Every now and then a modder will state that the mod made the car feel like it really should feel if beancounters didn't have a say in the final product. Things like the Whalen, the Works package (if you can swallow the price tag), dumping the runflats, etc.

I've got a virgin '05 (unless you count my "Actual Size" decal) and am starting to feel those first dangerous modding urges. I will dump the runflats when they wear out and a Whalen is going in the cockpit. What else does an unmodded droptop need to be a Beancounter Free Mini?

Mike

 

This is an easy one...

The Euro parcel shelf. I should have done this easy mod right away, instead of almost 2 years later . Took like 20 minutes to do, and actually INCREASES knee room below the steering wheel.

 

JCW intake.

 

My vote would be the the 15% reduction pulley.

 

Something that's so small, cheap, and silly, dealers should give it away.

The glove box organizer.

-Paul!

 

Euro Parcel Tray or my Elbow Landing Device armrest

 

True...the glovebox is virtually worthless w/o it.

 

I like the glovebox open, just the way it is.


I had a Pontiac Sunfire with a cavernous glovebox - one of it's features was that you could load a 6-pack in the glovebox with room to spare!

 

That oil drip can. And maybe the 15% pulley. And ligher wheels. And brake pads that don't dust so much. And short shifter. And the stubby antenna. And the glove box organizer. And the grocery bag holder. And the cold pack. And the iPod adaptor. And the auxiliary outlet. And for all the toggles to be present and operational. And the decal of Winston Churchill on the roof or else QE2 or one of her corgis.

 

A 2.4L engine same design just a little larger displacement .

 

The MINI Circuit! Definitely should have come like that from the factory!

 

a real rear sway bar

 

For all manual MCS,
LSD as standard.

 

On a simple level.. I would agree with the Euro Parcel Shelf and the Glove Box Organizer. These items are both very useful, inexpensive, and I can't see any reason not to have them in the car.

 

Euro Parcel Shelf (although this isn't standard due to US safety regs)

With the Euro Parcel Shelf- A 12 volt outlet. Makes the shelf that much more useful.

Aux Jack... I mean come on for a whopping $40 MINI couldn't put this in at the factory?!?

 

Ian's Auto-up window circuit and the Euro shelf. I understand why the US doesn't favor the auto-up (liability), but why not the Euro shelf?
Got em both, love 'em!
Enjoy yours!

 

How about a current Nav DVD, buy an 05 and get an 03 out of date copy .

 

Don't you go in and they update them??

I don't have a factory one but that's how mine works.

Earl

 

Being in finance, I'm not a 'beancounter' (I'm a bean analyst!) but I'm sensitive to this line of thought. I also worked with Product Managers in deciding on product content for a Tech company.
First, the Product Managers decide on content, and required pricing levels for the market, as well as margin goals.
Next, are you saying you want things for free, or want to embed them in the base price of the car?

That said, I'll give my take on several of the above mentioned items:

the Whalen - some say it's better, but everyone? Wouldn't allow for color coded ***** some enjoy. ***** are big aftermarket items. Why? 'Cause everyone likes something different.

the Works package (if you can swallow the price tag), - exactly. If you want it, buy it! In year one with 1800 works kits and 25000 cars, would it make sense for a dedicated portion of the production floor?

dumping the runflats - meaning add a spare or what? It would be cheaper to supply non-runflats, but in the spirit of motoring, they moved the battery to the back and eliminated the spare. Not ALL motorers would be comfortable utilizing 'slime' (not able, or not willing.) Personally, I wouldn't want slime in my tires.

parcel shelf - ask DOT - THEY require the knee bolster 'for your protection' not the 'beancounters'

auto-up windows - ask the product mgr and lawyers, they DE-content this feature for some bizarre reason. No cost consideration. I LOVE my auto-up windows!

GBO - *I* think it's indispensible, but do you build it into the price of the car and have some people throw it away, or allow those who want it to get it??

rear sway bar - speak to the lawyers and the engineers, they decide how handling should be (understeer is safer)- a bigger bar wouldn't cost more.

aux jack - hmm, I'd say most people are fine with radio/CD/Serious options. Mine had it installed in the glovebox - makes more sense in the parcel shelf (see above)

Up to date Nav - talk to the supply chain people, and NavTech - they JUST came out with their 2005 update - can't put it in the car if it doesn't exist (though the latest SHOULD be provided free of charge!)

There, I feel better now.:smile:

 

I vote for the Nav DVD that is not ridiculously outdated; a free update to at least match the car's prod year is the only reasonable solution.

As for mods that should have been standard I'm for Ian's auto up window circuit. Other US spec cars, including BMWs (as well as less expensive then the Mini), have the auto up feature and I do not understand why the Mini doesn't. Its one of those minor annoying things really worth fixing IMHO.

And always at the top of my mod list is a V1

 

My list for factory items:

• Auto-up windows (standard)
• Center armrest (standard)
• Chrome wheels (option)
• Body-colored wheel arches (option)

James

 

Glove box organizer.
Center console organizer.
Stubby antenna.

 

Ian's auto windows up. This is the single greatest mod I have done yet. A close second is the Glove Box Organizer. Both were done within the first two weeks of ownership.

 

Auto-up windows
Parcel shelf
15% smaller pulley (on the MCS of course)

Those are the items I would install in a new MCS in the 1st week if I was getting a new one.

 

As much as I like it, and think MINI should include it standard... Honestly I'm just happy it's offered at all! Is there any other auto manufacturer that offers an aux input on their radios?