We should be getting our new MCS from Classic MINI in Ohio sometime in the next few weeks, and we need to decide what if any dealer installed accessories we want. Classic gives 20% accessories when you buy a car from them, so I'd like to get all the good stuff right away.

So, what dealer installed stuff is worth buying?

We were thinking driving lights, invisishield, rear saddlebag, leather shift ****/ebrake, chrome mirrors, boot box, boot net, and aux audio input.

Is it better to go aftermarket for stuff like invisishield, and driving lights?

 

Whatever you choose, be ready to bend over. The dealer will charge an insane amount of money to install your items. For instance, at my dealer the cost of the driving lights is $400 + installation charges of $575! That's $975 total. BMW won't be installing any of my accessories. But to answer your original question, some things I plan on getting are the driving lights and the aux input.

 

Check the "Hello, dealer recommended items" thread a few threads down, opinions are given there on dealer stuff.

R.E.

 

>>Check the "Hello, dealer recommended items" thread a few threads down, opinions are given there on dealer stuff.

that is a similar thread, but he is asking about rustproofing, fabric care and junk like that that some dealers will try to push on you.

i'm talking about factory accessories that are installed by the dealer.

 

I highly recommend the front chrome grille (3 slats) and the chrome mirror caps...worth every penny IMO.

I had my dealer install both in my new '04 MCS (CR/W) and I got charged $125 labor for installing the front chrome grille. the Chrome grille kit was $96.25 (Includes lower bumper chrome slat) and $123 for the pair of chrome mirror covers. You get to keep the original factory parts.

Suggestion: For any accessories NEGOTIATE the labor charge with the dealer! This is why it makes more sense to purchase accessories at the time of the new car purchase rather than waiting to buy them/install after the sale. Some dealers are more willing to negotiate the labor (And even give you a break) if you purchase new accessories from them.

 

If you like quality speakers, you may want the HK's cos the stock speakers are quite average. Getting aftermarket ones and installing them can be a bit of a bummer.

Definitely the sunroof of you are no "hardcore" racer that cares about every bit of weight. I have chosen the sunroof and it rocks...

generally, i tend to think that if I wont be able to get it elsewhere (or really troublesome) and I really want it, I'd get factory. Things like driving lights seem to be much cheaper elsewhere.

JCW is a different issue though....

 

wheel locks and rubber floormats if you have friends who like to get drunk and don't know how to hold down their alcohol.

 

I know this is not dealer installed but I think the most under rated item in the MINI is the automatic wipers and auto dimming mirror. That mirror is a life saver in an SUV world, and the wipers are just cool. They know exactly when to come on!!
Don't have dealer do installs, find your local shops and support the companies on these forums, they are all tested, tried and true.

 

oil filters, rubber floor mats and a spare flux capacitor.


--
Cheese

 

>>wheel locks and rubber floormats if you have friends who like to get drunk and don't know how to hold down their alcohol.


Your drunk friends tried to steal your wheels? That's ridic...oh wait.

 

>>I highly recommend the front chrome grille (3 slats) and the chrome mirror caps...worth every penny IMO.
>>
>>I had my dealer install both in my new '04 MCS (CR/W) and I got charged $125 labor for installing the front chrome grille. the Chrome grille kit was $96.25 (Includes lower bumper chrome slat) and $123 for the pair of chrome mirror covers. You get to keep the original factory parts.
>>
>>Suggestion: For any accessories NEGOTIATE the labor charge with the dealer! This is why it makes more sense to purchase accessories at the time of the new car purchase rather than waiting to buy them/install after the sale. Some dealers are more willing to negotiate the labor (And even give you a break) if you purchase new accessories from them.
>>
>>


Cool, I like the chrome MC grille better than the body-colored MCS grilles. This is good to know that they can put a chrome grille on an MCS.

 

>>I highly recommend the front chrome grille (3 slats) and the chrome mirror caps...worth every penny IMO.
Some dealers are more willing to negotiate the labor (And even give you a break) if you purchase new accessories from them.
>>

thanks for the tip, i wasn't considering a chrome grill, and will defanitly get that done at delivery. just the kind of suggestion i was looking for. our car is all black, so a little extra chrome will help set it off.

negotiating labor is an excellent idea as well.

 

are the rubber floormats really all that? every time i've driven a car with rubber mats they've been slippery and didn't sit/fit right and a general pita. it rains a little out here in WA, so useful rubber mats would be nice, but in my experience they are more trouble than they are worth.

 

Mike,
The BMW rubber mats are made by McNeil, the Weathertech mats folks that advertise everywhere! They were on display at the SEMA show as an OE manufactured item. THey make the fronts, rear, boot, and boot extender for BMW/MINI. They're good stuff, and will weather (excuse the pun) any storm Washington may throw at them.
Charlie

 

I would get anything I wanted that could not be added later. i.e. the automatic windshield wipers. If they can be added after purchase I would get them as my dealer missed them on my order and I don't have them. Factory stereo if you like, heated seats, etc.

Tires and rims, driving lights, and other such items can be bought for less elsewhere.

Earl

 

>>I would get anything I wanted that could not be added later. i.e. the automatic windshield wipers. If they can be added after purchase I would get them as my dealer missed them on my order and I don't have them. Factory stereo if you like, heated seats, etc.
>>
>>Tires and rims, driving lights, and other such items can be bought for less elsewhere.
>>
>>Earl

keep in mind i'm not talking about factory installed options. the cars is being built right now, so i can't change any of that.

some stuff, like aux audio, boot box, and chrome grill make sense to buy from the dealer now, especially at 20% off. i'm looking for suggestions and opinions on the _dealer installed_ options.

thanks

 

The rubber floor mats (nice in winter), aux input, boot net, and wheel locks I went in for. Tho I requested no-install on the aux input. If they charge me to install the rubber floor-mats and boot-net. I'll be pissed!
Ummm, we need to reflash your car so it's compatible with the boot-net and the floor-mat upgrade. Otherwise, you can't use them

They agreed to install the wheel locks, as it only takes a few minutes when they prep the car.

cheers, -Matt

 

> boot extender

Charlie, what is a boot extender? I'm envisioning a mat that covers the entire boot and back seat area when the seats are folded down. That would be great.

Thanks,
Dan

 

>>So, what dealer installed stuff is worth buying?

Honestly? Nothing. I didn't get a single dealer installed option, except for the floor mats they required me to purchase. I wanted to spend my $ on factory options, like the premium package and the HK. There's nothing you can get from the dealer that you can't find cheaper or better aftermarket, and you can add stuff over time instead of paying a bunch at once.

I suppose a lot depends on your financial situation. If you can afford it and want to take advantage of the 20% off, go ahead and go on a dealer accessory shopping spree. Otherwise, there's nothing you must have.

Two cents!

 

>>>>So, what dealer installed stuff is worth buying?
>>
>>Honestly? Nothing. I didn't get a single dealer installed option, except for the floor mats they required me to purchase. I wanted to spend my $ on factory options, like the premium package and the HK. There's nothing you can get from the dealer that you can't find cheaper or better aftermarket, and you can add stuff over time instead of paying a bunch at once.
>>
>>I suppose a lot depends on your financial situation. If you can afford it and want to take advantage of the 20% off, go ahead and go on a dealer accessory shopping spree. Otherwise, there's nothing you must have.
>>
>>Two cents!


Agree to a point there Countrym, but for me the no other aftermarket company currently offers either a cheaper or better alternative to the OEM MCS 3 slats front chrome grille (Place name one if know about it) or the OEM chrome mirror caps. The aftermarket chrome mirror caps I have seen are a) More expensive than the genuine MINI article and b) the aftermarket chorme caps use double sided tape (Look horrible installed) instead of fitting flush on the mirror body slots. So to me spending $225 total on exterior accessories that make the car look like a Million bucks, was well worth it to me.

Bonnet stripes, roof flags, etc are a totally different story...you'll do much better aftermarket there.

 

I got the dealer-installed alarm system. Despite the high cost to have the dealer install it, I get such a good discount on insurance that I'll break even after 18 months.

Also, I brought a Hella triple-tone airhorn to my dealer and had them install it before I took delivery. Kinda funny, though, when I came to pick up the car, my MA was very apologetic: they could only fit the compressor and two of the three trumpets under the tightly-packed bonnet. They ended up doing the horn install gratis.

 

go with the rubber mats, they've got the Mini logo and are very substantial.

 

I got the dealer-installed alarm system, too. I know some folks have installed this themselves, but I wan't interested in trying. I've not ever regretted having the dealer install it. I do like the idea of the chrome MCS grill, too!

 

Here's what I've added:

-Chrome Grill
-Euro Parcel Shelf
-Aux Input for MP3 player
-"Hot Pocket" insert for that open area under the radio
-Glovebox organizer from AutoOrganizers
-Cheap rubber floor mats from Sams Club

Still want to add:
-Mini Saddle Bag
-Mini rubber boot mat
-Factory Alarm
-Better floor mats...
-Driving Lights
-Sunroof decal

OK, most of this is aftermarket, but maybe you'll get some ideas from my list...

 

If you enjoy fine music the HK audio upgrade is a must. The standard stock audio system just doesn't meet up to Mini standards in my oppinion. It's a bit pricey but if you enjoy your audio you won't be happy with the std. audio system. Do yourself a favor and get the HK upgrade. Aftermarket upgrades are cheaper but TROUBLESOME to say the least.

Other than that... rubber mats are a must. I've got them myself and we just got 14" of snow. I'm so glad I have these mats.

The automatic tinting miror would be nice too.