I configured an S with metallic BRG paint, premium pkg, cold weather pkg, DCS, stripes, chrome line interior (in short.....and just about everything but leather, AHL, HID, factory driving lights, automatic and LSD) for $25.8K.

I will be doing my own clear front 3M bra, pulsing upper brake light, 100W driving light install, rear fog/brake conversion and Philips +80 headlamp and fog lamp bulb upgrade and 22M rear sway bar for about $500.

I just don't see paying as much as you are indicating for a base cooper. Plus, I think you will find that the S holds its value better on the used market, from the research I have done.

After driving them both and comparing them for a period of time (several rentals for work and on weekends ...thanks to Hertz), I can't imagine not going for an S manual. They are way too much fun! Since you don't need a cold weather pkg, maybe you can come in for the same price I did with an anthracite head liner (which my dealer talked me out of ) and rear factory fogs (which they never mentioned and I didn't discover until it was already in production ). In my opinion, the Auto on a base cooper was a bit underpowered. If you must go automatic...get an S.
Once again, just my opinion.

 

My 2008 MINI Cooper S
Base MSRP*$21,200
Destination & Handling$650

PAINT IT
British Racing Green Body Color $500
Black Roof/Mirrors $0

PACKAGES
Cold Weather Package $500
Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets
Heated Front Seats
Premium Package $1,500
10-Speaker. Hi-Fi Sound System
Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof

PERFORMANCE
Dynamic Stability Control $500
Front Fog Lamps STD
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
16" S-Winders (Perf. Run Flats) STD

COCKPIT
Sport Seats STD
Chrome Line Interior $250
On-Board Computer STD
Center Arm Rest $250
Leatherette: Black/Grey STD
Interior Surface Checkered Silver STD
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction $250

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED*$25,600

 

My CooperS in on order, but one of the things I really checked out at the dealer was the stock speakers vs. the Hifi upgrade. The stock speakers are terrible, the absolute worst I've ever heard. The HiFi speakers elevate the sound quality to decent, which is a Major improvement.

I've self-installed thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment in each of my previous cars, and someday down the road I may do that - but for $500 I've got piece of mind that my Mini will be delivered with speakers that won't have me driving straight to the car audio store after picking up the car, and I get a couple of extra factory original speaker locations that offer more flexibility for speaker replacement and better sound staging in the future.

just my 2 cents - hope it helps.

 

Premium pkg comes with hifi upgrade (along with sunroof). I think the HiFi stereo may be fine for me (I don't lisiten to music that loud anymore, and almost any stereo sounds better than a live performance, says the former musician in me). I hear several people upgrading the lower front door speakers to something better though, so maybe down the line I will consider that. At least the HiFi option gives you enough power to have options for upgrading speakers.

 

Johnny,

It looks as if you've chosen most of all the "good" stuff, but what about wheels? Are you planning on doing some aftermarket wheels instead of factory?

 

You couldn't be more right. I used to sell MINI'S and also worked in my past life as a trainer for a major pro/home/car stereo speaker manufacturer (JBL) and I felt exactly the same way about the stock system. For the money, you can't even find a sound sytem that matches the factory hi-fi option. You would wind up spending at least two to three times that to do any better!

 

Who makes that backup monitor? Is it difficut to install? Although the car is short in length, I noticed that it is hard to see through the back.