Well its time for a new Mini its been almost 5 years since I bought my first one. I'm looking to get into an 2007 MCSC. I would love some input from the Cabrio owners out there on what to get options wise. I know that I'm pretty set on Navi and an Aero Kit. I have never financed through BMW so what type of interest rate am I looking at? I have a credit score of 705. I'm the kind of person that uses my credit extremely well. I pay it off each month. So my credit is pretty decent. I'm looking to be in the price range of $32-34k. I also have 12k to put down. Any help would be great.
Thanks,
John

 

I highly recommend heated seats (even for California) - greatly extends the top-down motoring season. I typically recommend against the integrated NAV - you can get better aftermarket Nav much cheaper - and I personally think 3-5 year old built in nav units hurt a car's resale value. I wouldn't buy one with an old Nav unit in it - that stuff ages REALLY fast with the rate of improvement out there...

I got sport, premium and cold weather packages. I didn't want auto headlights and wipers (just two more things to go wrong) so I didn't get the convenience package. I'm happy with my package choices.

Body-color dash and trim shows well in the cabrio. I got rear fog light to fill in the toggle panel, and I have it wired as a 4th brake light (paranoid about getting rear-ended).

As for financing - join a credit union. Will have the best rates by far in most cases. In most areas there are smaller credit unions that you can join without any special work affiliation. Call around and ask, and check their new car rates. I saved a ton of money going this route vs. the best rate the dealer could do (which was NOT BMW financing, by the way - their rates aren't great). At my credit union I had to make a $25 deposit into a savings account. That's it. In return I got a great interest rate and very good service.

Not like buying american cars where they beg you to take them and give you free financing...

 

Agree with Blimey except for the nav system.. Rather have the factory unit, looks like it belongs there vs the hang on, and I would get tired real quick taking the portible unit in and out of the car being worried someone wanted it more than me. (No I don't have one of either)

I would stay away from the 18" wheels. I miss the self dimming mirrors and the garage door opener feature my other cars have.

Depending on your body size and shape, be sure to try both the sport seats and the standard seats. You might find one a lot more comfortable to your intended style of driving. Spend time doing this.

There is better money available than BMW money.

 

I'd say skip that factory nav system as well. You can get a better one for less money on your own plus have the freedom to take it in whichever car you're in.

The MFSW is the option I used most EVERY day, love those radio controls!

And absolutely to the heated seat and rear fog lights.

I like the sport seats myself. When you're chosing a material for your seats keep in mind they're going to have a lot more exposure to the outside world than in a tintop.

But you already have a MINI so you know what you like. I don't think there are that many cabrio specific options. You're definitely going to want a wind screen at some point. Either the factory one or the new one brownflyer is working on.

Good choice on the ragtop!

 

^ Wind screen is a must -- but if your dealer wants more than $325, get it from Morristown MINI instead.

 

A note on BMW finance. I have good credit and had no problems with BMW credit. Can't remember if I got 5 or 5.25 percent. They were really easy to work with. I was surprised that they actually beat my credit union by a pretty good margain. Oh, guess I should mention that this was 2 years ago so I bet the rates are a little different now but not sure by how much.

 

Yep, stay away from any 18's. Heated seats takes me down to 30 degrees, and even lower sometimes!

 

Don't know about the 'new' windscreen, but the factory one is great for my use. I use the back seat to throw stuff in and the factory model covers the seat so stuff doesn't fly out!

 

One more vote against the factory Nav - same reasons as above. I have cloth seats - great in top down hot weather!

 

Thanks for all the help. Another question Stick or Auto? I have driven stick for the past 4 years, but I want to have my hands free when driving top down and not have to worry about shifting. IDK though. If not Navi Ill get the Chrono Pack.

 

I got the auto because my wife can't drive a manual. I would definitely have preferred the stick but that said the auto isn't too bad. The manual mode is pretty good for when I want to get that feel and I have the option of letting the car do the shifting for me in either normal or sport modes. Got the chrono pack because as cool as the center speedo looks, it takes some getting used to. Don't really use the gauges much but having the speedo up on the wheel is better for me. My wife definitely votes for the heated seats - she uses them just about every time I put the top down.

 

Hi, J! When I was at the MINI Dealership in Baton Rouge, LA last weekend, getting a new OEM battery for Miss Wanda, the parts dude showed me the new portable Nav system made for MINI by Garmin....says MINI on the lower left edge of the unit. It attaches to the dash behind your steering wheel, next to the gauge pod. It's $750 and is really a neat little set-up. Go to Long Beach MINI and check one out!

 

Agree on 18" and NAV, don't bother with alarm, it basically protects the foot wells due to no high sensors, Hate the HK radio in a cabrio and the auto heat/cool is NEVER at the blower speed/supplemental heat/ac I want.

 

Before you buy into this, read the review motoringfile just did on this today . . . and you'll probably agree to buy the non-MINI Garmin.

 

Ive decided not to get the aero kit from the factory. It would be cheaper to purchase it elsewhere. Also im getting the base rims, because those shall be upgraded for cheaper as well. Im still set on factory Navi

 

I own a non-MINI Garmin, a Street Pilot III. Have used it for several years on my many cross-country road trips and just love it. What did MF say?

 

^ http://motoringfile.com/2007/05/23/a...-should-i-get/

Bottom line: you can get the non-MINI Garmin 360 for under $450, or pay $750 for one with the MINI logo on it.

 

You can find tons of posts on the "cloth vs. leatherette" question, but as a die-hard full open owner, I love the leatherette (vinyl). I leave top down at work, and even on 90+ sunny days, they don't get as hot as I'd have expected. The easy clean-up (coffee, etc.) makes them great. Even though in a cabrio you'd think cloth is the only way to go. Others will have different opinions however.

Heated seats are mandatory. . . unless you're one of those weanies I've seen this week around Indy who only put their tops down (non-MINI's) when the temp gets over 75. . .

Night-time top-down drives are highly underrated. I wish I had the xenon's- the one option I did not get that I wish I had.

 

The one option I wish I had but don't: LSD.

 

So here is the features in set on:
1. Fog Lights (must have for my frequent mountain trips)
2. Xenon Headlights (Love the look and the glow of the lights)
3. Grey Leatherette (Thought about cloth, but someone made a good point about spills on it)
4. Chrome Line Interior
5. Cold Weather Package

Things that Im confused on:
1. Navi (Why shouldn't I get it? Problems with it?)
2. DCS (Have it on my '02 honestly dont see a difference with and without it)
3. LSD (Dont really understand this feature. So it makes me think I dont need it)
4. Automatic Climate Control (Once again have it in my '02, real reason to have it other than it looks cool?)
5. Chrono Package (looks nice in the center and a fore sure if I dont get Navi)
6. Multi Function Steering Wheel (Have in on the '02 and never use it.)
7. HK sound system (Way better than stock? Or is it just cheaper to put in an aftermarket system?)
8. Lastly the convenience package (Auto dimming mirror sounds good and the auto wipers not a bad idea, right?)

Basically, I dont wanna end up with a bunch of features that Ill never use. If I dont get Navi then basically Ill spend the money to put in a Dvd headrest system and upgrade the stock no HK stereo. My brother works at an audio shop so he quoted me for a new system installed at $1250. Which included the DVD headrest. I already have a Garmin Nuvi 350. So Navi, HK, and Multi-Function Steering wheel would set me back $2500. So I think the after market Idea is a better option.

Thanks Again. Any input into these would be appreciated

 

Re confused list:
1. Aftermarket more flexible, move between cars, take with, etc.
2/3. DSC/LSD for frequent trips to mountains, LSD gives much better control on curves & corners, DSC saves tail in problem situations.
4. Auto climate for me is never, repeat never the way I want it - too much/little fan, a/c when outside air is fine, etc. Always having to tweak it
5. no opinion
6. Still I think the only way to get cruise control. If you are on interstates between home and mountains it is a blessing - better gas mileage if nothing else.
7. HK doesn't have speed related volume adjust, premium sound in a cabrio seems like such a waste with all the other noise.
8. I have never adjusted my mirror to keep glare out because there is so dam* little coming in. Auto wipers just one more thing to go wrong (and possibly are they on too soon/off too late?

 

I am one my second MINI now, I did not get the NAV in either one, mostly because I bought straight off the lot. I intend to order my next MINI with the nav. I have an aftermarket one right now, and I like it alot, but I really want to have something that is integrated in my next car.


I have had the DSC in both MINIs. Personally I like it. My '03 was a little violent when the DSC kicked in, but after a reprogram it improved greatly. The DSC on my '06 MCSCa is outstanding. I rarely see that little yellow light come on, but when it does it always keeps me out of trouble.

If you are getting a manual this one will definitely be worth it. Basically it helps to get the power to the front wheel that has traction. With a standard open differential power will always follow the path of least resistance. This means if one front tire has less traction the power will go to that wheel. Then the ASC+T has to kick in and bring back the throttle until you get traction again.

Again, I have had this in both my MINIs. I used auto mode alot more in my '03 MC than I do now in my '06 MCSCa, but I still like being able to dial up the temp I like, rather that doing the guess, adjust, repeat thing with regular controls. Plus, it looks better.

Personally, I hate it. Go with the Nav.

I don't know why you never use it. I use it all the time to adjust the stereo. I never touch the actual head unit unless I am just getting in the car.

I had this one in both cars also, so I don't really know about the standard unit. The HK in my Cabrio makes plenty good sounds, loud enough to cover up the wind noise of doing 80 on the freeway. I really dislike aftermarket stereos. They just don't look right.

The mirror and the wipers are the only part of the convenience package on the current Cabrios that I would want. I had both on my '03, but don't have them now and I miss them alot. If you get the auto wipers be sure to carry a $0 deductible on you comprehensive insurance. The windshield with the special spot for the wiper sensor is crazy expensive.

 

totally agree on the leatherette... seats do not get as hot as I had expected when the top is left down on hot days

 

Definitely go with the stick. There were clearly issues with the autos on the R53. I was annoyed that I got the chrono package for awhile, but I now find it useful. Now I'm always keeping tabs on my oil and engine temps (not pushing it too hard before it heats up, etc)

 

I've got to also agree on the leatherette. Driving with the top down all the time the seats need cleaning more than usual, and the leatherette seats clean up great.

I'd also second the seat heaters. Must have for a Cabrio as it really extends the season.

Finally, the best advice my MA gave me was the rear fog light. I wasn't going to get it, and thanks to him I did. It fills in the rear bumper AND fills in the toggle panel.

You'll love the cabrio. My favorite car I have ever owned.