Hi!

I've been lurking around since I've been thinking of buying a mini for a few weeks (after test driving both a VW GTI and a Civic Si) and I am really impressed at the quality of the forum and all the great minis around!

Hope you don't mind if I ask for some pre-purchase advice? I am looking to buy a 2006 Chili Red Cooper S and my debate is whether to get the chrono package, the HK and/or the real leather seats. Are these really worth the $$$? The cars have all packages except convenience.

Also, was hesitating about getting the sunroof or not... thought maybe the light could be bothersome at times since it can't be closed?

Finally, any chance of negotiating the price? I know most of these cars go for MSRP...

Any input, suggestions really appreciated!

 

If you intend to keep the car "forever", load it up for whatever pleases you

If you intend to sell within 4 years, buy it stripped.

 

well, dunno if the HK is really great or maybe aftermarket might work as well? leather seats I am not crazy about (the leatherette seems a-ok), and chrono is nice looking though not essential. Dunno... you guys know better?

I will keep forever as long as it does not start falling apart on my after 50K

 

Welcome to NAM!

Not really.

 

Personally, I'd get the stock radio. Then if you want, upgrade to whatever

Leather seats ARE nice but money out the window. Some ppl like the stock seats. Personally, I'd go with cloth ... cooler in summer, warmer in winter

Chrono? Bling

If you want some gauges, get the auxiliary gauges which you can buy and your dealer just installs!

 

I have a sunroof and it's never bothered me. I keep that mesh stuff closed at all times, and it really helps filter the light.

 

Get the Chrno and with the sunroof i sometimes forget i could look up and see the sky. If you never want to mess with the radio the HK is great if you want to add or change it the HK sucks

 

Unless you are certain you are going to put an aftermarket stereo in, get the H/K. The stock stereo is pretty awful, and the H/K is definitely worth it. There may be some better aftermarket options, but IMO the H/K is fantastic.

I also advise getting the sunroof. Being able to open it up on those nice days is completely worth the occasional mild sunburn from being unable to close it.

 

I took delivery of my 06 MCS a few weeks ago, and struggled with all the option decisions too!

I tried to spend money on features I wanted, but couldn't get later.

I got Leatherette - and so far it's been great. I couldn't justify the $$ for leather.

I've always like a sunroof, and glad I got one on the MINI. They're great.

Got the Xenon lights ( splurged $550 ) and I have really enjoyed those. Great night lighting!

I got the LSD haven't had the opportunity to experience the 'spirited' twisty driving but I've I've got it. ( since you can't by '06's anymore, I wouldn't have the opportunity to get one again with LSD)

Also got DSC, and hope I don't need it, but glad it's there.

* I did not get chrono pack.

* I did not get H/K sound system as I was trying to keep the costs down, and figured I could always get an upgraded sound system down the road. So far I have NO problems with the stock stereo. Sounds great to me.

Hope this helps!
Mark

PS/B 06 MCS

 

+1 if you get nothing else make sure you get these

 

Serious!?!?!? That might be a problem... I had a small skin cancer taken out so I gotta be careful!

Other than that, really helpful advise... keep it coming

 

those are in the sports package!!!!

 

Are you buying off a lot or ordering your MINI? When i ordered mine in early fall, some options changed but were still shown on the "build you own" on their website.. (Example, had my heart set on black w/blue leather seats...still on the web, but no longer in production line). I struggled with options, but decided that I would probably love my MCS (I also debated on the GTI and Civic Si) and would want to "load it up". I've had it a few weeks now and don't regret any of them...by the way, life without a sunroof, just seems sad to me...go for it! The mesh screen is a nice feature for when the sun is beating down, but having it open is great! SPF45 is my best friend, that's all!
ChgoBlue
Happy motoring!

 

I've never gotten sunburned and believe me, in the summer around here we get sun like no other. Seriously, in my experience, the mesh really keeps the sun at bay.

 

Get the chono pack, it's great. Far better then add on guages.

Personally don't like sunroofs, I don't care for glare or a reflection behind my glasses. Adds weight to the car, lessens the amount of head room (important if you autocross). And the possibility of leaking someday.

On average, MSRP will be the best you can get.

Never found leather to be comfortable, and went for the space grey, something that breathes and is easier to take care of.

Just my thoughts.

 

+1 for sunroof. only had mine about four weeks, so can't tell you what it is like in the heat of the summer, but I've noticed the mesh shade cuts down on overhead sun glare pretty well. if it is too hot next summer, I'll just get it tinted. i love the sunroof, though, if it was warm enough to drive with it open every day... i would

+1 for leatherette... again, i may hate it in the hot summer, but love the look and it is supposedly better at keeping its shape than the leather, which is way overpriced IMHO anyway.

I like the stock stereo and I have a pretty good ear. if I had had the money, i might have bought the HK, but i have to say... with my iPod plugged in through the Aux input, i hear things I haven't heard before in songs. plenty of volume and much of the time it is down so I can listen to the supercharger wind up.

Two things i have that I love:
1) anthracite headliner... nice and dark roof interior
2) chrome line interior - puts chrome around all the dials... definitely bling, but if you are getting a dark dash (or like me a body color dash) the chrome looks great. it looks really good with the Piano Black.

I added DSC at the last minute since cars will be required to have it in a few years... so may help with resale if I decide to go that way.

Good luck!

 

I would go with the HK system. I have it on both my MINI's and just love it. Definitely worth the money. Also, go for the leather seats. I have had both on the MINI's I've owned and wish I always had the leather. They are so much easier to clean. Will also increase your resale value later. I also love the sunroof. With the screen that comes with it, the sun is not a problem. I have never wished it wear a solid roof. One side benefit is the fact that it is nice to have open even at highways speeds rather than using the windows, if you don't want the air conditioner on.
Hope that helps!

 

+1

 

I just ordered my Mini, live on Long Island - we were able to negotiate the price, although we leased ours (MCSa, cold weather package, sunroof). I think the fact that we are coming out of a BMW lease helped. Good Luck!

 

Get the sunroof with the whiteout kit. You won't be sorry.

 

I have the sunroof and I like it. It is my first sunroof, so I was a little apprehensive about getting it, but the Cooperflag roof graphic helped with the glare.

I don't have the Chrono Pack, but I have driven a MINI with it and I didn't care for it much. At this stage in the game, you can't order an 06 MINI. I don't dislike it enough to be a dealbreaker, but I didn't order it.

I have leather and I like it. I got the Cordoba Beige because I like the color and getting leather is the only way to get that color. I STRONGLY dislike getting static shocked, and the leather cuts back on that a LOT.

Rawhyde

 

Thanks again for all the comments.

I want to get a 2006 because I don't want to deal with any potential problems a first year model might have, even if under warranty. Got tired of taking my VW cabby to the doctor... So, I can't order and have to pick from what's around and that is why I was debating which options to take over which others.

Now, if I could only decide on the color... it's so hard to pick just one, I want to adopt them all!

 

You may want to consider buying a used or certified preowned MINI. If you buy used, all of thoese options are "free". I bought mine used, financed it through a credit union and got all the factory options (that I otherwise couldn't afford) at a much lower price than new. Food for thought: let someone else pay the first year depreciation. There are a lot of nice used MINIs out there.

 

This is what i did. It took me about 3 months to find the mini i wanted but it was well worth it.

 

Thought about it, but what I've seen so far is not much cheaper... in fact, counting in extra warranty + maintenance, makes it about the same price as new. One other concern was reliability as I've seen comments and reviews about how the later cars are much more reliable. Finally, I don't want a car with mods so... overall I am leaning towards new...