Well, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger, the heck w/ waiting for the model refresh <especially today, as it's 59°F (15°C) in Boston today and I'd love to be in the car>

Anyway, I'm spec'ing out the car as follows, and can't for the life of me figure out how to order sport seats, presumably user error, but I've been through the conifgurator multiple times:

MCS Indi Blue/Black roof
Cold weather pkg.
DSC
16" runflats
Xenon
Black leatherette ($$ saved vs. leather => Works)
3 spoke MFSW
HK upgrade
Aux jack input (for my iPod, sure hope the iPod kit ships before it's built)
Driving lamps
Fog lamp pkg.
Floor mats
Boot box
JCW kit

I've seen that the Anthracite dash is preferred, doesn't show fingerprints as much a the Alloy Patina dash...does anyone have any other suggestions or comments?

 

Sounds nice. The S only comes with Sport seats, so there's no need to spec what seats, just have to spec the covering for them.

 

The alloy patina dash isn't bad for prints. It's the silver dash you need to watch out for as it seems to scratch easily.

If you get aftermarket driving lights you can save a few hundred dollars and come out with a better set of lights.

You're getting the JCW kit, but not the sport suspension? I'd have to get the sport package that includes the DSC and heavier suspension. You might be able to opt out for the 16" rims you want, though it does come with the 17s". I can't get on the MINIUSA website to see what the change would set you back, but I think it'd be worth it. Might as well add some handling to the power. :smile: :smile:

_________________
03 B/W S model; Madness intake; Cibie 45 lamps; Magnaflow exhaust; H&R springs; Helix swaybar

 

>>Sounds nice. The S only comes with Sport seats, so there's no need to spec what seats, just have to spec the covering for them.

Ahhh, thanks! Like your site, esp. the empañada recipe!

 

Personaly I prefer body colored roofs. IB/B could be the only exception.

I wouldn't get much use out of the driving lights, but if you will cool.
The 16 inch runflats will be outmatched by the power of the JCW imo, if you have upgraded wheels and tires in your future plans, then your batting a 1000.

 

>>The alloy patina dash isn't bad for prints. It's the silver dash you need to watch out for as it seems to scratch easily.
>>
>>If you get aftermarket driving lights you can save a few hundred dollars and come out with a better set of lights.
>>
>>You're getting the JCW kit, but not the sport suspension? I'd have to get the sport package that includes the DSC and heavier suspension. You might be able to opt out for the 16" rims you want, though it does come with the 17s". I can't get on the MINIUSA website to see what the change would set you back, but I think it'd be worth it. Might as well add some handling to the power. :smile: :smile:
>>
wasn't aware of the sport suspension, guess I'll have to investigate that...but as you say, can hopefully opt out of the 17" wheels...I'll find those threads about the lights....thanks!

 

>>Personaly I prefer body colored roofs. IB/B could be the only exception.
>>
>>I wouldn't get much use out of the driving lights, but if you will cool.
>>The 16 inch runflats will be outmatched by the power of the JCW imo, if you have upgraded wheels and tires in your future plans, then your batting a 1000.

Yeah, down the road, some 3rd party wheels/tires as soon as the budget recovers

 

i think the MCS comes with sports seats stock.

where as the cooper comes with regular seats, and you upgrade to those seats.

 

>>I've seen that the Anthracite dash is preferred, doesn't show fingerprints as much a the Alloy Patina dash...does anyone have any other suggestions or comments?

===>My Anthracite interior (dash plus doors) looks terrific. An SCCA Solo II inspector from a week ago mentioned just the same. He didn't know that it came in Anthracite & was impressed. Go for it (however, both are great)

 

>>You're getting the JCW kit, but not the sport suspension? I'd have to get the sport package that includes the DSC and heavier suspension. You might be able to opt out for the 16" rims you want, though it does come with the 17s". I can't get on the MINIUSA website to see what the change would set you back, but I think it'd be worth it. Might as well add some handling to the power. :smile: :smile:
>>
I just looked at the configurator and the sport pkg doesn't detail out a heavier suspension, I only see listed: DSC, Xenon, Front fogs, 17" wheels, and bonnet stripes. Is there a separate option?

 

MCS's only come w/ the beefier sports suspensions. There is no other choice. It's the regular Cooper which requires SS+ as an option if you want it.

 

Just wanted to throw my support behind your decision to opt for the leatherette rather than the leather. It's really nice stuff - a lot of people mistake it for real leather!

 

'
Sports suspension is standard on S.

 

I've also been really happy with my leatherette, the first vinyl I think comes close to being called that. I'm told it is the same that goes into regular BMWs - with dogs it is also a must over cloth.

I am really glad I went with anthracite, especially now that I've read about silver scratching/showing scratches too easily. My personal taste would be a white top, but such things are really only individual perference.

Definitely go for cold weather package. That's the one regret I have. I even asked about changing the order to get it, but was told it was far enough along it would delay arrival. The bottom line is when yours arrives you will love it even though second guessing is possibly inevitable (in my case not getting IB).

 

great choice all the way around - you can always get a set of good, light wheels and better tires somewhere down the line to keep up w/the JCW power.

I give yet another thumbs-up for leatherette - mine has held up well, feels great, and looks superb.

Anthracite dash is very good-looking as well, and really doesn't show very much.

Best of luck - the wait is the killer!!!

FWIW I ordered my Indi blue/Indi blue MCS on June 10 and it was at the dealer August 22nd this year. Not too bad - gave me some time to come up with a bigger down payment

Have fun!!!

 

I really enjoy the Premium package, especially the sun roof. Wonder if the $1,200 makes sense in resale? Anyone know?

If you live in a cold place, or have a bad back, the cold package is terrific! (heated seats)

I have the leatherette too, because the plain black leather on the MCS did not look like leather IMHO. Now if they had red or some other wild color..........

Good luck!

Regards,
Red

 

>>I really enjoy the Premium package, especially the sun roof. Wonder if the $1,200 makes sense in resale? Anyone know?
>>
>>If you live in a cold place, or have a bad back, the cold package is terrific! (heated seats)
>>
>>I have the leatherette too, because the plain black leather on the MCS did not look like leather IMHO. Now if they had red or some other wild color..........
>>
>>Good luck!
>>
>>Regards,
>>Red
thanks for the leatherette endorsement..I also have soccer/baseball kids that will probably be riding in the car...

Any of you folks use the seat covers? I saw that sheepskin is in the 2004 catalog...I used one on an early car, a cheap Datsun (Nissan) that had pretty bad vinyl seats...

 

>>great choice all the way around - you can always get a set of good, light wheels and better tires somewhere down the line to keep up w/the JCW power.
>>
do the MINI stock wheels allow you to install standard tires? Or are their rims specially built up for the runflat sidewalls?

 

Your mini sounds nice, my only advice is that you go for leatherette instead of the real leather. I have leather and I'm only 147 pounds yet the leather is starting to look bad after only 8 months and 11450 miles of use. I think the mcs only comes with run flats. Have fun.

 

>>Your mini sounds nice, my only advice is that you go for leatherette instead of the real leather. I have leather and I'm only 147 pounds yet the leather is starting to look bad after only 8 months and 11450 miles of use. I think the mcs only comes with run flats. Have fun.
>>

Thanks...leatherette it is...yeah the budget (wife) will only allow for the "stock" runflats, then new wheels at a later time....

 

I have the JCW and 16" wheels w/Dunlop runflats. In everyday driving they're not overwhelmed however I'm quite sure you can burn some longevity off of the them at will . I'm planning to switch over to standard tires probably Yokohamas or Bridgestones in the spring or summer. The all-season Dunlops suck.

 

>>I have the JCW and 16" wheels w/Dunlop runflats. In everyday driving they're not overwhelmed however I'm quite sure you can burn some longevity off of the them at will . I'm planning to switch over to standard tires probably Yokohamas or Bridgestones in the spring or summer. The all-season Dunlops suck.

Are the Dunlops the "all season" or "performance" tires that you get when you choose (in the US)?

 

I have an 03 MCS with the performance tires, and they're the Dunlops. Just realize they're not that great in snow. I [apparently] am one of the few who opted for leather -- well I didn't spec the car, probably wouldn't have gone for leather if I did -- but it has the heated front seats. Here in Boulder, Colorado, they are NICE! Then again, you could save yourself $1275 and get a $25 electric blanket !