I ordered an S in late May and still have a little time to make changes before production (heck of a backlog in Oxford). Here's what I ordered:

MCS Red/Black Top
Cloth (Leather gets too hot in humid Northern VA in my opinion)
Premium Pkg
Sport Pkg (check tire question below)
LoJack (not regular. alarm)

Does anyone have sage advice on what adjustments I should make, if any? Any other things to watch out for with the dealer, too?

One more thing. Given my location (VA), I won't be hitting the twists that some of you enjoy. Therefore, I opted for 17" all seasons instead of perf. tires to get more miles out of them (hopefully 2X). Any constructive opinions on this approach would be appreciated.

We're very excited about the MINI - I just hope my '85 Accord's front end/steering makes it until it's delivered.

Thanks for any input.

 

hehe i practically have the same exact car as you

if ur not hitting the twisty just opt for the 16 inch x lites

 

There's cloth, and then there's "space cloth". Be sure to get the latter.
Heated seats & mirrors are surely a must in VA.
The car can't be driven by theives so your lojack would be limited to flatbed use only. Probably cheaper to just buy insurance.
The runflat tires aren't so great, you may want to get the perf. tires, smoke 'em and replace 'em with regular tires + AAA card.
Otherwise, looks like you're right on target.

As for dealers, ask them to detail *every* fee, fine, and penalty. They will be very reluctant to do so but if you ask several times they should eventually come clean. Expect to pay sticker price plus a couple hundred dollars in fines. Don't pay more than that, and don't expect to pay less.

 

I second the switch to 16" wheels - softer ride :smile:

 

>>I second the switch to 16" wheels - softer ride :smile:
>>


def. a worthwhile thing to note

 

I ordered my MCS with the Sports and Premium and midway added the winter package and dropped the sports. I dropped the sports to get out of the 17" wheels and into the lighter 16" wheels. Then I added the fog and xenon lights back on without the dsc and saved over $600. Net savings was around $300 and I got the wheels I like, the lights I need, the winter package I should have (good for resale too) and lost the dsc which is fairly controversial on here. If I can't handle this car in quick maneuvering without the help of an overbearing Hessian computer then I misunderstand what the beauty of MINIs is all about.

 

Is 'space cloth' only available on the S? And what are the differences between standard cloth and space?

Thanx...








04'VR/B MC in utero

 

Forget the Lojack. IMHO, a waste of money. If your car gets ripped and they do a lot of damage to it, you get back damaged goods. You also don't have a clear title and the resale value drops. A friend had a lojack and it worked - - the only problem was that when they located the car it was on a boat in international waters (Honda CRV btw). Mini has a built-in immoblizer via the chipped key so it's pretty hard to steal unless it's towed by a pro. If a pro is stealing, then it goes to a chop shop and gets stripped (I wouldn't want THAT back). Save your money, that's why you have insurance (use the money for a lower compregensive deductable).

 

if I had it to do over again, the only option I would get on the MCS is the sport steering wheel...I live in Ariz, too hot for the sunroof, don't need fog lights, the Xeons are a waste of money IMO, don't need rain sensor wipers, etc, pass on leather seats....would get stock wheels because the mini wheels are too heavy and expensive, would pass on the DSC, not needed IMO, pass on the HK sound system.....I would take the money saved and get great light alloys and performance tires for $1k, killer sound systemm for the price of the HK, tint the windows and eventually do some works type mods for $2k or less, suspension tweaks....so I end up with an 200 hp + MCS that handles and performs better than the factory MCS for under $25K...might possibly aftermarket sport seats because I hate the factory sport seats.........the accessory options are too pricey for what you get IMO, but that is where a lot of extra profit is for mini.....they advertise the works package as a $4500 add on, but then add on dealer installation extra, what a joke as everyone knows what those mods actually cost bimmer, laugh !....just my 2 cents after driving the MCS for 13 months...cheers

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice. LoJacks toast. The rest I'm considering.

 

another point in favor of the 16" wheels is the snappier off the line performance, since the 16" wheels are so much lighter than the 17" ones.
I test drove both before deciding (MCS with 16 and one with 17), and it made a distinct difference in how the car felt. The ride will also be slightly more compliant on bumby roads. I noticed no difference in terms of curve handling between 16 and 17, overall the 16's are just a lot zippier.

 

Your options look right on. Re: sports package- I'd never go w/out sports seats, despite some folks opinions here- MUCH better side support than regular seats, and I find them great for comfort. Plus they're heated! Can't get that w/ aftermarket seats, to say nothing of the airbag issue.

 

I vote for the Multi-function Steering Wheel w/ Cruise and the Xenon lights. Two options that cannot readily be inst~~~ed after production. Wheels, stereo and almost everything else can be retrofitted or less expensively purchased and upgraded later.

 

I agree, better get the 16 inch X lites and with the extra money get the Xenon lights. Those are the only thing I envy from S cars (regular coopers in Mexico don´t offer the Xenon option, you have to get it afterwards)

 

For what it's worth, here are my opinions on the options after a year of living with them for 30,000+ miles:

Premium Package
- On Board Computer: Other than the outside temperature, I don't use this at all. Since the outside temperature is the default display if you don't spec the OBC, I would not select this option next time around.
- Auto A/C: I like the Auto A/C and would get it again.
- Sunroof: Mine creaks occasionally and it doesn't get much use in the winter, but it sure is nice come spring and summer. Since I'm getting more serious about autocross weight is a consideration, so it's a toss-up whether I would select the sunroof again.
- Multifunction Steering Wheel: I originally thought I would use the cruise control functions more, but almost never do. I would definitely get the MFSW again though as the radio controls on the back are now one of my most used features.

Sport Package
- 17" S-lites: I would pass on the 17" wheels next time around. I sold mine and now use the 16" v-spokes which preserve the stock appearance and are lighter.
- Performance Run-Flats: The very first thing I would do to the car if I had it to do over again is replace the run-flats with regular tires. The tire change alone improved the acceleration, handling, and ride comfort.
- DSC: I hate it. I drive around with it turned off 90% of the time. If the system just applied the brakes when it detected slipping, it would be a nice addition. However, DSC also cuts power to the engine and I have had a couple of close calls pulling out of parking lots when DSC cut power with rapidly approaching traffic.
- Xenon headlights and Fog Lights: I really like my xenons and would get them again.

Lapis Blue Leather
- I like the leather a lot. That said, now that I have seen the Space Cloth (it wasn't available when I got my car), I wouldn't pay the extra $1250 for the leather.
- The alloy patina finish on the interior was the only finish available at the time I purchase my MINI. I would not get it again. My choice would be the plain silver. I did need to replace two interior trim pieces due to pealing paint. MINI should take strides to improve the interior trim paint adhesion.

Options I wish I had: The Cold Weather Package

My next MINI would be spec'd like this:

Pure Silver / Pure Silver MINI Cooper S
- Cold Weather Package
- Auto A/C
- MFSW
- Xenon Headlights with Fogs
- Space Cloth with the silver interior trim pieces
- possibly the sunroof

 

>>

 

yes, you can turn off the ASC too.

I was just making the point that I wouldn't pay for DSC. You're right though that ASC would perform the same in the instance described (cutting power on start-off).

 

If you have DCS, is it possible to turn off the ASC alone on its own?

Thanks

 

>>If you have DCS, is it possible to turn off the ASC alone on its own?
I have DCS and I don't think I can turn off only ASC.
16" wheels are much better than the 17" but don't look as nice.
Sell the 17" S-lites and buy lightweight 17" with non runflat tires.
Nobody as said anything about Harmon Kardon audio option. With the money saved from cutting some options do you want to consider HK? Only if audio is something important to you. Otherwise the stock radio is a good beginning.
And sport seats are standard on the S model so when you get the sports package that doesn't do anything more for the seats.

 

did u say there is no twisties in VA? that isn't what i experinced the last time i was there!! but your packageing seems like a good choice to me. i my self and considering #1 and #2 seeing as it's pretty much everything i could want in a new car

 

You need the MFSW - It's a must have option. I got my MCS with few options, but that one thing is an absolute must. You will cry if you find out about it to late because you can't get it after market.

 

Nobody talked about the "rain sensor" option.
My MCS has that option, but I have limited experience to drive in the light rain so far and I don't think I can make any final judgement at this moment. (My MCS mileage is just over the break-in...)
Yet, due to the fact that the rain sensor function replaces normal intermittent wiper, when it rains lightly and the rain sensor works, it wipes off the rain drops but not regularly, I mean, not like the normal intermittent wiper.
That, I think, depends on your preference or time to get used to...
Does anybody else have any advice ?

 

I have all 3 packages and what I've loved after nine months:

--Multi-fn steering wheel
--heated seats in winter
--sunroof

Get the 16" wheels
Skip the auto-air

The 17" wheels and auto-air are my only complaints.

Hope this helps, Jeff

 

I would get the heated seats, they are worth it!

IMHO the only thing needed on the "sports package" is the DSC, which can be turned off for spirited driving. It can save your butt one wet and icy day when you are not even screwing around. And sports seats come on the "S".

The stock 16" wheels are superior in every aspect (looks, however, are in the eye of the beholder): acceleration, ride and handling. Makes me wonder why they are so popular.

The stock car has great high beams, but if I lived outside of the city/burbs, Xenons probably are a good idea. Also, $140 for the fogs is a good buy! They work well and can be run with just the parking lights if you wish.

As folks noted, Premium Package is well worth it.

Good luck with your MINI!

_________________
The meek shall inherit the passenger seat.
Life is better MINImized. CWFAC 03

 

Thanks to everyone.

I dumped the LoJack, and I switched to performance tires in the Sports Pkg.

Thanks again.