I'm currently about to re-order my 05' MCS and i have one quick question.

Now i want the Auto-Dimming Mirror and Universal Garage Door opener, which are $200 options each.

Now they are also included in the Convience PKG which includes Auto Wipers and Auto Headlights which i completely hate. The PKG is $400 which is the same price of the two smaller options put together without the Auto options.

Now even though i hate them many people like those two options and in the unlikely event i ever decide to sell this car they might help with resale value.

Can those two auto options be shut off and operated manually?

I went through the same dilema when I was looking at an '05 - irked me the way they mixed/matched the options.

The auto-wiper essentially replaces the 'intermittent' spot on the wiper stalk, so they're only automatic if you want them to be. FWIW, I thought it was a pretty stupid option until I got a BMW rental with them, and drove it in a light drizzle. Sure it's decadent, but kind of nice to just have it wipe when the water accumulated enough to need wiping vs. turning intermittent on and off, or just wiping manually when needed.

Not positive on the auto headlamps, but in other applications there is also an 'auto' setting, so they are only automatic if you choose.

As an alternative, you can get an Ian Cull (GBMini) auto-up/GDO module instead if the *pricey* MINI GDO. Unless you have three garage doors...

the auto wipers on my '03 can be overridden by simply pushing the stalk up to the next position, which is a 'normal' speed interval. I think there's even another speed after that one which is really fast for heavy rain. The only thing you might miss is a slow position, but really, the auto wipers work pretty well for that. At least as well as any other slow interval systems I've used, and better than most. I love the auto wipers and have never had a need to use the other 'speeds', but they do exist.

Agreed. I thought the automatic wipers were a little silly. Until I had them. Now I find it irkesome to drive a car without them. They really do work well. I haven't needed to use the wipers in any other mode since I got the car. There is a manual override though

The auto headlights are the same way. Manual override, but I have a bad habit of leaving headlights on, so I just keep it in auto. Note that these are pretty sensitive. I have noticed that they turn on before I myself would have done it at dusk or in the rain.

Thameth, I ordered the convenience pack in my new '05 MCS and I love it. The wipers and headlights both do have full override manual functions. However, the auto dimming feature in the rear view mirror can not be turned off.

I dig the integrated homelink programmable remote buttons (located in the rearview mirror housing) because I no longer need to carry a brick sized remote garage door opener. You have 3 fully prgrammable buttons up to 3 different homelink remote controlled devices or garage/automatic gates..very cool! The system automatically learns the code from your existing remote transmitter.

I highly recommend this package and find every feature very useful and non-intrusive. Best $400 spent IMO.

So what color are you going to order this time around?

I used to have the self dimming mirror and the rain sensing wipers in my '04 MCS. At the time I ordered my first MCS, you could get both of these options separately and they were not part of any packages. The rear view mirror was $150 and the rain sensing wipers $140.


The automatic headlights and the integrated remote garage opener are new for 2005. The reason why MINI combined these 4 options into a package is because separately, all would cost more than $400.

I think the auto rearview mirror in this car is an absolute must. It works well blocking headlight glare from vehicles behing you, specially offensive SUVs.

I like the manual controls,more buttons and switchs to play with

Here's what the headlamp stalk looks like when you get the new auto headlamps feature. As you can see, there's a new "A" (for Auto) setting that is one click below the off position. Thus, if you don't want/like them, you can still use the headlamps in exactly the same way as your old MINI did.

Add me to the list of those that didn't know what to think of the auto wippers and now love them. I haven't experienced the auto lights yet but I probably wouldn't use them as much as the wiper.

I really like them. I simply leave the lights in the auto setting and I never have to think about them. They come on when it's dark out and they turn off when it's light out. It's a no brainer.

The only thing that I don't like is that we have two MINI's (one with the auto headlamps and one without) and so I keep forgetting to turn on/off the lights in the MINI without the auto headlamps feature after growing used to not having to mess with them in the MINI with this cool new feature.

Also, for those who are concerned about the "sensitivity" of the auto headlamps, it can be adjusted/programmed by the dealer for different levels of light.

What happens if you have xenons and auto-lamps. I'd fear it would burn out the bulbs faster due to changing on/off too much (or does it stay on for 5 mins as to no hardcycle them).

Anybody know if the auto dimming rearview with homelink can be retrofit into 05 cars with regular rearview? There is a wire lead connected to my standard rearview, although I don't know what it controls.

Any idea of the cost?

Thanks!

Yeah, they cost $420 from Classic for the Auto-Dimming & UGDO.

GREAT PICTURE!

Looks like i'll just get the convience pkg! Thanx for the great picture.

The reason i really hated Auto Headlights is because a few years ago i had a rental Toyo Camry with auto headlights that i couldn't turn off! There were a few situations where i needed to turn them off at night while sitting the car with it running and i couldn't!

Even though i also have the IAN MINI Circiut with built in garage door opener i rather use the built in homelink with a dedicated button for my garage.

Hey Francisco,

I'm gonna stick with Pepper White, i really like the Hyper Blue but everybody is getting it on the 05's. I'm now thinking the color really wasn't the problem in selling my 04. For the past two weeks i've been getting calls for the car non stop and i have someone flying down to pick it up tomorrow from Vermont.

I guess it just had to do with the time of year or something.... Also all my calls came from Autotrader.

Joe:

That is awesome! I am really happy for you. I knew you were going to sell it sooner or later.

So, when are you going to come to one of our meets?

i wouldn't want another car without auto-wipers now

they are the perfect driver's accessory...u can focus on driving, not manipulating the speed of wipers...if a mist comes, they take care of it...if someone splashes u when they drive through a puddle, they instantly fix it...and if it pours, it speeds up to accomodate (also speeds up based on velocity of vehicle)...

and of course auto-dim mirror is much safer and less annoying than normal rearview...

Ok, not like it was in trouble or anything --- BUT

I hate the fiddling that hubby does with the wipers....not to mention the fact that he and I disagree on how much water on the windshield is too much and therefore need to be "wiped"

SO, enter Auto-wipers --- Love them. And the fighting is much less now too

I think all cars should have auto-wipers AND heated seats standard ---those are the best. AND, when I rule the world, the wipers and the headlights would be connected so you can't have your wipers on without the headlights --- I hate it when people think "gee, it's raining pretty hard, I can't see well, I'll turn on my wipers --- but why should I bother with my headlights -- I'm sure everyone else on the road can see me JUST fine."

(sorry for the side-track rant)

Hugs,
PB

We have both a PW/B 05 MCS and a HB/B 05 MCS (and before that we had a HB/W 05 MCS - that died...). They're both excellent color choices!

BTW, you are most welcome for the picture.

Well as soon as i can find out when they are! I check sunshinemini's and mini's of Miami all the time but its actually pretty difficult to find out when you guys are having G2G's...

When are all of you guys going to come out to an Autocross??????