Hey everyone! I've been lurking and absorbing all the info on this page. I'm pulling the trigger this week on an order and wanted some last minute opinions. Here's what "Alfie" (prospective name) is going to be:

08 MCS
Dark Silver, Black Caps and Roof
Premium Package (Auto A/C, Sunroof and Stereo)
Manual Transmission
DSG
17 in Crown Spoke Wheels
Xenon Headlights
Leather Multifunction Steering wheel

Now here's the dilemma:

LSD - Do I really need this option? I've had differences of opinion. I will not be racing/tracking this car and will use it as a daily driver. I drive in city traffic and the weather here isn't extremely wet or icy in the winter. I don't have a lead foot but that may change. I've never driven or owned a car with LSD.


Black Bonnet Stripes or Not?

Also, I've read that the stereo is "sirius ready" does this mean that I can add Sirius later or do I have to add that product in order to add sirius?

Thanks for everyone's help - I really am stoked about the car and don't know if I can wait for it.

 

You also might want to consider the Clear Corners, Fog Lamp that really fill out the car and make it look clean. And the anthracite headliner. These little touches really complete the car, and it's only $450 more, but to go back and redo would be very costly.

 

Hey there! Dark silver is an awesome color! I absolutely love my ds/b mcs. I took delivery about a month ago. I have some pics in my gallery (with black stripes) if you'd like to see to help make your stripe decision. =)

I didn't get the anthracite headliner b/c I didn't know it existed when i ordered (my MA didn't mention it) but i think it would have made my car a little more complete... who knows though.

Sorry, but i dont know anything about Sirius. I use my MINI as my daily driver (some road trips and around the city) and i dont have LSD. My MA wasn't very informative about things like this, which is kinda surprising. Anyway, i've been ok without it so far.

Oh, and depending on where you live, the heated seats with the cold weather package is pretty nice =)

 

Yes on the LSD. There's plenty of torque steer as it is--anything to tame it is a good idea, and this is a daily issue, not a track problem, especially if you're new to MINIs. You WILL develop a lead foot! Winding up that turbo is...wonderful!

I'm assuming DSG=DSC? Good choice. Not necessary until you need it.

The only thing I'd do differently if I lost mine (heaven forbid), would be to add rear fogs. They're cheap. I didn't put them on my order because we don't get fog. It was a doh! moment when someone mentioned rain, though. THAT we get.

Where are you? I got the cold weather package even though I'm in the Houston area. Love those bunwarmers in winter! Great for an achy back, too.

I would also reconsider the auto air. BMW's auto air works great. Can't say the same of MINI's. If you live in a hot area like Texas, you might find that the fan cycles on and off frequently enough that you are toasted. I'm very heat tolerant compared to most, but I still need the fan steadily on during the major heat and humidity (most of the year?). Also, and I may be wrong here, but I've been told that during nice temp periods the manual air allows you to just open the vents, rather than having to have the fan on. If it's true, I wish I'd just gotten manual air and ordered everything else separately.

If you're in a sunny area, you'll probably want to tint the sunroof. The screen isn't enough. I love sunroofs, and wouldn't have a car without one, but MINIs are just too hot without tinting. Again, depends on your area.

BTW, there are lots of threads in this section fighting over one option or another. You might take a look at them, and see if they trigger some thoughts. One way or the other, you'll have fun. What is the projected delivery date?

 

Nice order, you will love it. I have a DS/W, but sometimes I wonder if I should have gone with DS/B.

If you don't get an automatic then get the LSD with your 6 speed. I left stripes off. But they do help the MINI to be seen and respected.

 

I just picked mine up yesterday and it is Dark Silver. I would highly recommend the chrome mirror caps it add a lot to the car for the price and if i were to do it again i would get the chrome package I think for 100 more. Also I test drove a car with black wood trim and thank the lord it looks a million times better than stock. Would not get one with out. I did not get the stripes I think it looks better with out in this color.
Got LSD.

 

Just out of curiosity (I already have mine), what is the black wood trim? Is it black, or is it wood? Or something combined? I haven't been able to log on the 2008 configurator.

 

Forgot to mention--get the auto wipers, unless you're in desert country. They do a fine job of adjusting wiper speed from nearly nothing to full on fast, with just a little windshield sensor and a tap on the stalk.

 

+1 for rear fog lights. Even if you never use it, it's better to have it from an aesthetic standpoint. If you chose not to have rear fog lights you'll end up with a blank spot in the center console where the switch goes, as well as two distinct outline of where the lights would go in the rear bumper.

 

It is wood. That basically looks like a dark black plastic. You can see it with build a mini on their web site on interior features/options.

 

I have LSD and DSC, that little orange light comes on more than you think it would. There has been a lot of debate on how useful the LSD is for everyday drivers. I would say that it doesn't tame the torque steer so much as it makes it more predictable. When I've driven cars with a lot of front drive power in the past, without LSD, the wheel will nearly snap out of your hand and you usually end up over correcting to get things back in line. In my mini the wheel will still nearly snap out of your hand but I can keep the turn under control and manage the wheel slippage much better.

I have a lead foot so it helps me. I could really see the benefit if auto-crossing. If you are a sedate driver that doesn't plan on doing any racing or full throttle turns you'll probably never use the LSD.

I didn't get bonnet stripes because I wanted to get something more custom in the aftermarket. If you like what mini has to offer though, go for it.

If by DSG you mean DSC, then excellent choice, see my above statement.

Auto air can be a hit or miss but since it's in the package oh well.

I love my auto wipers, I can't express how useful they are. I did have to adjust them a little from the OBC to get them working just so.

Agree about the anthracite and fogs. They are little things but make a big difference in living with my car on a daily basis.

I don't have Siruis, because I just listen to mp3's off a thumb drive through the USB port, but my understanding is that it cannot be added like factory after the car is built. There are discussions on the level of retrofit in the audio/nav forum.

Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll love Alfie.

 

My two cents:

Forget the LSD. For everyday driving you don't need it.

I like the black stripes. Makes the car look a little tougher.

You should add Sirius when ordering the car if you want it integrated into the stereo. Otherwise big bucks to add it later. Or just get a Starmate, port it through the AUX input, connect the antenna under the seat.

I like the rest of your specs. I am ordering MINI #2 soon with very similar specs.

 

I have to say, I disagree. I feel the torque steer every time I run down my curvy freeway entrance, or kick it to make the green on the curvy exit. Those are just two of the times it's invaluable, and we don't even have much in Houston, where I live. I'd hate to think what it would be like without it. Plus, you don't want to know how much it would be to add it. It's a real bargain when you order ($500 for '07s). Probably will help you sell it when the time comes. Also, if you get "into" these cars, you may well find yourself with a lead foot, and maybe even an interest in autocrossing.

 

+1 on the LSD. It's only $500 and so is good when you sell it. It will also come in handy once you start taking corners faster.

I'd skip the DSC. Not really needed, unless you drive like a loon (and clearly you don't) and need the car to try and save you. I'd rather know my limits and stay within them.

Bonnet Stripes - they are high quality vinyl. You can remove them later (or add them later). So, get whatever you feel that you want most and don't worry about it.

+1 on white signal lights - spend the $100. they will look much better than yellow w/ your body color
+1 on rear fogs - spend the $100

On the wheels - if you have a winter, then consider perhaps just getting the 16" bridge spokes w/ all-season run flats for your normal set. Then spend the $750 to get a separate set of 17s w/ summer tires. At least check out tirerack.com and take a quick look at their options in 17s to see if anything there really blows your hair back.

Oh - and Congratulations!

 

On the wheels - if you have a winter, then consider perhaps just getting the 16" bridge spokes w/ all-season run flats for your normal set.

They are 21 lbs. The swinders are about 17. FWW

 

Well it sounds like he doesn't have much of a winter anyway. But a few extra pounds on those wheels isn't a big deal for normal city driving. I figure that he could even sell the standard 16s for like $500 or so, perhaps more and get a really good set of 17s with tires for 700-1000 and have the most wheel and tire choices available.

 

As much as you agree on the LSD (thanks!), I have to disagree on the DSC. As I said before, you don't need it until you need it. My deductible is $500, so for me, it's a no-brainer. Things happen. It's going to be law on new cars very shortly anyway. If you really don't like it, push the button. It's another thing that will be helpful in a resale situation, too.

BTW, there have been quite a few discussions on NAM on the value (or lack thereof) of DSC. Basically, one side says they don't want something else doing the "driving," and the other side says there is a microcomputer working on each wheel in such as way as to bail you out of bad situations in a way you never could do yourself. I'm in the latter camp. You might want to do a search on this.

 

On DSC - to each his/her own. That's just my take on it. My deductible is only $100. The premium is nearly identical for $500 so also a no-brainer for me.

For me to actually need DSC in the MCS I'd have to be doing really stupid stuff and that's just not how I intend to drive it. For me the MINI is a seriously fun 2nd car. I've got the beater blazer w/ 4wheel drive for any really nasty days.

Bear in mind - Paul believes that his use is primarily daily driving in city traffic. For that application even LSD isn't needed - but might be useful later on. Anyway, it's all good.

 

That might be true if you were the only living creature where you drive. However, in normal circumstances another driver, pedestrian, child, dog, deer, etc. could create a situation where DSC would be useful.

 

Passengers might also be interested in it...

 

Hi Robin,

I can certainly appreciate your point of view - truly. Deer are like locusts in New Jersey and it's inevitable that one will have a run-in with them here and there. For me, the MCS provides such a HUGE upgrade in handling vs. my daily blazer that I should be much better prepared to react to xyz conditions. Going slower to suit conditions is what I do.

Of course, if I had one of your custom wood shift *****, that might help too ...

Jeff

 

Thanks for everyone's help! I placed my order last thursday and went with pretty much my build I listed, with the exception of adding bonnet stripes. I hope I don't regret my decision regarding the LSD; I'll just try not to go nuts on the throttle.

Alfie: 2008 MCS, DS/B, Bonnet Stripes, DSC, MSFW, Premium Package, Crown Spoke Wheels, Manual Transmission, Xenon Headlights.