Hey Guys,

Been lurking for a while now. My '99 BMW 323i is now becoming expensive to own, I figure 8 years out of a car is pretty good, so I'm looking for a replacement. The Mini S is really the only car that "speaks" to me right now - unique, handles great, fun, great community. I'm also looking at the A4 and IS250, but they just don't get my juices flowing like the MCS. The 1 Series looks cool, but might not be until Middle of next year before I can get one.

I've spec'd out my Mini as such:

• Red/Black Roof with White Sport Stripes
• JCW Aero
• Sport Pkg. w/crown spokes
• Convenience Pkg.
• LSD
• Auto A/C
• Rooster Red Int.
• Nav
• Hi-Fi w/iPod Adapter

I might get some OZ Michelangelo 8s when I can spare the extra cash and need to change tires anyway. I think they would look pretty sweet.

Xenons: Undecided, as my cost is already higher than I wanted to pay for a Mini, (~$32k before tax) I don't have them now, but you guys really seem to like them. Though, I'm already shooting my wad, what's another $500?

The Red interior I might take out for cost...
Question 1: Is the cloth part of the seat more "fuzzy" cloth, or more "plasticy"? (if that makes sense)

Dealer said he would throw in the hood stripes for free, and that the JCW would cost whatever is on the MiniUsa.com site, but I thought it needed to be painted, etc.
Question 2: Did they start factory-painting them? Should I not look a gift horse in the mouth?

Question 3: Do the sport stripes go over the front air damn when installed or is that custom?

Anyway, here is what it should look like when done. I think it's bad I'm a photoshop whiz, I spend my down time at work tweaking it... even added in the stupid front plate (NJ - required)



Thanks guys, I hope to be motoring in '08!

 

It has been done before by someone else, so you can't do that.

(Joke. Joke.)

If the dealer will provide the JCW package at the cost on the Mini site, you are getting a pretty good deal. My dealer said that there is additional cost for painting (even if it was at the factory or VPC) so the Mini site price would be good.

Getting all the stripes for free is also a good deal. You would essentially be getting 3 sets of stripes and install costs for free because the factory bonnet and hatch stripes do not go all the way down the front air dam or rear diffuser.

I have the rooster red seats and the cloth is a very nice quality. Not sure what you mean by plasticy, but they look and feel nice and like they would withstand long-term wear.

 

Impossible! I am a unique snowflake!

Actually, I never saw this combo in all of my countless hours of lurking...

 

Funkdaddy. I just bought one becasue of the same reason. It was the only car with emotion for me. I've had it a little more than two weeks and it still makes me smile, plus I'm still discovering little nuiances that are great!

I don't know if you have kids or not, but if you do, you will be the coolest dad in town.

In addition, you will join a very unique community. You'll add friendship and support.

Remember that it takes 6 to 8 weeks if you order one, and you only need to put down a grand to get the order started. You will not pay the balance until the car is ready for you to drive. It's a tough 6 to 8 weeks, but find your shipmates on this site and you'll at least know what is going on.

Good luck!

 

Great options.

Get xenons!!

 

My 2 and 5 year old girls now make it a point to stop by the garage on the way to bed to tell Coop "Good Night".

 

GET XENONS!!!!!!!

 

Another vote to spend your money Go for the Xenons, they're fantastic and an expensive upgrade later.

Although- depending on how the iPod adapter is configured, you may be able to save some money there. At some point the USB port will start showing up, and then the iPod connection can just be a $40-ish cable.

So far, no word on when the USB port will actually show in the US though- so it might mean a longer wait.

 

If you're looking to cut cost a little, I would perhaps skip the red rooster interior. I'm not a big fan of the colored interiors as I think they are a little over the top, but that's just me. the red leather is nice, but that's $2000. The std. leatherette might be a good cost saving option.

If you do mainly city driving, skip the Xenons as most city roads are well lit. I've heard they are great on back roads though.

 

get the xenons, also, the stripes do not cover the front air dam area as in your picture, you would have to order more material. I would actually recommend buying generic vinyl striping or having a local shop do it.... it will come out way cheaper than buying the sport strip kit from the dealer.

 

Get heated seats! You'll appreciate them here in the East.

 

+1

It's pretty much the only thing I use in the car other than the aux input.

I don't know how important this is to you (probably not even a little), but if you're a single guy, and your car doesn't have butt warmers, you've lost points...

 

Red car looks great with black interior. I got no options but I love the car. No matter which options you cut, you will love the car.

 

Nice configurations. Xenons for sure. If you like plush leather, then stay with your selection.

Nice job with the PS chop.

Welcome to NAM and your un-lurking. Pictures of your MINI when you get it in 08.

 

The prices for JCW accessories on the MINIUSA website reflect the cost of parts only ... they don't include the cost of any labor to install them, and in the case of the Aero Kit the cost of painting.

 

The bottom line.

 

The factory sport stripes only cover down to the edge of the hood. However, you can always have them order a second set to cover the extra bits which is what I did. The stripe install is at least $190 for the basic sport stripes (parts+labor), so that's not a bad discount. They might want to charge you to get the extensions.

The other option is to go strictly aftermarket w/ your stripes. There's a number of MINI focused graphics vendors (Cooperflags, Aesthetic Creations), though for something as simple as parallel stripes your local vinyl shop could probably do it as well. I went the dealer route primarily so they'd be covered under the warranty.

I also got the red cloth/leather interior and I really like the look of it. I only got to sit in it for a second, but the cloth isn't furry, or plasticy. It's like the cloth on the all cloth seats, only it's black. I'd post a picture but it was dark and I didn't get any interior shots. I'd check out a car w/ the cloth interior at your dealer. That should give you a pretty good idea of what it'll feel like.

The $1000 might seem like a bit much, but if you're getting an '08 that means that you'll get your choice of color line (I got the rooster red to go w/ the seats) and dash surface (I chose brushed alloy) for free which isn't a bad deal really.

I don't remember what the quote for having the JCW aero kit installed at the VDC was, but if they're going to give it to you for the price of the parts that's also a pretty nice deal.

I didn't get the Xenons because - I can't stand being blinded by other people that have them, and the car cost waaay more than I was planning on spending as it was.

 

To date the MINI NAV package has given problematic results for many who opted for it - MINI doesn't yet seem to have this system nailed down. You would do better, I think, to pass on the MINI NAV and buy a Garmin Nuvi 350 (the very same GPS) which seems to work much better in the $300 portable version. With the $1700 you save, get the Cold Weather package (the heated seats are fabulous), DSC (can save your butt), Xenons (once you try them you will never want a car without these), and perhaps some decorative upgrade such as Chromeline. The cloth seats, incidentally are extremely nice - they breathe, are grippy, and have an appealing texture, neither "fuzzy" nor "plasticy". Suggest you try them out before springing for the Red Leather. Good on you for choosing the LSD - you will not regret this. The auto A/C is convenient, but another gizmo to potentially go wrong. The manual A/C is easy to adjust and works fine. The 17" Crown Spokes are good-looking, but are among the heaviest wheels available on a MINI. You might think about taking the stock 16" wheels instead of the Crown Spokes, then getting a set of nice lightweight aftermarket whees and non-runflat tires. Makes a huge difference in suspension performance.

 

I went outta my way to get manual A/C in my MCS after years of German auto A/C (BMW, Audi, VW). Had some squeaky/noisy fans in the past that you just had to listen to. If you turned the auto A/C fan off, the car would seal up like tupperware. With German designed manual A/C, leaving the fan off allows free air flow that increases with speed (heated even).

To me its like the difference between a home's forced air system and an open window.

 

Thanks for the input guys!

The Nav I really want b/c I hate the huge speedo and tiny radio display, the navigation and other control integration will fix this, plus the nav itself I'm sure is nice!

The Auto A/C I'd like b/c I can control the airflow better, like doing just feet and window, it looks like the same functionality in my BMW which I like and had no problems with. Also I think you have to have the auto A/C with the Nav?

About the USB - where would it be located? In the "secret spot", would it have all the same iPod functionallity?

When I asked the dealer for the quote, I asked for installed prices. He quoted $395 for the ipod install, $350 for the roof stripes (throwing in the hood for free) so if I can get the JCW for $1600 I would be psyched.

The Red Cloth/Leather seats might go, sticking with leatherette and piano black trim instead. I'll have to see that in person to see if it is worth the extra $1000. I have leatherette in my BMW and the feel is fine, except it cracked and left a rip in my drivers seat.

The wheels I like enough to stay with for now, even if heavier (~3lbs on each). The crown-spokes aren't run-flat are they? The web-spokes say "run flat" on them, these do not.

If I can get everything I want for $34k w/tax I think I will be pretty content. How is Mini about trade-ins? My 323i has low miles, but needs some work (which is why I'm getting a new ride )

 

Can't answer all of your questions, but to the few I can:

I have the Auto A/C and really like it. I set it on 72 degrees the day I bought it and after driving in temps as high as almost 80F and as low as 7F, have not had to override it even once. Not to mention I think it makes the center console look a lot better. The manual controls look a bit cheap to me. But that's a small issue and just my opinion.

The USB port (when it shows up) will be located at the bottom of the center console directly next to the aux input jack. It isn't yet clear the degree of iPod functionality it will offer, but I'm guessing less than the OEM iPod interface. For one I can't imagine that you'd be able to control your iPod via the steering wheel mounted controls.

Not sure how much the roof stripes usually cost, but that's a very good price for the iPod install. Also if you can get the JCW aero kit for $1600 including installation and painting, that'd be absolutely amazing. As a matter of fact I'd be quite jealous and try to get that price myself.

I really like the Red cloth/leather seats especially on red MINI's, but many with the leatherette enjoy it quite a lot as well. I have the carbon (black) lounge leather and am completely in love.

The crown spokes are in fact run-flats. I was quite confused with this as well when ordering my first MINI with them. For whatever reason they list the web spokes as 'run-flat performance' (as they're only available as summer tires, not all season) but list nothing for the crowns. For reference, all MINI wheels 16" and up (meaning all MCS wheels period) come with run-flat tires from the factory. The crown spokes are a very good look IMO, but you can actually save more than 3 lbs per by ditching them. They weigh 22.5 lbs, while the stock S-winders way under 17lbs; granted they're only 16" compared to the crowns which are 17". However go for an aftermarket 17" wheel and you can get around that same weight or less. Shaving unsprung weight reaps quite the benefits - better acceleration, braking, ride and handling.

$34K with taxes and fees is about what I paid for mine. Wanted to pay less (right around 30K) but the multitude of options MINI offers are all just so tempting!!! Not to mention it's my first car so I wanted to go all out.

Like most dealers, MINI isn't known to give that great of a value on trade-ins. Although considerably less convenient, you'd be a lot better off selling your BMW privately.

Good luck with your MINI - gonna love it!

 

If you want the NAV then go for it. I wouldn't be scared off by the recent rash of anti-NAV posts. The main issue seems to be that it's nigh impossible to search for a random business with the NAV. But it handles normal NAVy things like routing, traffic alerts, looking sly, showing the radio controls, etc just fine.

The Auto-AC in my '97 318is drives me batty, but I ordered Auto-AC on the MINI anyway. I'm just a glutton for punishment I guess.

The USB port is located in the center stack on the roof of the little bottom cubby hole next to the AUX port. With the purchase of a ~$50 cable it'll have the exact same functionality as the iPod adapter. And you could also play MP3s off of a USB thumb drive or other MP3 player w/ a USB port. The only reason to get both would be if it's worth the extra $400 just so you can put your iPod in the secret compartment. But if you don't give two bits about the Bluetooth, then the iPod adapter alone is cheaper.

$350 for just the roof stripes sounds high, but since it'll end up being for roof+body that's a rather nice price. I was quoted $190 I think to have the body stripes put on at the VDC.

I've heard good things about the leatherette. Most people have said that the uninitiated generally mistake it for the real deal. However if you do get the leatherette the piano black is $200. I like the cloth/leather because it looks cool, but still has cloth on the parts you're sitting on so you don't get Sweaty Back Syndrome or slide around as much. My personal take on it is if you're going to make it look that stylish on the outside, why go for bland on the inside? But pretty much any interior combo looks great.

Any wheels 16" or larger come w/ run flats. There's no way around it. If you're totally opposed to run flats then just sell the tires (and the wheels too if you're getting other rims) when you get the car. Someone here should ****** them up.

General consensus on trade ins seems to be that most MINI dealers will low ball you. If you're dealing with a joint BMW/MINI dealer and they can sell your 323 as a Certified Used on the lot you might get a decent offer, otherwise be prepared to sell it yourself. My dealer at least doesn't sell any used cars themselves that aren't very recent model year BMWs and MINIs. But yours might surprise you. Stranger things have happened.

Oh, and you mention 'factory painting' the stripes - they're all vinyl stick on jobs, not painted on.

 

Don't forget the Rear Fog Lamps.

 

Why rear fog lamps? They seem superflous...

Actually I was referring to the JCW aero, just wondering if they started painting them at the factory, and that is why the dealer gave me a great price...

 

Rear fogs fill the slots in the rear grille that do look a bit odd w/o the lights. They also fill a blank toggle switch in your car. Perhaps the best reason to get them would be that they are only $100 and enhance visibility to vehicles behind you. Some folks have said that they are hard to put on after the fact and being that they are so cheap I would not hesitate in getting them.

You will find that generally the must haves in order of importance are:
DSC - pure safety
LSD - performance and perhaps some safety
Xenons - safety by enhancing visibilty and also look nice
Rear fogs - see above.

Don't be a fool like me and not get one of those above options. My car will hit the port of NYC next Tuesday and the poor thing will be w/o Xenons.