what do you guys think is a MUST have package on your r56. Im trying to figure out what the pros and cons of each package is. I live in California so I already know taht the cold weather package isnt really necessary haha :P What do you guys think???

 

I don't think any package is a must have. However, there are items in some of the packages that I think are definitely required.

In the Sports Package, DSC is desirable, IMO. If you also want 17" wheels, the package is worthwhile.

The limited slip differential is also a must have if you are getting an S with a manual trans., but it is not in a package.

The Convenience Package is just that, a package of conveniences. Depends on how addicted to such things you have become with other cars.

I also like the Park Distance Control. If you are getting a NAV, it shows a graphic of where an object is and how close.

 

Don't underestimate the luxury that is......heated seats; even in Cali. Bit chilly in the morning? Heated seats. Have a little backache? Heated seats. Going to the (almost extinct) Drive-In? Heated seats. Enjoy fresh air (windows/top down) while motoring at night? Heated seats. Want to make your passenger go my butt is burning! Heated seats.

I rest my case for the cold-weather package for Cali motorists.

 

heated seats are certainly nice but it takes a couple of minutes to feel the warmth. Instaheat would be nice...

 

I wish MINI would come out with a Performance package with LSD, Sport Suspension, and... something.... If nothing else, knock the price for the combination to $800. The "Sport" package is worthless to me, because I don't want DSC, 17" wheels, or Xenon headlights. (ok, maybe the Xenons)

The only package I'm getting on my MINI will be the Premium package, but it is not must have... Just things I want.

 

When we bought our second MINI, we realized that we could do better buying only the options we wanted rather than buying any of the packages. All of the packages included things we KNEW we didn't want.

The only thing we considered a "must have" were the xenon lights.

We also considered the auto climate control to be a "must not have"

 

For me, the Sports package was a must have and so was LSD although it isnt part of a package. Otherwise the rest is optional.

 

Robin,

Have you seen confirmation of this? I know the U.K. nav system does this, but I haven't seen anything definitive that says it will also work that way in the U.S.

The R56 manual for the U.S. market only talks about an audio alert. It doesn't say anything about the nav graphic.

 

Sport plus limited slip: must haves

 

I already have my MCS. Wish I hadn't been so frugle. If I had it to do over again I'd definitely go with the sport package: Once you have Xenon headlamps you realize just how much more you can see at night, especially on dark rolling hills (had them on my last two cars). Dynamic Stability Control is a must for safety (and you can turn it off when choosing to squirrel around in a controlled environment). The 17" wheels really look sharp (I like the crown spoke). And to top off the package, the bonnet stripes really do add a sporting look to the car.

From there I'd add the computer nav system - which mandates both the leather steering wheel (only way to get cruise) and the Automatic AC). The Nav fills out the instrumentation beautifully, and, maybe more importantly, it guarantees that no one will ever accuse your speedometer of looking like a pie plate .

Then to top it off I'd get the $100 rear fogs for safety (and to keep from having a blank toggle switch segment). I'd get the all season tires for safety (and longer tread life). And finally, I'd get the Park Distance Control (I've had it before in a voice/alarm format - Makes backing up SO much easier - and safer).

Oops .. Just added about three grand to my bottom line ($24.2K to $27.1K).

Oh .. I'd add the limited slip differential if I was going to race my car (the car racing croud says it's a must). But for street driving I think the DSC will pretty much take care of situations where LSD might be otherwise needed (my opinion).

 

Anyone with the Cold Weather Package have any feedback on this latest bout of winter weather? Are the heated seats and jets worth it? Today has been the worst day in Colorado all year with freezing rain making it very hard to get the windows cleared (and mirrors.)

 

sorry for my noob query but is LSD factory only?

 

Yes. Unless you want to go aftermarket.

 

Hmm. I got the info from here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=93253
Didn't realize that it was not the USA model.

I think there are people in the USA who have R56s with the NAV by now. Rather than hijack this thread, I'll start a new one.

 

I've had heated seats on Saabs and Audis in the past. They're truly good to have if you have to park your car outside in the cold for any length of time. They heat up much faster than your car does.

I sometimes had to drive in weather like you describe when I lived in New England (one time all the way from New York to North of Boston - miserable day). If I lived there still I'd definitely go with the heated windshield washer jets even if they helped only a little.

 

You know like most people I couldn't decide what all to get... So I got everything. (See my sig). Yeah it makes the car more money but like Ken I didn't want to have any regrets later. I plan to keep the car for some time, so the cost evens out over time.

 

If you live anywhere where it gets even a little cold, get the cold weather package, $300 for heated seats alone is worth the price of the package, my father paid like $600 for just heated seats in the car he bought, definitly worth it!!

 

NONE, but I am a "spartan-ist", and I feel that add-ons are just pure profit for the auto companies.

 

For my "daily driver" MC (not S) on the central coast of Florida I chose Premimum and Sport. I hated the white mirrors so added chrome mirrors. If I had it to do over again I would have ordered a colorline interior, chrome outside, and the rear fog light. We will deal with the stereo on our own. I was so focused on keeping it in the low $20s I probably missed some less expensive things that would have been nice, but not absolutely necessary.

 

I went completely ala carte' on my Mini. While the package pricing would have allowed me to get a couple of other options for less, I saved about $800 on the cost of my Mini going ala carte' and getting only what I wanted.

One of my goals was to get the Mini under 23K. I came in well under that and I do not feel like I am giving anything up. My primary goal was to have something fun to drive while being economical. I figure the long term cost of ownership will benefit from keeping the option list as short as possible.

 

For me, the Xenon lights were a must-have, and DSC was on my list so the sports package got me a cheap upgrade to 17" wheels and stripes I would have gotten anyway.
The moonroof is a requirement and cruise is nice, so the premium package got me free auto a/c.
I'd also like to see the sports suspension and LSD in a package, as I got those two items separately.
I'm starting to rethink omitting the rear fogs, though.

 

JohnnyF-you may have time to update your order and add the rear fogs.

 

Yeah, I think I may call my MA tomorrow. It's only $100 and more toggles are always a good thing.

 

Absolutely. Order it - don't think twice. The seat heaters are as powerful as any vehicle I've owned - in fact, I can't even use them at full power. The jets seem do do a good job of keeping things clean, as experienced during my run to the airport last night.

 

How are the heated seats actually heated? What is the mechanism? Is it like an electric blanket? If so, any idea what sort of electro-magnetic fields are generated by the current? (Electric blankets have been linked to cancer due to the strong EMF they generate in close proximity to the body.)