I’m shopping for a mini and I have a few questions about accessories and pricing. I built one at the mini website and I got everything I want for under 30k. This is the car I want.



Base MSRP* $24,900

Destination & Handling $550

paint Pure Silver Body Color $420 Black Top STD Body Color Mirrors STD Black Bonnet Stripes $100

package No selections in this category

performance Sport Suspension STD Dynamic Stability Control $500 Limited Slip Differential $500 16" 7-Fins (Performance) STD 6-Speed Getrag Manual STD

cockpit Sport Seats STD Leatherette: Gray w/Black Door $0 Int. Surface Alloy Patina STD Park Distance Control STD Cockpit Chrono Pack $300 On-Board Computer INC 3-Spoke Leather Steering Wheel STD 6-spkr AM/FM CD Player STD

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $27,270 accessory** Aero Kit (installation not incl.) $1,350 JCW Carbon Fiber Bonnet Scoop (installation not incl.) $235 Blue Ignition Wires (installation not incl.) $40 Illuminated Sills - MINI Cooper S (installation not incl.) $335 Security System (installation not incl.) $499 Marquee Plate "Cooper S" (installation not incl.) $28 Auxiliary Audio Input (installation not incl.) $40 4 Valve Stem Caps Union Jack (installation not incl.) $16 4 Wheel Locks (installation not incl.) $31

TOTAL ACCESSORIES ** $2,574

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $27,270

TOTAL COMBINED $29,844



The problem is that a lot of my accessories require installation and it will most definitely exceed my 30k budget. Would it be cheaper for me to order some 3rd party accessories and install them myself? Or do you think I could talk a dealer into installing them for free, if I pay for the car in cash? If I can’t get the exact car I want for under 30k I’ll probably start looking at a different make. Accessories installation is kinda lame when you’re paying 30k for a car (imo.) I haven’t talked to a dealer yet so I'm not sure if these guys are willing to negotiate. Most dealers will compromise to make a sell and I was wondering if I can find any brakes with a mini.

 

--Just ordered mine last week and it exceeded $30k. Just by 1 grand. On a few of those accessories you're getting robbed. When you get the cost of installation you'll feel really violated. They wanted $400 for either both the ipod or aux port. It takes 30 minutes to install and a cordless drill if you want to make it look really fancy.

Your blue ignition wires are about $200 cheaper outside and would take 1 minute to install. The alarm tacks on about $300 for installation, IF they're a nice dealership. You can install the system yourself in about an hour and you'll just have to pay the dealer to activate it, about $50.

If you want fancy stuff like your carbon fiber intake scoop pick up a copy of GOMINI at borders and check out some sites from their ads. Or check out the vendors on this forum. You'll save your self at least $1,000 there. And I don't think it's rocket science to install.

Do a search on installs DIY installs and you'll find some really nice illustrated instructions on how to install almost all of what you're looking for. There are some really sharp lads on this board. Good luck.

--pyratio

 

First, what the heck is a $499 Marquee plate?

If you are looking to drop the price of the MINI down a bit, I'd remove a few options like the park distance control. It is SO EASY to parallel park a MINI that anybody needing extra help could benefit from an hour of paid driver's education instead of PDC.

Most of the accessories you want can be had aftermarket or installed yourself for a lot cheaper. Classic MINI in Ohio sells genuine accessories at a very nice discount (20-30%). Make your dealer match that or order them from Classic.

Save on installations by having the following just put in the boot for you to install when you get home. It will be fun and shouldn't take you more than an hour or 2.

Bonnet Scoop
Aux input
ignition wires
aux input
wheel locks
valve stem caps

 

Hehe...Yucca, the price of an item is after the item itself. So, the $499 is for the Security System and the Marquee plate is $28

I wonder what kind of rediculous installation they would charge for putting on valve stem caps and a license plate frame

 

There may be a problem with third party installations of certain items in terms of your warranty...be sure to check with your dealer's service manager.

hs

 

Park distance control ????

 

Mandaboo, lately I have had an incredible streak of responding to posts after misunderstanding something . . . I think I will be quiet now. . .

 

Don't feel bad Yucca, I read it the same way!

 

Check the Marketplace section on this site, or ebay for those items and save yourself some serious money. If you are questioning whether installation of some of the more serious items will effect your warranty, or if they appear to be too difficult to DIY, deal with the service department after the sale. I cannot speak for every dealer, but the service guys in my area are SUPER easy to deal with, much easier than the sales guys.

 

Why an unnecessary $500 security system? As was discussed in another thread there has never been a new MINI stolen without the use of the key....OK, one case of a forklift and flatbed truck.

 

:smile: Welcome to NAM, syntheticjunky! The installation labor costs are where the dealerships make their money, since the aero kit, etc., are not factory-built, but are add-on accessories. I agree that you can do most of the cosmetic mods yourself at minimal time and fuss. There are loads of how-tos on this site, on www.motoringfile.com and on www.MINI2.com so be sure to check those out before finalizing your plans.

And I agree with resmini that the alarm system is really unnecessary.

Clover

 

IMHO

Chrono Pack $300

FLUFF, not really needed
JCW Carbon Fiber Bonnet Scoop (installation not incl.) $235

Totally forget this. You can get it later at a 15% discount from several MINI dealers and it bolts on.

Blue Ignition Wires (installation not incl.) $40

Why? Bling no one will see.

Illuminated Sills - MINI Cooper S (installation not incl.) $335

Major Bling few people will see (and only at night), In fact, does ANYONE have this option?

N Security System (installation not incl.) $499 As others have said, dump this. Total waste
Auxiliary Audio Input (installation not incl.) $40 Install yourself. Maybe directions. See motoringfile or mini2

4 Valve Stem Caps Union Jack (installation not incl.) $16 4 Wheel Locks (installation not incl.) $31

CMON, you can Install these two. No brainer.

IMHO

 

Your big $ item is the aero kit - and that will cost the most (big time) for paint and installation.
The illuminated sills also have less than plug 'n play installation requirements.
As has been said, everything else is pretty simple.

Doubtful you can get the dealer to 'throw in' installation, but you can always ask. If you MUST have all those accessories, installed, for under $30K before tax & license, I'd say you'll be looking at another make. On the other hand, bag the aero kit and you're in like Flint.

 

1) Would you save anything by getting the sport package instead of components a-la-carte?

2) I agree with some of the options... fun bells and whistles - the first few times you use them, but you can save quite a bit of $$$ by not getting them

3) I have the aero kit on my MCS - I got mine used and the PO had it installed (yet he got the manual HVAC system and no HK stereo )... It's OK - I probably wouldn't have gotten it, personally.

4) I recommend coming up with 2 lists... "nice to have" and "gotta have" then take each item that's one one and not the other and scrutinize it - ask people on this list if they have it, if they like it, etc. Again, you may find that some items are much cheaper to get aftermarket.

5) Don't sweat it... it's your car and you have to live with it.

 

the security system and pdc are totally waste of money, they are not good items that will raise the value nor practicality.

but again, it is your car, whatever makes you happy

 

The price of the aero kit is $1250, and installation would be another $1250 at most mini dealers. If anyone know any place in Boston, MA that would do it cheaper, I'll place an order for it.

 

the security system makes my insurance company happy
and lowers my yearly rate.

i'd install it myself and just pay the 0.5 hour of labor for dealer activation,