I have my 2008 Cooper (non-S) pretty much configured, but I keep second guessing my options. If you could only pick 2 of the following, which would you pick? Or would you pick any of them? I'm on a limited budget.

Cold Weather Package
Xenons
PDC
Sport Suspension

Thanks!

 

cold weather and xenons... pdc is kind of a silly option on a car this size... if money is no object I guess it is ok, but if money is an object I can think of many more important options I'd get first.

I think the regular suspension is just fine for this car, but your mileage may vary.

 

I would go with the Cold Weather and the Xenons as well...but then again I am not sure what PDC stands for?

Edit: Nevermind I found out what PDC stands for and I agree that with a car of this size you should be ok without it. Unless you parallel park a lot there in LA, but I would be more worried about other people hitting my car then you yourself backing in to one. Just my .02

 

The regular suspension on our 08 has a great ride...much better than our 06 with sport suspension....I prefer sport seats and multifunction steering wheel so you have cruise myself.

 

Go for the cold weather package and xenons--these two cannot easily be added later and probably will provide the best bang for the buck. Park Distance Control (PDC) is nice, but not necessary--especially without the NAV system. The sport suspension can probably be added later (or skip the sport suspension and get the JCW suspension later on!).

If you haven't included it, I'd also add the rear fog light for $100--which is cheap compared to adding it later.

 

I agree with the Xenons, but I'd add the multi-function steering wheel too. I'd arrange the list like this:

#1 Xenons: The stock halogens are crappy! Halogens on the R53 were almost as good as the Xenon's, but on the R56 the halogens are dim in comparison to any other MINI headlight. Need Xenon's as a safety issue here.

#2 Multi-Function Steering Wheel [Sport Leather]: This is a great piece of indulgence that also helps safety. You gain cruise control, which is awesome for those trips to Las Vegas, but also radio functions [volume and channel up/down]. Totally worth it for $250; it's the one thing I wish was in my current MINI.

#2a Sport seats: If you want a bit more hold in the corners, sport seats are worth it!

#2b 16" Bridge Spoke wheels: Look better, get an inch wider and lower profile tire for better cornering!

#2c Fog lights: Not sure if these are really worth it, but they do fill out the front end styling a bit more and add some light for tricky weather conditions.

#2d Rear Spoiler: looks better than the rounded off rear boot, adds sporty tone to the car, matches 16" wheels and future lowering springs nicely.

>>>I'd get all the above before anything below, but that's just me!

#3 Cold weather pack: keep those buns warm and those windshield washers un-frozen! Wait...you live in L.A. why do you need cold weather pack? The Cold weather pack is good for us northerners that get snow and ice, you don't need heated seats!

#4 Sport Suspension: The base suspension is awesomely competent on the racetrack with just a set of H&R springs. I recommend sticking with the base suspension and planning on getting a set of H&R springs to hunker down the look.

#5 PDC: Come on, you don't need this! It's a MINI, you can see exactly where the end of the boot is by looking behind you! Toss this one out the window for sure.

I hope that helps!
Ryan

 

I agree with Ryan....see our 08 config in my signature below....this is a daily driver/commuter for my wife and it has all we need on a budget....choosing is difficult but wait until you order...the wait for it to be built is worse!

 

Given those choices and given a budget, I'd skip all of them....but then I live in a relatively well-lit, urban setting with mild winters. Which of these will you use the most?

 

Xenons for sure. CWP is my second, but if you garage it in LA that may be unneeded. My car heats up pretty fast out of the garage, and it gets down to the 20s here outside. PDC is probably a waste if you're on a budget, and SS is in that category too IMO.

 

I agree. None of those are really worth it. Xenons are nice, but they are kinda rude to your fellow drivers. You should be able to park without the PDC. I bought the heated seats, but not the rest of the cold weather package. I like the heat, but in LA, you could definitely do better with that money in your pocket. And finally, the regular suspension is damn good as it is. Save yourself a few bucks and invest in some great tunes. Or use the money to have your car detailed every few months instead.

 

People who live in the true-cold don't understand how we people in LA get cold. My friend from Boston likes to talk about how cold is only cold when your snot freezes (GROSS!). But, now that hes been in so.cal. for a few years, he's wearing a jacket when it's 55. Right now, I'm enjoying my day off with the heater on and a blanket over my feet. As your Long Beach neighbor, I condone your purchase of the cold weather package... You and I can drive around with warm butts just like the rest of the country. Maybe I'll do it in flip-flops just for fun

 

+1

They changed around the packages in '08. Both the heated seats and the entire CWP are $500. It actually gives you a message in the configurator saying that you can get the rest of the package for $0 when you select only the heated seats.

 

Definitely xenons and the cold weather package. But are those gonna be your only two options, or are they in addition to others that you didn't list? I ask because while I'd pick xenons and the CWP out of those four, I could think of much better ones if you're only speccing two options for the entire car.

I have PDC and although you'd think it to be unnecessary on such a small car, it actually helps out a lot. The MINI has a very high belt line, which results in quite the limited field of vision out of that back window.

Sport suspension I don't have and purposely skipped. Not enough handling advantages for the trade off in ride, IMO. Better to go aftermarket or JCW.

Best of luck

 

I have only had my car for 3 days, bought off the lot so didn't get to pick the options. I have cold weather pkg, but wouldn't have chosen it. Heated seats are nice when you first get in the car on a cold morning, but I find after a bit I don't need it and I have been living in cold weather the last couple of days and am very sensitive to cold. To me, the essential option was the sunroof and I basically picked my car off the lot based on that and color. I have found I love controlling the radio via the multi-function steering wheel and glad to have cruise. I have a cooper s, so like the std sport seats and glad the front fog lights are std. I would get those if I got a cooper because I think it completes the look better.

I know its only been 3 days, but I am loving it!

 

Go for the "S" instead....

 

i kinda agree with this. if your getting a 6spd manual you can get a nice one with standard sport seats, spoiler, and fog lights for about 21,200. if you have to drive automatic then i would understand why you would go for a MC. the Xenons are great, i have them, but i think the CWP is kind of a waste. i understand that you might be cold, heck im from Miami, FL but really its not like its cold for longer than a month. whatever you choose good luck.

 

Mostly, your choices will be influenced by geography.

If you drive in rural settings, you just cant have too much light. In the city, xenon headlights aren't as necessary. (Not bad, just not as needed)

Cold Weather Pkg? I live in Georgia and I have it! It was 11 degrees here this morning. Even if it doesn't get cold where you are, they're fantastic if you have occasional back trouble.

Sport Suspension? Are you driving on twisty roads where it's a benefit, or on rough city streets at walking speed? Living in the north Georgia mountains, it was an easy choice to get the JCW Suspension and R-Speed rear swaybar. If I lived in Atlanta, I'd opt for the easy rider suspension.

PDC? Parallel parking a lot? Turning around in cramped quarters? $350 is cheap compared to just one smack of the rear bumper.

I have all these features on my car, but there's really no one size fits all solution. Evaluate your driving environment and make the best choices you can.

Rawhyde

 

Well stated!!!

 

XENONS and Cold WX PKG

 

I have the CWP,because i wanted the heated seats to help the lower back pain while driving.Q

 

Thanks everyone! Looks like I have a lot to think about. These are definitely not the only options I'm considering for my car. So far, the configuration is:

Cooper
Manual
Lightning Blue/White
Sport Stripes
DSC
White Turn Signals
Front/Rear Fog Lights
Sport Seats - still haven't decided between cloth and leatherette
Anthracite Headliner
MFSW
Hi-Fi stereo
Bluetooth/Ipod

I have about $1000 more I could spend before I completely max out the budget. So, I'm trying to narrow it down. All those options cost $500, so I could get two of them. And I completely forgot about Automatic AC. Is that worth it?

I decided to get the regular Cooper instead of the S, because I'm going to use it mostly for commuting, so I don't really need the extra power. And I would have to sacrifice options I want in order to keep it in budget. I'm happy with it the way I have it, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something vital!

 

One of the only things I regret not getting in my MCS is the PDC. But then again, there's not much I didn't get.

 

I'd Pick Xenons and maybe the sport suspension out of the list you have. But I didn't get the sport suspension myself, because I am going to lower my car anyways, so I saved the money instead to buy my lowering springs and a 19mm H&R rear sway bar.

 

I was in the same boat as you a month and a half ago. I bought my MINI the last day of 07, with a limited budget. I have the following add-ons:
Sunroof - personal preference
MFSW - MUST!!
HiFi Sound- Adds to the stock
Auto A/C - really great, but my dad's manual A/C works like a charm too
Auto Lights/Wipers - Completely Awesome but to my dad completely pointless, but I will never buy a MINI without it!!

As for your questions:
If I ordered my car it would have Xenon's and Front and Rear Fog lights. Total for those three things is $850.

 

You're in a big city with a very mild climate, driving a small car. Skip everything but the sport suspension and throw on LSD. You won't accelerate like an S, but you'll sure handle well!