Hello...
Finally sold my piece of junk VW and now I will be ordering my Mini in a couple of weeks.

Trying to decide on color, options has been crazy. Think I have it narrowed down but have a few questions.

1) Going with Mellow Yellow but still would love to incorporate the Union Jack some way. I will have Black roof/Stripes and will have sun roof. Does anybody have pics on what the Black Jack roof decal would look like. Also is this available from dealer? I was thinking if it looks good going with that and the Black jack side scuttles.

2) Trying to decide between plain leatherette or the Black Lounge Leather.
If I go with lounge leather what should I do with color line inside. I think the MY color line would be a bit much as I think I want a darker looking interior. Will also have the anthracite headliner for sure.

3) What about alarm system? I had though the Mini had one included but I see it is a $500.00 option. Is this worth it?

4) I-Pod adaptor. is this worth $500.00. I do not care about bluetooth and do not want the arm rest.

Many Thanks for all the assistance to date! I can't wait to get mine!

 

Do some searches, you'll find plenty of discussion of leather vs leatherette. Personally I really like the leatherette. Feels good and is very easy to maintain. Some complain it is hot in hot climates. I'm in the SE and I don't notice it too much.

Alarm system may be worth it depending upon where you park. I don't have it, but I garage park. The key fob provides some protection as it has a chip which must be recognized to start the car. Doesn't prevent someone from stripping it for part though. Worth it, depends on where you live where you take the car.

500 i-pod? Not sure its worth it. Using a dock connector and the aux port sounds good, but if you like to have the ipod controllable from the factory radio and recharged in the car, then you need the ipod adapter.

 

Funny, I traded my POS VW for my Mini. I am not sure about the alarm becasue I don't have one. My last several cars (2 Porsche, 1 MB, 1 BMW) did not have alarms, just the factory immobilizer but it never seemed to be a concern.

The iPod for $500 is a good deal if you want to control it from the steering wheel. I have it and it is much better than the one that was in my 07 Passat. Plus, if you wake up one day and decide you want it you will probably pay more than $500 for it. Greatest thing I've found about this car is there is so much up to your personal preference, good luck deciding.

 

Thanks for the replies so far!

Yeah I had a Jetta...the biggest piece of junk ever. And VW could care less.
Complained to Germany and they sent letter thanking me for my concerns and comments and gave me a $100 credit for VW on-line store. Unbelievable....I owuld have had to shell out over $5000 in repairs if not for the warranty and all then they expect to get a VW shirt to advertise them? What a joke.
Mini dealer has been amazing and complete different experience so far.

Anybody else have info /ideas on the Union Jack and the interior color with the lounge leather?

Many Thanks!

 

I've been debating leather/leatherette myself. Personally I'm a fan of leatherette. It's easy to care for and durable, at least with my Audi.

Lately I've seen posts of people who have been upset with their lounge leather because of puckering, or waves left on the seat. Imprints of their butt. However, this morning I was talking to a guy with an R56 and he had punch leather. It was really nice! Tight and firm. I thought it was leatherette. The MINI site does not do it justice. You may want to consider that option. I am.

 

Anybody??? info regarding Black Jack roof decal with Mellow Yellow color?
Thanks!

 

 

Thanks for Reply!
It looks good but I will have a black roof and black stripes.
I am interested in seeing how it would look in the one that is black and silver?
Does anybody have a pic of that combo?
Also, was that one yellow done at dealer?
Many Thanks again!

 

I guess I should have read your post more carefully.

 

Just to add to this - you can always control the volume, it's just changing between tracks that you can't do from the radio controls. I think I'm right in saying that there is no way to switch between playlists without going to the iPod itself in either case.

Also, if you connect the iPod to the aux-in jack via the headphone jack and connect the iPod dock connection to a USB car adapter then you can charge and play the iPod in the car. I've heard the sound quality isn't quite as good as with the dock connector to the aux-in jack but at least for me it hasn't been noticeable.

 

MiniManiac74 - No problem....didn't mean to come across as ungrateful. Sorry if you did take it that way. Your Mini does look sweet though! I definately want the Mellow Yellow...I just want to inc. union jack and would like to keep it dark on top as well with the Black roof. It seems as though no one has that combo though for me to preview what it would look like...
Alternatively he one you have make also look great with a black roof too. Just not sure if it would lighten it up too much.....decisions, decisions.
Did you get this done at dealer or is this available factory also?
When I finally do place the order (next week or so) I am probably going to drive myself crazy wondering if I made right choices during the
long wait. THANKS for your input!

defenestrated: Thanks also...I think you have talked me into saving $500.00 to use elsewhere. Just one question though and forgive me if it is a stupid one(I have no experience with I-Pod in car), do I need to buy or have anything installed to get the I-pod to charge as it is playing? Are the jacks already on the stereo taht come with Premium package?

Thanks again...I would be lost without this forum, NAM is the best! Can't wait until I am a FULL member!

 

You don't need to install anything - your car will already have the aux-in jack and a cigarette lighter socket for the aux cable and USB car adapter respectively. You will have to buy the cable and adapter though; together the cost of these two items seems to generally fall between $20-50. Personally, this is what I use:

USB Car Adapter

Aux Cable

Plenty of others available though and probably some better deals as well.

 

Thanks! That's great...big difference between $20 or $50 and $500.00. This will work for me as well.

 

nobody has the Mellow Yellow with Black Roof and sun roof and black jack decal??? Considering it but I want to see what it looks like prior to ordering.
If no, is anybody talented with photo shop??
Many Thanks!

 

Quick photoshop and first post of a photo. Thanks MiniManiac for the source.

 

Thanks Star and Mini Maniac!!!
Everyone one here is so great, Makes me even more confident that I am making good choice in the Mini!
How do you think the actual will translate?
I think it could look pretty good especially with the black jack scuttles as well.
I will hopefully be back here with pics of my car in about a month or two.
I am ordering next week and they advised 4 weeks. I am allowing extra time so I don't get disappointed if it is longer.
Thanks to everyone again!

 

Mini has an alarm but your dealership can put in the same alarm for cheaper

 

This is true, but my dealer only quoted me as $45 cheaper so I elected to have it factory installed. The less time it has to be worked on at the dealer means the faster I get to pick it up! It was worth the $45 to me!

 

Do you think the alarm is necessary?
I line in NJ. Not a bad area. Car will be parked in off street lot but I am looking for garage to rent.
will the security that comes standard with the Mini be enough for the insurance discount?

 

State Farm gave me a pretty significant cut on my rate when I introduced the alarm option even though I'll be garaging it in a gated parking area of downtown Jersey City which is a pretty decent area by most accounts. It'll pay for itself via my insurance discount in the next year or so.

 

Thanks I will check into it further. What was the total cost?

 

Hey MiniO,

You definitely want to make sure you order at least the USB/Aux Jack. I don't think this is a standard item. It comes with the cable that connects it to docking port of your iPod (not the headphone jack). This set up works great. If you have the Multifunction steering wheel, you can control the volume and track forward and back on your iPod. The coolest thing is that you can access all of your music via the radio headunit by playlists, artist, album, and track. The radio display also displays your song titles as they play. I have my iPod tucked in the tray below the center console and never touch it. It works awesome. It is more than worth the money. The best option is to order the conveinence package and you automatically get the MFSW, iPod/USB/Bluetooth, as well as the comfort access. My two cents.

 

You definitely want to have the alarm installed at the factory. It will be cheaper in the end Unless you can make a deal with your dealer beforehand to have it installed for free or at a set lower price, they will usually charge you the hourly $160+ rate to install. Looks like the job is a few hours to do.
I made the mistake of not ordering the lighted door sills from the factory so I ordered the lighted doorsills from Classic Mini with the 20% NAM discount. I called my dealer to find out how much to install and he quoted me $650.00. Said it is a labor intensive job which I know to be true after looking over the directions. I won't be getting them installed anytime soon even though I can probably do the work myself.

 

Hey!!! You guys are having waaaay too much fun with my car!
It's all good tho, and to answer an earlier question, it was purchased from cooperflags.com and I installed it myself. They will do any color combo you want!

 

Sorry about that!! I knew I saw a yellow one with a UJ somewhere. I hope you don't mind.