Well, the time has finally come. I've convinced the wife that getting the mini will be a good idea. Such things as lowering my payment, gas mileage savings, and having more room in the garage to store things tipped the scales.

So let me share with you my configuration and let you know what I need some opinions with:

2007 MINI Cooper S (R56)


Mellow Yellow w/ Black roof and stripes
White turn signals
Cold weather Package
Premium Package
Sport Package (Not sure about the wheels with this one, will discuss below)
Convenience Package
Audio Package (got to have my Sirius and I like it integrated, no aftermarket)

Rear Fog lights
all-season tires(I live up north and don't want two sets of tires)
Automatic trans (One of the conditions of our agreement, so she can drive it.)

Chrome-line interior
Anthracite headliner
Piano Black interior
Leatherette(Saw this in person and was impressed. The real leather was not worth the money)
Nav system
Parking distance control(Didn't really want it until I saw the graphic display you get with the nav)
Mellow Yellow Color Line( See below)

MSRP: 32550

I know it's a lot of stuff, but I definitely can tell you that if there is something you want to get you should just get it. If no you will regret it in the future. That's where I am with my current car, I didn't get some options and really regret it.

Here is where I need help. I'm trying to decide between the 16" bridge spoke or the 17" crown spoke. I want the stuff in the sport package so the price difference is $250 more to get the crowns. Are the 17's worth it or should I go with the 16's? I like the look of either wheel.

My other dilemma is if I should go woth the mellow yellow color line. I like it, but I'm not sure if there will be too much contrast between the yellow and the other dark surfaces. Kinda like will it be distracting? Anyone with pics or comments?

Any help will be appreciated.

So what does everyone think?

 

Wow, that's one loaded MCS!

 

Very niiiiiice! Now, order quickly, before she changes her mind. As women, that's our parogative ya know.

And once your new baby arrives, be sure to let the wife unit drive it...a lot. Soon enough, you'll be telling her that you'd really like to spend more time with YOUR MINI, and encouraging her to go out and buy her own. Trust me...that's how 2, and 3, MINI families are born.

Congratulations! May your wait be as painless as possible. Be sure to find out what Production Week you're in and join your week's support group/thread on NAM. The wait is a killer....and you're going to need the support of all the other people going insane. :impatient

 

Very nice configuration!

Mainly to save the $250, I'm pretty sure I'm going to wind up going with the 16" bridge-spokes despite getting every other item in the Sport package. I've read that performance wise, the 17" wheels don't give you much advantage and supposedly the ride will be a little better under normal driving conditions. Stock 17's are also on the heavy side, and besides that, I'd rather save a little money and get the wheels I really want, anthracite R99s (or something else equally cool), later!

Of course, there are also people that like the look of 17" wheels better (especially with the R56) so it's very much a personal decision, tho not quite so much as color!

 

The R56 is fortunate in that it looks great in every color offered! (yes, even Mellow Yellow )

 

Wow! Congrats on a dream car!!

I ordered the 17 Crown Spokes- LOVE the look of them, and will figure out whether or not I like the run flats as I drive it!

I would go to a dealer and look at the cars in person. The interiors are MUCH nicer than the the pictures online or in the catalogue. The English Oak, for example is gorgeous in person. I got it.

Good luck!

 

The chrome-line interior may cause unwanted reflections in the windows (as has been reported here) and send glints of the sun directly in your eyes. I prefer non-reflective dash boards.

I opted for Piano Black, but am not that impressed with it. I'd probably choose English Oak if I were to do it again. I'm thinking of trying to do something custom myself, to match my wooden shift ****.

I would get the 16" wheels and go for light-weight after-market wheels in whatever size you want. I'd probably choose 16x7 wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. However, you can go for 17" if you like the look better. In 17" try and find something you like in 16 lb. or less. With 16" try for 13 lb. or less. Make sure they are good quality strong wheels. If you have really bad roads in your area, you might want to go a little heavier.

 

Thanks everyone.

I think I'm leaning toward the 17 crowns.

As for the MY color line I'll have to find it in person. I hope my local dealer has one in stock. Decisions, decisions...

I hoping to order before the end of the week.

 

Nice! Congrats and best of luck with the process!
jason

 

I have seen the MY colorline. Its intense. See it in person before comitting. This is definitely personal preference. Only you can answer how much you want it and will it that feeling endure over time.

 

Wow!

Sounds like some really nice options.

I'd go for the yellow inside myself. Saw one at the Guinness World Book Record gathering in Virginia Beach in June. I liked how it set the car off.

I have the Chrome interior and like it also? I haven't noticed a reflection problem thus far.

 

I see your point about the yellow interior bits being very bright next to piano black. You really won't go wrong either way, especially given the interior chrome and silver speedo that will be adding some nice, bright contrast. I think it would be fun to get the colorline and maybe add some custom ML bits over time if you find something nice....say a shift ****.

If you don't want to do that, your interior will look very monochromatic and serious, which is a viable look that you might prefer.

 

I could be out on my own a bit, but I still struggle to justify $2k for a navigation system that can be accomodated by a $200-$300 portable one that you can use in all of your cars (or even cheaper if you have a cell phone with GPS as an option - the VZW Navigator service works great and you can pay for it only when you need it).

Just my $0.02...

Chris

 

I totally understand what you mean. It is pricey, but to me it would be worth it. There are features that integrate with the car that you wouldn't get without the nav. Plus, I really like the way it looks, I wouldn't get the car without it. I'm a very big supporter of having things integrated in the car. I don't like things hanging from the windsheild or wires everywhere.

Just my opinion.

I think I'm leaning toward the the color line, but I would like to see it in person first. Still undecided about the 16" bridge or 17" crown wheels.

 

And now another dilemma, I just saw the laser blue in person and really like that color too. I'm so torn. :impatient I would drfinitely get the blue color line.

I can't decide. This is tough.

 

I'm with emtrey. Go see a yellow color line in person. I saw a cream color line in a beige Tuscan leather car on the lot. Looked a little "off" to me. The car my wife picked out has leatherette, gotham grey and piano black trim - nice combo.

 

Great set up, our cars will be very similar.

I do have the MY color line and I love it. Let's just say that "it completes me"

On a serious note, it has held up very well against dirt and it definetely wakes you up in the morning.

Definetely go and try to take a look it first, but I do think that it pulls in the MY exterior nicely on the inside.

Good luck !

 

I don't think QZ should have the same issues as the tuscan/cream setup which likely clashed. The leathette seats should allow the colorline to stand alone as a style statement. AGAIN--I encourage seeing it in real life.

My MA showed me his favorite interior setup (on a PW car BTW). I like it so much I changed my initial configuration I had not even thought about the cream colorline till I saw it in the flesh with carbon black LL and Eng wood.

 

Thanks again everyone. I'm still leaning toward getting the yellow color line, but i haven't seen it in person. The only problem is I don't think my dealer (MINI of Sterling) has a car with the color line. I'll have to stop by today and see.

Can anyone give me their opinions on the 16" bridge or 17" crown wheels? Will the 17's make much of a difference? I know they are 10mm wider tires, but is that signifigant enough to warrent the extra money and weight of the wheels?

I'm leaning toward the bridges because of the look but if it makes a big difference with performance I will go with crowns.

 

I had this same debate with myself. I went with the 17" wheels, because, I'm getting different wheels anyway. I figure, as soon as the car comes in, go ahead and order the new wheels, swap out the tires, then sell the 17" Crown Spokes. My decision was based on the fact that I don't want two sets of wheels, I don't have to buy new tires when I order the new wheels, and the 17" Crown Spokes should be easier to sell than the 16" Bridge Spokes. That's what I did. Good luck

 

I'm so happy to see this interior shot. I'm picking up my PW/B MCSa on Saturday. I ordered this exact interior, along with the wood steering wheel and shifter. Looks awesome!

 

thanks...I am very pleased. One of my friends's liked the setup so much he changed his order and got the LL/Eng wood/cream, too (his car is DS--very rich looking). I am going to talk to the dealer about the cost of the wood shift ****/installation. I think it would be as nice touch.
I would appreciate if you would post a pic when you get your car so I can see the wood shift ****. I really did not look carefully at it because I was so overwhelmed by the rest of the interior.


The car that turned me on to this interior combo ( also PW and it looked great, so you did good) had the wood wheel and shift **** BUT the steering wheel was too slippery for my driving style.

PS..make sure you get the color coordinated eyeglass case that matches the Eng Wood

 

Gotta have that!

 

My dad's 07 mellow yellow has the yellow interior with the checkered interior line (not the black and white checkered, but the other one). I love the way his looks, but I think it would look just as good with piano black instead of the checkers. He also has the black roof, mirrors and stripes. Looks like a bumble bee, but everyone loves it. No matter what you chose, you will still have a unique car and that's just part of what makes the MINI such an awesome little car!

 

I've got the audio package and I really like the integrated Sirius for life.
I'd pick the 16" Bridgespokes over the 17" Crowns --- aftermarket rubber choices, availability, longevity, fuel economy, etc.
The AT already gets 5 or 6 mpg less than the MT... (I've owned both already).
The yellow colorline interior looks girly and cartoonish to me; I really like the oak and I wish I would've gotten it in my BRG machine.
Your mileage may vary...