Hi,

I'm about to pull the trigger on my Clubman S order. I know the whole idea is getting the car *I* want, not what members of the forum want, but I'm looking for some advice on options. I'll be getting the convenience package and the MFSW. I've given myself $500 to add on *something*, but I'm having trouble deciding between:

1. HiFi Stereo - I know there are mixed reviews on this, but I like the idea of having more speakers.
2. Climate control - I like this in our other vehicle, but I've also heard mixed reviews about this on the forums.
3. Cold weather package - Not required in my climate, but it seems you get a lot in the package for 500 and it is nice for the occasional cold days we have.

Any advice or experience with these options? Or should I just keep the $500 in my pocket.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I live in Florida - hot and humid Florida so for me the climate control system is a definite. I use it all of the time and it keeps the car nice and cool. Personally, I must not be an audiophile because the upgrade has been worth it for me. The sound has been great and I have no complaints. But if I had to choose between the two it would be the climate control.

 

I have a similar situation as you. I'm ordering a MCS soon, and the wife is a bit nitpicky about excessive options, and she tells me I have a choice between

a) Automatic AC w/ the Filteration
b) HiFi Stereo

I'm leaning toward the Stereo (I've never had anything other than stock, so you HiFi snobs that poo-poo this option, I still think I'll enjoy it). But, I like the idea of having better air filtration. I dunno.

I already have cold weather package on my list... it's only really needed in my area a few weeks out of the year, but it will be so worth it.

 

$500 for an LSD will be the best money you can spend. The other stuff is just window dressing. The LSD will provide additonal functionality.

 

Best choice if you really don't NEED any of the things you were thinking about.

 

The powered mirrors on the Cold Weather package are cool, but if you don't live in a cold climate why bother. I have Auto A/C in all my cars but never really use it , I just end up adjusting it myself (especially in South Florida where it is usually always on high).

If it were me I would go with the hifi stero.

 

I like the concept of auto AC, but every car I have had runs it too high for my taste. I am always disabling it and fiddling with the controls to get it lower, etc. I suspect the mini would suffer the same fate. The filtration is nice though.

What is your interior color? Anthracite headliner might be a good option.

 

I have the Hi-Fi stereo, the cold weather package, and the auto climate control.. here's my thoughts:

Hi-Fi: It's not very "Hi-Fi". It's an okay sounding system, at very best. But I wanted it because it adds more speakers, which in turn adds more spots to put nicer speakers when it comes time to upgrade. I think you'll be happy you got it in the end.

Auto Climate: All the cars I've purchased in the last 8 years have had this, and I find the MINI one has worked the best out of all of them. I have it set at 68 on auto all the time, and unless I need to take a call and turn it down real quick or something, I pretty much never touch it. I love this option, but I could see why people really wouldn't care.

Cold Weather: If you do not live in a climate where it gets below 65 or so, I wouldn't bother. The heated mirrors are nice on frosty mornings, and since it gets well below freezing here, I couldn't live without heated seats. But if your climate doesn't call for it, and you don't think you'll be living anywhere soon where the climate does call for it, I wouldn't worry too much about this.

 

the one upgrade I would go for, which might exceed your 500 dollar limit, is satellite radio--I have this with the standard audio package and it is more than sufficient (it actually is the best sounding car stereo that I have ever owned). the small cabin (mine is an mcs) is easily filled by the 6 or so speakers that it came with. but, the fact that I get crystal clear sound anywhere I go across country with no commercials--that is well work the added initial expense.

 

I have it and i wish i had not spent the money on it. i could add a 200 to the 500 and get something much much better but now i will have to spend the 700 anyway on top of the 500.

love this feature. Set it and for get it. keeps the car at just the right temp all the time. have had it in my last three vehicles and will not go back. Those that don't like it probably just have not set it up correctly.

Need it where I live. If you live in an area where the temp drops below 45-50 regularly then you would probably like the heated seats but other than that there really is nothing in the package that is special unless you live in a snowy or rather cold (30 degrees regularly) that you need.

May be your best option and spend it on something you really want as accessories.

Any time.

 

Let see Tell your wife the differenceis less than a few of her Starbucks per week. I know marriage is a equal thing, but have some ball$.

 

My favorites: xenons, Cold Weather package, iPod/Bluetooth/USB factory installed option, MFSW and rear fog (which I think should be standard on all vehicles).

I have to admit that I, personally, am not a big iPod user though I can understand why people are...but I think the way the phone works through the car is great...it's a very new experience for me and I have to admit that I like it w/ the MFSW. If I could pay less for just the phone option, I'd be very happy about it.

Though these days, perhaps the best way to spend your $500 is on gas for your soon to be new MCCS?

 

Of your three choices, I'd rank them 1) Auto climate control, 2) Radio, 3) Cold weather package.

As others have said, the Hifi option radio is good (and definitely good enough for me), but you can do much better aftermarket. And the cold weather perks are nice, but I could live without them, and I live in a cold region.

The climate control is great. I sometimes need to change the target temperature up or down to "kick" it to where I want it, but for the most part it just works all by itself.

 

Go with the hifi stereo. You can heat up the car by rocking out.

 

I never touch my auto a/c. OK, so the UK doesn't get the temperature extremes of the US, but I really haven't needed to change any settings since setting the temperature to what I want as the system copes just fine with everything it's faced - from freezing fog to a humid 80F.

And I hate dark interiors with an abiding passion!

 

My vote would be for the Cold Weather package - even if you don't have extreme temps in your area, the heated seats sure do feel good sometimes - especially on your back if it's sore, etc. If you are married, the Wife will love them...

Donna

 

1. Bluetooth/Ipod integration if you don't already have it specced.

2. HiFi - even though it's not great I can't imagine how bad the stock version is!

 

Bluetooth/iPod, or...

9 tanks of gas -- go motor!

 

You need none of it. The MINI is best enjoyed with the radio off, and windows down. Spend it on something that will make the car more fun. Like an Intake

 

Thanks for all the advice.

I think I'm going to go with the climate control. It's something I really missed in my GTI and it sounds like there are enough people happy with it to ease my worries. Plus, I'll probably be in more hot locations than cold ones in the next 5 years.

A question for those with the climate control: On a cold day, does the HVAC wait to blow full force until the engine is heated up, or will it blow cold air right off the bat? My wife's car waits, which is a nice feature.

BT/iPod is a must, but comes w/ the conv pkg, which I have.

 

In my experience, it waits until the air is warm before it blows full-force, and vice versa in hot weather. It works very well!

 

How about a clear bra? I guarantee that you'll be thinking about it during the 8 weeks while waiting for your mini to arrive - that's what happened to me. After all the excitement and effort building your perfect car, and the cost, what's $500 more to protect the investment?

 

I will be ordering the clear bra (invisishield) too. I had that on my iPhone and love it. I think it will be perfect for the car.

@ahendy - thanks for the reply.

 

Ya know, I got the stock audio - and it's great. My husband thinks so too, and he is picky. I have heard complaints about the upgrades though. IMO - if you have $500 to spend - use it elsewhere.

 

The HIFI option is a good stepping stone towards decent audio, but not an end. The speakers are not very good. Its amp isn't bad. Add better aftermarket speakers, and sound is pretty good. I added about $400 worth of speakers (installed myself) it sounds decent. If you want the most cost-effective way to get decent audio, IMO, the HIFI is the route to take. On the other hand, the MINI has a pretty high road noise level. So, at highway speeds, it isn't the greatest place to listen to music. It is a different story if you do a lot of city driving or bumper to bumper commuting.

Heated seats are very nice. I like having them, even in California. Rain sensing wipers work well. They automatically adjust speed to match the intensity of the rain.

LSD, is a must-have (IMO) if are getting an S and you aren't going to wait and get DTC. LSD will delay the intervention of ASC, which cuts engine power when one wheel starts to slip. It can be very disconcerting when turning left in front of oncoming traffic and hit a slippery patch.

Climate control is a set it and forget it option. However, I find I am often changing the temp as conditions change. So, not sure it is that great an option.