I am wondering if there is a general ranking of the more popular paint schematics here - and for that matter the more popular options.

(1) What paint scheme is your favorite?

(2) Which option(s) did you not get that you wish you had?

(3) Which option(s) did you get that in retrospect of ownership you could have done without?

For the record, I'm looking at the Mini S Hardtop/Hatch, with Green Park paint scheme, sunroof/climate control package, winter package (heated seats!), and - being an Android user - totally undecided about the Mini Connected/Navigation thing (while it nicely fills that big white dinner plate, I fear I'll just be buying a ticket to an Apple party that I can't attend).

Lee

 

I've always been partial to any of the darker grays or BRG with a black top and indi or lightning blue with a white top. I just really liked the look of the contrasting roof. However, while shopping for a used MCS, I came across and all astro black beauty and fell in love. It has the premium package, sport package, and most of the cold weather package, plus basically everything I that I would find necessary if I were building it.

There isn't anything on the car that I wouldn't have added, but if I were building the car myself, I would have left out the nav screen and the convenience package anyway. I'm used to using my phone for navigation and I like being able to set my destination before even getting in the car and since I have an aux cable installed, I have no need for bluetooth

 

I REALLY wanted Indi Blue, which I did get. I preferred the blue with black roof/mirrors, but ended up with the white instead. It's growing on me, but sometimes I contemplate painting the roof/mirrors, but then it wouldn't match the wheels I will be getting.

That's what I love about MINI's. Though someone may have the same color scheme as yours, it won't be the exact same in other areas They're all so different!

 

An absolute must have are xenon headlights. I have them and they arre awesome. Cold weather package is also nice if you live where winter is.

 

I wanted the contrasting roof and bonnet stripes; the car seemed wrong with no stripes. But I might have gotten it body color and done the roof as a vinyl wrap so I could change my mind down the road. It would be a lot easier to get white vinyl than Ice Blue.

Even though I don't live where we get winter, I kinda wish I had gotten the winter package. The seats can be nice every once in a while, and the mirrors do fog up overnight fairly often.

Anything else? Well if a red interior had been available, I would have gotten that in a heartbeat. That would have been a great contrast to the Ice Blue exterior! Sadly, the most red I could get was the Color Line and the seats with red patches.

 

Although originally I wanted Chili Red with White, I test drove a Lightning Blue/Black that just spoke to me. Had all the options I wanted. I do however think I would like the NAV/connected option. Maybe next time. Since purchased I have added a bunch of badges, UJ mirrors, scuttles and rear view cover.

 

Get the sport package the seats are a lot better and make sure you
get the rear fog light that is about impossible to add later on.

I had to buy off the lot I wish I had a sunroof. My favorite color combo is
the green and black roof. I had to get silver.

 

I could do without the Auto A/C and the Comfort Access -- would put the $1,000 towards MINI Connect with Navigation. The upgraded stereo does not impress. My wife has the same system on her Subaru Outback. I prefer the Bose system on my Fiat Sport. And really, with the top down it doesn't matter anyway. For me, same with headlights, I live in an urban area and they have these new fangled things called streetlights.

Went with red and black. Have seen the Pepper White with black and it looks pretty good. Went for the 16" black wheels at no extra charge and they look fine to me.

With a Roadster you've got no option on the top color -- black, so black trim just makes sense, at least to me.

There is a very sharp looking JCW Roadster in Silver-White with red accents at my dealer. It is a real head turner!

 

Thanks for all your input! I've been returning to this thread with diligence and value every post/opinion/experience you share. So far...

Definitely:
Cooper Hatchback/hardtop S
Winter Package
Premium Package (Sunroof/climate control)
Green Park Package (With green roof, green bonnet stripes)
Xenon headlights (I anticipate lots of late-night driving on winding country roads)
Rear Fog light (Last car got demolished when someone rear-ended me - a little extra visibility for a hundred bucks? No question - THANKS for that suggestion!)

Mulling over:
Sports Package (it sends me a bit higher than my $ target - it'll be a value choice if I do it)

Pretty much ruled out:
Mini Connected +/- Nav - if it was Android I would get it, but I feel it's a big waste of money without an iPhone. This was the most frustrating - indeed infuriating - option choice of all!

Lee

 

So far we've had 2 blue and white ones (one Indi, one lightning), a dark silver and black one, and a spice orange and black one. My favorite was the purple and white, but they dont do that anymore. For the latest I'd have gone for pepper white with a red roof, but my wife didn't fancy that.

I'm quite intreagued by the hyde/green park idea, I'd like to see one for real.

As for options, I wouldn't go for the sport package for an S as it comes with the 17" wheels. I always preferred the 16". Though of course our latest came with 17", and they seem to work.

I also wouldn't go for the sunroof. I don't like sunroofs in general, and its weight in the wrong place.

I wouldn't go for a nav system, I've rented a MINI with a nav system, I didn't like it and ended up using TomTom on my iPhone instead. I also wouldn't get MINI connected as it needs the armrest, I hate the armrest it just gets in the way.

Now we've done this 5 times, we've settled on the options we do like:

Cloth/leather sports seats
16" wheels
Sport suspension
DSC/DTC
Rear fog lights
Mirror with garage door opener (also comes auto dimming)
BlueTooth/iPod
Automatic climate control

Of those, I've really missed the Auto A/C when I've hired a MINI without it.

 

Well a major reconsideration - I visited the dealership yesterday and sat down with my Android and a Mini with connected (no Nav). I was able to do most of the major items - in fact I was streaming Pandora very easily through the system and most of the Mini data did not require iPhone. I was pretty impressed with both the capabilities and the nice easy (and more attractive) display. So Connect with Nav is back on the list.

Someone mentioned that the sport package yielded better seats, but I think that's just an S-model thing. So no sport package. But I totally missed the security system which I'll be adding (work and travel take me to places where that would be important), and the adaptive light control which in turn requires the white turn signals would only add another $200 so it seems a reasonable value for added visibility.

 

It's worth noting that all the cars have an 'anti-theft system' and the option is to add an 'alarm' to that. We opted not to get it, because most of the time the car is not going to be parked anywhere near us. The garage it will be living most of its life in is one where you have to have an attendant get the car for you.

We were initially going to get it so that we'd get the corresponding insurance discount, but it turns out you still get the discount without it. The options can really add up quickly, so this is one that didn't make the cut.

 

I really love my pepper white and black roof. And I still love my interior...which is mostly polar beige (worried it would get dirty--it hasnt) with the black and polar beige cloth/leather seats. In person, everyone loves it, but I can concede its a bit much for some tastes.
I wish I had gotten the danged rear fog light...the blank toggle drives me nuts. Aside from that, I am still pleased with my build for the budget I set for myself. Money no object, I would add xenons with adaptive light control, the built in garage door opener (next mod is to find a more integrated solution), and the auto climate control (I find myself constantly fiddling to stay comfortable, a minor annoyance).