, the car has pretty weak factory tint on the windows, and I might end up doing this down the road. It'll probably be the strongest transparent tint I can install.

I find it all interesting regardless of whether I'm ready to install it now or not.

Thanks

 

As to the tint, I'm in San Diego too, and the installer said that he has never had anyone come back to remove that side window tint because of a ticket. It's pretty mild. The back three, you can go dark with legally. I was more worried about being able to see out at night, but haven't had any problems. It was a medium tint, not dark.

PM me if you are interested in coming to a club breakfast in Mission Valley. You can check out our cars and hang out, very informal and nice. Next one is Dec 1st. :-)

 

Like - rubber boot mat. It gets dirty back there.

Dislike - valve stem covers. Unless they are plastic on the inside. I have had them in aluminum and I have had them seize up on the valve stem. There is lubricant that can be put on the threads of the stems to keep them from seizing. Its too much work for me for such little total impact.

 

The glovebox organizer is useful. There is a company here that sells the european armrest that is much more sturdy than the US OEM one. (it is OEM, just the europe version).

I agree with the third brake light modulator.
Also www.v-leds.com get some LED brake lights they really help.
(I did my car all the way around)

 

I'm also a fab of v-LEDs. I don't have a single incandescent bulb anywhere on my MINI anymore

 

There is a vendor here that has an organizer it is half the cost. Sorry for the second post.

 

Then I'll consider the valve stem cover seizing as confirmed . Huge thanks for the info.

 

Since no one responded with a review for this one, I will. I found it used (thus worth the money). Also, could find /no/ pictures online of this in reality (we all know how some MINI accessory pictures have a reality distortion camera filter).

Advantages:

• Comes in a nice travel bag.
  
• Setup takes about 5 minutes, 10 minutes if you put it on backwards .
  
• The materials are fairly high quality.
  
• Velcro to attach to different places in the back.

Disadvantages:

• If you do not have a rubber boot protector it /will not/ save you from liquids getting on the bottom of your back seat and in the boot area, so if you are getting this for protection, I recommend the rubber boot protector as well.

If you can find it used for a decent price (about $150 or less) it's probably worth it. They really overpriced it. I'm very happy I found it, though.

Here are pictures of it in my car. Please excuse the blue hue, too lazy to bring my car into the direct sunlight.

 

OK, I got around to picking up an OEM outdoor car cover in an attempt to mitigate the morning dew and following dust collection on the roof. This is after another car cover I had caused scratches on the roof, and is now a functional bicycle cover.

This car cover appears to be a quality build, but I am not convinced that it will last the test of time, and would be surprised if it lasts more than a couple of years without tears. I am also extremely disappointed by lack of method of securing to the vehicle, to prevent it from walking away in the middle of the night, which is not unlikely where I live. I will probably mod it in the future with a couple of custom padeyes to secure it with a cable and lock.

Here is an album of photos of it in real life.

Advantages:

• Comes with a travel bag which is affixed to the car cover itself.
• Funny as hell.
• Washable.
• Extremely lightweight.
• Clear rear license plate window.

Disadvantages:

• It comes with no method of securing it to the car, to prevent theft.
• No pocket for the upper antenna.

The only mystery to me is the purpose for a couple of covered pockets in the upper, middle roof area (also pictured in the gallery).

 

That is an amusing cover! It may not last for too many years, but you won't have to wash the car as often.
I'm a big fan of California Car Covers, they make custom covers and are very high quality. Though sometimes the one that I have does allow some moisture underneath, during the night, but it is gone by morning. I like that I can wash my CCC, throw it right in the washer and dryer and it's done. I've used it almost every day for neary two years.
The main thing is that the car needs to be clean before covering it. :-) it takes a little work, that's for sure.
You might want to get a car cover cable, and put some big grommets in the cover for attaching.

 

The OEM car coverage is very unique : the parking ticket. Convertibles have the Mc MINI cover !
Parking ticket / wheel boot cover comes with a zipper bag and instructions. All i can think of for the flap is for the cover to breath since its outdoors and so air trapped when you put it on can be let out. That one of the only covers with the flap.

Here is the one for the R56:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82150420192/ES207602/




Since it does not have a lock you would either have to modify the car cover with a eyelet and add the BMW lock kit. The MINI lock kit is NLA.

Goes under the body from side to side.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82111467081/ES195577/




All below are R56 MINI Hardtop fitments:

Another car cover that is very Nice is the JCW Red version Outdoor.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82150420558/


Black / White Heliport - Indoor

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82150420193/


Car Cover - JCW Green - Indoor

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/82150420671/

There is also the standard outdoor gray cover and the indoor gray cover also.


For the OEM accessories. The glove box organizer does work well and helps with the clutter. Easy to install.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/51110416593/ES73526/

 

I have cargo area cover and now added rubber boot mat. I have the cover on full-time (running the car as 2-seater) for scuba diving weekends I do often. The cover has velcro covered opening at the boot area that could let liquid escape to boot so I added rubber boot mat as the last line of defense. I think this combo makes the car pretty much weekend-proof. And if you have extra passengers for the rear seat, you can put the cover into carrying case that comes with it, and still have the boot mat for basic protection.