I like the first version of your optioned Mini Better.

From a person who had a Mini Cooper with the sport suspension, I would say this is the first option that should be included on any Mini Cooper. It sharpens the whole driving experience. Since the car you want will come with the 15 inch wheels and tyres, there will be no runflat harshness to worry about.

I would also say yes to the Dynamic Traction Control. And to show you how weird I am, I would try find a set of 16 inch Mini wheel take offs (minus the runflat tyres) and do the wheel / tyre upgrade yourself. Go with the Goodyear Eagle GS-D3 if you can still find a set that is made in Germany. Then upgrade to the John Cooper Works Brakes. Even with a Non S Mini Cooper, there is no such thing as to much braking power.

Enjoy your new Mini.

 

Just to make sure we're on the same page - you would put the sport suspension package on a gen2 car that isn't going to be raced? Since you didn't mention whether you had a gen1 or a gen2, it's worth noting that the stock gen2 suspension on a Cooper or Cooper S is already a sportier suspension than what came stock on a gen1.

In fact, the biggest recommendation with regards to a gen2 seems to be to not get the factory "Sport Suspension" option because it isn't clear that it does more than add a thicker rear sway bar, which can be done after market better and more cheaply.

 

I agree with Cameroon, the car is for commuting and comfort as the OP stated. For me, the extra horsepower of the S was the deciding factor. I know some will say it isn't a big difference(not my opinion) but I did test drive an S and a NonS and the 54HP difference does make the car handle different coming out of turns. Some will say theJustaCooper can hang with the S on a course but I know of one driver who has tried to match his S times with a Cooper and hasn't been able to..Both cars in stock configuration I might add..Not a question of driving ability,purely the vehicle's. I still think performance upgrades can be done aftermarket with better results in this case. They don't even offer the LSD in a NonS.

 

Here's my 2 cents:

The xenon's and the chrome line interior are my 2 favorite options that I waivered on and absolutely love. There is no glare from the interior chrome either.

I can't comment on the sport suspension because I don't have it.

I have the cloth/leather interior and think the cloth is great and thought the leatherette was really hot (even up north) when we rented a MC to determine whether it was going to work for us prior to purchasing.

The one option I didn't see any mention of is the invisashield/clear bra. I know these options can start adding up but I feel that if you are purchasing (vs. leasing) and plan on keeping your MC, its a worthwhile investment. The front end of the MINI's get pretty dinged up without it.

I really like your build better with the black roof IMHO... its what sets MINI's apart from all the rest with the non-body colored roof.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Prior to ordering, I built my MINI on the configurator about 15 different ways before deciding. Either way, you will love it!

 

Certainly the S will be faster on virtually every course (all else being equal... like driver)... they're essentially the same car in every other way except that the S has more power.

Imagine buying a car and taking it to a road course or auto-x. Then you add 50hp and run the same courses again. The car will obviously be *capable* of faster times.

That being said, that doesn't mean it's illogical to modify the Cooper to be the best it can be... it just depends if that's what you want.

 

I second the use of a clear bra on the front, and did mine at the same time and place as the tinting. I went with a product called Ventureshield w/ Lifetime waranty. Cheaper outside of dealer as well. Build and rebuild is what I did also, and printed up my different builds to compare. Once I noted all the differences I came up with, I did what research I could on all the quirks. I think it is a great process and helps immensely getting what you want. Get what you want though. All the ideas are good in some way to someone..

 

Any option that can be completed at the Factory (like the Aero Kit ) would be better ordered with the car.
(Other than something like the 'sport' swaybar that is superior aftermarket)

Any Port or Dealer installed option (stripes, shields, JCW ****, etc.) are better left for after delivery.

If you wanted ClearBra and Hood Stripes, the Stripes are better applied after the ClearBra..

As for the bra, 2500 miles in nine months and I have suffered exactly one bumper chip
and one 'parking lot' side chip (that the bra would not prevent).

The Factory Touchup AND the Langka Kit will allow anyone to complete a perfect,
invisible (and untouchable) solution for this type of mishap.

(As for the Aero Kit, not so great for Mellow Yellow, but for Pepper White it would be lovely.)

 

It's always interesting how the different options strike people - one of the colors I was considering was MY, but I didn't want to pay for the aero kit which I felt was necessary to really make the car look right to me

And it does look great on the Pepper White - saw it on a JCW at the dealer.

 

Surflink- good point on the invisashield. I had it installed a few days after delivery along with tinting. The same company did it that would have done it through the dealership but I received a better price working directly through them (not the dealership). I got the invisashield and the tinting for the same price as only the invisashield through the dealer.

I then had sport stripes installed OVER the invisashield which I had purchased through Cooper Flags.

 

I'm not gonna stress over small chips in the front paint. After all it's a car. One reason I'm getting this and selling my R32 is the R32 is kinda a rare car that I'm always worrying about scratching or damaging in some way. I just want something I can enjoy driving. Well thanks to your help at this forum I have decided unofficially what I'm gonna order (less the standard stuff):
Mellow Yellow body color
White roof
Xenon headlights
Rain senor with auto headlights
15" Rotator Spoke wheels
Cloth checkered carbon sports seats
Chrome lined interior
Anthracite headliner
Leather MFSW
Hi Fi sound (possibly the stock if I don't like it at the dealer)
Auto A/C (possibly the stock if I don't like it at the dealer)
Piano black dash


...that's it.

Only $22,300 (possibly $21,300).

The only thing holding me back from ordering now is I need to save up for the $2000 deposit the dealer wants. I did a little math an figured I could have $2000 in burnable cash by February 1st. Gives me time to go to the lot and play with various options and do test drives I guess.

 

Looks like you are building a nice car to me. If you change your mind about some of the options after you order, you still have time to change them at the dealership. At least for a little bit.

About being on the same page about the suspensions, I owned a 2003 Mini Cooper with the sport suspension plus option, and a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Pretty equal in suspension except that the Mini Cooper S rear springs are a tad higher in spring rate due to the battery in the back. I have drivien the R56 Mini Coopers and I have found them nice cars to drive. Even for just around town cars I liked the sport suspension version. I didn't find the suspension harsh, or annoying.

 

When did the roof change from black to white?

 

When I thought about the hot summers here, plus black shows scratches easily. I know it looks sharper with a black roof huh.

I emailed every dealer in the South West inquiring about deposits pricing and selling at MSRP. I don't know if this will work, but I kinda wanna see if North Scottsdale MINI will budge in there $2000 nonrefundable deposit if I dangle in their face how so-in-so MINI gives me say, a $1000 refundable deposit.

Well Irvine MINI replied as I type this. $1000 refundable deposit. Sold at MSRP. Haha just what I wanted.

Desert MINI of Las Vegas wants 10% of the MSRP...ye--no. But sold at MSRP.

Niello MINI in Sacramento says he can give me a quote after he knows what I am looking for, which tells me it won't be MSRP. $1000 deposit is good tho.

 

I already had my 05 when I ordered my 07. Although I didn't buy the 05 new (or used) from the local dealership, since I was a member of the local MINI club, I didn't have to put down any deposit at all on the 07. And I won't go into what kind of pricing, etc. that I got.

 

o rly?

Mini of Monrovia says they can do a $500 deposit, but the online reviews for the dealership are overwhelmingly negative. Tough call.

Ralph Schomp MINI in Denver says it takes 70-90 days to get an order, eek.

Silly question, but do I have to go back to the dealership I purchased the car at for service?

haha oh wow MINI of Mountain View straight up said in the email that they do have a dealer mark up.

 

I got $1000 off MSRP at SF MINI. $1000 refundable deposit. Kind of far for you, but you could make a trip of it and it would be a nice ride back.

 

Speaking of SF MINI, after sending my specs the sale person magically had ordered the exact car I was looking at last week. Is this just some ploy to try to get me going to their dealership? SF is a little far, but if this is the truth that'd be freakin awesome.

BTW North Scottsdale MINI is now telling me it is a $2500 deposit. Yea not gonna happen.

 

I wonder if they are requiring that of you in particular for some reason. Are you young?

 

Yea, 19, but they don't know that. I did ask them if that deposit was changeable, maybe they are just being mean. That would be very unprofessional of them.

 

We ask for a $1500.00 deposit. Let me know if you need anything! I will be in PHX sometime soon to pick up a MINI.

 

Thanks, but so far Mini of Monrovia has the best deal for me.

 

If they talk to you on the phone they can probably guess on your age. When I bought my first new car in 2000 I was 22 and they really tried to screw me on the price because of my age. Wouldn't hurt to bring a grumpy old man with you who's been around the car buying block a few times. Just my .02

 

lol my dad would be more then happy to come with to make sure I don't get ripped off.

but it should all be the same to them, I intend to pay with cash after all...

 

Good move, I brought my dad with me who thinks everyone is out to screw him when I bought my Honda and he got me a good deal.

 

So is a $500 deposit plus $500 off MSRP and free floormats, wheel locks and a cargo net a good deal or should I push for more? Currently I have Mini of Monrovia and Long Beach Mini offering me the same exact thing. Not sure which dealership to go to.