Alright- much to my poor hubby's relief, I have decided to go ahead and order that dream MINI. So, of course it has to be perfect, and you have all seen many of the options in person. So, here is what I think I am going for, and a question or two.

Exterior:
Lightning Blue
White roof
Hood stripes
Chrome Line
Fog lamps front and rear
Do I need the little driving lights? They're cute, but wow!!! $$$!!!

Packages:
Sport with Crown Spokes (or is there any advantage to Web Spokes- I noticed they are more expensive if purchased seperately?)
Convenience Package

Mechanical bits:
Auto Transmission; my left knee aches sometimes. It would stink to become unable to drive my MINI because of a knee problem!
DSC (in sport pkg)

Interior:
Chrome line
Punch Carbon Leather
Multifunction Steering Wheel
Hi-Fi (a must!!!)
Brushed Alloy
Anthracite Headliner
Black Carpet Floor Mats (or is there any better aftermarket option out there?)
Which color line? Grey or pacific blue? I know the P. Blue isn't an exact match with Li. Blue exterior; how different is it? Different photos and the configurator show it in multiple shades; in photos it looks pretty close but on the configurator it looks hideous! Brushed Alloy comes with one or the other, so which one? Or I could also get cream, but it just isn't me.


Ok guys, there it is. Well, mostly I think, anyway. I excitedly await your opinions!

 

I am currenty driving a loaner with grey color line and I have to say that it is too muted for my taste. Keep in mind that I have a Mellow Yellow MCSa and you will be ordering a Lighting Blue, both bright colors. It all boils down to what you want but I chose to bring the same exterior color inside and have not regret it, maybe the pacific blue would look better. Pictures anyone?

The driving lights look great, I agree that they are bit pricey. I am currently debating on the OEM driving lights or go with a custom aftermarket set up like PIAA or similar. Not sure yet...

Wheels are such a personal perference, my car came with the web spokes. I sold the set now have something more unique to what my own personal liking.

I'll trow at curve out there. Like I said, I am driving a loaner MC for now but there is something that I keep mising everytime, the comfort access key. Maybe I have gotten used to it, but maybe you can dump that money into the driving lights.

 

I got black carpet mats- they just look a little bit more upscale than the rubber ones (had full rubber set on my 1st MINI) ... No aftermarket 'better' mats out yet...

I got the rooster red color line even though it doesn't exactly match chili red... but looks amazing. YOu'll most likely LOVE the pacific blue interior It spices up the normal look - meaning, it's like sitting in a REALLY sweet car rather than a sweet car .... you'll be fine either way,
but I find the blue, red, and yellow interior options very tasteful. Saw them all at my dealer and they're all sweet.

 

Web spokes look really great, I'd only do the crown spokes if you're going to do white wheels with white roof/mirrors...
(like I did ) 500$ is MUCH less than Web spokes AFTER you get the car... so if you even half-like them, its a great deal.

(boo automatic transmission! )

the driving lights are sweet too - a real italian job look.. But completely unneccessary and over-priced, especially from the dealer. SO if you have some extra cash GO FOR IT! But if you don't mind cutting a few dollars off, leave em. You can ALWAYS do them after-the-fact ANYWAY... .for the exact same price.

 

I highly suggest lightning blue, but of course I'm highly biased I was leaning towards the alloy dash, but then I saw Gabes ( of motoringfile) Mini that had Piano Blackand creme white, and I went with that.
Driving lights are cool, but again, pricey. And you can only use them with your brights.
Web spokes look pretty good, especially with LiB. I don't know if theyre an ylighter than crown spokes. I'm guessing they'd be a little harder to keep clean as well.
Several people recommend cocomats. I think the website is cocomats.com if not just google it. Theyre more expensive but people say they last forevr.
If you want to see any pictures of a LiB mini you can check out the link in my profile, and I know SDMike, gjshu and a few others have really sharp LiB's. Welcome to the club.

 

+1 for white rims, roof and mirrors

 

The funny thing is that I have driving manuals for over 10 years, now I ordered the Auto mainly for my wife and to give my left foot a break. I am currently driving a manual loaner car and (getting ready to get flamed ) i really miss the Auto box....

 

Sounds like a great setup to me! I had a standard tranny in my previous MINI and I don't miss it a bit...the new autos are excellent. The black carpet floor mats, in my opinion, look best. As for the color line, grey would certainly look sharp, but I wonder about the blue matching...I don't know. In any event, you're gonna love it!

 

No no no, more like, "Booooo bum left knee!" Because it would be, "Boo-hoo!!!" if my knee gave up to the extent my Mother-in-law's has. She has a manual Jeep Liberty, and trust me, she is .

 

I personally like the web spokes better than the crown spokes.
The crown spokes also weigh a LOT (22lb?).

(more unsprung weight, harsher ride & worse handling...)

That being said "George is riding on Crown spokes right now. (I have winter tires on nicer aftermarket rims, and will switch shortly.)

 

Ahh- I see; a potential weight and handling advantage to web spokes. I might look into aftermarket wheels at some point; so, might the web spokes potentially, given their higher initial cost, be more inclined to sell better later, for a potentially higher amount?

 

OK, I'll offer my $.02.

1. The driving lights do look awesome, but if you want them, DO NOT order the driving lights when you order your car. They are crazy overpriced, and your dealer will charge an arm and a leg to install them. If you decide you want them, order them online from Morristown MINI, and install them yourself. You'll save $300 to $500 going this route.

2. I think the Web Spokes might weigh slightly less than the Crown Spokes, but not enough to justify their $500 price. They only reason to go with them is the look. They do look sweet, but I prefer the Crown Spokes.

3. Get your dealer to throw in a set of the carpet floor mats. If they won't, order them from Morristown MINI. They will be way cheaper. They are very nice floor mats, but certainly not worth the $120 or so your dealer will expect you to pay for them.

4. I say go blue with the color line. The gray is crazy boring, and the blue adds just enough color to remind you on a daily basis that you bought a FUN car!

 

Some of the official Clubman photos are showing what looks like a Lightning Blue Clubman w/ the blue colorline inside. Looks great!!

 

Wheels: 17" Web spoke = 22.3lb, 17" Crown Spoke = 22.7 lb
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...factory_wheels

 

I have the pacific blue color line with Laser Blue and it looks great. It is a little darker than than the paint, but it doesn't matter much. Also, with the interior "mood" lights turned to blue, it looks really cool

 

Well, I'm not sure that this is enough difference to say one is better than the other. Think I will stick with the Crown Spokes...maybe... Thank goodness I am so good at being decisive.

 

Ahh yes, crazy overpriced was what I thought too. How detailed is the install on them if you do it yourself later? Maybe a set might make a nice birthday present for someone to give me later...

Ok, also, blue colorline it is. It's crazy all the different shades of blue I have encountered online and in the book too. I like the idea of the car looking fun inside and out. I am looking forward to experiencing these interior lights, as well.

 

ML
The transmission decision was the most contentious we faced for two reasons. First, my wife can't drive a stick and our attempts to teach her were PMD (Potentially Marriage Damaging). Second, I developed a nasty and long-lasting case of tendonitis caused by my long commute in my previous car with a clutch.

Reluctantly, I ordered my MINI S with the automatic. No regrets! The paddle shifters provide nearly all of the shifting control and exhileration of a manual, and the full auto mode takes out a lot of the aggravation of stop and go freeway traffic.

Good Luck and Enjoy!
m

 

No Premium package? (No sunroof?)

I'd add LSD, too.

 

How obscene was your dealer's quote for installing the driving lights?

When I was in talking to my MA about a potential order he had a list of various accessories that could be installed at the VDC right after the MINIs get unloaded off of the ship. Those prices were cheaper than his quote for having them install them at the dealer.

If I remember correctly, the accessories that can be installed at the VDC are: JCW aero kit, JCW cross drilled rotors, driving lights
, iPod Interface, and the sport stripes.

 

LSD isn't an option with the automatic transmission.

And if you in any way like sunroofs, the one in the MINI is quite awesome, despite it's huge glaring flaw (the accursed perforated sunroof shade). If you're worried about the sun coming through the shade it's relatively easy to take care of with aftermarket shades, tinting, or a sunroof graphic.

 

Alas, indeed, one cannot have LSD with an automatic transmission.

No sunroof, no premium package. And I am ok with that.

I'm funny about sunroofs, they bother me- I have erm, made a car (a firebird, even) lie on its back, so to speak, so I like a more solid feel to the roof, not that it would help any in that circumstance, but.... that will be one less thing that might break or leak or make wind noise at least. I've put a lot of thought into it too, since you get a little more headroom with the sunroof.

On the auto air - I don't like the fan speed to be above minimum to low, and as such I certainly don't want the car deciding how I want my air to be. I nearly died test driving because the air repeatedly kept blasting back up to very high velocity fan speed, which makes me cough- that is, the very cold, very dry air in such large quantities made me cough. And gag. With tears streaming down my face. The poor MA must have thought I had TB or Bird Flu or Plague of some sort. It was reeeeeeally awful, and embarassing. So I'm going to stick with the simple, manual A/C that doesn't try to kill me!

I haven't priced the lights, honestly. I'm probably going to skip them, at least for now.

 

Wow, that's both scary, and kind of impressive. I can definitely understand a desire to have as much metal on the top as possible given the circumstances.

And the advantage of the web spokes over the crown spokes? The aren't fugly. Well, as fugly anyway.

Definitely go for the blue color line. With the dark headliner and completely black seats, you're going to want a little bit of wow to liven up the interior.

 

So, here is the updated Config:

Exterior:
Lightning Blue
White roof
Hood stripes (white of course, with a white roof)
Chrome Line exterior
Fog lamps front and rear

Packages:
Sport, with Crown Spokes, DSC, Xenons, stripes
Convenience Package (Comfort Access, Garage door opener, AutoDimming rearview, Auto headlights and wipers, Arm rest, and Bluetooth)

Mechanical bits:
S
Auto Transmission
DSC (in sport pkg)

Interior:
Chrome line
Punch Carbon Leather
Multifunction Steering Wheel
Hi-Fi (a must!!!)
Brushed Alloy
Anthracite Headliner
Black Carpet Floor Mats (especially if I can get them to throw them in with the car)
Pacific Blue Color Line

 

You should definitely avoid white rims like the plague. When I was ordering I thought I wanted white rims and figured, "oh it won't be such a big deal to keep them clean, I wash it 2-4 times a month anyway." I was wrong, they stay clean from the time that you wash them untili the point where the car actually moves. They're a bad combination with the MINIs brakes.

Other than that it looks great! But I would go with the white interior instead of blue IMO.