Not a lot of owners selling Minis (especially dealers) have any idea what kind of packages/options were installed.. I'm basically looking for a fully loaded up Mini (2005+)..

I'm looking for visual cues that tell me what is what..

I know the easy ones like Xenon = Projector headlamps.

I look for the heated seat switches in the center console.. I see the Pano roof.. I know what the auto climate control AC looks like..Harmon Kardon speaker upgrade seems to be always the Mini's with silver trimmed speaker grills..

Things like the convenience package I haven't figured out how to tell? I really want Auto headlights and rain sensing wipers.. Not every dealer takes pictures of the stalks.. And i'm not even sure that the auto stuff is even indicated on the stalks? I see some yellow plastic end on the right stalk on a lot of Minis but not sure what that is.

Things I need help with:

-Cold Weather Package, heated washers and heated mirrors (how to tell? Heated seats seem to be a seperate option and doesn't guarantee cold weather package)

-Rain sensor/auto headlights (no idea what to look for here, I read that both of these features use a light sensor that can be seen if you can get a clear picture of the front windshield)

-Dynamic stability control and LSD (is there a button on the dash for the stability?) I guess there's no easy way to guarantee LSD unless it has the JCW package.

-Convenience package/Autodimming mirror, "coming home device".. Not all dealers take picture of the rearview mirror but what the heck is a coming home device?

-Park distance rear sensors (I suppose this is easy if you can see a shot of the rear end of the Mini, look for the circular sensors in the bumper, correct?)

The rest of the options seem to be appearance besides the Sport packages/JCW.

Is there a particular Sport package I should be looking for? GP model is out of the question, far too pricy for me.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jay

 

Admittedly, it can be tough to tell what options a car has w/out the original window sticker and coming from a dealer who has no clue.

DSC: you'll find a toggle on the center stack labeled "DSC".

I have the Convenience pack on my R53, and I have three rubber buttons on the underside of the rearview mirror that can be programmed w/codes for a garage door opener. They're nearly flush w/the mirror, so I'm not sure you could see these in a typical dealer photo.

The yellow cap at the end of the right stalk is an indicator for low washer fluid. I'm pretty sure it's for the headlight washers.

Sorry I can't offer more help! There's a thread here called "find out all the options your car has". (I used it a few years ago when I bought my car.) You provide the VIN and some very helpful, gracious members can pull records from MINI and give you the whole enchilada of the vehicle build.

HTH!

 

Thanks so much i'll look for the thread.. So the VIN actually indicates all options, even the smaller ones like convenience and what not?

 

Exactamundo If you can get the list, it'll include all options from interior color to wheels ordered and all packages added to the car.

 

I don't expect very many people to include the window sticker.. On another note, how many fully loaded Minis have you actually seen? It seems like a lot of options can't be added on after the fact, especially any electronic type ones.. I wonder if things like the Chronopack can be added on..

 

While the chrono pack can be added the dealer will need to update the on-board computer.

 

Well thats good news. I can at least take Chrono off the checklist of requirements since i can add it.

 

Was navigation worth it in the 2005/2006 models? Does it have bluetooth audio streaming?

 

To see the factory installed options input the last 7 digits of the VIN here:

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

 

Thanks but it seems like this website link you've provided doesn't work - it just times out for me.

Edit: and now it's working nevermind!

 

That's a great URL thank you! Is there a way to translate it? Nein sprechen zie Deutschen...

 

Ta DA! I see there's a little flag at the bottom...I can translate it to British OR American! haha

Thanks again!

 

I'm not so sure if that is a list of options that are installed on the car. I put my VIN in and it came up with options that are definitely not there. The information in the first table through the location (Oxford) is correct.

 

Navigation ended up being worth it, even though I was originally looking for a MINI without it. The gauges are easier to see because with only one gauge, the steering wheel blocks the top of the tach. With the gauges side by side, visibility is a lot better.

No BT audio streaming built in, but with the right adapter, the screen is great for controlling an ipod with the nav **** and steering wheel controls.

The nav itself is not user friendly. You would probably be better off with a garmin or smartphone. The price diff between a used MINI with, and without nav, should only be less than $300, if anything at all.

 

Some of the options listed are standard items in the US. I didn't see anything in the list of options for mine that wasn't actually on the car.