Newsflash: a bare bones MINI (with NO options) has power windows, power locks, A/C, ABS, CD player, and MUCH more. Hardly "el strippo"

 

I have to go on record and say there's something bad-*** about a no option cooper with holey's. Especially CR/W.

 

Let's add heated windshield (Canada) and backup camera feeding the NAV (Canada and Europe). Seriously planning a trip to Canada to get fitted for the camera !!

Bill

 

Things I WOULD go with again:
LSD
H/K System
Anthracite Headliner

Items I'm glad I DIDN'T go with:
Sunroof (Weight; Less room for a helmet)
Sport Package (Aftermarket is better in this regard)

Items I could've DONE WITHOUT:
Chrono Pack (While I like the extra info, the speedo in the middle of the car would've been more 'cool')
Leatherette (Anyone notice that this doesn't breathe at all? I wish I had gotten cloth or leather for the longer trips)

 

I am not sure why so many complain about the center arm rest, I like mine.
LSD, multifunction steering wheel, and cold weather package should be the minimum in options, IMO.

 

FYI, changing the set temp doesn't make it warm up any more quickly - the car will heat up/cool down to the desired temp as fast as it can.


As for options:
Best - premium, CWP, thumb bump MFSW (RIP), fogs, aux input, boot box, alarm,
Worst - ??

 

Wish I had gotten:
LSD (wasn't available when I ordered)
Auto Dimming Mirror (Mini wouldn't sell this unless you got the rain-sensing wipers also. Since MINI windshields tend to crack easily & are very expensive when you have rain-sensing wipers I still wouldn't get the mirror unless it was a stand alone option)

Glad I did get:
Xenons (have always had trouble seeing at night but all is much improved w/the xenons)
Heated Seats (mmmmm I love warm buns in the morning )

Wished I hadn't got:
nada (am 100% happy with all my options)


Good luck ordering your new MINI. You will be happy with it fully loaded or barebones

 

I would shrivel and die without heated seats. I mean that.

I love everything about my Ollie, but if I did it again I'd get leatherette instead of cloth.

 

Get all options that will MAX out the toggle bank. :-) You'll be pleased.

 

How could no one have mentioned the Sport Link and Bike Rack?!
Man is that thing awesome if you are a rider...EXTREMELY solid build...easy as heck to use..and you have a nice clean looking car when not in use. Highly recommended

And you have to get the MFSW..I think it is a rule now.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm still not sure whether to get the sunroof or not. It seems really nice and big, but people seem to have a lot of mixed feelings about it.

 

Must have cold weather package unless you live where it is warm all the time.

I dislike the factory armrest, but I use it (go figure).

Happy with the Leatherette.

I would definitely order in such a way as to get the speedo in front of me. Since I have no use for a NAV system, I would go for the chrono pack. I know the center speedo is a classic look and so on, but I want it in front of me.

The MFSW is definitely worth it.

We opted out of the convenience pack because we don't like self-dimming mirrors and the automatic windshield wipers seemed absurd. Now that I've actually seen auto wipers in use on other cars, I think I would order them. The base wipers are not very adjustable and we end up playing with them a lot while driving in misty weather.

I would personally not get a sunroof because I dislike them, but my wife wanted it (I got the LSD in exchange, so it was worth it). We haven't been through one of those sunny and hot Washington summers yet, but I suspect it will be her car in the summer and mine in the winter. . . .

Other than that, just get what you want!

 

I bought mine off the lot. The car had everything but the Homelink auto dimming mirror. I really wish it had come with the car. Now I'm going to spend half a paycheck to buy one after-market.

 

I LOVE my sunroof...when it isn't winter and not raining I always have mine open (+windows down). I liked the roof line of the hard top MINIS better than the cabrios, so I chose a hard top, but the large sunroof is the next best thing.

I am also in love with heated seats.

 

I dont have a sunroof and thought I would never care to have it and I test drove a mini with it. After about 6 months I wish I had it. Here in Miami the weather is so great all the time that I rarely use the a/c I just run with the windows down and roof open if I had it.

Just make sure you get it tinted and or a good cover. so when you dont want the sun in you can block it out.

But I say go for the sun roof. It sounds like those who dont like it is because of there helmet. I dont race nor plan to so..........

 

Gabe - We are a Recaro distributor and can get you the seats (special order) here in the US. Contact me for more info.

 

Interesting that several people don't like auto climate control.... add me to the list. Did an a-la-carte premium package just to get the manual climate just for the free air flow (don't *need* to turn the system on).

 

I'm not too crazy about it either. I tried to use it on a cold winter morning and soon I had to get out of the car to warm up. It practically blew me out of the car with cold air and the a/c to de-fog the windows. I haven't played with it since.

 

I've got a MCS with only xenons and heated seats.

I seem to be in the minority here, but I could definitely do without the heated seats. I never ever use them. Then again, my car is garage kept. I'd pay for the xenons, and an lsd, and would personally splurge for the anthracite headliner. everything else is fluff IMO.

[edit] Also love my fabric seats. I have no use for leather or especially "pleather".

 

I would not order the chrono package again as I seldom look at the oil temp gauge.

I would get automatic A/C next time.

 

Really, the sunroof is probably a good option. The reason I didn't get the sunroof and did get the Chrono Pack was because I take the car on the track. My helmet wouldn't fit with the sunroof, and I like the information that the Chrono Pack provides when really pushing the car.

Also, with the Chrono Pack, the OBC is 'free'. Essentially, the Chrono Pack is only $100 more if you were going to get the OBC already.

 

Gotta have - Heated seats, HK stereo, LSD, JCW pkg

Regret not getting - Anthracite Headliner

 

Wish I got: the heated seats...this Leatherette stuff stays cold and hard for a long time. I actually wish I got leather (mainly for the smell ). Also wish I ordered the chrome ring package (very nice touch). And wish I got the Anthracite Headliner

Would order again: LSD, Xenons, HK system, multi function steering wheel, sun roof.

 

Love love love my sunroof...

I say Leatherette because its easier to keep clean -- my cloth seats are lookin' kind of rough by now. Not so much as you'd notice off the bat, but I recently saw a picture of the interior when it was spankin' new...

 

I'm happy with what I ordered -- navi (esp with the new firmware it's a must have if you don't have it!), cold, h/k, other packages, etc.

Can't live with out (in any car!) -- heated seats, auto dimming rear view mirror.

Wish I had ordered -- red cloth/leather seats (would have looked great in my PW/B) but happy I have the space cloth instead of the bus seat material!!

Wish I could have ordered -- folding mirrors (just for the geek factor!)