Hi,

I am in the market for a new mcs 07 or 08. There are so many options/accessories to choose from that i am getting confused !
i have a few questions please....1)if you have the ipod adaptor...how do you like it?
2)i am considering the sunroof...but the only con i have about it is the chance of it leaking.
3)does anyone have the limited slip diff. if so, is it worth having?

i know i have more questions but for now this is enough.

thanks so much!

 

Hello there!
I wish I could help you on the ipod adapter thing...I wish I had one!
As far as the sunroof goes, I have one, and I love it. I haven't had any problems with leaking as of yet, but there are others here who have. If you plan on tracking the car, the sunroof adds a lot of weight to the roof of your car, so it will handle differently. Also, the cheesy roll away cover offers little protection from the heat and glare of a summer sun. I have some homemade covers I put in there on really hot days. You can remedy that with a vinyl graphic on the roof if you live in a really warm place. Other than those couple of things, I personally love my sunroof!
I have DSC, rather than LSD and while on dry pavement, just assume it was off. However, I have found it extremely useful while driving on the snow.
I am sure others will offer you their valuable input as to make a decision on your car. Best of luck to you, hope you find all the information that you are looking for, and get the car of your dreams!!!

 

I have questions too and a couple of answers.

My '04 S/R has never leaked. It is noisy though on the expressway (compared to my 9-5 Aero). And while there is a screen, you can not completely shut out the sun.

The L/S would be ideal for track/autocross drivers


Questions:

Are the facia lights still orange?

RMP - R50/5sp is +/-3k@66mph, does the R56/6sp offer lower RPM at higher speeds


SF

 

Ipod adapter is way cool, but works with newer ipods. My original is 4 years old and does not integrate so I had to upgrade ipod.

Sunroof is nice and I had limo tint put on it and it solved heat/glare issues and you can still see through it. It is like you are wearing sunglasses.

DSC works great, but wish I had Limited slip differential to help with the torque steer when I really get on it.

Hope this helps.

 

I don't have the iPod Integration, but I would like to, so I've looked into it. You have three choices:
1. iPod Integraion puts the iPod into the "secret compartment" above the glove box. The iPod is charged and you can navigate through playlists on the NAV screen (if you have it) or the radio readout. You can also use the Next and Previous buttons on the Multi-Function Steering Wheel (MFSW).

2. Bluetooth/USB connection. With a specific Y cable (some dealers include it with Bluetooth, others charge $100) you can connect your iPod to the AUX input and USB port. You get the same control as the iPod Integration, but the cable and iPod are exposed. So, they are not as neat and in plain sight when you park. The AUX and USB ports are in the center "stack" in front of the gear shift.

3. With no options, you get an AUX input to the radio. You can get a $10 cable that will play the iPod through the AUX. There is no control of the iPod through the car, other than volume. The iPod does not charge, unless you get an adaptor that plugs into the cigarette lighter (about $50).

I don't have a sunroof for many reasons.
1. It adds 60 lbs. to the top of the car, raising the center of gravity.
2. It has a large expanse of glass that lets in sunlight and heats the car. The shade that is supplied is considered inadequate. Many people have tinted the sunroof or applied a perforated vinyl graphic to reduce the heat. One must be careful that the tinting does not trap heat in the glass. At least one person had their sunroof spontaneously explode as the glass got hot and expanded.
3. Many have reported leaks, rattles, and mechanical problems with the sunroof. Others don't have problems.
4. I have to limit sun exposure -- doctors orders. Spent too much time in the southern California sun when younger.

I have the limited slip differential (LSD). I think it was a good choice. It is only available with the manual transmission. All MINIs come with an electronic traction control (AST). It will apply one of the front brakes if a wheel begins to spin and can cut engine speed. In poor traction conditions the engine can seem to bog down when you accelerate. This can be alarming if you are turning left and there is oncoming traffic. LSD will more effectively apply power to the wheels, reducing and delaying the measures taken by the AST if not eliminating them. LSD is most important if you take your MINI autocrossing or racing.

Many confuse AST with DSC. You should consider DSC. It is an excellent safety feature that helps keep the car under control during emergency situations. In some situations it can make the difference between avoiding an accident or being involved. DSC has nothing to do with traction during acceleration. That is AST and LSD. DSC comes on if the car starts sliding in a direction other than the wheels are pointed. Even if you are a skilled driver, DSC can do things for you that are beyond your control, and faster than you can react. Insurance statistics have shown that DSC systems reduce accidents to a greater degree than ABS brakes have.

 

thank you all, your info helps me alot. much appreciated!

 

You mean AST, not DSC. LSD will not help much with torque steer. It will slimply alternate it from side-to-side. So, you end up weaving like a drunk. Makes things exciting.

 

The non-LSD '07 I test-drove had a LOT more torque steer than my LSD-equipped '06, but to be fair, the '07 also has a crap-ton more torque down low than my '06, so the difference might not have had anything to do with the type differential installed in the two cars.

 

I have the sunroof of my 07 mcs and it does not leak. I put 20% tint on as the stock sunshade is not adequate if you don't need or like a ton of sunlight in the cabin (though I would also recommend limo if you *really* don't like much light coming through). There are also aftermarket sunshades you can buy that will block out more sunlight. I have not had any issues with the sunroof at all and would not expect it to be a major cause of concern. I also wouldn't worry about randomly exploding sunroofs...I highly doubt the R56 sunroof is any more a health or leaking hazard than any other car sunroof. The added weight is the biggest reason to consider not getting one imho. However, I bought my car off the lot and like the fact that the sunroof adds some 'openness' to the cabin.

 

I have the jack-thing in the glove box for my iPod and it sucks. The sound is so quiet, I have to turn it way, way up to hear what's playing on the iPod. But I don't know if it's worth $500 or whatever crazy amount they are charging for the iPod adaptor. I went with Sirius and won't ever look back.

I have an iPod adaptor in my mom-mobile (Odyssey) and LOVE it - you can control the menus through the stereo ***** and it's great. Plus, it charges the iPod as you drive.

So that's what I can add to this discussion - I didn't do any sunroof - just a top-down option!

Good luck!

-Holly

 

Thank you Robin for the explanation of the difference between AST and DSC! Very helpful.

 

if you dont need to control your ipod from your steering wheel, you can always get the belkin auto kit, it has a 3.5mm output available and will charge your ipod/iphone too. The only benefit for the USB or ipod accessory is you can skip to next song with your hands on the wheel.... and thats pretty much it

 

I have a 07 MCS and have been caught in some down pours and didn't get a drop inside my MINI.

 

I am less than a week away from taking delivery on my R56. I got the automatic so I can't comment on the LSD but it seems like everyone with a manual gets the LSD. I chose to get mine without the sunroof...

- After spending a lot of time driving various models the perforated sunroof shade did not provide enough shade and I kept getting sunlight through the top of my sunglasses. Had it been a solid shade I would have been a bit more inclined.

- After owning two cars (Honda & Volvo) with sunroofs, they both ended up rattling and one has a slight leak. A co-worker owns a 2002 S and he said his sunroof both rattled and leaked (slightly). I was leaning away from it and his experience sold me on my prejudice.

- I am pretty tall (I sit far back and very high) so the one benefit to the sunroof could have been that it would be easier to see really close traffic lights through the sunroof than the windshield. I tested this out and it was true!

- I also came across a funny little tool that determines if you can fit in the car: http://www.miniusa.com/#/learn/FACTS...ionsInterior-i If you make yourself too tall your head will stick out of the sunroof. This could be +1 for the sunroof...

Good Luck!

Cheers,
Chris

 

Hey Gjello...

I can't comment on the IPod connector but I can tell you that the auxiliary jack works great with my Zune. If music comes out low, you can always adjust the input to make it louder. Ultimately, it comes down to the quality of the song on the media player.

I've had cars with sunroofs all the time and I've never personally experienced leakage. However, I know of people that have. I will tell you that to much light comes through the shade when it’s closed. In the end, it comes down to whether you want it or not. You're going to hear both sides of the coin here.

The LSD "IS" worth it. Ask your MA to let you test drive an MSC with and without it. You'll immediately be able to tell one from the other.

 

Good info from all on the LSD. I am a day or so from ordering my 2nd MINI. 06 has a sunroof, and the 08 will as well. I have heard 60 and 80 lbs quoted as the add on weight and I doubt it. 80 lbs is the weight of a bag of sacrete. I would be very surprised if the net gain is more than 15 or 20 lbs. (The engin block probably weighs less than 80 lbs.) Just my thought.

 

thank you everyone. i have decided:
no with the ipod (i have portable hookup)
no w/ the sunroof (reason is save $)
yes to lsd

thanks everyone!

 

Thanks Chris, this is great. I love the noise it makes when the head goes through the roof!

 

iPod adapter - absolutely! It works in conjunction w/ the controls on the steering wheel. Besides - you can get them to throw that in for free with lots of other stuff. It's nice and hidden away in the special hidden dash compartment (push to open). Now of course I need to actually BUY an iPod - the touch is calling out to me.

Sunroof - personal taste. Some it seems to be driven by geography also. Some of the folks in TX and FL don't like them. I live in NJ so I would wish to have it but I'm 6'6" so I needed the headroom without it. In this area I think it would help me from a resale standpoint later on as well. But, I needed what I needed ...

If you do get the sunroof (most people do so via the Premium Package), you will likely need to get a good special sunshade for it, or really good tinting. But neither of these are all that expensive. Just be aware that the factory shade is lame.

Limited Slip. Better for spirited driving around corners. If you want to track your mcs, it's an essential. It's only $500, so i did it for mine. I figured it would open up resale in 3 years to more people than without it also. And I do like to corner fast :-)

Jeff

 

Jeff, I thought that was the whole point of buying a MINI.

Ok, maybe not the ONLY reason.

 

Blame my girlfriend - After a few years of driving her MC around I got tired of hearing her say (while I'm driving HER MINI), "Just because a car CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD do it".

So ... I finally ordered my own Of course, wouldn't you just know it - we got her a replacement to her most beloved MC this weekend - a 2007 MCS w/ auto trans. So, she'll still remain faster than me ...


I'll tell you this - there are so damn many police now here in NJ and even now in eastern PA (which IS unusual) that forget driving fast - cornering without slowing down is about the only thrill we CAN have. My new MCS is sitting in the port right now, and hopefully I'll be able to take it home this Sat - we'll see - keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

The Ipod adaptor wasn't available yet when I ordered my car. I started by using the auxiliary port and while it was adequate, I'm glad I bought the Ipod integration unit six months later.

If you have the navigation unit, the songs and artists appear on your nav screen. That's very handy. I found it difficult to juggle the Ipod itself and switch menus using the auxiliary port.

I love my sunroof. I did get it tinted to cut down on the amount of sunlight that comes through. I laugh when people talk about the extra weight, since I don't plan to track my car and so that wasn't a consideration for me. It's a matter of personal choice.

 

no leaky sunroof, smiley face

 

I have the usb/bluetooth and the sunroof. I enjoy them both and do not have any issues thus far. I have not had my 08 MCS that long. By having the USB/bluetooth connection as mentioned earlier by several people, my IPOD is connected by a USB/AUX jack outlet and hangs on the outside beside the cupholders. I usually tuck in down in the net on the side of my gearbox on the floorboard. It's neat to control your IPOD using your radio controls and you are not looking down at your IPOD and controlling it with your fingers which totally distracts your driving.

I don't have the LSD option therefore I can't speak on it but the way this car handles and brakes; I don't know if I could tell the difference if I did. The car is really built pretty sound and your are getting the most bang for your buck.

The sunroof is just a neat thing to have. The sunroof open with the windows down listening to your IPOD and you are doing all this while driving a MINI. It's heaven on wheels!!!

 

+1 on BT/iPod option - Setup a couple of playlists and your good to go. The BT connection with the iPhone is fabulous too, caller id via the radio, sound is great on both ends, a must have!

+1 on LSD - For 500 bucks, why not.