I am about to buy a S hard top and wondering if anyone had advice of what add ons I should I get? Things that you are really glad you purchased or could live with out.

I am specifically wondering about the navigation system - worth the money?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

 

I will never buy another car without Xenons. I ordered the factory driving lights and regretted it later. They cost too much and the dealer rapes you on the install. Besides the alarm, those were the only really pricy things I ordered. Now after I picked it up!!!

 

Welcome! My S Hardtop is awaiting production; as it is my first MINI, I can't speak from experience, but in case it helps...

I decided not to get the nav system since I already have a Magellan iPhone app that does the same thing and is updated from time to time at no extra cost.

I also did not get the MINI Connected package because the salesperson actually talked me out of it! Once I realized that Bluetooth and USB connectivity came standard, there was nothing in the Connected package that I needed. I did go with the Harman/Kardon audio, though, having read that the stock system is pretty poor.

I went with the Sport Package, the Cold Weather Package and the Premium Package 2, plus a couple other minor things.

Good luck in deciding what you want!

 

I love factory navigation, it is one of my must haves. The other is the keyless go, I believe MINI calls it comfort access?

What I regret getting or not getting are:

1. Sunroof. Hate that the screen is perforated so you always have sun beating in on you.

2. No garage door opener. I cannot express strongly enough how much it bugs me to have keyless go and then need to dig for my gate/garage door opener. It sucks.

3. I really hate the beige headliner. Would give anything to have gotten the black, my interior is black with red accents. It makes the interior look unfinished.

 

I'm not fond of the navigation system. When I've driven a MINI with the Nav, I've found I used my iPhone instead. The integration of the iPhone and my address book was more useful than the pedestrian way of entering destinations on the Nav.

Comfort access was just mentioned, I find that somewhat "Meh" and a little annoying. To get into the car you have to press the button on the door handle, I might as well press the button on the key, which hasn't been sitting outside getting dumped on by tree sap. Also when I got out of the car it wouldn't turn itself off unless I pressed the button and locked the car, even if it was in the garage and didn't need locking. With the regular key the car turns itself off when you remove the key.

Also mentioned was the MINI Connected system. That was interesting as it'd play music from my iPhone via BlueTooth, that's something I haven't been able to do with the regular BlueTooth.

The option I really like is the auto A/C. I miss that a lot if I drive a MINI without it.

 

With comfort access you press the off button twice, no need to lock the doors. After having it for several years on my mercedes and then jaguar, I would never go without. I love it.

And MINI connected works with your iPhones address book. I can push the wheel button say, "navigation" and "home" or where ever I am heading, and it pulls up my navigation without needing to put anything in.

 

I am glad I got navigation in my MCS Hardtop. I read somewhere that California is going to extend no-texting laws to smartphone map usage, so I wouldn't count on being able to use your phone forever. That said, the nav can be frustrating so I still sometimes use Google maps to find businesses. I am an Android user, but I have an iPod for Mini Connected. Its neat.

Also love adaptive xenon headlights, garage door opener, and automatic wipers. I could live without the rear fog lights.

I have mixed feelings on the Harmon Kardon stereo. Sound quality is still poor, but I haven't heard the base system enough to know how much worse it is. Apparently the base system is easier to replace.

Indeed, the HK system was my most disappointing upgrade.

Typed slowly on my Xoom using NAMotoring

 

Same setup, same reasons.
Only, I did not get the cold weather package (in FL - don't need that) and I did get the garage remote in the rearview mirror setup.

I agree with another post here - once you've had Xenons, you'll never go back w/o kicking & screaming. Climate control is in the Premium Package 2, as well.

 

So that means that similar laws will soon be coming here to California East, AKA New Jersey. I have a windshield mount for the iPhone, so that, when the phone is in it, it functions like a regular aftermarket GPS and hands-free phone. If I didn't already have this, I probably would have gotten the factory navigation system.

I've read similar statements by others, too, but since I didn't want to start ripping out the audio system as soon as I got the car, I figured that maybe the H/K would hold me for a couple years.

 

I did not get an 'S', but I did get a base hardtop with no options. I also own a BMW 335 with many options. The ones I miss in the Mini:

HID headlights: Don't know if these lights stink, or I'm just spoiled by the HID's I've had in my last 5 or 6 cars.

Satellite Radio: No explanation needed.

Heated seats: I rarely use them, but this winter was pretty cold and there were several days when I missed them dearly.

Comfort Access: I actually would not have ordered this on my BMW, but it was already installed, and I ended up liking it a lot. Hard to explain why I like it so much, it's just very convenient to throw the key in my pocket and forget about it.

 

R.E. Nav, I really wish car makers would stop trying to make their own nav systems (as Apple found out, mapping is hard) and either use Garmin, or, better yet, link to Google maps on your phone. Someday...

R.E. HK, I followed similar logic. A full aftermarket audio upgrade would be expensive and a hassle, and since I'm not an audiophile I figured HK would be good enough. It probably is good enough, but as I said it's a lot worse than I expected.

 

Automatic climate control and Xenon headlights are the must-have upgrades for me. I also like the H/K sound system. The MCS I just bought happened to have Comfort Access. I didn't consider it important, but I really enjoy it now.

 

I regretted not getting the factory alarm and rear fog lights when I ordered my S, I had a heck of a time finding a dealer that could or would install the factory alarm and activate the rear fog light, not to mention the excessive dealer labor cost.
Even though the rear fog light is pretty useless, the missing tongle switch bothered me more.
The factory alarm is just for piece of mind and the audible chirps and the flashing red light on top of the tach are nice when locking the vehicle.

 

EXACTLY my thoughts, especially about the rear fog light. The lack of the toggle bothered me so I had Way install and activate. Now the panel without the rear fog symbol bothers me so that goes on at MotD. I do have a little need for the rear fog light with my blacked out tail lights. I can be a little hard to see in driving rains. Those actions of the alarm are very nice.

 

I got my MCS used and though my only requirements were a sunroof, front and rear fogs, and an MT, I've come to find that the heated seats are a must. I rarely have the heat on and sometimes even have the sunroof cracked while with the heated seats on. They're really great after a stressful day.

 

Whatsa MT?

Dave

 

Manual transmission.

 

Thanks, I was wracking my brain and couldn't come up with anything!

I feel better now.

Dave

 

I agree. I didn't always think that, but then my wife got a car with heated (and cooled!) seats and I soon changed my mind.

 

Thanks for all the responses. Now it's time to decide! The one I am flip flopping on most is a navigation system. I have an I phone and use it now in my car. I do like the built in one though!

I had not considered the Xenons, but i will now.

Again, thanks

 

Would not get a sunroof