I just placed my order today for JCW Clubman. I still have time to change some of the options. I was wondering you feel that you could of done without and what you wished you had ordered. Thanks,
Julie

 

Wish I had gotten:
Rear fogs (I want the switch, mainly)
Anthracite headliner
The viper stripes instead of the wide-apart ones I got
The rest I pretty much like and would keep...

 

I wish I got the chrome line interior.

 

If I had to reorder Elphie I probably would have not gotten the premium package. I would have ordered each everything separately and not gotten the sunroof. It's good, it's nice, but I could do without it!!!

 

I think I would have skipped the LSD and saved the $500. For everyday driving it is seldom needed. And for slick situations the stock diff. has the traction control feature that applies the brake to the spinning wheel and sends the force to the wheel with the most traction. I had this on a Jetta 1.8T and it worked fine in the snow.

 

Wish I got the PDC option since I have the Nav option.

 

Cruise Control. I thought I wouldn't need the MFSW, thinking cruise would be on a stick instead. BBBZT! WRONG! I don't really miss it that much, but still wished I had it.

 

You can still get the viper stripes....... The factory stripes should peel off w/o any damage to the paint. If you don't want to do it yourself, just take her back to the dealer, or to a place that does car vinyl and have them remove them.

 

I wish I had gotten chrome line interior too... I picked Coop from the lot. Fortunately that can be fixed. I am doing the chrome line retrofit kit. Total it will cost me 280. Not bad since now its like a $250 option from the factory.

 

Except that my current stripes are under my clear bra.
Just one of those things that, when you buy it, you kinda like it, and the longer you have it the less you like it. But it doesn't keep me awake.

 

I got most of the packages available but next time will definitely go with the JCW package! After driving that one as a loaner, it blows all the others away!

 

Could not live without my Comfort Bluetooth, Ipod Adapter, Cruise Control. Wish I would have put Xenon headlights on Buckley.

 

I wish I had gotten the xenon headlights. The other week I was showing my father-in-law what my Wilbur Bud could do at night, and I realized how nice those would have been.

 

Since I configured and reconfigured several million times, I'm pretty happy with what I got. If I did it again though, I would get the LSD and that would only be for resale value.

 

I love how different people are! I can't even imagine the horror of chrome-line interior, glinting and gleaming distractingly into my eyeballs in my lovely business-like cockpit (plus collecting fingerprint smudges). I lurve my alloy trim for that reason. Yet ... I totally understand the appeal from a certain design aesthetic and went back and forth a thousand times on the chrome-line exterior. (Decided against - no regrets.) Likewise I went from xenon in my Mazda3 to halogen in my Clubman and am perfectly happy with them (plus I prefer their slightly weird look over the other slightly weird look of the xenons). And so it goes I occasionally wonder if I did the right thing to skip the sunroof - not because I actually miss one but just because I feel so out of the mainstream with my lack of wanting one. My actual favorite feature in daily use: the folding mirrors! I have a crowded single-car garage and folding the mirrors in makes it possible for me to walk around the car - I haven't been able to do that since the days I rode motorcyles exclusively and had no car!

 

Load it up with everything that can not be installed later!!!!

 

If you live in a northern state that gets snow i would recommend the LSD as there are times when the traction control just shuts the car down so much that it will not go anywhere.

If you live in a state that does not get snow then skip the LSD.

Other than that i opted for everything except the NAV. $2000.00 for something i can get for $150 and have better maps and updates. I do not recommend the NAV.

If you live in CA, CT, or another state that requires hands free driving make sure you get the bluetooth option. And if your state does not require it yet they may soon.

Good luck with your choices

 

So what exactly can't be installed later?

 

I would not choose to "live without" my xenons because to me they help a great deal. Very much enjoy the too expensive but very nice Bluetooth/iPod factory installed option. Really like my chrome line exterior - could easily have lived without the chrome mirrors but wanted that lower portion known as "the bone" in the front that used come as standard on the MC. Like having at least the rear fog light, purely for the safety factor. Do think that a really good coverage on the bonnet is advisable for the invisishield aka "clear bra" - however, I believe it must go pretty darn high on the hood to make it truly protect against the infamous stone chips (my current version is not at all high enough in my opinion - it is just north of the headlights). I do recommend shopping around quite a bit to find a good installer at a fair price for what you really want.

Could easily have lived without the "piano black" interior, though I do like it - but to me was it worth that $250, in hindsight (or is it economic fear sight?) - no. Had a sunroof in my first MINI and I only miss the sunroof when I'm in the big city, for gawking purposes.

P.S. How could I have forgotten the heated seats? Because the seem as though they should be standard.

 

Go to MINIUSA and look at the configurator. There is if I remember correctly a five step configuration, the very last step is something that can be done later! Everything else has to be done at the factory.

 

Things I love:
Heated seats...I run them with my A/C on And on cool mornings/evenings they are heavenly.

The USB key for all my music files, I can't believe most of my music collection is in my Mini.

Anthracite headliner, really pulls it all together.

Love the Xenons! We have been driving on country roads in the dark and the dif in the headlights is breathtaking.

Can't imagine not having a sunroof, I love looking out there and the light that comes in as well as fresh air.

Things we don't like:
Honestly can't think of even one item to list.

 

Love the xenons, Ipod, 6 speed manual, multi-function steering wheel, invisishield, HOT CHOCOLATE METALLIC, and definitely the sport seats. Looking forward to using the roof rails for camping. Could have played with the interior trim options (look at other photos and galleries here) some more, but wanted to keep the price point down (very easy for it to climb up).

Don't miss a sunroof - previous car had one, generally kept inside cover over it to minimize heat gain. From reviews, don't get the "automatic" climate control; a lot of money to avoid manually adjusting the heat/ac controls.

 

And I totally disagree with both of these! This car was meant to have a sunroof! I'm not normally claustrophobic, but the sunroof truly opens up the cabin, and connects you with the outdoors. I didn't expect much from the Auto A/C, but have come to LOVE it...I can leave home at 55 degrees, be warm in a few minutes after I hit freeway speeds..arrive at work in the central valley where it's already 100 degrees, and never know it until I get out of the clubbie (work is 'affectionately' known as 'hell' for a reason!).

 

Well, that's what makes the Mini system so great. Everyone has likes/dislikes and you can customize it the way you want. Of course everyone on this thread definitely thinks the Clubman is way better than the "regular" mini.

Try to find a dealer who a number of models on the lot, so you can sit inside and see for yourself. Unfortunately, most Mini's on the lot are sold and not available for demo drives.

 

I absolutely love my heated seats.
The xenon headlights are great.
I wish I could have gotten the NAV system, but it was just too expensive.