Sport suspension can be done better aftermarket; I wouldn't even get 17" wheels if you're planning mods, since you'll probably want lighter rims.

I like the center arm rest personally. And I'm very glad I got the Anthracite headliner. I don't miss chrome line but my next one (a cabrio) might have it if I see a comparison. Just more stuff to polish smudges off of

If you live in a cold climate the cold weather package rules.
If you talk on the phone a lot or want to use a USB connection to play mp3s, the Bluetooth works great.

REMEMBER you need the Multi Function steering wheel if you want cruise control! And the bluetooth controls on it are very convenient. $250.

 

Try out a car with the armrest. Some people really like them, but I found that it was in my way (up and down) big time. It would be nice to have one that really works for me, but I have not seen one yet.

 

The armrest in the up position is stupid...make sure you like it down because it will likely jab you in the arm in the up position.

 

The phrase "you-ification" defines the fact that everyone is going to like something different. My recpmmendation is to go and check some cars out at the dealer and see what you like.

Me i had to have the armest because I just did. I wanted the chrome line but after drving in mini that had it it annoyed that it glared into my eyes. Hi fi - meh wanted it but then there wasnt too much of a difference for me. Needed the coldweather pkg cuz i live in colorado. Something I would not be able to live without is my MFSW. Oh yeah and about the anthracite my car has it but if it didnt i wouldnt mind. I mean 250 for a color change? Seems kinda pricey.

 

If you have the $, then LSD is a good idea. Esp. if you live in an area where you need it.

I like the convenience package with the armrest, much more than I thought I would with the ipod and bluetooth.

Hi-fi, I'm undecided.

If you are thinking about resale, the sport package, MFSW, will hold value. Fog-lights, sport suspension, chrome interior, probably won't.

 

Okay, sport suspension. I am glad I have that, I like feeling the road. And yes, on my 08 there are BIG stickers on the shocks that say SPORT. Also, on the RealOEM site the option does show different shocks for the sport suspension option, springs seem to be the same, also the sway bar and the bushings are different. IMO, $500 is a pretty good deal for a factory setup. I was very unhappy with my Probe's GT suspension feel after I "upgraded" to Tokico Illuminas (or whatever they were called, they were adjustable) and Eibach springs. The Mini Sport suspension is NICE. Anyway....The ride is harsh with the runflat tires, i have read it is MUCH nicer with normal tires.

The option I love on the car is the HID headlights, those things light up the road like CRAZY! And here in MN it is seemingly dark all winter. Plus the washers on the headlights help that salt-spray. It is something you really can't reasonably add after-the-fact.

If I had the choice, I would JUMP on the LSD in my standard Cooper. I get SOOOOOOO much wheel spin from a start in my Automatic with the stock All Season Continental tires. I don't know if I was spoiled by the Probe's huge tires (or maybe it was the automatic's really tall first gear) but I just can't keep the wheel spin from happening.

Otherwise, no on comfort access and rain wipers, those things drive me crazy in the BMWs I have driven. I like the hifi, but it is VERY small upgrade. I have Infinity Kappa speakers to install in the door, just haven't gotten to it yet. And personally, the chrome would be blinding!

 

I have a feeling that you already ordered but here's my opinion.

* comfort access system - while it's handy I don't think its necessary. It depends on how into "gadgets" you are. Personally I like gadgets so it is a nice thing to have - if I had ordered mine custom I don't know that I would have gotten it though.

* Premium Sound (HIFI) - This is pretty much pointless if you're an audiophile. My personal take on it is if you're crazy about sound then you'll go aftermarket and it's not worth spending the $$ on. Its a car, IMO I'm not in it to listen to the radio but to drive :-)

* Center arm rest - this is strictly personal taste. I like mine for the simple fact that it stores stuff. I rarely use it as an arm rest but I'm a short/small guy so it doesn't get in my way or bother me.

* Chrome interior - personal preference. No one can tell you yay or nay about this.

* LSD and Sport Suspension - if you're looking to race, mod it for racing, or trick it out, this is a good place to start. If you're just an average Joe driver and just want to go fast every so often, don't bother.

 

Well, is all a matter of opinion... One's person's trash is another person's treasure...

Here's my 2 cents...

LSD - uneccessary for me... The DSC comes standard and the LSD is mainly going to help if you are taking corners at really high speeds and the tires are losing traction and skidding... I drive fast and racy, but not that out of control... Just another 500 bucks and something to repair if it breaks...

Sport Suspension- I left this off for a couplke of reasons... 1. I was concerned about mushrooming... Looks like there are problems with the stock suspension anyways though so that may be a moot point. 2. The ride is much more stable when driving fast around corners, but it's much more harsh in general driving conditions. I spend about 2 hours a day in the car just on my commute to work and back... not even counting running errands and just putting around town goofing off. The softer ride has been really nice. If you are going to be racing around, it might be more suited for you to get the sport suspension though. I honestly couldn't tell a huge difference through..

Hi-Fi sound system... I got the base... The sound quality is pretty lousy in both. You just get more bad sound out of the hi-fi. What's better?.. One plate of cold, overcooked, canned corned-beef and hash with dog hair in it, or two plates of cold, overcooked, canned corn-beef hash with dog hair in it?

It's just double the bad and it's 500 bucks more. For 100-200 bucks, you could change out the speakers in the base system and get sound that blows away the best the base hi-fi has to offer. Save your money. I think most on here would at least agree with that.

Chrome Line interior - I like the way it looks, but it got dropped off of mine when trying to get it down to the price I wanted. In all honesty, I can take it or leave it. Flip a coin to decide. Might as well have done it now... it's only 250 bucks... My dealer offered no discounts and no add-ins... I had to trim where I could.

Center Arm rest- get it. But get the sturdy one. My dealer offered the flip top floor mount armrest which is really sturdy and has room for storage. The factory rest is flimsy and worthless.

Comfort Access System - just more money and something else to go wrong IMO... I don't mind clicking the button on the fob to open the car or inserting it into the dash to start it. In fact, I would prolly be more likely to lose my keys since it wouldn't be as necessary to locate them when opening or starting the car. If I had a MINI with everything, then I would do it because money obviously wouldn't be an option. Leave it off.

That's my opinion... I'm sure others have theirs...

My advice is to spend a day driving several cars with varying options so you can get a feel for it. Between the time I decided that I wanted a MINI, and the time I placed the order, I went through so many different models, colors, options, packages, etc.. The car I created on the website had NONE of the options that are on the car I own other than the sunroof. You won't fully understand until you go for a few test drives and realize that the HI-fi sounds about the same as the standard stereo... that you don't really noitice chrome line interior when you are driving... that the is unecessary because you realize that you don't drive fast enough or crazy enough to justify the Limited Slip differential... etc... I guarantee that you will find something that you never thought you would want on there and that something you were convinced that you had to have was really unecessary. Take your time and truly get what you want.

 

The limited slip is pretty low lock and is mechanical, so it's not likely to break before your transmission does. I feel it does make a pretty big difference, though, I recommend test driving both before making a decision. If you don't get it and regret it later, it'll be at least a grand for an aftermarket LSD + another grand for install. DTC may be a more effective choice, however.

The R56 shouldn't have the mushrooming problems that the R53 had. You can always get anti-mushrooming plates if you're paranoid.

 

... actually, it's NO lock and not really mechanical. It's really more of an open diff with some fluid/friction resistance to help prevent spinning, but there's no traditional clutchpack, gears, or ramps to make it a true "limited" slip. If one tire hits ice, gravel, or lifts, it will light up & spin with 0% of the power going to the other wheel.

While I would likely still have spent the $500 when I was ordering my Mini (there was no eDTC offered then), I really wish Mini had been up front with its true operation.

Look up the GKN Super LSD. Eventually (when a lightweight flywheel is available) I'll pull the transmission and install a real LSD. Removing the trans looks to be a major pita and that's from someone who pulls motors on a daily basis