Okay, I'm new here and am thinking about a new R56, Cooper S I presume. Having looked at them, driven them and configured about 50 of them online I have a few questions. Thanks in advance for your patient consideration.

1.) Seems like the tire and wheel options through Mini are a bit pricey. I'm thinking of after market for this. Anybody else do this, and suggestions on tires? Did you find you could upgrade after market for less than through Mini?

2.) For those of you who upgraded to the 10 speaker stereo, how does it sound? I know this is a bit subjective, but I'm hoping to be able to enjoy the installed upgrade rather than going after market on this too.

3.) Do any of you have the "invisishield" or have any of you added that after market, and do you like it? How has it held up?

4.) Have any of you noticed whether the black or white roof color held up any better than the other over time?

5.) What are your favorite upgrades or the biggest money wasters?

Thanks, maybe I'll be motoring soon!

Brian

 

My favorite upgrade was the European version of the MINI Center Armrest and biggest money waste would have been the USA version Center Armrest (only choice when ordered with the car).

 

Broid,
I would go down to the dealer and drive a mini with both stereos in it. I am not happy with the standard stereo. It is okay for my wife (she doesn't care whether she can hear all the tones of the music), but for me, I wish we had gone with the better stereo. That said, we will probably be looking for some after market stuff.
Depending on your interior color, you might want to think about the anthracite headliner. We have a black/rooster red interior and it really looks great. No idea why we had to pay extra for black versus a grey one, but I am glad we did.

 

1) Wheel options for the Mini ARE pricey! While I like the webspokes they cost as much as some wheels + rubber + TMPS at tirerack. Since I live in the northeast I'd rather invest in a set of summer wheels and use the stocks for winter. I just took the 16" bridgespokes w/all seasons and I'll be keeping my eyes open for deals.

Another option is to look into the Marketplace here on NAM - many people ditch the stock wheels for a good price on here. I think that there are some webbies and even a couple of crowns out there right now.

2) I like the 10-speaker stereo. I didn't get a chance to really give the standard stereo a good workout but the upgraded one sounds good to me. I won't be installing aftermarket stuff in the near future. Word on the street is that you can get an immediate improvement by replacing the factory speakers in the boost stero if you're up for some DIY.

3) No invisishield here. I figure that I'd take my chances. Lots of people have them and they will all recommend you go aftermarket since it will cost much less and be the exact same thing.

4) No idea. I'd go with what you like the looks of over any perceived longevity. If you maintain the paint with an occasional wash and wax it should be a non-issue.

5) Many posts on NAM for this. My thoughts

Worth it: Anthracite Headliner, Rear Fogs, Euro Arm Rest (as previous poster suggested), lightning blue paint

Dislike: Cost of larger wheels, Cost of roof rack

Avoid: Standard armres

 

You'll find very mixed reviews of the HiFi stereo. Personally, after listening to both I felt the difference in sound quality was worth the money. Plus, it seems upgrading the speakers is a bit easier with the HiFi system, so if I do end up hating the HiFi, I can upgrade.

I also didn't mind the OEM armrest and ordered that as well.

Definitely get the rear fogs. It's hands down the most common thing people regret not getting.

 

Plenty of threads on the hi-fi. Look in the audio forum. True audiophiles don't particularly like it, but I think it is fine and definitely an improvement over the standard. I really didn't want to be ripping things apart to change speakers so the hi-fi fit my bill.

 

I really don't think you should choose your roof color based on durability, buy the color that you want. It's OK to make some of your choices with your heart and not your head, practicality is waaaaaay overated

 

Rule of thumb: Most factory sound systems (regular or upgraded) are junk; and the upgraded ones are junk you have to pay extra for.

That said, I will be ordering the hi-fi on my Mini simply because it puts tweeters up on the pillars rather than down by my legs. I can probably live with upgraded junk for a while, and when I get sick of it, I can more easily put in a good component system.

 

As far as roof color goes, I ordered white. White will be cooler, reflecting light as opposed to black which aborbs light.

 

I just ordered my Mini two days ago.

1. I didn't upgrade the wheels since Im ordering black rims 1 month before my Mini is delivered. I did opt for the standard 9 spoke look, just because I like that look better (no extra cost). I thought the Mini choices on wheels were very expensive and not really the look I was going for, so I went with the lowest cost possible, knowing they were going to sit in the garage immediately upon purchase.

2. Lots of good info on the site on this. Personally, I didn't think the $500 was worth it. I listened to all set ups at the dealer and couldn't really tell the difference. And when I did, I didn't think the sound was worth an additional $500.

3. Can't answer this one since I didn't get it. I did see that invisible bra for the Mini- $699! Oofff!!!!

4. Not sure.

5. I side with people who don't like sunroofs. For me, I don't like the sun beating in my eyeballs, so I didn't order mine with it. Plus, so many people complained about it. I also didn't like any of the packages- nothing really worked for me on the packages- no sense in ordering it with a package when I'd only use 40% of the package. The upgrades I like are the whited out headlights (looks stellar on a PW), all black interior, and for me, I did the JCW Aero kit, just so my Mini can look a little different from the pack. Since I canned the runroof, I put the money into the JCW Aero kit.

Just take your time and find exactly what you like. What's cool about Mini is that you can specify it to your liking and since everyone is different, just go by what you like. But don't rush. Start gathering pictures of the minis that really spark your interest and go from there.

I saw so many color combos that I loved: all black, red/B, PW/B so it was a tough one. Then I saw a PW/B with black wheels with bonnets and almost fell over. Still my favorite to this day. So I ordered.

 

Outstanding replies every one. Thanks so much. I have driven a new R56 and that's what got me going! What a honey of a car.

Has anyone ordered the alarm system? Or felt the need to go after market? I used to live in SoCal where a car alarm was as necessary as air conditioning. Keep posting your likes and dislikes everyone. This web site and forum has been very helpful for me to narrow down what will clearly be the ultimate Mini!!!

BTW, I'm in the SF Bay area, any input on the dealers around here? (SF, Mountain View, Pleasanton and Concord)

Thanks again to everyone!
Brian

 

From what I read on here, an alarm is pointless since its impossible to hotwire the Mini- it would have to take a flatbed truck to take it away and your alarm is pointless at that point. Save your cash and mod something else.

I was in SF last week- kept thinking how much fun it would be to zip around on those streets! Its like a race track!

All I can recommend for dealers is find an MSRP one. Don't pay a dime over sticker. Most dealers in OC were $2k over and thats just ridiculous. I found South Bay Mini in Torrance- not a dime over.

 

If I had it to do over I wouldn't pay $700 for my 17" wheels. I think they look good but aftermarket would have been better/cheaper.
My Hifi stereo sounds just fine. Modding the OEM unit isn't easy (and isn't cheap either).
I think you can skip the xenon headlights. The halogens are probably fine and saves you $500.

 

If you live in a rural area, or "deer country", the bi-xenons are a MUST, and at $500 are a bargain. Although if most of your driving is city/urban, then good hi-beam lights probably aren't a necessity...but I'd still consider them for resale value. Everyone has their own opinion on the xenons.

 

Wheels... just went with the S Winders since I was not interested in 17+" wheel/tire combo... more to do with weight of larger wheels and increased hardness of drive... but it is really totally personal choice.

Stereo... I have no problem with the upgraded stereo and I suspect the ones that do have a bit of different music taste than me... I am a 'child' of the 1960s You just need to listen for yourself. My only disappointment on ordering Me'lo was no XM option (alread have home, garage and XM in the C6 Vette).. but to my most pleasant surprise I got a XM unit and once installed looks like it came with the car...now happy happy again.

Clear bra... I had the Venture Shield system installed on the nose and 1/3 way up hood and on side mirrors...I will never run a car again with out a clear bra...just too much garbage on the roads today and nose WILL (not if but when) get stone chips>>>most can not see it until I point out
Really nothing to see and that is the point


and if you look carefully at a point between the scoop and windshield washers you will see the clear bra ending point


The two surprise options in the genre' of 'OK lets order but really not needed' to 'WOW...are we glad we ordered' was the interior Color Line and Chrome Line...just makes the interior jump out...very cool IMO


One option that would have been a total waste for us is the Nav system... pricey and unless you really need (which we don't)..a expensive piece of eye candy in our case.

Oh...heated seats for a Florida car J/K

Michael

 

I sold my factory wheels and tires. I ended up with two sets of wheels -- 17x7 and 16x7 (stock 16" are 16x6.5).

I like the Rota Slipstream 17x7" with 205/55-16 tires. The wheels only weight 13.9 lbs.


The stock speakers are pretty poor, no matter which option you get. The HIFI amp isn't bad, so just upgrading the speakers can make a big improvement. IMO, the HIFI option with aftermarket speakers is the most economical way to get decent audio. I went with Infinity Kappa speakers because they had the right specs and good reviews on Crutchfield. They are a bit bright, but much smoother and clearer than stock. Focals or JL might have better sound. I haven't heard them.

I put something similar on headlights and fog lights.

The problem with a clear bra is that putting it over vinyl stripes creates a gap that moisture can get into.

I like:
NAV because it works well, has real-time traffic alerts that guide you around congestion in most cities. It also integrates audio, Bluetooth, and car settings on the NAV screen. I also like the way it looks better than the giant speedo. If you get the Bluetooth option, you can plug an iPod or flash drive into the USB port and it will list tracks on the NAV screen.

Anthracite Headliner looks better than stock, IMO.

If you can get DTC, I'd go for that. If not, get LSD (limited slip) to delay the intervention of ASC (which cuts engine speed if a wheel start to spin).

Lots of people like the rear fog lights. If you have fog in your area, they can make you more visible to following cars. They also can alert people who are tailgating you that you'd like them to back off. That has worked for me a few times. Some people get them just because they complete the bank of toggles at the bottom.

Park Distance Control can help you avoid low objects while backing up. The high waist of the MINI, can make rear visibility difficult for low objects. It also has a cool graphic on the NAV screen that shows you were you are about to hit.

Those are the ones that come to mind now.

One thing I regret is the armrest. I ended up ripping mine out. It got in my way and didn't work well.

 

I live in So Cal and ordered the Lo-Jack alarm with my Mini only because my insurance company will give me a fairly generous discount on the insurance. They grant discounts for only "tracking" type alarms, which is only Lo-Jack and I think Starcite (sp?) from GM. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten an alarm because they seem useless, esp. the ones that sound off an alarm (which are annoying as heck and everyone simply ignores nowadays).

 

1.) Yes don't pay extra for heavy rims and runflats. Upgrade to lighter rims and better tires after you have the car. Lots of info in the Tire and Wheel forum about this.

2.) Like all of the cars I have bought new I got the upgraded radio but like all of the other cars it is not that great. But then again a really good high quality stereo will usually run allot more than 500 dollars. If I had to do it again I wouldn't bother as I rarely even turn the radio on.

3.) Don't have it (invisishield), don't even know what it is. Is this clear bra?

4.) I have the black roof. All the MINIs I've seen with the different roof colors look great. White would be easier to upkeep, doesn't show dirt or scratches but I got the black. If you go to the MINI USA site they have a video of how it is done. 1st the entire car is painted body color by a machine. Then the body is masked off. Then the roof is sprayed by hand. Then the entire car is clear coated by machine. It is a really cool feature that is not available on any car that I can't think of right now. How can you turn it down and it is free.

5.) Upgrades are a personal choice. It is your car, decide what you want. Some of the upgrades I think are a waste of money but others seem to like them.

 

1. Lots of people...in fact there is an entire tires and wheels forum here on NAM.

2. Some like it, some hate it. A lot of people recommend the HiFi and then replace the speakers... apparently this provides a huge boost in sound quality. Personally, the HiFi system is fine for me, but I'm not particularly blown away by it.

3. Lots of people have the invisishield. I am under the impression that no one has any particular complaints about it. I do not have it, and after 3 months (with 2 hour highway driving every day) my front end looks fine.

4. Haven't seen this subject before...might be better off looking into the R53 forums for that.

5. I don't care for the center armrest, which I have. I really like the anthracite headliner and the rear fogs (mostly because that takes care of a blank toggle switch). Other than that, I do not have DSC and I can't say I've had any problems without it. I do have limited slip...not sure if I would go for that again, since I don't go to the track. This all comes down to preference, so check everything out before you buy.

Anyway, hope this helps a little. The search function should provide you with a ton of info on the subjects you're interested in. Good luck!

 

Thanks again for everybody's replies. This web site is a wealth of information. I've been reading so much my brain is melting. I really value your responses as opposed to simply reading information on a subject. You have gone before me and have the day to day experience on these topics that makes you views valuable to a guy like me. True, much is personal preference, but I like to hear about how your personal preference worked out! I'll keep reading if you'll keep posting...
Brian

 

Keep it up!

There really is a ton of info here and at times it can be pretty overwhelming. But, with the amount of configuration options, it can take a while to come to terms with a configuration that you know is *exactly* what you want.

I stumbled upon the idea of a MINI about two or three months ago. After a few days of research I knew it was the car I wanted. It took me about a month to settle upon a configuration that I was happy with, and even then, it wasn't until I was at the dealer configuring that I knew what I wanted to do. My car is now on the boat, will be hitting the port tomorrow and I should be motoring within a week or two. Woohoo!

 

I emailed all the Mini Dealers in NorCal and they all mark up their vehicles, although Concord did say they have the "lowest mark up" in the area

South Bay Mini in Torrance is the only dealer I know of that sells MSRP that I would buy from (which I just recently did), that or Mini is Las Vegas.