After much research (a lot of it done here), I finally ordered my MCS. Spec is:

2004 Mini Cooper S
Indi Blue, white roof and stripes
Space cloth seats, anthracite trim
Sports Package (I listened to the forum advice on 16" vs 17" wheels, but frankly the 17" wheels just look so much better IMHO)
Everything from the prem package without the sunroof (I am putting a union jack roof graphic on) - Auto A/C, Computer, Multi-function wheel
Harman Kardon audio
Aux input
Union Jack roof graphic

I ordered from Mini of the Hamptons at MSRP (plus the shipping to Los Angeles). I called every dealer west of the Mississippi and the best anyone would do was $2k over MSRP, in LA the best I could get was $3.5k over, with an average aroung $5k.

Now, of course, the wait will kill me, but that's ok.

Maddog

 

Congrats! Great color choice by the way. Seems we have a lot of people recently going with IB.

 

I love that stripe and the interior is awesome. I assume both are custom jobs. The interior particularly is spectacular, great choice.

 

Congrats! I'd like to tell you the wait is ok, but I can not lie. It sucks.
I'm dying over here!

I'm glad Houston was msrp, but I definitely would have ordered out of state if it wasn't.

 

After returning from a 2400 mile road trip in my new 2004 MCS, I can tell you it will worth the wait. The car is a hoot to drive, and the build quality on mine is fantastic. Not a rattle, buzz, or squeek. All body panels are aligned correctly, and the paint is well applied. It was well worth the 5 months I waited. From the moment you place your hands on the beautiful leather wrapped steering wheel after you seat down in the sport bucket seats, you realize this is truly a drivers car and you find excuses to take it out. It screams BMW. I will post a full report with photos about my journey next week.