For those that have the rear view camera and rear park distance control, do you think it was worth the extra cost?

 

If you have rear visibility problems, then yes, it's well worth it.
My all of my windows are tinted and my camera helps a ton to see and park straight.

 

I don't have a camera but do have the back up system. Pretty good thing to have.

 

I think the mirrors are sufficient.

 

Had back up sensors on my 07 Mini S Vert. On my 2016 S, I opted for sensors and the backup camera and have never regreted it. Worth every penny IMO;.

 

The camera is handy, but for me, not necessary - I say it depends on your driving skill.

 

Off the backup topic but you went from Gen1 to Gen3. Any thoughts on the differences? The look, handling, power etc?

 

Never thought I would care, but after having it for a while ... it's a must have option.

 

Can't comment on the MINI (don't have it), but I do have both in my Yukon and I really like the camera for a couple of reasons that I wouldn't necessarily have thought about. One is that because it's at the back of the car, you can look up and down the aisle and see if anyone is coming before you back out, even if you are between a couple of vans. The other is that the camera has excellent night vision - way more useful than your backup lights. I don't think the sensors would be all that useful in a MINI, but it's one more layer of protection against a potentially dangerous mistake.

 

I've an old Ranger that had none and installed a rear camera that helped me accurately judge the distance to the loading dock. I was SOLD it's a must have. I could live with the bumper sensors alone as a minimum.

 

It was an S vert with automatic. Only mods to my 07 were a K&N CAI and a Magnaflow cat back exhaust.

Drove a lot of 2016's before building mine. Acceleration didn't seem a lot different than my 07. Ride was definitely softer and easier on the kidneys ... but it also had body roll on the twisties that my 07 didn't have.

New car sales manager talked me out of a JCW. Ended up with an S with:

Auto with paddle shifters
Dynamic Damper Control (a must have)
JCW exterior kit
JCW interior kit
Moonwalk Gray with JCW black bonnet stripes with red edging (JCW)
JCW tuner exhaust with blue tooth control to open and close right exhaust valve
ECU tune which added 25 HP

As to looks, I love the JCW exterior kit. Looks mean and ready for action. Have read a lot of comments hating on it, but ... 'Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." And this beholder loves the looks.

Car has same HP as last gen JCW. With sport mode selected and manual shift engaged, hard to keep front wheel from spinning with fast start. Car is a comfortable ride in regular or eco mode ... DDC 10% softer than standard suspension. In sport mode, DDC is 10% stiffer than standard. Not quite as stiff as sports suspension on 07, but enough to limit body roll to minimum. After warranty, will probably add a 22mm solid rear sway bar. Everything I've read suggests this mod is the single best thing to eliminate body roll and understeer. With JCW exhaust and ECU tune, car doesn't need any more hp. Hope this helps.

 

The F56 convertible I test drove had a camera and it was nice since I couldn't see over the back when I turned my head around. If you are ordering a new F56 then I would suggest it. I test drove an F56 and an R56 back to back and was a bit surprised at how much worse the blind spot was on the F56.