Thinking about replacing the mini (see other thread with similar name) but finally got the idea of replacing it with a new mini - here's my spec for everyone's consideration:

S cabrio
Black
Sidewalk
driving lights
manual (have the teach the wife to drive it)
lsd
navi
winter
convience

Any sugestions, additions, deletions.

wish I could get the oak dash in it

 

By new, do you mean an 08?

 

Yep, been playing on the configurator this morning.

 

Black is beautiful, but also a pain in the @$$ to keep clean, be prepared to wash once a week if you want it looking good

 

Cool. Then my recommendation is to get exactly what you want. Don't talk yourself out of something; you'll always miss it.

 

The black sidewalk looks GREAT... I saw it at the dealership when I went for service a little while back.

 

Two things I'm undecided on:
JCW Intake - currently have it but never had it without it - really worth it
Is the digital power audio really worth it?

 

When I ordered my '08 I asked this same question. On the digital audio I was told absolutely worth it -- and i confirmed this by poking around the net for an afternoon.....people are very impressed with it. I ordered the same configuration as you and the JCW package, counting the days at this point :-)

I saw one in black and its stunning, but I had a black car and it was a real PITA to keep clean and the swirl scratches can't be avoided either. G'Luck !

 

It really depends on your budget.

Out of the Sidewalk colors, I like Astro Black the most; looks absolutely gorgeous, but it is really hard to keep clean. My second choice would be the Pepper White (both with black top).

I like all your options, though if it were me, I'd skip the convenience package since it's something I don't care too much about. But if you like the novelty, the cost is quite low, so I'd say get it. Same goes for the Nav...I like how it's integrated, but it's pricey. I'd go for a portable one myself, but then again, if you like it, I say go for it. In any case, if not the Nav, then definitely the Chrono Pack. It's one of the options I really wish they kept for the R56.

Adding the JCW Tuning Kit would be awesome if you could afford it. Other nice accessories are the aero kit and driving lamps.

Graphic-wise, if it were AB, I'd get the white sport stripes, UJ mirrors and door handles. If PW, I'd go w/ the black sport stripes.

Again, all personal choices, but it's always fun to configure a Mini! Have fun!

 

Colour choices would have to be black or BRG for me if I go with the sidewalk - which I seem to be heavily leaning toward. Toyed briefly with non-S but like what I have. Read on one of these forums of someone being offered the R56 engine as an option on the 08. Anybody want to comment on the other aspects (beside the seats) of the sidewalk package (eg dash trim etc).

 

Well, about 95 percent sure I'll be driving a Mini. Tipping point was when someone asked me where my little Mini was when I was driving my wife's SUV. They seemed sad not to see it. Now just have to decide new or keep and if new then colour!

 

Anybody know how long it is from dealer ordering to delivery is right now. I can't even remember how long it was on my '05 - I've slept a time or two since then.

 

I ordered mine 2 weeks ago - the dealer is placing the order now and production starts Sept. 1. Hard top production is not until December or January. They said 6-8 weeks....count down begins in two days :-)

 

Just FYI...

Understand if you have your heart set on black but I've got to tell you that the sparkling silver or pepper white turns all the heads. Mine 2-week-old Cabrio is a Cooper S/JCW/Sidewalk in pepper white and everyone says it is the PERFECT color. The car looks both classy and racy with lots of chrome and malt brown leather seats with white piping. Also the pepper white looks clean longer than darker colors...certainly better than black. Anyway...for what it is worth...just noted you have already ordered so never mind...fun in any color

 

Can you post a picture?

Ordered or otherwise color can be changed....these cars are painted when they arrive in the states.

 

CG1 beat me to it. I haven't ordered so I'm still up in the air. Pictures would be appreciated.

Saw a thread yesterday about a sparkling silver that looked pretty sharp (had interesting side stripes) but I can't find it again. The more I see pictures of the cars in the colours the more they look sharp in any colour.

 

Ummm... No way the cars are painted in the States. The paint goes on before the car is assembled. Ever notice that there's paint behind the wiring, under bolts, etc????

 

Yep, dipped and sprayed at the factory not in the USA.

 

interesting - my salesman told me they were painted here. He was explaing once the car is here that it might be a couple weeks yet due to painting and installation of my accessories. I suppose I could have missunderstood him....

 

Absolutely no way they can be painted here. Cars are dip-painted at the factory, meaning the whole thing is dipped into a painting vat. This is done after body assembly, but before interior, etc. assembly. In fact, the MINIUSA tracking site lists the steps. I believe the paint shop is the 2nd(?) step.

 

Yep, LynnEl et all are correct. However things like bonnet stripes and accesories are installed here.

 

cad - I put down my deposit for my MINI on Aug 19th. The build start date is Sept 5th. So, 6 to 8 weeks from that it should be at my doorstep, er garagestep!

I was a weird one and asked for them to put it in their last possible build slot for their dealership as I wasn't in a hurry to get the MINI (personal vehicular issues...MBZ with 10,000 miles to burn up until 12-31-07).

 

MINI does sell "wood" (plastic) interior trim pieces for 1st gen MINI. The finish is walnut, not oak. I've seen it displayed on the wall at my dealer. http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/...sed_in_the_us/

 

Looks really good in the pictures (wood dash that is) but I've read in a few posts on here that the aftermarket ones just don't fit right or look right. Anybody have one installed?

 

The dash I posted about is OEM from MINI, not aftermarket. MINI also has a wood shift ****, but this would be better.