Trust me, I know how it feels being all those wrapped into one! While I'm also sure that my perspective is not going to work for everyone, I'll go ahead and add a few more comments...

I had NAV and I used it and really loved it! I didn't order it this time. Biggest reason - even though I liked it being integrated - there is a much better value proposition with portable systems from Garmin, TomTom and others.

I'm glad you're able to be honest with yourself. I had a hard time getting myself past the "just because I can" stage - as you can see, it took me 2 tries to get things right. I've come to realize that less can be more. I enjoyed the first car for its options, I'm enjoying this car for its simplicity. I bought the first car because it was different, cool, affordable, and so many things. I bought the second one because I became an enthusiast.

The one thing I struggled over getting that I ended up not getting was xenons. Every once in a while I wish I had gotten them, but I generally don't even think about them.

I'm not sure I see the point in the cupholder, maplight or footrest. The car comes with 4 different cupholders of varying degrees of usefulness. The car has 4 different maplights standard. The car has a deadpedal. ...I suppose that is the frugal part of me talking.

I know others will disagree with me on this, but I have driven MINIs with armrests and find that they just get in my way. During the first few months of ownership I missed having one, but my driving style changed and now I have no desire - although I still like having an armrest in my other vehicle!

In general, my opinion on these non-factory accessories is to wait and see. Drive the car for a while before deciding on some of these items. You might very well decide you are happy without them. I can, however, strongly recommend the glove box organizer!

In the end, only you know what will make you happiest - more stuff or smaller payments. I now know what works for me.

 

Thanks much for all the replies.
Things are starting to come together.

Y'all are right. Save on the metallic paint, save on the armrest and footrest, I can add them later easily.

Mini2Go:
Thanks man. Yea I thought with the lack of other cockpit space, the glovebox organizer would be a good idea. I probably don't need an extra maplight. Sounds like you're saying there's plenty of other light at night in the car.

Cupholder ? I only saw the 2, one of which is an ashtray for me. That flexible one as an option I like that. It's cheap. I'll take it. haha. The armrest, I can definitely use the little bit of extra storgage space in that it provides. I will get that for sure too.

Interesting about the Mini totally changing your driving habits.

Mirthscout:
Thanks. So the DSC has saved you some trouble it seems. Good to know. I remember these arguments when abs came out on motorcycles. I definitely paid for the abs and loved it. However abs on a motorcycle seems a much bigger saftey issue than DSC on a Mini, but still, safety is safety. Oh wait. Money is money too. hahahaa.

ResMini:
I tried optioning out without packages a couple of times, and there comes a point when the customizer tells me it'll be cheaper with the package.

But now that I'm refining my wants vs needs etc.. with your all help, I'll try another shot at building.

As it stands now, I've been checking out that 2007 and talking to some people about it. I very well may decide to wait and order me one of them that new fangled Coopers.

Thanks again.

 

My 2 cents:

I wanted to get the leather seats but balked at the price. So I got the leatherette and I am very happy I did. They look like leather and, based on input from others, wear better. I am not worried if the dog gets in the car or if they get wet, like I would have with the leather. Plus I hear the leather used in MINIs is not the highest quality and will stretch and sag. (BTW, the sport seats are REALLY COMFY.)

Manufacturers make it really easy to buy packages--they give you a break but there are probably items that you really don't want. For example, I didn't want the HK stereo (aftermarket are better) and I didn't want the climate control (my husband has one and I find it really annoying). This saved some $$$. Look at the packages carefully. Do you really need all the components?

Sunroof? Personally I have never liked them but that's only my opinion. Hot in the summer, I don't like the way the air blows around the cabin, and I would prefer a solid roof-look. (Resale, though, might make this a wise option.)

Then there are all the little add-on items. If you check with the MINI vendors and on eBay and on this forum, you can get most of them for cheaper than you can from the dealer and they won't add to your monthly payments that way. For example, cup holders, glovebox organizers, armrests, etc. Plus, you might find out you really don't need them (e.g. that $200 armrest which many folks find annoying and not practical; the $50 cupholder, which the dealer threw in for free, that I am planning to remove when I have a chance). It's also fun customizing your MINI after you get it!

I could have bought a MINI off the lot and gotten immediate gratification. But they had lots of extra stuff that looks really attractive but, upon consideration, I didn't really need. I ended up ordering one, really thinking about which options are just nice to have and which are necessary. The one I ended up ordering was about $3000 less expensive and I got exactly what I wanted.

Good luck on your purchase! Let us know what you got.

 

Excellent advice Anne. Thanks!

 

You and I were probably typing our messages at the exact same time! LOL.
Good luck picking out your MINI. (LOVE mine!)

 

1) I live in VA. When i had my MINI, i lived in Bumpass (i think you can gues it's middle of no where) and commuted to Richmond. Now, once you've toughed out a winter with a normal 45 minute commute to town and back on the twisty ice/snow covered backroads, you'd realize ANY mini is better than a miata :P

2)I had a Cooper. The only options it had were sunroof, 16" wheels, and the lip spoiler. I was happy with that, and i absolutely loved my cloth seats... but once i rode in Sarcux's MINI, which was optioned out the butt, i realized after spending a whole weekend in it what i was missing on having SOME options. Now, i'm dying to get another one with my changed mind.

I now want an S. I want cloth seats again, but i'd take anything. The sport seats hurt me more than they help because i'm so short... it pushes out on my upper back rather than the lower back where it's supposed to. HEATED SEATS ARE A MUST. As stated before, in any weather they feel awesome. I loved my sunroof... even on hot, hot days, it has a sun shade which helps alot. Plus you have a/c to cool you down, and those huge windows let alot of breeze in. Speaking of a/c... no auto a/c. I for one can't figure it out, which pissed me off. Like Yucca's wife, i like the simple *****. I don't see a need for DSC, especially just in the rain. If you know how to handle your car, you should know to drive slow and safe. I never lost control of my Cooper once. Of course, i babied the crap out of it (on road don't think i didn't tear up the dirt paths with it) I also like the rear fog light. I followed alot of 05's on a drive in NOVA once, and alot of them had on the rear fogs, and i could see it 15 cars back. I'd go for xenons now that i saw how nice they lit up the Dragon, and fogs just pull the whole front bumper together nicely.

I'd opt out of those little extras like map light, arm rest, foot rest, or whatever. You'll be too caught up motoring to even realize you have those things Oh, and cruise. Boy would i have loved to have that on the 9 hour drive TO the dragon. But if you're getting a Cooper, you'll be glad to know i got about 42 mpg on the way there

Was that too long? Take it from the people who have owned before, and own a second one and notice what they do and don't order the second go round. I've now fallen into that category

 

Thanks Anne. Of course I'll be posting what happens when it finally happens. Glad you are amoung the rest of the Mini world that seem to LOVE their Mini.

Thanks for the Input Shortbus. Good point about watching what people order the 2nd time around. It seems that most definitely do without the armrest, and seems that unless you're going for English Leather, it's best to get the letherette ( unless you like the cloth ).

 

The flexable cupholder that you speak of is installed in all US spec MINIs at POE, and are not an option. For this reason people autocrossing '04-'06 MINIs in stock classes are not permitted to remove them (confirm this in the G-stock or H-stock forums on this site). If cars on your dealer's lot lack them, it probably means that dealers are removing them from incoming vehicles and selling them to customers as accessories.

Regarding the ashtray, it can be removed without tools to reveal two identical cupholders. Not everything fits into them, but they are sufficient for the 20oz iced coffee I pick up every morning on the way to work. There is also a larger cupholder just behind and in between the two front seats. It's there for the benefit of rear seat passengers, but with < one weeks practice you'll get the hang of using it from the driver's seat.

Armrest: Would definitely get in your way. Skip it.

Map light: totally unnecessary.

good luck.

 

There is one between the two front seats - supposedly for the rear seat occupants. It is a little tough to reach. Depending on the armrest you're considering, you may lose that one.

The other one (if they are still including it) is on the dash downtube between the speedo and glove box. I removed it because it annoyed me aesthetically and also seemed to clutter the space.

The 2 under the toggles aren't terribly functional for beverages, but work well for a 12oz. can. Otherwise, my ashtray holds change and the other one holds my cell phone.

For beverages, I primarily reach around to the one behind me in the middle. Is it the best solution? Not at all. Does it work for me? Sure.

It's amazing how much I've adapted to the car instead of trying to do the opposite!

 

....I must have been typing when SalemMINIDriver responded. Sorry for virtually duplicating the info.

 

I have had 4 MINIs over the course of 4 years. I have always had leatherette, sport seats, & heated seats. Some people don't find the sport seats comfortable... it's a personal opinion. My sister opted for the standard seat.

As for the DSC... I have never had it on my own cars(I live right outside Chicago). I have driven cars with it, but have never felt the need for it. It's technology that was developed by BMW for BMWs (rear wheel drive). MINIs handle very well in all sorts of weather conditions due to it's low center of gravity and being front wheel drive. Some people feel it's a great option to have (one time insurance premium) and that's great... but when trying to skim down on options, I would skip DSC.

 

Salem:
Thanks I didn't know those cupholders were standard. Yea, I do see them on all Minis but for some odd reason I was thinking they were an option. Cool. Also I didn't realize about the back cupholders. I just may have to forgoe the armrest. The more I think about it, after some things that have been posted, I may decide to start "actively" driving instead of laying back and relaxing in the car.

Mini2Go:
>>It's amazing how much I've adapted to the car instead of trying to do the opposite! <<

No lie. I may follow in your footsteps there.

MiniChristina,
Thanks for the input too. You live in Chicago which must mean you deal with your share of snow and ice. So your input is valuable in deciding whether to get dsc or not.

You know, I've never really understood the deal with front wheel drive cars anyway. With rwd, it seems natural on what to do when the real wheel starts to spin, steering in the direction of the skid, the feather of the gas etc.. but with Fwd, it seems about the best you can do is let off the gas and wait for the fronts to grab again. You can't really steer your way out of any trouble if the front wheels don't have traction. So it becomes basically just riding within the limits of the available traction.

 

No need for an apology. I don't look as rediculous now for suggesting that the poster use the back seat cupholder from the driver's seat. As you mentioned it works much better than you'd think.

 

There's a cupholder for the back seat?? I thought it was just a MINI driver flexibility test. That's the one I use, too.

Wander - heed Anne's advice about dealer accessories. You can get most all of them for less used or on ebay if you're trying to make your dollar go far. Or buy from Classic and save 20% off OEM prices. That is, unless you're desirous, cheap, AND lazy.

 

footrest??

Mine came with a 'dead pedal' for the left, three pedals in the middle, and the floor if none of the above four work out at some point in time. Where does a 'footrest' go? (Does the MC not come with a dead pedal?)

 

mine had a dead pedal... i just went with what he said because i have no idea what it is... unless he's getting an automatic and it's different?

I was too busy having fun shifting to notice a place to even put my left foot other than the clutch

 

>>Wander - heed Anne's advice about dealer accessories. You can get most all of them for less used or on ebay if you're trying to make your dollar go far. Or buy from Classic and save 20% off OEM prices. That is, unless you're desirous, cheap, AND lazy<<

Eric,
It was good advice, along with the other advice. Now I may have gone too far the other way , I specked one out on the configurator at under 20k. Now that's talking.

Too bad I may have become convinced to wait for the '07. Of course I can be convinced the other way too.

 

dont get packages unless the package has everything you want. I picked stuff out seprately.

1.) Like a rear fog light? huh? I dont live in England, we dont have fog problems here, so i really dont see the need for this?

2.) Auto A/C...$blingbling$ its not hard to reach over and flip a switch or push a button.

3.) same goes for rain sensors for your wipers. Just click the ****, not that stressful to do.

4.) leather/leatherette seats? well unless you like wrinkling/cracking/ripping seats that burn you on hot days and are ice cube on cold days. Oh and they make you sweat in the heat, unlike cloth which breathes.

5.) Sunroof, people like them, and depending on where you live you may use it, but i never see anyone with their sunroof's open. Too darn hot here and its like a window for the sun to bake the interior of your car when its sitting in the parking lot during the summer.

6.) Cold weather package? I'll never own it. Then again i live in Florida and the last thing i want is MORE heat.

alot of the stuff are cool gadgets, but none of them are really needed.

I would suggest getting DSC, and LSD. These are the 2 most important options in my opinion, everything else are just bonus gadgets.



Edit: Oh i did get front fog lights, but thats because im blind at night, same reason i got Xenon headlights, haha!

 

national traffic safety website and read all of their detailed studies.

It is a higher chance a rural person will die around town and by their own hand than on a highway. interstate travel for a rural area represents from 1-3% of deaths.

More deaths per capita in a rural area than a urban/surburban area due to automobiles. looks like around 2x as much smashing into off road objects and even a slight elevation or sameness with 2 car collisions.

I lived in the country/rural area. It is the most unsafe place to drive possible. Blind turns, blind hills, people drive 55 mph. If you cant see around the turn, you should be doing 15 mph at most. No one does.

city/suburban driving causes more retarded fender bender claims to insurance companies, but as far as hurting yourself or dying, country is worst.

 

Driving on wet, messy roads leaving mist in your wake you're difficult to see from behind even with your tail lights on. Rear fogs help you to be seen much sooner by traffic cocoming up from behind. They are a lot more useful than front foglamps as fog has to be THICK before visibility becomes better with dipped beams and foglights vs. main beams. Even here on the coast of Maine I see these conditions a couple of times a year max. I'm not too far out of the automotive mainstream in my thinking on this. Our Volvo has a rear fog lamp as a standard feature, but no front fogs.

(It is also nice to have the full row of toggles)

 

That may be true that drivers can see you sooner, but the rear fog is very low on the car; the light is exactly where all the mist is flying up, and not only do you have 2 red tail lights but you also have a 3rd red tail light thats ontop of the hatch, that is far away from the mist. Ive never had a car with a rear fog light, and i havent had any problems. I cannot think of any asian auto makers or US auto makers that have rear fog lights factory. Maybe i havent been paying attention.

I just find it kinda pointless, i honestly dont think a rear fog light is gonna save me from being crashed into from the rear. If the people completely missed the 1.5 ton vechical spraying rooster tail mist infront of them with 3 red tail lights on, then they are pretty oblivous to their surroundings and will probably hit you anyway. I mean what do they think is causing the mist, a humming bird flying across the road?

I also plan on putting a factory switch in my rear fog's spot. But it will be opperating something other then a rear fog light.

But if it makes you feel safe, then by all means get the rear fog.

 

As we branch out to the other options, I feel I have to chip in some support for the rear fog. Driving through all the rain from Ernesto during MTTS was quite a proving ground. There were at least 6 of us together at any point in time over our 800+ mile excursion from Pittsburgh-Charleston-Charlottesville-Pittsburgh. I was the only one with the rear fog and everyone commented on how easy it was to keep their eye on me when I was in the lead. Actually, partly because of the extra visibility, I decided to bring up the rear most of the time. It really is surprising how visible it is in that low-down position. We drove through a LOT of rain and a good bit of fog coming through the mountains. What with those crazy semis traveling at ridiculous speeds with all that water on the roads, I was grateful they saw me plenty in advance!

 

Having many years riding motorcycles, I am keenly familiar with the concept of being seen on the road. For $100 dollars I would consider that option (rear fogs ) more of a must have than the DSC I was so worried about. Lights are good !!!

 

There was a thread a while back that discussed the brightness of the rear fog light.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rear+fog+light


Based on those pics it looks like the rear fog is quite bright and would be helpful in a heavy fog situation. My husband went to college at UVa in Charlottesville and I remember making a few drives down there where those lights on the side of the road on Afton Mountain were all that kept me on the road. Seems like a bright fog light would be nice in a situation like that! Plus the full row of toggles looks so purdy...

 

Floyd--my 2 cents after one week with my new MCC:
DSC- No way. I've tossed my Miata around Pennsylvania for 6 years. If you drive sensibly there is no need.
Leatherette--I would have ordered cloth but the wife insisted the Lab's hair would stick. And I believe the BMW cowhide buyers in Brasil get the cheapest they can find for our cars!
Rear fog--inexpensive-may help follower tailgaters in bad weather?
AAC--I got it because wife insisted, but I agree with the idea that it's totally worthless.
Autodim mirror, heated seats--nice to have
Center armrest--storage not much but I do like the elbow rest
MFSW--got to have CC and I'm beginning to see the value of the auto audio controls, I think I'm going to appreciate it.

After you commit don't second guess yourself, just enjoy.