So far its a manual BRG/Wht top Mini w/sports pkg, chrome line bumpers, xenon headlights, and auto-dim mirror. Thinking of going with profile leather and black interior panels instead of Kalido cloth and silver panels. Found it shocking there was no instrument cluster factory option. Unsure about aftermaket considertions. Anything I should consider out of the 2003 factory catalog (as I only have the old 2002 copy)? My daily commute is 75 miles down highway 1 in Northern California from Mendocino to Point Arena and back... There is no better way to cover those miles than in a mini-coop! mend0dad@yahoo.com

 

Hey Lowell....welcome to MCO!
I think what you have sounds good....and as far as the interior is concerned, I like the leather idea. I have the cloth with the silver door panels, but I also drive a pure silver MINI so it compliments it really well. I think the black would be better with the BRG.
Unfortunately I know virtually nothing about the 2003 models (as I have a 2002), but to my knowledge there aren't too many variations....(correct me if I am wrong people!)

 

Leather all the way!! I have the Black Panther Leather in my MC and I love it. It really sets the stage for all of the fun you will have in your MINI, plus there is nothing like the smell of leather when you jump inside.

 

I've had a login at MCO since last summer but when I ordered my coop the delivery date seemed so far off (est. at that time to be June 2003) that I simply stopped visiting this site. I've recently found that my dealer is compiling their next "order" list and to my surprise I'm on it. Now things are suddenly getting exciting. So all of those questions about options are cropping up again... I was also considering your color scheme as well and can see that the silver side panels would work out well. Years ago (60's), I was looking for an original mini S in BRG and just could not give up the thought of now finally having my chance to own one, I just had to go w/BRG (albeit BMW not Austin). A friend of mine had one back then, green, with 2 10" white racing stripes over the bonnet and top, with a big fat 8-ball shifter. I'm still sifting through the aftermarket catalogs for an 8-ball shift ****... From what I can see there is very little difference between 2k2 and 2k3 model years, but there are some other options. What's the deal with floor mats? Did you get any with yours or did you have to order them? How do you like your sound system, assuming you got the stock radio/CD player? Do you have the dimming mirror and do you like it? Do you feel the zenon lights are worth the investment? Thanks for responding and good luck with yours.... Lowell

 

Definitely get leather seats. You don't want to be saying to everyone: "No, it's not leather, it's vinyl but it looks pretty real, don't ya think?"

 

Lowell - I'd go with the HK sound system and the rain sensor options. Two very nice options on the 03 not on the 02. Next to that i'd say get the S option.

 

I don't have zenons and it doesn't bother me either way....but to be honest the mirror dimmer would be something I would like to have.

 

>>Definitely get leather seats. You don't want to be saying to everyone: "No, it's not leather, it's vinyl but it looks pretty real, don't ya think?"

I don't mind saying this, since I can also mention that I saved $1250. Besides, no one here even mentioned the leatherette.

Lowell, the one option not on your list that I would really recommend is the multi-function steering wheel (which is packaged with cruise control for $350, I believe). I listen to a lot of CDs when I'm driving, and I really love the buttons on the wheel to control volume and track selection. I haven't touched that annoying little volume **** on the dash in weeks. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this feature. I'm not sure if it's worth $350 on its own, but if you might also use the cruise...

I'll also chime in on the xenons, although I don't have them, so take my opinion for whatever it's worth. I don't think they're worth the $500 plus whatever the replacement cost is down the road. Xenons are one of the hottest black market items right now, and seem to me to be a real liability on a standout car like the MINI. I've never driven with them, and maybe they really do offer better visibility, but also remember (if you care) that they bother other drivers who consider them blindingly bright (myself not included).

Good luck with your order. Are you in Lowell, MA by any chance?

Take care,
Chris

 

i have the leatherette and it looks just like the leather in a friends AUDI. I would save money that way. I only splurged on the sunroof which is a must! And I kept the 15 inch wheels jsut changed the allow wheels to the 8spoke wheels which are much nicer. Saved money that way too. I must have thought it through a million times and I think I made some good decisions. I paid under 20, 000 in the end and am very happy with the choices I made.

Auto dimming mirrors are a must however because the car is so low to the ground that at night you are continously being blinded. So I say splurge on that. It wasnt available when I ordered my mini. I would also get the sports suspension cause its a very bumpy ride. i wou;ldnt worry about the lights and the leather its not as important in my opinion. Good Luck!

 

Chris,

On the MFSW, I have currently had that feature in our 1997 Mercury Villager family minivan and totally appreciate its convienience. However, also in that
van (which my wife loaded up with every option under the sun), we also have cruise control which I also have had in 2 other previous vehicles. Cruise Control is a nice idea thinking in a vaccume, however when "finally" on a quiet straight road on any driving trip I have only been able to use it for no more than 15 t0 20 minutes at a time. Basically it rarely gets used, so I don't want it in my mini. It seams that you must have to take the MFSW with the Cruise Control buttons liks it or not and I'd rather not trip across them if I don't have to. I do listen to all sorts of music, but its mostly radio when driving. Thanks for the input on the xenons. As far as for Lowell. MA... Been there once, got family back there, but live on the left coast, Mendocino, Calif. Ever diven highway 1 in California? If not, think of the most perfect road custom built to drive your mini on... That's highway 1, the Pacific Coast highway. Many of the car commercials you see on TV are shot up here... Toyota was just up here shooting one for their new Corolla, about 10 miles south of where I live. Its a 2 lane road of S-turns, switch-backs, shicanes, hills, and beautiful coastal scenery, and no freeways. Thanks again for your response.... Lowell.