Hi everyone, I am considering purchasing a '08 cooper S. I would like to keep the MSRP under 26k. I will use it as a daily commuter, (no rallays, etc) but still want it to be fun to drive and haul around corners, freeways, etc...

So since I cant afford all the bells and whistles, what options are people the most satisfied with? For example, what would be the most enjoyable, a sunroof, or DSC, the better stereo or automatic climate control?

I realize that this is subjective, but want to hear lots of individual experiences, what are the options that people have been really pleased with and which ones end of feeling like "a waste of money".

thanks in advance.

wb

Must haves for me:

Cold weather package-couldn't live w/o the heated seats in the winter in Colorado

Bluetooth-for me I like the safety of not having to hold your phone while you are driving

hope this will help dsc lsd zenons rear fog rear dimming mirror cold weather pkg and you could get a couple of other options and still be <25,000

I think it depends on what is important to you....

But I have to agree with the cold weather package - if you live where it is cold, especially if you have the potential for driving in the snow and ice, get the cold weather package.

I'm also a big fan of my multifunction steeting wheel. I'm a station surfer and it makes it a lot easier.

iPod was a must for me, along with the MFSW.

I rationalized the premium pack.. Probably didn't NEED it, but wanted it.


But I went with Just-a-cooper instead of the S.

Get DSC. Already saved my butt already several times. Should be standard IMHO. Front/rear fogs have also been useful safety options since I actually do drive in dense fog often enough. Don't have a MCS, so LSD not an option for me.

The other stuff are really "options" for you to obsess about. I don't think you will regret getting them as much as maybe not getting them, but after a few months, you won't care anymore because the mini is such a joy to drive and mod.

I'm happy with my sunroof, MFSW for cruise control, and front/rear fogs. Could have lived without the auto ac and alarm.

No regrets otherwise. If I had a higher budget, I would have added the cold weather package, Xenons, bluetooth, IPOD adapter, PDC, and NAV in that order.

I was in the same boat as you, I got the LSD, armrest, Mini Hifi and the sports suspension. Ended up $24,400 (07).

you all have good (and different) points. keep them coming.

What options are worth it? The option of saying, "Sorry, but I can't help you with that cause it just won't fit in the Mini." Or, "We'd love to give you a ride, if you can squeeze in the backseat."

Being facetious of course. I like my sunroof best, as we get so little sun in the Pacific Northwest as it is.

Judging from past threads, some of the options that people are sorry they didnt include on their original order includes-- white turn signals, Xenon lights, Front /rear fogs, mf steering wheel. Retrofitting these costs a lot more than original costs. The NAV although expensive IMO is worth it.

Items like the iPod connection can be added after the purchase. Items I bought as part of a package that I didn't really plan to get, but am very happy with are the automatic wipers and bluetooth phone integration. I really love the keyless comfort access or whatever it is called that lets me leave my key in my pocket all the time and just press a button on the door for entry and another to start/stop the engine. Those would certainly be my 3 favorites that may be overlooked.

I have Xenons and think it was a mistake. This pretty much agrees with the conclusions I came to on my own. I do a lot of dark country road driving.
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...dvantages.html

I like the heated seats. They warm up quicker than the heater.

Rain Sensing Wipers are a nice option. They adapt well as the rainfall changes intensity from drizzle to downpour to nothing. So, the wipers take care of themselves -- one less distraction.

DSC is a safety option, and highly recommended.

I didn't get the sunroof. It is glass and covers most of the roof. Reports are that the shade doesn't work very well. In a hot sunny climate you can really get roasted. Some people tint the sunroof to help cut down the heat, but some tints trap heat in the glass and can cause problems. Some dealers wont install tints in the sunroof. There have also been reports of leaks, rattles, and mechanical problems. Not everyone with a sunroof has these problems. Another drawback is that it adds weight to the very top of the car. For cornering, that is the last place you want it.

LSD is good if you like to accelerate hard on occasion. The MCS has a lot of torque and front wheel drive cars tend to spin wheels more than RWD. Without LSD, you have ASC coming into play more often. It applies the brake to the spinning wheel and/or cuts the engine speed. So, the car can seem to bog down under hard acceleration. This is most likely to happen when turning during acceleration. So, ASC can cause some heart-stopping moments if you punch it while turning left in front of oncoming traffic.

I like the Comfort Access option. It allows me to lock/unlock the car, open the boot, start the engine, and drive off without ever taking the fob out of my pocket. However, it is a luxury one can live without.

Whether you get the HIFI or not, IMO, the stock speakers need to be replaced. I have the HIFI and replaced the speakers myself for about $400. I'm quite happy with the system now. The HIFI provides a more powerful amp than the standard and tweeters in the A pillars. However, others have reported successful speaker swaps with just the standard audio.

the aftermarket ones

I like the Cold Weather Package... and I live in Florida (It is 87 today)

Other things that I would'nt do without are the sunroof, rear fogs (just to fill in the switch), and MFSW.

Other than that, there is the fun stuff like the convienence package.

LSD, JCW suspension, MFSW, & HiFi. It'll handle and rock; what else do you need?

I have also really enjoyed the DSC, if only for the hill assist which is such a cool feature and I use it a lot with all the hills around here.

Depending on your budget and color scheme, I am so glad that I got the tuscan beige leather and anthracite headliner. Every time I get in the car, I notice how sharp it looks. It does add $1800 to the car, though.

I am also glad to have gotten the chrome line interior. It makes a big difference to the look of the car interior.

Good luck with your decisions, and welcome to the family

Yes, the Multi-Function Steering Wheel should go at the top of the list. It is the only way to get cruise control, and I find the audio volume control on the steering wheel to be the best convenience feature in the MINI.
The other most commonly seen in the regret not getting lists is the Anthracite Headliner.

I also have the NAV and think it is great, but it is very expensive. It integrates many other features into the NAV screen and controller such as the audio, bluetooth, and car settings. There are some options you can set with the NAV screen that you can't access without it.

I'm not sure Robin - I have xenons on a BMW and also do a lot of driving on dark twisty roads, and I've always thought them an advantage. However, having read your link, maybe I'm deluding myself be just noticing a better foreground illumination. Hmm...

Well I went all out when I bought my car... It was very expensive, to say the least.

However, I did ask myself the same question before purchasing it, did some research and found the following

from past experience on other cars I own or otherwise have owned, Xenons are the choice for headlights.. esp where I live in Florida...

the HiFi audio system in and of itself, blows, but if you are the audiophile type, like having 3 way component setup... hifi makes it easier to replace the tweeters. since the space is already there in the a frame of the interior.

the premium package is worth it... as was the convenience package. for me... sports package is negotiable ... some say it's really worth it if you have a Manual Tarnsmission (mine is an auto...)

I had a Cooper loaner this past week.

Options it had that I would get next time:

• Auto HVAC - I need to fiddle with my manual HVAC too much.

Options it did not have that I missed:

• Heated Seats - That fake leather is cold!
• Red Colorline & Anthracite Headliner - I'm used to it I guess.

Options it had that I'm glad I skipped:

• Automatic Trans - Sport mode was actually not too bad but regular mode was dangerously strange in the way it reacts but I don't drive automatics often.
• Sunroof - Car had much more wind noise and was too bright inside.
• Leatherette - Free option but not as comfortable as cloth.
• Piano Black Trim - I like the standard MCS checks.

Options the later model R56s have that are better than mine:

• Cruise Control displays desired speed as you change it.
• You can adjust the turn signal sound level.
• The display says "Sport" when you press the Sport Button

If I were buying a S my must have options list would be:

DSC
LSD
MFSW

Not necessarily in that order. That's about it.

Other nice to haves:

Hi-Fi

I have 17" wheels and they look great...but I got them after I ordered my Cooper so keep in mind that some things can be added later if you're trying to save money now.

As you can see I kind of went crazy with the options, but if you leave out the expensive dealer added stuff, it wouldn't have been too far north of $26k.

The MFSW is a must have. I seriously can't believe it's still an 'option'. It gives you cruise control, and the volume/radio buttons on the wheel are infinitely more convenient than the ones on the stereo.

If you like sunroofs (and I do, I used the one in my last car all the time) the one in the MINI is quite awesome. It really opens up the cabin.

The Cold Weather Package, while not quite as good a deal as it was in '07, is also nice to have if you're in a moderate/cold climate. I was skeptical about the heated seats at first, but they are very nice, and warm up much quicker than the AC.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the Auto AC. It's much less obnoxious than the one in my previous car. If you're used to having it I'd get it, but it's something you could probably live without.

I did a side by side comparison of the stock radio vs the Hi-Fi, and found the Hi-Fi to be much better (you could actually 'feel' the music from the Hi-Fi). I'm not dissatisfied with it, but I'm not much of an audiophile, and I've never had an aftermarket car stereo system before. It's something you want to check out in person to see how it stacks up to your perceptions and prejudices.

Watch out with the interior options. They're very cool, but you can blow a lot of money just from customizing the interior. And remember that if you're really on a budget you can save $400 or so by going with a non-metallic paint.

sounds like nobody is raving about the mini hi-fi system that much, would it be smarter to get the factory default for now and upgrade with an aftermarket stereo later? I would rather have a six speaker system with maybe a sub that sounded really sweet than a 10 speaker one that is half baked. (sweet meaning good quality sound, not huge thumping bass) 500 bucks would go a long way towards an aftermarket stereo and or speakers. It is possible for a regular car audio shop to do a good install of an aftermarket stereo on an '08? That column in the middle looks a little 'weird'.