Hi all-

I am trying to figure out exactly how I want my new ride. MCS
So here is what I need to know...

First, sports package- I am thinking w/o 17's, but do any of you see the benifit of the DSC? I drive a very curvey hill every day to work in sometimes messy weather.
-maybe b/c I am not going with the 17's then I will just option the head lights, fogs and stripes.

The clear gaurd thing (bra)? worth the cash?

does the car come with floor mats or do I need to purchase?

Last what colours do you see most often (i only ask because there are 3 colour i really like and least popular would be my choice), and I can't decide on the bonnet stripes.

thanks so much

HEY IS THERE A SPELL CHECK ANYWHERE ON THE THING? I CAN'T SPELL.

 

>>Hi all-
>>
>>I am trying to figure out exactly how I want my new ride.
>>So here is what I need to know...
>>
>>First, sports package- I am thinking w/o 17's, but do any of you see the benifit of the DSC? I drive a very curvey hill every day to work in sometimes messy weather.
>>
>>The clear gaurd thing? worth the cash?
>>
>>does the car come with floor mats or do I need to purchase?
>>
>>Last what colours do you see most often, and I can't decide on the bonnet stripes.
>>
>>thanks so much
>>
>>HEY IS THERE A SPELL CHECK ANYWHERE ON THE THING? I CAN'T SPELL.



DSC comes with the sports package. You can always turn it off, I don’t ever use it.

My MCS didn’t come with floor mats, but I’m not sure about newer models.

It’s your MINI, you pick the color. Why let someone choose this for your MINI.

One suggestion, get the MFSW. You’ll love it, can’t get it after market and hate yourself if you don’t.

And if there’s a spell check here I haven’t found it.

 

>>HEY IS THERE A SPELL CHECK ANYWHERE ON THE THING? I CAN'T SPELL.
>>

No, but there's a Search function...

 

You don't actually say whether you want a Cooper or an S (other than to talk about DSC which is generally an S option...but it is available on the Cooper too). If that's part of your decision, use the search function to browse threads which can highlight the benefits of either.

Floor mats are good, and they're not included.

If you want a rare color, go for the Solid Gold (although that's only on the Cooper, not the S). I've never seen one of those in person.

 

I've seen more gold than anything.

 

lemon yellow with White roof is rare.

I like Indi Blue with Black roof and Chili red with black.

my MINI is DS/B so you're probably not interested in that.

Get the sunroof and a black roof, i don't have DSC because ASC is enough for me.

 

>>I've seen more gold than anything.

Humm..that's strange. What part of the country are you in? Maybe Solid Gold is a left coast thing, 'cause there sure aren't many here in the east. Out here, dark silver, indy blue, and BRG seem to be the most common.

I agree that LY/W is rare (most are LY/B).

You still don't say whether you want a Cooper or an S.

 

mcs

I like pure silver. I saw most of the pure golds in so cal and vegas one in san fran. Must be a west coast phenom or I keep seeing the same car everywhere i go.

I like the yellow with white but it makes me think school bus.

 

>>mcs
>>
>>I like pure silver. I saw most of the pure golds in so cal and vegas one in san fran. Must be a west coast phenom or I keep seeing the same car everywhere i go.
>>
>>I like the yellow with white but it makes me think school bus.

Gold has not sold well here in South Florida. Today I saw one and you'll be lucky to see 2 or 3 a month. Ditto with Velvet Red another RARE color (Albeit beautiful and for no good reason replaced for the metallic Gold) which I had the pleasure to spot this morning (VR/W Cooper).

Pure silver is a nice color, but bear in mind that tones down the car too much (But that's me) and it looks best with a black roof and black bonnet stripes. I have seen al PS MINIs and quite honestly don't care for the looks. After all the whole shebang about getting a MINI is to be able to spec the contrasting roof.

Metallic color finishes (Pure Silver, Dark Silver, Electric Blue, Indy Blue, British Racing Green) all carry a $400 surcharge. "Solid" colors (Jet Black, Pepper White, Chili Red and Liquid Yellow) are a $0 cost option (No charge). I have a hard time paying extra for metallic paint, so both of my MINIs went with solid finishes (Pepper White and Chili Red).

You can get DSC without having to order the Sport Package. If you drive in hilly, curvy terrain and often in bad weather, then it may be worth adding it to your order. Also if you drive often at night and in very poorly lit or dark roads, Xenons may also be a good thing to consider.


Stick with the stock 16" V-spokes tires and wheels. If later on you see a tire/wheel combo that catches your eyes (From MINI or aftermarket) you can always change them and you didn't pay extra for the factory set. I must admit MINIs look great with 17"+ size tires but ride quality suffers. these cars were engineered and optimized to run best with 15" and 16" rubber. Anything bigger is mostly cosmetics.

 

I really wanted CR/W w/black mirrors (instead of the white mirror caps). I really don't care much for the chrome caps.

Doug

 

DSC is helpful, I've set it off on a few hardcore turns (one had some gravel
on it). Tho, honestly, in winter conditions- not all that awesome :-

Xenon's- Highly suggest, pricey but they do put out a nice light. The
2005's have a nifty new projector design. If you can wait :smile:

Fogs- (front) helpful, but IMHO not essential. Does fill the space
nicely, tho. Rear-fogs, not essential, but a good safety feature in
poor-weather...

17" wheels- TONS AND TONS of debate about them, I think in the
end it's what you like the look of. 16's are a bit lighter...

Clearguard is nice, but I'm not sure if it has a gurantee with it
(ex. damage coverage?). Pricey, IMHO a good front-end "bra" for
bad weather or long-drives is a better option. My MCS goes naked
most of the time :smile: One word
of advice, if your debating about the Indie Blue, it's supposivadely
going away after 2004- so better act fast :smile:

Other advice- the Multi-function steering-wheel w/leather is
worth the price. Cruise control + radio controls. SOLD! Good for
resale too... The sunroof is pretty cool, if you like sunroof's.

If your in a cold climate (or plan to be), the cold package is highly
worth the price as well...

Other stuff, it's up to you :smile:

 

>>I really wanted CR/W w/black mirrors (instead of the white mirror caps). I really don't care much for the chrome caps.
>>
>>Doug
>>
You can buy the black caps separately from your MINI dealer parts counter. Further at time of order you can have the dealer swap the factory white caps with the black ones at no extra charge to you. These caps just snap in.

 

>>You still don't say whether you want a Cooper or an S.
>>
Look at the first message.

 

I love my sunroof and use it every time I can. I also get alot of enjoyment out of the H/K system. If you're not planning on putting an aftermarket system I would highly recommend that. The steering wheel controls are an option I'm glad to have. I own a Cooper but when we get a new one, it'll be the S convertible. I would also recommend a manual trans for fun factor also.

 

I really enjoy my HK stereo If you want/expect better sound quality than the factory HK option, then you have to go the aftermarket route and for sure spend more than the $550 the HK upgrade retails for (And probably lose valuable boot space to accomodate aftermarket subwoofers, amplifiers, etc).


I like the H/K because:

1) It provides reasonably great sound quality for $550 (Car stereo sound quality is a subjective point of discussion, so I know that there are other that will disagree with me)

2) It is covered by the car's limited warranty.

3) it is seamless and non-intrusive. The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) box/amplifier tucks away neatly inside the right side rear boot trim.

It is a good idea to spend sometime with the H/K system before ordering it. bring a few of your favorite CD recordings and plan to spend at least an hour on a HK equipped MINI in the showroom. Then do the same comparo with the stock CD Boost stereo.

I have seen posts from owners that order HK and after getting it they don't like it, so they end up paying $550 for it, yanking most of the components out of the car and then spending another $1K to get the system they really want...don't let this happen to you.

 

Most common colors for the MINI (Where I live) are CR, IB, EB, DS, PS, Black.

Frequent but less common: Liquid Yellow and British Racing Green


Less Common: Pepper White

Very rare: Gold Metallic, Silk Green (Discontinued) and Velvet Red (Discontinued also), Cosmos Black (Metallic only available in the Cooper). Also included here most same color body and roof MINIs.

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT PW/B, MFSW, CD Boost, 15" 8-Spoke silver wheels.
'04 MCS CR/W, UJ Roof Flag, Aux Input, HK, Sport MFSW, Rain sensing, Auto dim mirror, 16" silver V-spoke wheels, Chrome grille, Chrome mirrors, OBC, front fogs.

 

Whatever you do do not get the BRG one. All of them are just terrible. apparently they are all made on Mondays and they suck.....DSC if good.....PKT RKT came with floor mats....as well as everything else......

 

1. Yeah, MFSW a must, also heated seats on a cool evening with the moonroof open (always!).
2. Manual tranny, uh huh.
3. I vote for NO UBER BRIGHT LIGHT KIT...I'm sick of having my retinas fired (along with my night vision) by all the new, fad lights coming at me. It's like a light war or something... ops:

 

I've had a PS/B MC for over a year and have loved it, but have ordered a CR/W JCW MCS w/ white bonnet stripes and wheels (17's). I know this is very commom, but over time the contrast and effect of this particular color combo have caught my eye more than any other. Re: tire size- there are about as many opinions as there are owners on this. With 17's, the ride may be marginally rougher, but the reduced sidewall flex will translate into better cornering in most situations. I'm on 16" run-flats right now, and I can't imagine the ride getting much rougher. I've gotten quite used to them, and don't mind the ride at all. Must haves: sports seats, MFSW, manual tranny. Nice: sunroof, heated seats and cold pack, auto AC. Some hate the ACC for the way the auto function works, but the looks are waaay better than the 3 dial, it's ridiculously easy to run manually, and it costs no more if you get the premium pack. DSC is okay, though often turned off, it's not a bad thing for certain roads and weather. Won't have the xenon's, due to the silly required washer system. I will be getting rally lights on the new S, though. Also a clear bra. Too late for my current Cooper, but the bonnet definitely takes so much heat out on the road that I'd advise this for anyone from now on.

 

I've had a PS/B MC for over a year and have loved it, but have ordered a CR/W JCW MCS w/ white bonnet stripes and wheels (17's). I know this is very commom, but over time the contrast and effect of this particular color combo have caught my eye more than any other. Re: tire size- there are about as many opinions as there are owners on this. With 17's, the ride may be marginally rougher, but the reduced sidewall flex will translate into better cornering in most situations. I'm on 16" run-flats right now, and I can't imagine the ride getting much rougher. I've gotten quite used to them, and don't mind the ride at all. Must haves: sports seats, MFSW, manual tranny. Nice: sunroof, heated seats and cold pack, auto AC. Some hate the ACC for the way the auto function works, but the looks are waaay better than the 3 dial, it's ridiculously easy to run manually, and it costs no more if you get the premium pack. DSC is okay, though often turned off, it's not a bad thing for certain roads and weather. Won't have the xenon's, due to the silly required washer system. I will be getting rally lights on the new S, though. Also a clear bra. Too late for my current Cooper, but the bonnet definitely takes so much heat out on the road that I'd advise this for anyone from now on.