i do not own one (as of yet) and have been doing research on them for about 4 months now to see if all the good and the bad stories are true --

BUT -- if i were to get one --
i would get a Cooper S --
i would get the Indy Blue with a White top

is there anything else you all can recommend so i can begin to search this a little more seriously....? (esp if that color is not a good color to have because it peels or something...anything like that)

I drive about 80 miles a day to and from work -- mostly highway -- and would like to think about starting motorcross with it...(down the road)

and the most important thing -- the loves of my life would have to fit (i have 2 dogs...one is a 40lb. basenji and the other is a 60lb austrailan shephard) so will they fit in the back?

thank you so much for your time and for humoring a newbe....

-peep

 

I have an IB/W MCS and I have not had any problems with the paint.
There has been posts of people cramming things into their MINIs, dogs, christmas trees, etc. I think for a small car there is plenty of room especially with the seats down in the back for the dogs.
Other than that, if you are interested in autocrossing, I'd say go for light weight (no sunroof etc).

my 3 cents

B

 

Don't forget the MFSW.........without it you won't have cruise control. Even if you think you won't use the cruise it can be harder to sell a car without it. For the cruise and the steering wheel mounted stereo controls it's well worth the $350.


R.E.

 

If you are anywhere cold, you gotta get heated seats!!

 

I don't like heated seats at all. They're nice for a minute or two, but then they just make your butt all sweaty.

 

The dogs will fit...especially if you keep the seats folded down. Also, if you're going to be doing dog transport, I'd suggest the leatherette seats and DEFINITELY not leather (which I think is over-priced and too fragile even for non-dog-duties). I've started carrying a dog somewhat regularly, and my leatherette interior easily wipes clean of slobber, hair, etc.

Oh, and be sure to get the sunroof and the MFW. My two favorite options. :smile:

 

thanks for the responses --

but newbe question --
what is/are MFW and MFSW ?

 

^ Multi-Function Steering Wheel. Includes cruise control and stereo-control buttons. IMO, the cruise control is largely worthless, but the stereo-control buttons are wonderful. Unfortunately, you can't get one without the other.

 

Peep

I too started off wanting to join the MINI camp with an MCS. Then I learned about the JCW MCS and that was all I could think about. Then I joined this forum and realized that what I wanted out of my MINI meant I needed to get a good ol' normally aspirated MINI Cooper. You mentioned autocrossing (I presume that's what you meant by "motorcrossing" ) You can find other threads here that discuss the virtues of each different variation. The short of it is that the general consensus is that an MC is more competitive in a stock class than an MCS.

As far as the dogs are concerned, my 100 pound son and 55 pound daughter fit in the back. And that's with the seat up of course. Don't forget the rear seat folds flat. Try bringing the dogs to the dealer. Somewhere on here (it might be in the Dealer Rating System) there's a post about someone being able to take their dogs to the dealer to try the car out for them.

Happy MINIing

HunterBoss

 

>>^ Multi-Function Steering Wheel. Includes cruise control and stereo-control buttons. IMO, the cruise control is largely worthless, but the stereo-control buttons are wonderful. Unfortunately, you can't get one without the other.


I've seen this comment about the worthless cruise before but I don't understand it. I've used my cruise lots of times and it works perfectly. I guess I'm just lucky?
:smile:


R.E.

 

>>I've seen this comment about the worthless cruise before but I don't understand it. I've used my cruise lots of times and it works perfectly. I guess I'm just lucky?
>> :smile:
>>
>>
>>R.E.

Seconded...

Mine holds speed +/- 2mph solid, even w/ the air on full blast.

 

I'm a two-time Indi Blue with White roof buyer - both looked different, and both are good in their own way. First one was darker and had very little metallic; current one has lots of metallic and is a bit lighter (but still quite dark). I get lots of positive comments. A caveat of the white roof with a dark body color - white wheels look best.

Must have options: Xenon headlights, Fog lights, and Multi-function Steering Wheel (MFSW). The added lighting along with the remote stereo buttons and cruise control make Motoring just that much more special, in my opinion.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Peep,
As far as the dogs go, it shouldn't be any problem. There is a guy who posts regularly around here who has removed his rear seats and built a platform or something for his two large dogs. His is also Indi blue (the best). He goes by the name doghouse. You could look him up and pm (private message) him, too.
Cheers!

 

>>^ Multi-Function Steering Wheel. Includes cruise control and stereo-control buttons. IMO, the cruise control is largely worthless, but the stereo-control buttons are wonderful. Unfortunately, you can't get one without the other.


I agree. I have never turned on my cruse control but I love the multi function steering wheel. My wife just bought a new Lexus and I really miss it when I have to drive her car. (which i only do when she is with me).

Earl

 

Howdy all, I am a soon to be Indi Blue with White roof MINI S buyer. I am getting all 3 packages. My only decision I have to make is what color seats / interior I want and if I want the factory bonnet graphics or should I get something from cooperflags.com . I know the lapis blue seats with black interior would look nice, but I am also thinking the Beige seats with beige interior would look great. I am looking for pics of an IB/W with beige seats and interior.

I can't wait to order this car. I would also like to thank all the MINI owners that have taken the time to provide such good info on this car.

Rye, It looks like you have the exact car that I am about to buy. Thanks for puting tha pic on you message. I now have it as my wallpaper so i can look at all the time until my MINI gets here.

 

anyone have any pictures with a mini in electric blue with white roof...

 

There's one in the gallery here. That color is SWEET too, I almost wish I would have gotten that instead of BRG.

 

>>>>I've seen this comment about the worthless cruise before but I don't understand it. I've used my cruise lots of times and it works perfectly. I guess I'm just lucky?
>>>> :smile:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>R.E.
>>
>>Seconded...
>>
>>Mine holds speed +/- 2mph solid, even w/ the air on full blast.

JuanPacoLopez,

It always amazes me when people say they don't want or don't use cruise control. Maybe they live in such a crowded city they never have a chance to use it? For me it helps maintain a steady speed which helps my gas mileage, decreases the probability of getting a ticket and lets me rest my leg,,,.all important to me. Not to mention the negative reaction you get around here when you try to sell a car without cruise..."What! no cruise? I don't want it". Anyway, it should be standard equipment on the MINI as it is in almost everything else.


Happy Motoring
:smile:

R.E.

 

>>>>>>I've seen this comment about the worthless cruise before but I don't understand it. I've used my cruise lots of times and it works perfectly. I guess I'm just lucky?
>>>>>> :smile:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>R.E.
>>>>
>>>>Seconded...
>>>>
>>>>Mine holds speed +/- 2mph solid, even w/ the air on full blast.
>>
>>JuanPacoLopez,
>>
>>It always amazes me when people say they don't want or don't use cruise control. Maybe they live in such a crowded city they never have a chance to use it? For me it helps maintain a steady speed which helps my gas mileage, decreases the probability of getting a ticket and lets me rest my leg,,,.all important to me. Not to mention the negative reaction you get around here when you try to sell a car without cruise..."What! no cruise? I don't want it". Anyway, it should be standard equipment on the MINI as it is in almost everything else.
>>
>>
>>Happy Motoring
>> :smile:
>>
>>R.E.

Absolutely agree that cruise should be standard along with the mfsw. Whats up with that!!

 

Hey Binkismini , just checking out the post and saw my name came up :smile: I have four dogs of which the lightest weighs in at 80#s and the heaviest at 125#s . I took out my back seat the night I bought my car home


PS....after taking out my seat I built a platform with hinges.Now I have trunk space where the bottom of the back seat lived

_________________
My DOGHOUSE, "04" MCS indi blue (all the way)#1,HK with XM,chrome mirror caps,BORLA race, Pilo CAI,C F frost sport stripes,tinted,fogs,aero grill w/chrome trim, Rear-Seat-Delete...."back seats???..we don't need no steeinking back seats!!" and a lot of dog

 

>>Hey Binkismini , just checking out the post and saw my name came up :smile: I have four dogs of which the lightest weighs in at 80#s and the heaviest at 125#s . I took out my back seat the night I bought my car home
>>
>>
>>PS....after taking out my seat I built a platform with hinges.Now I have trunk space where the bottom of the back seat lived
>>
>>_________________
>>My DOGHOUSE, "04" MCS indi blue (all the way)#1,HK with XM,chrome mirror caps,BORLA race, Pilo CAI,C F frost sport stripes,tinted,fogs,aero grill w/chrome trim, Rear-Seat-Delete...."back seats???..we don't need no steeinking back seats!!" and a lot of dog

DOGHOUSE -- that sounds cool -- have any pictures?

 

I have some pics but I don't know how to post them

_________________
My DOGHOUSE, "04" MCS indi blue (all the way)#1,HK with XM,chrome mirror caps,BORLA race, Pilo CAI,C F frost sport stripes,tinted,fogs,aero grill w/chrome trim, Rear-Seat-Delete...."back seats???..we don't need no steeinking back seats!!" and a lot of dog

 

cool -- thank you everyone for your help --
i will have to seriously think about this and see if the numbers work out (i am currently 3 years into a 5 year buyout on the car im driving now...so i have no idea how that works....so i need ti figure out who to talk to about that....any suggestion are welcome)

but you guys are great -- thanks again...

 

AAAND another thing....If you want to get into Autocross and don't want to have an excuse for getting your butt kicked, get the MC. It is very competitive in its classes. the MCS is a dog in its classess, the good thing is, you have a built in excuse...."..oh those rule makers are so unfair to me and my car...."

 

And I think that's the main reason why BMW puts it on the MINI.

My cruise control works fine. I've used it maybe 3 times in 2 years (the first couple of times just to see if it worked). I drive on the Interstate, but unless the road is absolutely empty and largely flat - two things that don't happen much here in the Northeast - I find myself over-riding the cruise every couple of miles to pass, avoid hitting someone, whatever. I just don't drive in a "dial it the speed and let the miles unfold" way. Now, maybe if I lived in....Iowa? I don't know, it's just worthless on a car like the MINI around here.