First off hello, I've been to this site many times over the last year but this is the first post. A couple of days ago I spec'ed a cooper S for January built. I've waited a while here in the San Fran Bay Area so I'm very happy to finally get this process going. The questions are with regaurds to what you purchased from your dealer:

What items in addition did you buy at the dealer for your cooper or cooper S? Clear coats, 3m clear gaurds(Invisishield etc..), no rust proofing so don't worry!

What alarms have people been buying or recommending?? Lo-Jack, Stock, window Etching, or anything else?

Extending the warrenty?

Leather protectant, interior protection etc....

Thanks All,

I look forward to finally motoring!!

 

Minifly,
Check your private messages for information on ordering your car at a substantial savings, including all your accessories. also check out
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic=19942&1 in the MINI Talk Forum
Charlie

 

It's almost always better to skip all the overpriced high dealer mark-up add ons. Clear coats? The car is already clear coated.

Unless you've got money to burn skip all the dealer stuff and if you must have a car alarm installed check around for the best system at the best price.

You can probably tell that the mear thought of things like dealer Scotchgard, window etching and other rip-offs gets to me.

OK, I admit I bought a boot box at the dealer.


About the car, you'll love it!!!

R.E.

 

yah, as above, skip the window etching, clearcoat, scotchguard, rust proofing..
even an alarm system unless you keep your car outside at night, i guess.

i told my sales guy to skip all that because i was sick of getting harrassed
by such items in the past.

 

minifly,
Aloha and welcome to NAM.

>>... The questions are with regards to what you purchased from your dealer:
>>
>>What items in addition did you buy at the dealer for your cooper or cooper S? Clear coats, 3m clear gaurds(Invisishield etc..), no rust proofing so don't worry!

I got none of these from the dealer. The 3M clear adhesive film is OK for the headlights or front of the MINI to reduce damage from road debris. It's clear so you cannot see it too easily. I installed my own 3M film for the lights in the front- all six. (two headlights, 2 fogs, 2 turn indicator lights)

>>What alarms have people been buying or recommending?? Lo-Jack, Stock, window Etching, or anything else?

The dealer can install the MINI 2004 alarm. I got an aftermarket Clifford alarm. We don't do Lo-Jack or Etching at my dealership.

>>Extending the warrenty?
Nope.
>>Leather protectant, interior protection etc....
Nope. But the dealer does sell them for $499 with 5 year warranty good all across the US.

When you can, save your money.

Our dealer will install:
Aerokits-installation and painting of wheelarches
Rally lights
roof racks
White tail lights
Upgraded MINI wheelsets
Chromed stock wheelsets
Aftermarket upgraded air intake, exhaust headers, JCW kit for MCS.
6 CD changer
Floor mats and wheel locks

 

I've not heard of the clear coverings for headlights to guard against road debris. Sounds like a good [read "cheap"] investment for any vehicle. How 'bout some info on that? Anyone?

 

Hi, I picked Perky up October 7th. One week later I had a nasty stone chip on the bonnet. I then had it touched up and had Invinca-shield installed on the bonnet, also the headlights, mirrors and door edges. I have LY/W MC, you can barely see it up close. i heard the darker colors show the shield more. I also had white bonnet stripes and I am finnaly getting my alarm system installed this week. There was an upgrade on the 2004 systems. They were not compatable with the previous Mini's.
I will post how I like my alarm system when I get it.
HAPPY MINI MOTORING!!

 

Dixie,

You can order different pieces of clear coverings from your dealer (Check out the Build Your Own tab at MINIUSA.com), and have the dealer install it; or you can have a local shop such as Clear Armor in Mt View do it http://www.cleararmorinc.com/home/index.html. Theyu do many of the cars at local dealers (including my 03 Boster S...a very professional job.

Check out Nor Cal Mini's Web page.http://24.6.35.81/ or this thread at NAM for info about Nor Cal https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ic=16034&1

Joining them will get you a substantial discount at Clear Armor since the owner is a NorCal sponsor and a MINI owner (neat Chili Red MC with Aero Kit)

Charlie

 

My wife wanted a flag on the roof and the dealer handled it well. Otherwise we bought no add ons from the dealer. The charge to much. If they insist ... walk away very quickly.

Motor on

 

Thanks for the input everyone, I sort have been leaning to getting the Mini Alarm, and 3m clear armor but not much else :smile: