So I spent about 3+ hours with a wonderfully patient and helpful MA tonight at one of our southern California dealers. I thought I should share what I've learned with others shopping for a 2010. Forgive me if any of this is old news -- most of it was news to me and I've been lurking on NAM for about 6 months.

*According to the MA, Steps 1 - 4 of the Configurator are all factory-installed items, while anything in Steps 5 and 6 are dealer-installed (meaning you'll have to add on dealer installation charges onto your final Configurator price). This explains why there are 2 different alarm systems listed in the Configurator.

*Harmon/Kardon stereo upgrade isn't available yet. You can order it, but it won't go into builds until December. (See my other thread about how this affects pre-Dec builds @ https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...build-dec.html .)

*Oddly, the MA hadn't heard about the new EDLC option until I mentioned it. But since LSD is still selectable and since he hasn't received a bulletin on EDLC yet from Mini he suspects it may be available to replace LSD around the same time as the December builds, if not before. That timeline is just speculation at this point, though.

*Multi-Function Steering Wheel will now be standard, and the package pricing in which it used to be an option will be adjusted accordingly.

*Limited Edition Camden/Mayfair packages are an all-or-nothing deal. None of the LE options are available (at this point) in any kind of a la carte fashion -- you either take the whole LE package or just build yourself a 'standard' Mini. That includes paint colors. Swatches for all the new colors except White Silver were on display at the dealership. MA gave me the impression they hadn't been sent a White Silver swatch.

*Dark Silver is now available on all Minis. Even though it doesn't show yet on the configurator for some models, the MA can select it on their internal ordering system.

*As we all know, Mellow Yellow has been discontinued and replaced with Interchange Yellow. It might look ok in full sun, but in the evening sky, about an hour before sunset, it had a sickly greenish flavor to it, creating what my MA fondly referred to as "puke yellow". I had to agree; it was quite unappetizing.

That's all I can think of for the moment. The MA left me with the impression that while it is still technically possible for future options to change on the 2010, it is unlikely that anything we weren't already aware of will show up before the end of 2009. Which pretty much shoots down my last tiny spark of hope for an ideal paint color. Ah well, I'll figure something out!

 

EDLC is part of the DTC option. If you want control over what electronic systems are on at a given time, you need to get the DTC option. The JCW comes with this option, and I think it was available on 2009 MCS. This is what is supposed to be better than LSD.

 

Hm. I did some more research and now I think I understand. Originally, going from the way this article (http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/07/...010/#more-9780) was written, I took it to mean that while it is ideal to combine EDLC with DTC, it didn't necessarily require it. Now, after combing back through the Mini USA site, I see that EDLC does indeed come with the DTC option. Thanks for bringing that to my attention! I wonder why my MA didn't realize/explain that... Thank goodness for NAM! You're proving quite a helpful person, Robin.

Well, I was planning on getting the DTC anyway, so I guess EDLC is a moot point for me when all is said and done. I just wonder when they will get around to removing the LSD option from the dealers' ordering system.

 

I rushed in to order my MCS last week, thinking that LSD will be discountined in 2010 build. I got the 2nd last spot for 2009 mcs.

But if LSD won't be discontinued until Dec 2009, I would have get a 2010 car with LSD!!!!

Now I feel like buying a last year's model new car for nothing!



Now please tell me that there will be $1000 price increase on 2010 model, so that i can feel better...

 

You can always cancel your order and reorder the 2010 .

 

There is a chance that, although LSD is still in the ordering system, when the car actually goes into production it wont get it and they will not charge you for it.

So, you could keep your 2009 order, and be sure you got LSD. Or, cancel 2009, order 2010 and gamble that you will actually get LSD.

Whichever year you go with, you will also want to order DTC so you can turn off the electronic nannies when you track or AutoX.

I have LSD on my 2007 MCS. If I were you, I'd cancel 2009, order 2010 with DTC, but not LSD. DTC is reputed to handle the limited slip function smoothly and without anti-torque steer weaving. So, why add the extra weight and expense of LSD?

 

So does the discontinuing of mellow yellow and adding interchange mean it's availible for all models. (Please say yes, please say yes. Oh how I want it)

 

Please say no please say no. Give away IY and the vert' loses its only exclusive color.