Well, this will be my first post after lurking for a while. I'm getting ready to give my deposit on a 2007 MCS. I've been lurking for a while, and I think it's finally time to pull the trigger. My current car is an '05 G35 Coupe 6MT so the MINI will be a bit of a change. I had a blast in the test drive (and will save a little money) so here we go! I am back and forth with a couple of the options and I'm looking for some insight. The dealer doesn't have many cars in stock so I need some opinions, mostly on the interior surfaces. Here's my config so far:

DS/B
White Turn Signals
Sport Package w/ Crown Spokes (will keep the tires, wheels will be replaced)
Sport Suspension
Rear Fog Lamp
Rain Sensor and Auto Lights
Auto w/Agritronic (agreement with wife - new car only if auto)
Automatic AC
Anthracite Headliner
Leatherette
Nav
MFSW
Hi-Fi
Brushed Alloy

The automatic was not my first choice, but the wife says no new car if it's another manual and I'm ok with that. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the performance of the automatic in the manual mode, the shifts were quick and with no delay. The dealer is throwing in mats and the JCW carbon bonnet scoop. The overall theme I'm going for is black and gray throughout.

For now my spec has the Leatherette. From what I have seen, it looks pretty good and I'm not sure about the upgrade price to the leather. Of the leather options, I would probably go with the Punch Carbon because it fits the theme I'm going for. The lounge is awesome, but I'm not sure about the white piping in my spec. I'm also wondering about the Chrome Line interior option. I'm usually not one for chrome in the interior, but it does give it some character and breaks up the sliver plastic. Does anyone have good pictures of the Punch Carbon? I didn't see any shots in my searches.

Feel free to comment, the order goes in soon!

 

The punch carbon leather is really nice, I loved it when I sat in it at the dealership. I've got the leatherette, and I really like it, too. Feels pretty much like leather, and the black/grey fits your theme perfectly.

 

I would recommend adding Xenon Lights and PDC. I am not sure if LSD adds much value on the automatic, but I like it on my manual.

 

Check out some of the interior pics on the pics thread. The chrome interior kit really brings out the brushed alloy, which is if I'm not mistaken actual metal and not plastic.

If you are getting the rain sensing headlights and MSFW why not just get the whole convenience pack as well?

 

White turns and antrhacite are a must. They look so good.

Nav is well worth the money, it does many more things.

I have the auto and I really like it. I had a similar deal with my wife. The leatherette is really nice too. It looks like leather and everyone that sees it thinks it's leather.

Definitely get the rear fog lamps it completes the switches on the bottom row and really helps out with visibility in bad weather.

You already have the xenons if you get the sports package, but i would recomend the parking distance control. It's useful and if you get the nav you get a graphic that shows you where an object is as well as an audio tone.

Chrome interior is very cool too, looks good, worth the money.

Have fun ordering, the hardest part for me was the color.

 

That's what I've been thinking so far. The color is right and so is the price!

$550 instead of $1400, and I really don't need the other things in the package. Plus, from what I've read the other armrest option may be better.

Xenon's are absolute must for me! Been in every car since my S2000. Got the Sport Package on the list so I'm covered. LSD would be nice, but not available in the automatic.

That's on the maybe list for now. While very cool, that's another $350. I love the integration of the PDC into the nav!


Thanks for all for the replies so far. While fun, spec'ing these things is hard work! I'm tempted to just throw every option on there and call it a day, but I've gotta draw the line somewhere!!!

 

Not if he's ordering an 08... according to Motoringfile, anyway.

 

This is true... I briefly went over the 2008 pricing sheet with my MA and the Xenon's are indeed a la carte. The Sport Suspension now comes in the Sports Package. Xenon's were $500 if I remember. The net increase is $100 over the 2007. Then again the automatic went down in price, some other things stayed the same, premium dashes are included with leather...

I should have gotten a copy of the entire 2008 price sheet when I had the chance (I forgot after the test drive). I'm really curious to see what my entire spec would come out to for a 2008 over the 2007. I'm leaning toward the 2007 though since there are no changes (for at least the early '08s) and I'll get it in December instead of February. I think the price difference would be minimal.

Hmm, that's all I need is another decision. 2007 or 2008?!?

 

First thing's first would be to see if your dealership is indeed still taking orders for a 2007 build, or if they're out of slots and only accepting 2008s (as reported by some people on this board).

 

get the limited slip differential - you will get the cost back by what you safe in tires (not to mention the embarrassing moments when people look at you for screetching tires).

If you like sporty driving, get the 18" wheels - one of the few options I did not take and I regret it.

 

You're right, my bad, I'm still in 07 world because I only took delivery of mine 11 days ago.

 

I drive a DS/B it is gorgous. I suggest not getting NAV and going with aftermarket one for a lot less and spending the money on REDWOOD LOUNGE LEATHER SEATS. They are gorgous and complete the look. After all, you spend more time sitting on the seat than using NAV.

 

Yep, they still have a few slots left. They're willing to throw in a few accessories if I go with the '07...

 

From your list, it looks like you've picked up some of the key items that people regret not getting -- rear fogs, anthracite headliner, white turn signals.

I would put another vote in for the PDC. I find it very helpful with low objects. Due to the various headrests and high waist on the R56, the visibility is much less than I was used to with an Integra.

I'm not such a big fan of the Xenons. The brights are great, if there is no one around, but the lows cut off abruptly. They brightly illuminate the area near the car (narrowing your pupils) and leave the area beyond the cutoff pitch black. For a country road with moderate traffic and 55 MPH speeds, they make me nervous. I get a great view of everything I couldn't stop for. I think I'd rather have normal headlights with driving lights for when I want to light up an empty road.

I wouldn't want the chrome interior, either. Having the interior reflected in the windows is not something I find conducive to enjoyable driving.

 

I agree that the Redwood Lounge Leather Seats look great -- real mid-20th Century British sports car look -- but I disagree about an aftermarket NAV. I almost got leather seats in my Pure Silver/Pure Silver MCS. What stopped me was thinking that the red would not look good with pure silver, and I didn't like the white piping on the black lounge lizard. Now I think the Redwood would look fine with PS. It would look great with DS.

You wont find an aftermarket NAV that integrates the HIFI, PDC, and car settings. You get more than GPS with the NAV. You also have to find a place to mount it, and IMO, the NAV/speedometer looks much better than the standard monster speedo.

 

I can't believe how many folks like PDC?

You can practically touch the back bumper from the drivers seat!

Still waiting for mine, but definitely anthracite, gives a better mood.

 

Sweet, go for it!

 

Maybe for a few extra bucks, your MA will throw in a new wife that could live with a 6 speed and take yours in on trade in? Might be worth a shot.

(I personally could not imagine driving one of these puppies with an automatic!!!!!!) I have a blast to and from work on some of the back roads to my office.

 

So, you park by feel?

Can you see the rear bumper? No. Can you see the dog behind the car? No. How about a small child? What about a small trash can, or a low-lying wall?

I can squeeze into much tighter places, with less anxiety, that I could without PDC.

 

Well that figures I like the xenons but would rather the SS.

 

Get both

 

Kshark,
I'm in the exact same boat as you are.....I'm on the fence about ordering a 2007 vs 2008. Another thing to consider is resale (by ordering an 07, you immediatly take a hit on a year's worth of depreciation - its already last year's model!!) Also, since 07 was the first year of this new model, many people will prefer an 08, assuming MINI worked out the "bugs" of a new model during the first year of production......


But then there's the extra 2-3 month wait !!!! Ugh....what to do....what to do....


BTW, can you still get a hold of the 08 pricing sheet? Can you PM me with it???

THANKS!!

 

I'm going over to the dealer this afternoon to take another look at the various interiors on cars they have in stock. My MA said he had no problem giving me the price sheet for the '08, I just forgot to take him up on it. If I get it today, I'll scan it and post it here.

I hear what you're saying about the immediate depreciation. I was in the same scenario with my current car, and everything worked out to be more or less a wash. I now have a low mile '05 instead of a high mile '06. That being said, I may still wait for the '08 though and for the other reason you mentioned. Not everyone knows about the BMW/MINI continuous improvement throughout the model year. This is my first BMW experience, and I'm not used to seeing such change throughout the model year.

The dealer says they will throw in a few accessories if I go with the '07, but it really doesn't add up to too much (especially if I were to buy them online instead of at full retail).

Well, we'll see what happens this afternoon. I suppose I could wait to motor until February...

 

I'll have to see if they have one in stock when I go over there this afternoon. I didn't see any options in the configurator, but if you think the leather is expensive I can only imagine what this would add up to! Think they allow test drives?

Maybe this is another reason to hold out for an '08. This would give me more chances to convince her to go manual...

 

I'm also very interested in the shadow chrome interior option for 2008. While a small detail, this look has always been one of my favorites. I want to confirm this with the dealer and see if it's on the price sheet yet.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/05/...on-for-2008-2/