Hey all,

I am currently building my clubman JCW on the site and plan to order in the next few days. Here is my question. What are some of the options that are best ordered through the dealer at build time. I plan to heavily modify my car to include a lot of the things that you can order at build time, but to use aftermarket parts instead. Some things I am thinking about are bluetooth, heated seats, suspension package, JCW aerokit. I plan to add these over the years if possible. My reading has lead me to the conclusion that some things are just better off installed at the factory. Bluetooth and heated seats come to mind, although I loathe the placement of the factory heated seat switches and would want to get that changed.

So TL:DR, what options should I get done at factory and which can I save to do myself.

Thanks for any input!


EDIT* I guess I should clarify. I am getting sunroof and backup sensors done at factory for sure. I added a reply with some of the other options I am interested in.

 

Xenon headlights. Sunroof.

I would say do the factory bluetooth and heated seats. If you're going to heavily mod, you probably have the skill--or access to the skill--to relocate the seat heater buttons.

 

Other options I am interested in and want opinions on for factory or after market mod:

Xenon headlights
rear fog lamp
auto headlamps and rain sensor
rear JCW spoiler for clubman

roof rails (I know the site says they are incompatible with the rear spoiler, but I am sure a workaround can be found)

sound system (I have heard mixed opinions on this. Some say getting stock makes it easier to upgrade to after market)

center arm rest
driving lamps

 

hey, thanks for the response. In all honesty, I have never worked on a car a day in my life and thats a large part of why I am interested in this venture. I am a computer engineer, so I am mechanically inclined and curious. I think this will take me far in the modding world. There isnt much about modding that really intimidates me except the advanced wiring stuff.

I think you are correct about the head lights as I havent seen a thread where someone did it after factory.

 

There are conversion kits for the xenons, but it's cheaper to get the $500 option. And they're great headlights.

I would say that cosmetic things and suspension are great places for aftermarket. Keep in mind that adding most (maybe all??) electronics will require an update of your computer's software so the brain recognizes the new components. While it will likely help that you're an electronic engineer, I personally would lean toward getting the most bang for your buck and getting most of what you want through factory options. Again, suspension and cosmetic mods are great places to either save money or to spend your money in better ways on better components.

 

I'd suggest going with the base (boost) sound system and upgrading via better speakers and amp. If you don't mind doing the work, you can get better bang for your buck this way in my opinion.

I'd pay to get the auto headlights and rain sensors as the cost doesn't seem to be that high from the factory.

As for bluetooth, I don't know how well aftermarket systems would work with the steering wheel controls, and I couldn't imagine them bringing up all of the info onto the mini display screen. Get it from the factory and don't question the cost.

 

Good point on the steering wheel integration. My final order as of right now includes bluetooth, sunroof, xenon head lights, backup sensors, auto headlights and raid detector, and heated seats. Still figuring out the final details before I call my dealer.

 

I guess its come down to JCW spoiler. factory or down the road?

 

Get the spoiler after the fact cheap. From Sewell MINI its $274 with your nam discount.
http://mini.sewellparts.com/accessor...2012/4721.html

If it installs with epoxy on the Clubman.

 

Nice! thanks for the heads up! Anything else you guys can think of?

 

Not a favorite for many but I definitely can't live without comfort access; keys never leave my pocket!

 

yea, I will probably get it now that I know that you can start the car with it. I thought it was only for unlocking the doors which is meh, but having a set of keys hanging from that area seems annoying.

 

For the most part, you should factory order all electrical and electronic options that you want. Many of them are integrated with the computer and wiring is missing without the option, so retrofit is more complicated and always much more expensive than factory installed.

The JCW spoiler is not factory installed. It is effectively an aftermarket part installed at the port or by the dealer. You can do it any time.

Suspension is good to do on your own, because there is a wide selection of aftermarket options and you can get a better feel for what you want after driving the car for awhile.

If you want the aerokit, you should consider the factory JCW Package because of the cost savings. When purchased separately from the JCW Package, the aerokit is not factory installed and you will have to pay separately for painting and installation.

In the configurator, anything in the Accessories section is not factory installed and done after the car is built. You can add any of those any time without cost penalty. However, everything above the Accessories is actually factory installed and retrofit can be quite expensive.

 

This is what I did, but the car came this week and the sides are different now that they have it as "included". I thought they would be similar to what has been coming on the Coupe and Hardtop JCWs with the little scuttle shaped things - not sure of official name. Mine has no scuttles, but it is definitely not the same as the clubmans without the aerokit. Most of the side aerokit is painted bodycolor, but almost a slighlty flared version of the non-aerokit. The pictures are not real easy to see - I didn't take delivery yet.

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered my car yesterday. I talked to the dealer and ended up sticking with the body kit that comes with the JCW from the factory. The options I got were sunroof, xenon lights, bluetooth, comfort system, rear fog light, auto AC, heated seats ( I WILL be moving the buttons), armrest, 17 inch black wheels, auto headlight and rain sensor, and rear backup sensors (has saved me so many times on other vehicles).

Was not cheap, but I really feel like it will be worth it. As far as color, I got Eclipse gray with black roof and mirror caps. I plan to do some heavy modification over the years. Carbon fiber parts, aftermarket suspension and audio, drop it a bit, and of course all the engine tuning I can handle! Thanks for all the input guys, and I will post up some pics in 6-8 weeks =D.