I have both Xenons and HiFi. I really love both of them. If I had to do away with one, it would be the stereo. If you got to add one afterwards, I think the Xenons would be pretty costly...wouldnt they?
I mean, I bought a really nice Rockford Fosgate for my little Tracker for less than 250.00 on eBay, I dont think I could do that with the headlights.

 

one of my first mods will be ripping out the cheap speakers they come with, and putting in some good ones

for 500 $ they really should be installing good ones, but they are not

I'm going to go with a ed amp too, if I can find somewhere to hide it

 

I would get the xenon lights, they are amazingly worth it. Also when you are driving a really dark road those xenon light come in handy, they just light up the path.
As for the Mini Hifi, I was considering getting one but decided not to. Reason, because I thought I'll just add it later on. Though the speakers of the mini 07 that I have, are incredibly good!. They sound crystal clear and it's loud. I say no on the Hifi and save your money, I'm not regretting my decision!
That's my 2 cents.

 

The farther you can see, the faster you can go.

 

Where I live there are street lights everywhere. I don't go driving in the rural area when it's dark.

 

Anyone know the difference between Xenon and HID? or are they the same thing. Had HID's on last car and once you get them aimed correctly, they were great. I'd give a big plus on the Xenon lights.

Never been a big fan of factory upgrade stereos, there is just too much good aftermarket equipment to be had for similar money that will net you better sound IMO.

 

Xenons as an option: $500 To add Xenons to a car $2000-3000 at least. They are terrificly bright and make night driving a pleasure. I think thats a big yes, well worth the money IMO. But I got 'em in the sport pack.

The Hi-Fi... if you listed to music at all in your car... even if your going aftermarket... its a good system for the extra $500. You couldn't do an Alpine amp and 10-speaker upgrade for the same price elsewhere.

 

I have the stereo upgrade. It is great. Still strange with some music (not as full and rich with certain stuff, but I attribute that more to the group). I never have liked Xenons on other cars coming at me in the dark. Just too damned bright and offensive. Hey, you can see fine with halogens.

 

I see that you're looking at an MCS. The xenons are included in the Sport package if any of the other stuff in that package appeals to you, it might be worth a look.

As far as the HiFi goes, I think it is well worth the $550. I decided to get it after comparing it to the base system. HiFi blows the base out of the water. Plus there is no way you could upgrade the base system to sound as good as the HiFi for $550. Just my $.02.

 

Xenon's only.
If you don't like the sound of the stock stereo, you can always upgrade easily. Upgrading Xenon's properly is some serious money.

 

If you like working on your own car at all, save your money on the HiFi. In that case, you will save money and get exactly what you want. If things like pulling the interior panels out of the car and finding the right factory wiring to tap into and possibly adding wiring for an amp seem over your head, buy the HiFi and save yourself the trouble. I would never let Best Buy or Circuit City installers touch my MINI, and that would be the only way to get a decent stereo upgrade for under $500 without doing it yourself (retailers are the guys that offer free/cheap installation).

Actually, I don't have the MINI yet, I am driving an Infiniti G35 that has Xenon low beams. They are reflector style headlights (like halogens) instead of the projector beams you find in the MINI. Ultimately, the projector is what would sell me on the Xenons. The projectors are a lens that the light passes through, so it is possible to focus the light exactly where it is needed. This is why they come with auto-levelers that keep the light juuust out of oncoming drivers' eyes. Reflectors don't have this razor-sharp adjustability, so they're coverage is a compromise suitable to every position (although you still blind people when facing uphill). Because of this compromise, you won't get the range of the Xenons. I'd have to say that the Xenons are definitely worth it if you are ever going to drive above the speed limit on dark roads.

In other words, if you're buying an S, get the Xenons. You're night driving will definitely improve.

 

this is completely false, i'm not sure who told you that but they are wrong

all you are doing is replacing the crappy speakers with good ones


the hifi upgrade also can use replacment speakers, and keep the factory amp

 

Before ordering the Hi Fi, I listened and compared the standard and Hi Fi side by side with my MA. Same song. the MA and I could not tell the difference. Didn't order. I did not clear the wax out of my ears though. just my .02

 

I came from Subaru's. The upgraded stereo sounds like crap compared to the base Mini stereo.

 

I have the xenons. It makes the car much more macho looking

 

I told myself that toolbox. Drop the tude.

You go and replace 3 pairs of speakers (there are 6 total speakers in the base stereo) with GOOD (not audiophile) quality aftermarket speakers AND an amp to run them so they sound decent for less than $550 and I'll give you a cookie.

 

Wow, didn't mean to start a big argument, just wanted some opinions. I'll just do the practical ting and listen to them both in person, and then decide for myself.

 

The upgraded system adds two tweeters, two subs and a Digital Amp. THe base systems uses the door speakers and the two rear sides and the amp is in the head unit.
AFAIK.

If you realy can not hear the difference then you don't need a good stereo. And for 500 bucks would not be able to put the tweeters in the dash in such a good place and running all the wires would be a nightmare...i paid for the system.

Xenons for sure also.

 

Are the Xenons theft prone? I think it was one of the Infinitys that was found to be easy to steal and a bolt in replacement for a cheaper Nissan.

 

Great idea. From reading threads about the Mini sound system/HiFi upgrade-or-not I can tell you one thing: For so many people to have so many varied opinions about the same stereo system the only logical explanation is that we're dealing with a lot of old farts' ears!
Seriously though, unless you do the mods/wiring yourself you can go through some cash in a hurry with stereo mods.

 

It was the Maxima which had the problem...

 

people kept stealing lights from Acura TL's as well.

 

I've only had my '07 MCS w/HiFi for a few days but so far I love it. I am a little curious as to where all the speakers are located. I quickly found 8. For each side there is 1 in the front window pillar, 2 in the door, and one in the rear seat side panel. But I'm still looking for speaker 9 and 10.
Also, is there someplace that lists the specs for the entire system? MINI descriptions are very general and very brief. (Except for page after page of confusing button pushing instructions.)

 

Ah yes, one of the many great things about forums like these.
I think they were worth it for me, and there's my two cents.

 

There are two tweeters in the back also. They are attched to the grill for the 6x9s.