It was very very foggy this morning.

But then, it is supposed to be very very cold here this time of year.

 

How far do you think you could see this morning?

 

it wasn't california foggy. I lived in california.

my bmw (1996 318ti) doesn't have foglights. i could see okay. then again, I came to work 2 hours before sunrise, so I needed full lighting anyway!

I haven't lived here long, but I've heard it does get pretty foggy due to lake michigan at certain times of the year.

 

I for one am glad I didnt get the fogs since I now have my
driving lamps. But personally, even before my driving lamps,
I never missed the fogs. Saving money and getting a reliable
(bugs worked out) car - a good choice

 

Ok i was just checking, because when i was in IOWA for a week last year it got foggy and you could see 1/4-1/2 a mile and people were freaking out. But if you've lived here then you know if you need them or not.

Good luck and i hope you end up with a car you love.

 

When discussing the car in the abstract, your desire for fogs and the lack of them in that particular vehicle seem like a bigger deal than it really is. If you bought it and they threw you the keys, it would take you a week or two to even notice that they weren't there. You would be enthralled and so overwhelmed with your new MINI that fogs would be the last thing on your mind. I have them; I flick them on when I think about it but its no big deal. They'll light up the rabbit you're about to run over but other than that, they are not very helpful and you can do much better, practically speaking with Hella's or other brands. Use the lack of them as a bargaining wedge. International has, as long as I've been with them, (since 04) gone under MSRP when need be. They're great guys there; all business, but great guys! I'm on my 3rd MCS so I know a little about them. I purposely got an 06 in August rather than wait for an untested, plus I HAD to have a JCW. Go for it man. I can't speak for you but I don't regret it!

 

YellowMiniS we've got fogs on our MCS but if I had to order another MINI I'd probably go without. I bet you can have after-market fogs added if you need them. I noticed one of the previous posts mentioned being cautious about first model years - give that some serious consideration. I made the mistake of purchasing a first model year, granted it was a US product not MINI or BMW, and regretted it from the moment I took delivery.

 

thanks guys. the fogs aren't a deal breaker at all, it was just one more cog in a very large decision. It just comes down to the timing and the unkown re: the R56.

Now, if they'd throw in, say, the aero grills on this car....

 

Are you a picky person and notice details? If yes then you are going to want the front and rear fogs. I happen to have fog and bad weather here where I use the fogs and am glad to have them for that reason, but also, just from a detail oriented aesthetic standpoint I would want them just because I simply do not like the look of the plastic blanks they stick in there when you don't have the fogs, and I prefer having all of the working toggles inside.

In your position I'd either have them include all of the fogs installed before delivery as part of the deal to sell the car (or at least get them to match the Classic prices on the parts and cover the labor), or I'd search around for an available car exactly as I want it. As for the R56, I personally wouldn't buy it before I could see and drive it myself first; I'd rather be sure it is what I want then just get it sight unseen to be an early adopter.

 

Go for the 2006! I bet International will back down a little more yet if you push them. I suggest trying to work the fog purchase and install into the deal for no cost to you. Offer them $500 under MSRP + front and rear fog light install. It doesn't hurt to try...

I like International SAs, but they are expensive for accessory installation. If they don't bite on the above offer, I suggest putting them in yourself...

Another option: I think I've seen the fully "filled" toggles for sale here on NAM. I believe I've seen them on other sites also. If you don't care about the fogs, just pick up a replacement (loaded) toggle panel once you get the car and put that in...

 

I should pick it up wednesday. Ended up getting a MUCH better rate from my bank than MINI FS. Also found out international has like 70 minis in stock. Took a drive through one of the extra lots they have, and found a dark silver / b with the same options (minus the hood stripes) as the original pepper white.

couldn't get the fog light install thrown in (was told it was impossible, actually, but he then amended that to 'possible, but very expensive'.) I'll do something about that down the road if I decide I need to. My first order of business will be to figure out what kind of stripes I'm going to get. they had a car just like the one I got but with stripes, but I thought I'd get the 'blank canvas' and see what I can come up with.

My bank has to overnight the check to me, and monday is a holiday, so I'll get the check (and then the car) on Wednesday afternoon. It will be a long four days!

thanks to all of you on for the advice.

 

^^ cool news! you'll be so happy.

can't wait to see pics. it will be a long few days, but worth it.

congratulations

p.s. - have you noticed much difference between the 03 and the 06 in terms of the transmission? I originally was thinking about getting a used 02 that was fun to drive, then I drove the 06 and it felt like a world of difference.

 

excellent! I went the same route. Fully intended to order an R56. But found an 06 MCS that had everything on it that we wanted. (I was a little leary of the first year models..). We're extremely happy with our 06. Congrats!

 

I went out of my way to buy the last of the 2006 MCs rather than go with an 07. Early production years are always less reliable than later years, regardless of the car make. Just my 2 cents.

 

That's terrific news congratulations All the best to you and your new toy. Be sure and post some pix as soon as you can.

 

Unless you need fogs in your part of the country and you like everything else about the car,not having fogs should not be a show stopper.Q

 

Congratulations....70 MINIs in stock should equal more than a $500 discount.

 

yeah, I probably could have held out for more off, but that might have meant waiting a week or two and hoping they still had the car I want. I'd guess by the time the R56s come in you could get a great deal on an 06.

Getting the rubber floor mats, and maybe something else when I pick the car up.

I'm very, very excited!

 

I dont think mini gives a great deal on anything. I could be wrong but I do not think so. the looks are so different and the resale value is so great on mini's that dealers really do not do much to sell their stock.

front fogs are neat. I dont know why people say it's just fashion. My mini is brg/brg. It doesnt show up that well at night. Going around turns in high traffic areas, I put the fogs on. they spread out laterally and low, great side to side visibility for me and other people looking at me. I also have the driving lamps from mini. I love them too. most dont bother with the $$$ for them, but on a chromeline brg/brg, they look fantastic and add a nice flood to the lighting system. Both I cannot keep on at the same time, so I cannot put the brights/lamps on normally, but the fogs are fine.

fogs I call: Kitty lights. They illuminate the neighborhood cats and rabbits that I hope to avoid hitting. also, they spread laterally so that parking is made easier. Useful little lights, easy to "retrofit" as well, very low cost for the fun. the switch can be purchased for it too.

 

Congrats on the new MINI.

 

thanks everyone. I'll make a new thread when I get the car.

 

Congrats on the new car. Hopefully I'll get to see it at an upcoming Milwaukee Mini event this spring???