Looking to order my 09 MCS in the next month or so and would appreciate feedback on the following:

1. With the 17" Web Spokes, it seems the All Season Tires option cannot be selected to swap the Performance tires. I know how a rear wheel drive car handles with a 1-2" of snow, but how is it for a front wheel drive or more importantly, for the MCS?

2. Does the $500 Sport Suspension actually make much of difference in the drive?

3. Are the Driving lamps able to be used in both Low and High beam? Do they provide a noticeable increase in illumination?



My 2009 MINI Cooper S

Base MSRP*
$21,950
Destination & Handling
$650

PAINT IT

Chili Red Body Color
$0

Black Roof/Mirrors
$0

PACKAGES

Cold Weather Package
$500

Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets

Heated Front Seats

Sport Package
$2,000

Xenon Headlamps w/Power Wash

Dynamic Traction Control

17" Web-spokes (Perf. Run Flats)

Black Bonnet Stripes

White Turn Signals

Premium Package
$1,250

Automatic AC

Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof

Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction

PERFORMANCE

Sport Suspension
$500

Dynamic Stability Control
STD

Front Fog Lamps
STD

Rear Fog Lamp
$100

Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
$250

6-Speed Auto w/Agitronic Mode
$1,250

COCKPIT

Sport Seats
STD

On-Board Computer
STD

6-spkr AM/FM CD Player
STD

Center Arm Rest
$250

Cloth: Checkered Carbon Black/Black
$0

Comfort Access System
$500

Interior Surface Piano Black
$250

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED*
$29,450

JOHN COOPER WORKS ACCESSORIES**

No selections in this category

GENUINE MOTORING ACCESSORIES**

Driving lamps (installation not incl.)
$525

Black Rubber Floor Mat (front) (installation not incl.)
$55

Black Rubber Floor Mat (back) (installation not incl.)
$30

TOTAL ACCESSORIES **
$610
TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED*
$29,450

TOTAL COMBINED
$30,060

 

Talk to your dealer about that. They can often do things that can't be done in the online Configuratior.

However, do you really want to pay for Web Spokes? They are rather heavy (22.5 lbs. each) and expensive. There are a variety of aftermarket wheels available for good prices.

My MCS came with 17" Crown Spokes. I sold them on NAM and bought some 16 lb. 17x7 wheels, and later a set of 13.9 lb. 16x7 Rota Slipstreams for $169 each (they currently have a sale on 17x7.5 for $159 ea). I prefer the 16" wheels over the 17" on the rough roads around here. Handling varies more with the tires than the wheel size. Turn in can be a little crisper with the 17" but that can vary with tires as well.

Haven't driven one. So, can't say.

I believe they only work with high beams. Illegal in most states to run them with low beams. With Xenons, you wont need them, unless you wear dark glasses at night.

I like them.

You sure you want a sunroof? Do a search and read the discussions and debates on sunroofs in this forum.

Negatives:
Adds about 60 lbs. to the roof - raising the center of gravity
Numerous reports of leaks, rattles, and some malfunctions
Can't be easily blocked when desired. Lets in too much heat from the sun. Tint or perforated vinyl often applied to try and overcome solar furnace problem.

Postitives:
Some people like it.

I like it. Some people complain.
Looks good.

In 2007 it came with the Comfort Package. I like it, but not sure I'd pay $250 for it.



I ripped mine out. Got in the way of shifting, wouldn't stay closed, and didn't fold back far enough.

I like this a lot. Glad I got it.

 

dude, trust me on this one: with bi-xenons, driving lamps are pure expensive showy bling; yes the b-x's are that brite. take that $$ and spend it elsewhere.*

I dont track my car, so I didnt get sports suspension and have no regrets, esp for the much smoother and supple highway ride. however, the stock rear sway bar gave the car too much lean in the curves, so I swapped it out with a *John Cooper Works 18.5 mm rsb. $89 plus tax and install, what a deal. Problem corrected nicely!

The MINI center arm rest is a joke. I hated them whenver I had a loaner; RC nailed it spot on as to why. When I had my 2005 MCS I went to Target and snagged a *15-jewel CD case holder in anthracite and silver for $7.99. Fits perfectly between the seats.

I'm a die-hard stick guy. But I also have a bum left knee that will require surgery soon so I got the automatic, and it is a freaking hoot (plus having all the defective clutch and tranny problems in my 05 influenced my decision here.) The Aisin 6-speed auto has been one of the most reliable d/t components BMW has ever put on a MINI. Good choice.

I simply do not like the options with the 17s, they are way too heavy. Go with the free 16" Bridgespokes now and/or get some *A/M wheels later.

Oh and consider an *anthracite headliner for yr car, it just goes better with a CR/B scheme

*all better options than driving lights

PS hey Robin the 2009 MCSa's are coming with beautiful wood shift *****, it was nice surprise in the showroom (I got the EO trim and wheel option)

 

Good idea about checking with the dealer to see if they can swap them out, but also interested in hearing from those that have them how the performance tires handle in an inch or two of snow with front wheel drive and traction control/stability control.

As for the wheels, I know there are a ton of aftermarket wheels and 16" ones will always be lighter than the 17", but for me looking to either go with the Web Spokes or Crown Spokes.

As for the sunroof, I haven't read too much yet about issues with the sunroof; not concerned with the additional weight or raising the center of gravity. The issue with the sun will immediately be corrected by smoke tinting the glass entirely.

Thanks for the feedback on the individual options...I knew the auto was going to get a , but for where I live and with traffic, it is the only way to go.

 

Thanks for the suggestions with the driving lights; thought even with the Xenons, they would still had been beneficial.

Funny you should mention the anthracite headliner...was at the dealership today and noticed that and it would definitely look better

 

I have 16" wheels and am running with the goodyear excellence runflats. I kept meaning to change out the tires because these are a summer rated touring tire (and what most MINIs come with from the dealership from my understanding... ) and I live in the land of snow and ice.

We just got a mountain of snow today and ya know I just finished NaNoWrimo today... so I think I am gonna go down the street for a joy ride, just to see what happens. I'll get back to you on that snow thing in about an hour.

 

I think the Web Spokes are just beautiful even if they are a bit heavy (I think they're lighter than the crown-spokes). If you can drive a rear-wheel drive car in 1-2" of snow, then the MINI with performance tires should be ok given you don't have any big hills to go up. That being said when I had Pirelli PZero Neros on my 2003 MCS, I did get stuck a few times, but only really in more than 2" of snow and when the tires were somewhat worn. As somebody else said, talk to the dealer and see if they can change the tires for you.
My first R53 had the Sport Suspension Plus which is the equivalent to the current Sports suspension, my newer R53 has the JCW suspension and I've driven non-S models w/o Sports suspension and although I noticed a difference driving from one to the other it isn't night-and-day. The MINI due to its chassis and design has inherently good handling. If you think you may take it to the track or autoX, then get the Sports suspension. The Sport suspension's thicker rear-sway bar is going to dial-out some of the front-wheel drive's inherent understeer at the limit, but how often are you going to be driving at the limit and able to take advantage of it? If this is your daily driver and you appreciate some comfort, go with the the standard suspension and know that you're going to have just as much fun taking the next off-ramp at speed. Depending on what car you are coming from the handling is probably already going to be a revelation. Your dealership should have models with standard suspension as well as Sport, try each. You can always upgrade the sway-bar later for a fraction of the price.
As stated by others, driving lamps only work with high-beams. I have them on my R53 with Xenons and I can barely tell when they're on, their illumination is so low. The bi-Xenons on the R56 are superior to the Xenons on my R53 and make the OEM driving lamps nothing more than a fashion accessory.
Have you tried out the arm rest in a demo car? It's small, wimpy and gets in the way. It feels tacked on and unless you absolutely need it, I'd save the money

So in conclusion, I'd skip the arm-rest, Sports suspension (depending on your needs and result of a test-drive), and driving lamps and either pocket the $1.25k it or go for the anthracite headliner, chrome-line interior (the R56 is a little dark and dull inside and the chrome brightens it up), iPod-link, or a clear-bra as the front-hood can get dinged very easily. I had a huge number of dings on my first R53's bonnet and am very happy that I paid for the clear-bra on my new R53. Keep us informed!

 

Added my opinions on things that I do have mainly as I figure I can speak about those that I do have more than I can about things I dont have. Not gonna drivel on about things I didnt order and speak as an authority on them LOL. Hope it helps. This site saved me some bucks and added bells and whistles I really like. There is a thread for "things you wish you did or didnt order" on here somewhere. Very helpful.

 

Good luck and cannot wait for the update.

 

Was sure if I liked the Web Spokes with the Chili Red at first, but now I definitely do. My only second choice are the wheels that come standard on the JC.

Updates:

Removed the Sport Suspension and driving lamps (thought at first they added to the overlook when I saw them on a car at the dealership)

Added anthracite headliner and chrome-line interior.

Armrest I am still unsure; will need to check it again next time I am at the dealership; the way I drive, I definitely use it so without it trying to figure it out still.

As for the clear bra, are you referring to the Invishield - Upper Kit?

Are there two different types of bonnet stripes? The style I have seen through the configurator, but at the dealership today I saw two new 09 MCS where the stripes were closer together and also appeared on the rear of the car.

 

Cool. Got pictures?

I've ended my vendorship on NAM. It was fun making *****, but the advertising was too expensive. I'm also getting back into jewelry and metalsmithing -- combining those with wood turning... Having fun, at any rate.

They are both listed at 22.5 lbs. Make great boat anchors. A lighter wheel rides better, accelerates faster, brakes quicker. The racers seem to like 15" & 16". The 17" & 18" are popular with the street cruisers.

 

Sport Stripes are good.
Center Arm Rest plain sucks.
16" Rims in New Jersey is a must because of the ride & potholes.
Sunroofs are nice.
AC is a must.
Heated Seats are nice.
In 07' R56 the sport suspension was standard.
Automatic Transmission is nice especially in NYC traffic.
JC Carbon Fiber; hood scoop was a must w/ sport stripes and reported melting of hood scoops on MCS. Mirror Caps and Boot Latch just tied in.

 

I like the look of the Driving lamps, but they don't add too much.
Heated seats rock. I love the sunroof, I got it instead of a ragtop and am satisfied.
Sport Suspension is 1mm on the swaybars. I would go for the JCW suspension if you want better suspension covered under warranty. I rode in a JCW with the JCW suspension and it feels just the same as the Sport Suspension ride, but damn does it corner hard.

 

It went okay, but um.. yeah.. I'm getting snow tires. I ended up driving hubby's SUV to the java hut tonight because the MINI skated a bit too much in the goodyears.

 

- I agree that the standard S suspension is stiff enough for me as is.
- +1 on the anthracite liner and chrome line! I went with the wood dash, and the doors have a piano black "arc" on them (not wood). Piano would probably give you black/black on the doors.
- I like a place to put my arm, so I'm ok with the arm rest. I agree that it has a tendency to slide open sometimes when I wack it hard with my elbow and that it pretty much blocks the rear cup holder (except for 12oz size cans). Still ok to me though.
- I think my web spokes and 17" rock, even if they are a few pounds heavier than some of the others. Can you tell that your car handles differently with 2/3 of a tank of gas compared to a full tank? whatever
- +1 for the auto-AC, just set and forget. Delete if you want to save $$$.
- Delete the mats! Have the dealer to throw in the 4 "S" mats and the one in tbe boot!
- -1 for sunroof, but thats just me.
- +1 for the xenon!!! I love them.
- Love the punch leather seats too.

 

Ideal solution for the armrest issue for me was to order and install (0:20 minute job)
MINI's European version of the center armrest.

Button latched flip-top and is much larger and more comfortable for two elbows.

Link to one of the order sites can be clicked in my 'sig' below and photos can be seen in my Gallery.

 

I disagree. I have the driving lights. On an unlit 2-lane country highway, they add enough extra light, especially to the sides, to increase visibility for keeping an eye on deer and other critters that tend to jump out and cause much damage. My wife and I are glad to have them under those conditions, and it's why we spent the extra $740 for them.

If you only drive in the city, you'll probably never use them. They only work when the brights are on.

 

Yes, I have it on my bumper and and bottom part of bonnet. The MINI's hood is very upright in the front and is susceptible to getting nicked and chipped, especially if you do a lot of highway driving with cars/trucks kicking up debris. Maybe I'm more obsessive than most; it frustrated me when the paint chips started to amount. Some dealerships can install themselves but others contract out which raises the price, so get a quote from the dealer first and then look elsewhere while you're waiting for your build.Those stripes, the "Sport Stripes" and possible matching roof and boot stripes are on the configurator under step 6->Exterior Styling. Talking about step 6, there are also the Checkered or Black Jack side scuttles (trim behind side-marker lamps) that I think have a nice contrast with Chili Red rather than the standard chrome, or the step 5->JCW Exterior Styling->Black Grille side scuttles
Well if we're not racing, the weight isn't as much of an issue and a heaver OEM wheel will be sturdier than an aftermarket lightweight wheel. According to MINI2 Wheel Guide, the Web Spokes weigh 22.3 while the Crown Spokes weigh 22.7. The weight difference is so small but the Web Spokes have so much more of a presence than the Crown spokes. Beautiful, powerful design for the MINI.
It's subjective. If I lived in rural NH rather than suburbs of Boston and didn't have the Xenons, maybe I'd appreciate the driving lights more, but in my opinion the minute difference in visibility doesn't justify the $500+ (in any scenario) and there are aftermarket options that are worth the price.
I loved the sunroof on my 2003 R53 until is started to leak and creak. Many complaints are for the R53 and not R56 although the R56's sunroof does have a tendency to get stuck in high-temps, it is generally more reliable than the R53s. With any feature comes added complexity. You'll never notice the added weight on standard roads. I love the sun and never closed the shades on my 2003, ever. You get a sunroof because you love the sun, not to hide from it. I only pulled the shade when parking in the sun and heat. Maybe if I lived further south I'd be worried about the poor shades, but it sounds like if you get some snow consistent triple-digit temps wouldn't be the norm and you should be fine.

 

I live on a rural two lane highway that is unlit at night and dark enough to do astrophotography of nebulae and galaxies. The Xenons are twice as bright as I need to see anything on the sides or down the road at night.

All the problems I've read about are on R56's. I haven't read the R53 threads. R56 reports have been about water leaks, rattles, too large a glass area, inadequate sun shade, and malfunctions. There are long threads dedicated to them in the Coupe Talk (2007+), and Stock Problems, Issues forums.

 

Very thorough feedback...thank you

Good point about the mats, though everytime I have tried the salesperson acts I have asked him to give the car away. Either way, are the rubber type better?

BTW...do you have the aero package kit on yours?

 

Then the 17" are definitely what I am going with; heck even the 18" would interest me Just prefer the stance better too with the 17" wheels.

 

I need to check it out again next time at the dealership, but sounds like the center arm rest has been changed for 09.

Just noticed the Sport Stripes are an option listed under the accessories; problem is I prefer the hood with the bonnet stripes, but like how the Sport Stripe continue through the back of the car.

Have you had any problems with your sunroof?

Melting of hood scoops????

BTW...like the Pepper White is my second color choice which I am still considering too

How do you like your driving lamps?

 

Was looking at your blog and noticed your comment about the Rain-Sensing Wipers. So without them, there is no type of intermittent wiper setting?

Had any issues with the sunroof?

 

Guess even with front wheel drive the performance tires win out; definitely going to look into the dealer configuring it with the All Season.

 

Thanks for the link to the Euro Armrest. The one from Mini is a joke!