I just ordered the first 2009 Cabrio S in my city. Ok. Here is what everyone needs to know. No more Sidewalk Package!! The Sport Package has been totally decimated. They took out the sport suspension, that has to be paid for separately. They took out the Harmon Kardon and replaced it with an Alpine 6 or 10 speaker system. The premium package no longer includes the speakers, or the center arm rest. The convenience package includes bluetooth and integrated Ipod. Also has 3 universal garage door openers, auto-dimming rearview window.
Some of the standard features are no longer standard, like park assist. DSC is now DTC. DTC is a combination of DSC and limited slip differential and is EXTRA although it is also a part of the jacked up Sport package.
Also, the base price increased by $1400!!
There are some new upholstery options. I ordered the Hot chocolate with the hot chocolate roof for Simone.
I basically had to order everything I wanted a la carte and the price is $2500 more than the configurator. The biggest load of crap is the loss of the Harmon Kardon. It almost makes me want to just hold on to the 08 MCS I am driving now!!
As a matter of fact, I am debating whether I really want to change. My biggest complaint about the current cabrio is the black seats in the summer and the lower than expected milage and higher than desired emissions. Do I really care that much about the environment??
Thoughts??

 

Hmmm... MINIs have always been about ordering a-la-carte. Think of it as a feature. I'm rather shocked that the only thing keeping you from going over to the new R57 is mileage, emissions and black seats.

Most car manufacturers boost their packages close towards the end of life to entice customers to purchase. You're obviously enticed by some of the features of the old convertible, which is what BMW wanted or we'd all stop buying the "old" and wait for the latest-and-greatest to be unveiled. The Sidewalk package, as well as the Checkmate package and the Seven and Park Lane packages in the UK were all post mid-life refresh R50/R53 packages. It's too early in the R55/R56/R57 lifecycle for nice freebie-combo packages. It may be the case that the sum of all the a-la-carte features may cost slightly more than the previous gen, but you could certainly wait a few years under a mid-cycle refresh for the discounts and packages to arrive, until then the R57 will be a much more efficient car and until the reviews start will probably have the same advantages the R56 had over the R53 (quieter, more refined, better ride, safer, better brakes on the S, better mileage, etc)

In regards to not having park assist, is it really needed? The R53 Convertible had it because you could barely see out the back when parking. It was a "necessity" while the view-obstructing roll-hops are completely gone with the new R57 making park-assist unnecessary.

I personally loved the Sidewalk package for the old convertible and especially the rarely publicized final-edition models. You can't have everything unfortunately although you are in an envious position to get either a well-optioned R53 convertible or get a more technically-advanced but-more expensive R57. That's the cost of being an early-adopter.

 

This post should be moved to Cabrio Talk (2009+) forum

 

I am confused. Isn't the new 2009 supposed to be based off of the current MCS. That would make sense because all the things you said have already happened to the 2009. The one thing that has me confused is the Harmon Kardon thing, as far as I know they got rid of that for 2007. I have a 2008 MCS and I do not have the Harmon Kardon system. I do have the 10 speaker premium package though.

 

I didn't realize until after I posted this that the hardtop was already on the Alpine system. What do you think about the 10 speaker system?? Is it worth the money??

 

How do I move this post to the cabrio talk (2009+)

 

No, the lowered emissions and better gas milage are why I want the new model. The main reason whay I wanted a mini was to be green. They were supposed to have the better engine last year, but you know that story. I have been on the 2009 waiting list for two years so that I can get my dream car with a greener engine. My problems with the new car is that it is so much more expensive and I can't get the packages i have been configuring for 2 years

 

For info about the new "upgraded" audio package check out the threads in the NAV/Audio sub-forum. There are a lot of opinions there. With the HiFi system you basically get a factory amp in the boot to power all speakers and tweeters in the a pillar, should be the same for the cabrio as well.

My thoughts on the HiFi system, if you're an audiophile you will probably be disappointed. The general consensus is that the speakers need to be replaced at the very least. Being that you are in a cabrio you may want to turn the tunes up a bit louder than us hardtoppers and the factory speakers suck at any kind of volume. I just replaced mine and now my problem is that the speaker can handle more volume than the stereo is capable of pushing out.

 

DrSelina, I think some of the things you're seeing as having been cut aren't just because there are a lot of differences. I'm not an expert on any of this, but I have been doing a lot of research in preparation for ordering an R56.

The "Sport Suspension" of the previous versions is - as I understand it - the default for the R55-57. The new sport suspension option is even stiffer than the previous gen sport suspension.

As far as I know, DSC was optional on the 1st gen and is standard on R55-57 and DTC is not a renamed DSC.

The audio changes seem to be a continually debated topic

Just figured I'd chime in here, hopefully the information's useful to you.