There are many aftermarket and dealer-installed parts for MINI. However, some of the factory options are harder to upgrade after the car is manufactured and often more costly (i.e. fog light). I'm wondering, what option(s) you wish you had on your MINI when new?

:smile:

 

For me, I wish I have the factory auto-sensing wipers and auto-dimming mirror. Instead, I'll be installing aftermarket auto-dimming mirror and Rain Tracker rain sensor. :smile:

 

The HK stereo. Some folks say it's no better than the stock one. I haven't heard the HK but I keep thinking it's gotta be better than the stock unit. I'm otherwise happy even though I don't have auto-dimming, rain sensing, back up thinges, nav, leather, extra-stiff suspension, DSC, 17 inch wheels etc. I am most happy I got the sunroof. Oh, and I "only" have a Cooper. List was 19,085 + $249 documentation fee. I paid 19.040 with free mats. Not the big auto discout I'm used to but beats the heck out of paying over MSRP.


R.E.

 

I wish we got navigation control system, combo #1, aero body kit, rear spoiler, fog lights, clear tail lights and side marker.

 

I have most of the options, but I do wish I had gotten the xenon lights. If I can find a good deal on a retrofit, I'll put them in. The rain sensing wipers and auto dim mirror would have been nice, but just more fluff in my case.

 

I don't have but would have ordered:
Multifunction steering wheel.
Cruise control
Cloth space upholstery.
Auto AC-for my wife (personally I never use the stuff)
R90 16" rims.
H/K audio
Anthracite dash
MINI alarm system

 

i wished they would've offered KW coilover kits, but i guess i can work
on that later. :smile:

 

My .02...I think the auto dimming mirror would have been cool, I dont need the rain sensing wipers...I would encourage anyone ot get the heated seats--part of the cold pkg....the seats are great even in SoCal, for after surf/workout..
MJ

 

Was there an 800-lbs-lighter option?

I wish I had gotten the autosensing wipers.

 

>>For me, I wish I have the factory auto-sensing wipers and auto-dimming mirror. Instead, I'll be installing aftermarket auto-dimming mirror and Rain Tracker rain sensor. :smile:

Same here. I ordered them but the dealer left them off my order when he placed it.

MINI said they can't be added.

Earl

 

>>>>For me, I wish I have the factory auto-sensing wipers and auto-dimming mirror. Instead, I'll be installing aftermarket auto-dimming mirror and Rain Tracker rain sensor. :smile:
>>
>>Same here. I ordered them but the dealer left them off my order when he placed it. :smile:

 

Good question....:smile:

The only option I didn't get on my 2002 MCS (of the ones available in 2002) was the navigation system.
I felt it wasn't a good quality system for the $$$$$.
I wish I would have purchased a nav system..... as now...... I really can't justify the $1500-2000 expenditure.
I've researched all the mobile models and most of the in dash after market models and ...they are just toooooo much money

Peace,
D


_________________
I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

i should of got the "Star Drive"

 

I am happy the way it is :smile: :smile:

 

i have autodimming mirror on my other car, but in my honest opinion,
i prefer the regular mirrors because the autosensing ones react too slowly
when SUV's shine their blaring lights after a lane change. They are a cool
device to give you that extra luxury feel though. :smile:

It kinda resembles the climate control vs manual HVAC controls comparison.
Some people just like to be in total control. (my hvac is actually climate
controlled...its not as bad as the other climate controls ive dealt with in the
past).

 

>>>>>>For me, I wish I have the factory auto-sensing wipers and auto-dimming mirror. Instead, I'll be installing aftermarket auto-dimming mirror and Rain Tracker rain sensor. :smile:
>>>>
>>>>Same here. I ordered them but the dealer left them off my order when he placed it. :smile:
>>

I would not buy the Gentex or any other auto-dimming mirror other than the MINI mirror. Of course the MINI auto-dimming mirror can be retrofitted, just not the rain sensor. The dealer is saying this because the wiring is not there. It's only there if you order the feature, but you can wire it yourself. I have the auto-dimming mirror and rain sensor on my my MINI and have removed the mirror to see what the electrical looks like. There are three connectors. Ground, positive lead at "accessory" and positive lead when in reverse (this deactivates the autodimming feature while backing up). You really only need the ground and a positive feed to it. Screw the reverse cancelling circuit. The MINI auto-dimming mirror has no relation to the rain sensor feature. They just bundled two options together.

You would have to wire a Gentex anyways, plus mount a new mount on the windshield then have a hole in your headliner where the old mirror was removed. No aftermarket mirror mounts like a MINI mirror. If you buy an aftermarket mirror, it won't have the proper mounting for a MINI and will look strange in a MINI. The MINI auto dimming mirror uses the same mount and has the same shape as your current mirror.

Just my $0.02.

_________________
Stewy was born on 2/20/03, Current Status: I picked him up today, 4-1-03!! MCS, DS/BL, Prem, Sport, Cold, Harman Kardon, Nav, PDC, Rain Sensing Wipers/Auto-Dimming Mirror, Black Panther Leather with Anthracite trim!

 

You guys can have my rain sensor and dimmer. I wouldn't be caught dead in the rain with my Mini anyway. Don't know what I was thinking when I order that.

I second the -800 superlite option Would've also left the sunroof and leather option off to keep it light.

Would be nice if they also offered a super sport seat like Sparco or Corbeau type with slide through for racing harnesses.

How about a twin cam head option? Hope someone makes that someday

Sid

 

I wish I had a sunroof, the smooth leather seats, and the Areo kit. I aam correcting this with the purchase of my S now on order.

 

I would have gotten the HK and rain sensing wipers with auto dimming mirror. My car was a 02' so they weren't available

 

Back when the MCS first hit the market, I had the chance to purchase a EB/W with no options. At the time, I was planning on ordering my MCS with both the Premium and Sport packages. In retrospec, I am really happy with the base MCS. The 16" rims are fairly light at 17.3 lbs, and look pretty good IMHO. The sunroof, although nice, really isn't something that I have missed. I also didn't expect to get into the whole mod scene, but I did. I also didn't expect to get into track days and driving schools, but I did. I also didn't expect after 18 months of driving my MCS that I would still like it as much (or more), than the first day I received it, but I do! Thanks to NAM (all of you great people out there for the great advice and enthusiasm), and Randy Webb (for making my MCS even better), my MCS has become a great hobby, and I still get a grin on my face every time I drive it.

 

>>I would have gotten the HK and rain sensing wipers with auto dimming mirror. My car was a 02' so they weren't available

Same here except mine was a 10/02 build 2003. I got every other option though and like them all.

 

I wish there had been a Remote Start option, or at least a remote way to turn-on the heated seats! Hmm.... a warm tush on frozen tundra days after work.

Agreed. That's the right 2 cents! Contact the fine Classic MINI guys for the most competitive MINI part pricing around [bmwparts@classicautocampus.com]. I'll be adding these someday soon, too. It will be worth the extra wire-work!

PS. Brian at Classic MINI quoted me $150 (+ ship) for the MINI Dim Mirror.

 

I wish i would have gotten the sunroof. When I bought the car I wasn't given any options. They had one car left. Loaded with virtually every option except the sunroof. Since I needed a car and couldn't wait until March to order one I took what they had. Oh well, it was worth it. You gotta do what you gotta do to get your hands on a Mini I guess. :smile:

 

>>I would not buy the Gentex or any other auto-dimming mirror other than the MINI mirror. Of course the MINI auto-dimming mirror can be retrofitted, just not the rain sensor.

Thanks for the info, MINIdean. :smile: I'll look into it.

It was Steve from Classic told me that it cannot be retrofitted. I'll ask him again.

 

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