I CHANGED MY MIND!

New Spec

2009 JCW MCS

Pure Silver/Pure Silver
Cold Weather Package
Xenons
Rear Fog
White Turn-Signals

$30,900


OLD SPEC
Base MSRP* $21,200
Destination & Handling $650
Pure Silver Body Color $500
Body Color Roof/Mirrors $0
Cold Weather Package $500
Dynamic Stability Control $500
Xenon Headlamps w/Power Wash $500
Limited Slip Differential $500
Rear Fog Lamp $100
Cloth: Checkered Carbon Black/Black $0
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction $250
$24,700

2 Specific Questions I have:

1. Is there anything I should add?
I'm trying to keep this cheap, obviously. I don't want the sports package because I'll go aftermarket for springs (and I don't like the heavy 17" wheels). The premium package and leather aren't necessary for me.

2. Is there anything I can/should delete?
Here, specifically, I wonder if I need DSC on a car that has LSD. The MCS has AST+T anyway (for poor weather) and I have LSD for performance, so is the DSC necessary? I can't see anything else to delete: the LSD and Xenons are non-negotiable for me; the MFSW and rear fogs are cheap items that add to the car; the heated seats are a bit of a luxury item, but the only one!

Any thoughts or advice is much-appreciated!

 

Looks Good. My current configuration is slightly higher as I have LSD and convience packages. Once you have bluetooth in the car, you will never go back to a headset.

MIB was a 2006 R50 Astro Black Monotone. and had leatherette seats. MINI had a problem with its cloth seats holding up. From what I understand it is the same problem today. I regret not getting a contrasting roof color as it is a FREE option! The only way to make your configuration any cheaper would be to go with a non metalic color.

 

Your first mod should be a Porta-Potty seat for long road trips!

 

I was thinking of the multi-function steering wheel, but decided after test-driving one with it, since the actual buttons are so close that it didn't make sense to me to have them, and they seemed to be in the way for me.

Just my 2 cents.

 

anthracite roof lining for me is a big improvement on the car

 

Listen to the 1% liil devil voice

 

With that body color you might want the white turn signals, unless you like the "fried egg look" in the headlights.

 

THE ANTHRACITE ROOF IS REAL NICE AND FITS THE DASH TOP COLOR BEST. I WISH I WOULD HAVE ORDERED THE AUTO DIM MIRROR. DIDN'T SEE A WHEEL/TIRE ITEM IN YOUR LIST. YOU CAN DO BETTER (PRICEWISE) THROUGH TIRERACK OF EDGE RACING.

 

Thanks to everyone for the input. White turn signals and anthracite liner are definitely tempting for the price. And I didn't know that the cloth seats don't have lumbar support - that's a big deal for me.

And to worksforme: I'm still thinking about making an offer on that 2004 JCW! Really torn on going with a cheaper, higher miles R53 or a R56 that I spec myself...

 

I just changed my mind entirely.

After adding a few options thanks to suggestions here, and then deciding I wanted lumbar support - and therefore getting lounge leather - I had my total cost up to just under $28K.

And then I said, I don't want to spend that much on a regular MCS, I might s well get the factory JCW. So that's what I think I'm going to do now...

I get the anthracite headliner, piano black, and great wheels (LIGHT) all for free, plus the JCW. Then I add Xenons, Cold Weather, Rear Fogs, and White turn signals.

It's more money then I wanted to spend, but it's a better car - at least for ME, since performance matters much more to me. And my thinking is that 30K spent on a JCW will hold its value better than 30K spent on a regular MCS.

 

A few of us (myself included) are looking into what it takes to add lumbar support to the stock MCS sport leatherette seats. In theory, this should be pretty do-able - the seat backs come off w/ a few screws allowing access into the seat. I like the leather but I just didn't see a point to spending that money when I like the leatherettes so much. There are some color combos where the right leather totally makes the car, depending on your exterior. My mcs is pretty minimalist - also PS!

Personally, I think the JCW package is a lot of money for what you get - and you'll never get it back on resale value. A few well-considered after-market mods would do the job better (reduction pully, rear sway, good tires, light rims).

My MCS also has no sunroof and I'm glad that I don't have the anthracite headliner - to me it would just be too dark - but that's personal taste.

Consider the multi-function steering wheel and iPod adapter. They work in conjunction and I love it - just using the steering wheel to control the iPod - which is hidden away in that special dash compartment.

 

no lumbar in the stock leatherette seats? i thought it was no lumbar in cloth only?

 

If there is any lumbar support in my seats it's just a single default built-in setting. Definitely not adjustable - which is too bad - I'm really tall and I love having an aggressive lumbar setting.

 

If cruise control is important to you, you need to order the MFSW.

I'd also drop the PS and go for CR/W which is free, mirrors the MINI Challenge car, and stands out in a world of silver cars.

 

Thanks for the replies.

To jkling: I agree that the JCW is a lot of money, but I specced out a car just like the one above, but without JCW. Adding 17" alloys, headliner, piano black, DSC, LSD (since the CJW has DTC including the E lsd) brought me to 26,200. So I'm paying just over $4K for the full exhaust, modified engine, better clutch, and better transmission. You're right, I won't get all of that 4K back on resale, but I'm betting that I'll get a higher percentage of it back then if I specced leather and a couple of other things. Also, I agree that aftermarket mods are far better bang for the buck, but I like two things about the factory JCW 1) warranty, 2) the clutch and transmission upgrades to deal with the added power - I'm a bit worried that pushing the HP on the R56 much higher will stress the clutch and tranny if you don't have the JCW upgrades (I assume MINI thought so as well, otherwise they would have just gone for the power).

To Wolfgang: cruise isn't a big deal to me, but you make a VERY good point about the CR. That was my second choice and I'm tempted to switch; I've just always been uncomfortable with buying a red car. I did, however, own a beautiful red 1990 911. Great car.

 

How about DSC. Is a safety feature.

 

Thanks, byhsu. The new JCW comes with DTC, and it includes DSC - so there's no DSC option on the JCW.

 

Well I wish you the absolute best with it. I'd be a little concerned that there are only so many potential buyers for a JCW instead of a normal mcs. But ... for all I know your design will have much more demand when you sell it? In any case - enjoy the heck out of your car. The wait will start soon ...

 

I understand the indecision with ordering this car. I have never had this problem before. I have already placed an order for a JCW 09 Build week 23 and still consider changing the color! When is an order become finalized and no changes can be made?

 

There's a fairly brief interval after you place your order that you can still change things (that need to be done at the factory). The color is done pretty early in the process, before all sorts of stuff gets bolted to the body.

Don't worry about whether you picked a stripe or not though - that stuff you CAN add later and for less anyway (factory stripes are high quality vinyl - just like after-market. If you really are having indecision syndrome then tell your dealer to have a hold placed on the order right away to give you time.