The wife and I are looking to purchase our first accessories for our '06 Mini Cooper S. Here's what we're thinking about buying/ordering:

1) Rubber boot mat: Mini Mania sells the factory rubber boot mat but I also noticed they sell an extended mat that protects the backs of the seats. Anyone have experience with this? Does it stay out of the way when not in use? I'm going to be hauling some photography equipment on a regular basis, but the heavyest part is (light kit) will reside on the floor of the boot, so maybe the extended boot mat isn't worth it?

2) Parcel Shelf: I've been reading the threads about this, but I need to find out if it's a legal modification for G-stock (SCCA Solo 2 autocross)

3) Sun Shade: The factory sun shade is what we were thinking of purchasing. Some friends of ours have a seperate steering wheel cover and shift **** cover made out of the same sun shade material. They are really slick (His wife likes how it keeps the steering wheel and shift **** cool on hot days) But I've searched and searched and haven't been able to find them for sale anywhere.

4) Glove Box Shelf with iRide iPod holder: We really like how this setup keeps the iPod from sliding around the glove box. I'm just wondering if the Mini Mania glove box shelf is the best design. Any advice?

5) Factory Repair Manual: I hear people talk about the Bentley manual. Is that the one to get? Who sells them?

Thanks! (we love our new car!)

 

1) I've got the extender and like it when piling stuff on the seatbacks. Doesn't really fit in the car with the seats up though.
2) Awesome, but don't know about SOLO legal
3) A standard shade fits fine, unless you want to pay $$ for the MINI logo.
4) Don't know
5) Yes, Bentley. Got mine new on ebay for $62. They have them on Amazon and MINI vendors.

 

I have the boot mat and extension. The boot mat is heavy rubber and works very well. The extension is a thick plastic and has velcro to hold it down. The extension (while I do use it as I did pay for it) is not worth it in my opinion. When you put the seats up you have to take it out of the car and it doesn't always stay in place. You'd be better off just folding an old blanket and putting it in there instead.

Boot Mat= go for it
Boot Mat Ext= forget it

 

The parcel shelf is a great add-on. Very practical. Many of us install Auxillary inputs or outlets in them (see the electrical mods thread).

I have a glove box orgainzer (absolutely essential modification), but prefer to keep my iPod hanging from the dash for easy access.

I personally do not like the Bentley. I find that it has huge gaps in the step-by-step instructions, and is just plain wrong in some sections. I rarely find the information more helpful than what I find here on NAM.

Have fun shopping!

 

I honestly doubt that they will belly ache about the parcel shelf untill you start winning. Then look out they will go over your car with an electron microscope.

 

Well I don't have any of those things, but the boot mat is on my list! I think it's so practical, it's a shame they didn't include it in the first place. But then again i have horses and dogs, so i'm always throwing grungy, dirty things in the boot.

I don't see why the parcel shelf would be illegal for autox. Unless maybe they would think it got in the way of your legs. Like they always make me take my floormats out. *grumble grumble*

 

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. Keep 'em coming!

Does anyone know if there's a difference between the various glove box organizers? Or are the all the same for the 2005-2006 MCS?

Is there another manual available other than the Bentley?

So far it sounds like:
1) Rubber boot mat: YES (but not the extended cover)
2) Parcel Shelf: YES (if it's legal)
3) Sun Shade: NO (too expensive for what it is)
4) Glove Box Shelf with iRide iPod holder: YES
5) Factory Repair Manual: MAYBE?

 

It should be legal under the "comfort and convenience" clause - the same thing that allows you to swap your steering wheel out for another one of similar size, or swap out your stereo for another one.

 

I've got the 'little red' repair manual from Haynes. It's much less expensive than the Bentley manual and has plenty of detail for most folks. If you are much more serious and plan to tear down and re-build the engine, the Bentley is what you are looking for.

The rubber boot mat (regular size) and glove box organizer are great additions. I've got my iPod in a suede case and that texture, combined w/ the texture of the organizer, keeps it from sliding around. I haven't tried the extended boot mat, though.

I had all of my side windows tinted to 30% and had both sunroof panels tinted to 93% (black limo tint). I live in Dallas, TX and have not seen any need for a front windshield reflector/shade. We saw 28 days over 100 degrees last summer and, with all of the other tinted glass, neither the wheel nor my Whalen shift **** were too hot to handle. I'm more a fan of the circular hoop-style shades, anyway. The accordian style shades always seem to be a big PITA to put up and down.

 

I think you're missing an accessory that I have found to be a must-have: a one touch window-up circuit. I never understood why BMW markets this car as an upscale vehicle but neglects to add this convenience feature. Trust me- if you regularly raise and lower your windows, this is the first thing to get.

 

Two things to add:

1. Lightnsight. You can see an overhead traffic control devices--red lights without cranning (a word?) your neck. Google for it. $12-15 bucks. Works great
2. "Knee pads" place on downtubes. Check out MYMINI.com. Makes resting the knee against the center thing much more comfortable. Around $30--40 bucks.

 

DoubleNick,

Which LightNSight product do you mean? I went to LightNSight.com but couldn't find anything that looked like what you described. It sounds like a useful accessory.

 

Light-n-sight: https://duranodic.site-secure.net/li...ight/index.htm

The knee pad is also a great addition if you have long-ish legs: http://www.myminiparts.com/proddetai...rod=DKP&cat=10 (I have the old style, but this one looks softer)

 

I thought the Bentley Manual only covered 2002-2004 models. Has there been an update?

(and don't anybody say there's no differences between 02-04 and 05-06, because there are...)

 

Thanks agranger...looks pretty useful.

 

Can someone please tell me how to affix the boot mat extension?
Im having a terrible time with it
thankyou

 

There ARE changes, but it gets the job done for 98% of your questions... especially on the major engine components.

 

The extension has a few pieces of velcro on the underside. They adhere (poorly) to the material on the seatback. That's it. No mas. It works okay, but wasn't worth the money.

 

The reason why in the States is that it's considered unsafe since a few people got various body parts stuck in the window in some cars. So it's not an option.

 

If you are going to Solo Nationals, this is the closest you will get to having the required factory manual.

It doesn't directly cover the 05-06 models, but it has most of the info you'd need. Plus it has a great little technical intro that was fun to read. I didn't know that the connecting rods were forged one piece and then fractured.

My local book store had it, but my local bookstore is Powell's Books, which is a city block square and 4 floors tall.

 

You are right. Once again, our litigous sp society governs what we can and cannot have.
Someone with "auto up" windows got their finger pinched, sued, and now no one gets auto up windows.

 

Not true- otherwise, BMW's 3 series coupes wouldn' have this feature... it's just a matter of bean counting.

 

I love my boot mat. It works great for my fishing tackle. Just a quick wash up and it's ready to go.

 

I bought my iRide from Moss MINI. As it turns out they use the OEM MINI glove box organizer. The iRide is well designed and having the removable sleeves is great. I love that the iPod is in the glove box (not rolling around) and can be locked. I like keeping my interior clean and as stock as I can keep it. I live and park in the city (SF), so I don't really want to temp anyone with what treasures might be found inside.

Hope that helps. -Andrew

 

I just lay it down there - it doesn't have a whole lot of room to move.