Hello,

I am excited about becoming a MINI owner, as I am close to purchasing a very nice, very low mileage '09 MCS!

As a semi-former water-cooled VW enthusiast, I am new to MINIs and am still learning. And with my newest car being 20 years old, the array of options on the MINI is a bit bewildering. Any info you can provide on what features/options this car has/doesn't have would be great.

I have checked out the car, and from memory, here is some info on it:

It's a manual trans. No bonnet stripes. No sunroof. No MFS wheel (definite bummer). No auto climate control. No heated seats. Interior is black leather. Seats are manual with lumbar adjustment. Has center arm rest. Dash and door trim is gloss black. It has a USB and aux input (does this indicate iPod control? bluetooth). It has Sport and DSC buttons. (Wheels are aftermarket.)

Any info would be appreciated. Hope to be hanging out here a lot more very soon!

Thanks!
James

 

I bet it's not leather, it's probably the vinyl leatherette...

It sounds like a stripper.

USB and aux in usually mean Ipod control.


The very first thing I would do, (and did), is to install the FES AutoSport module. Then you will never again have to push that silly sport button.

Ok, maybe the very first thing I'd do is check and change the oil and filter..lol The MINI CBS (computer based service) oil change interval of about 18,000 miles, yes, that's right, 18K is just way too long. Oil analysis on my car's oil by Blackstone labs said a change interval of 8K miles was pretty good and showed no wear. The additive package in the oil was almost used up. I can't think of what it would be like with another 10K miles on it... If you plan on keeping this car, change the oil and filter.

Once you own the car, log onto MiniUSA's web site and register in the owners lounge. You can download all the manuals you might not have gotten with the car.

BUY A BENTLEY REPAIR MANUAL... (about $90 on Amazon.com) Even if you don't work on your own car, you can at least see what involved when something does go wrong and sort of understand why you are being charged your first born for repairs...lol

Really think about buying an oil catch can. (OCC)

 

Thanks Richard. I will certainly heed your advice on oil change interval and OCC. Likewise, I'll add the MINI Bentley to my small collection of Bentley manuals . I do my own basic work.

I know, it was odd to me too, considering it seems fairly stripped otherwise... But this car definitely has leather. I have checked out several examples with the leatherette, and this one is not leatherette.

That's good to know. Is this any indication of whether or not it has Bluetooth? Was it available as a stand alone option?

This car obviously does not have the Convenience, Comfort or Cold Weather packages. And for the most part, these features aren't important to me, save for the MFSW, which woulda been nice. But might some of the other options I listed be indicative of any other packages? Or probably just individual add-ons? Am I correct that keyless entry and remote hatch release are standard? Are there other features that this car might lack, that I may wish it had later?

If/when I purchase, I will contact MINI to get the car's detailed build sheet, but I'm trying to get a better sense of what I am [almost certainly] going to buy.

Thanks again!
James

 

That's what I was thinking until he said it had lumbar adjustment, that only comes on Leather (or Leather/Cloth) seats.

 

If it had bluetooth you would have gotten the MFSW. I have not seen a 2nd gen yet w/o one, very common to get buttons but not BT (like my '09). If you have lumbar, you have leather.

 

Thanks for the info, guys! MINI is mine. Interior is indeed leather. I found the iPod cable in one of the pockets. Car has 9k miles on it and is like new. PO recently had the oil changed. Quick phone pic. I will try to post more later in the appropriate thread.

 

It's obviously a very strange car that was ordered by a customer. What kind of leather is it, the Lounge leather or Punch?

You'll have aux but not USB without the MFSW, if memory serves me correctly.

 

It does seem to be a bit of an oddball - all the more loveable. Here's what I've learned after having it a few days:

Car has the Punch Leather upholstery, Chrome Line interior and Piano Black trim. It has iPod + Bluetooth (I paired my iPhone and made a call with it today ). I think that's about the extent of its options - it still feels luxurious. PO installed 18" Katana CR5 wheels.

My past two daily drivers were MkII 16V GTIs. I feel like this car is the modern equivalent. It's an absolute riot!