Premium package? That's all fluff, skip it. Only thing nice in Premium is auto a/c, just add that alacarte

Leatherette is terrible, ugh. Go cloth or Punch. Seriously. It changed in 2011 and doesn't breathe at all, I hate mine.

Sirius is standard. The full Technology package is nice if you have to have nav because of the H/K, totally worth it.

I hope it's a mistake but you have the 4-hole spoke wheels selected. Yeah, ditch that. 6-star in Silver is the way to go.

You might like the Rooster Red but 4C1 is Carbon Black and it's free. Just do that.

The dash in Fine White Silver isn't hateful but the door panels look cheap.

 

Yes, total mistake on the wheels. Good catch.

 

Leatherette changed in 2011? Surprisingly ok with my 08 leatherette.

 

Here goes my 2-Cents into your build decision...

I found the 2012 MC to be surprisingly well equiped in stock form. The all black BMW-ish leather look interior flows nicely and the leatherette seems fine on the seats, but I'd round out that dark interior with the an anthracite headliner (I added Seat Armor "towels" after the fact for warmth on cold days and coolness on hot days, plus for the dog to ride shotgun and the drive home from the gym with sweaty shirts. But that's somewhat another topic...).

With that said about the interior, if I was to special order like you are I'd go with the sport seats with whatever trim you like. The stock seats don't have as much lateral support as I thought now that I know how hard you can corner this non-non-JCW. Auto dimming and garage door opener would be nice to have and eliminate the garage button on my visor plus the long reach for the drimmer **** with the seat back where I like it (I'm 6'2", 6'3" on a good day! ). Bluetooth and armrest are must haves in my book and I'd probably go piano black or something other than silver on the dash. Definitely would have ordered the heated mirrors, but not the heated seats here in SoCal. I'd go with the full package if I lived somewhere that actually has a winter. Stock stereo sounds fine to me and it already has HD & Satellite radio.

So to summarize the interior:
Anthracite headliner
Sport seats (your choice of covering)
Auto dim and garage door rear view mirror
Bluetooth (only, no other tech)
Armrest
Piano black dash (or other non-silver)
Heated mirrors (or heated seat/mirror package if in a cold climate)
PS: Wish they offered a black gauge/vent ring line (Heads up Mini!)

I'd scratch the Sport Package and stick with the stock 15" non-runflats to get a spare, then upgrade your wheels to 17" (your choice of style) and Continetal DWS's (or your choice) after the fact. That's what I did and sold the brand new wheels and tires to pay for half of the new set. Net difference for the swap ended up at only $500 for the 17"s and good quality non-runflats, plus you get the spare that way.

Wish I had the white side makers and white front turns, so I'd go for that on a special order. That may require Xeons highlights for the front turn clear lenses. The 2012 MC's come with lights in the fog light holes, so unless you really need fog lights, they already look great.

So for the exterior:
White turn signals
Xeon's for lighting and clear turn lenses

I totally get the Non-Non-JCW thing.

 

Dumb question. Ok, let's say I kept the 15" non run flats. How does that benefit you when you go to 17" wheels after the fact? Do you have a 15" spare on one wheel? Is that safe?

 

If saving just a bit of money is needed, I've found the getting a small garage door remote and velcro taping it to the underside of the ARM rest is a great "option".

 

I haven't checked the spare out, but I believe it is just a "cheater" spare (those small ones for temporary use). The rim size of the spare is not important, the outside diameter of the tire is.

The point being, you get a spare. If your Mini comes with runflats they do not include a spare tire. Spares are not for "normal" use, just something to get you to the repair shop.

Also, some tire shops will NOT install non-runflats on a car that does not have a spare for liability reasons. If you want to go to non-runflats (I highly recommend it), then IMHO it's best to start with non-runflats and a spare, then upgrade.

PS: Go to eBay and enter "17 Mini Cooper Wheels" and look at all the choices and styles! Many $400-$500 a set. I got my 17" R113 JCW Replicas for $400 (Check out what Mini wants for the JCW 18" R113 upgrade - OUCH!). Same "look", but 17". All the popular wheels are there.

 

Drop the entire technology pack. backup sensors? On a mini? for real? I'm not fan of mini connected or similar integration systems. They're usually fussy and more of a distraction that actually useful. The sound system might be worth it for you. The arm rest just got in the way for me. When you're driving your arm shouldn't be resting and your passenger can just suck it up : ) If you're getting heated seats you might as well get the whole cold weather package. The powerfold mirrors are very cool and the heat function is a nice time saver. Premium package is a wash. I don't like any of the features that it offers, but if they are your thing then go for it.

 

Love the leatherette in my 2012.

 

So, it's ordered. Your comments were much appreciated.

Black Leatherette sport seats.
The base interior of silver/black with black doors. I decided to avoid shine and bling as much as possible, and the Piano Black was too shiny for me, especially on the doors. I liked the comment about the base interior looking a little Bimmer-ish.
Got rid of Comfort Access. Have it now but can put a key in the ignition without injury.
Got rid of Premium Package but kept Auto AC and a couple of other pieces.
Black 16" dual star spoke alloy wheels with run flats. The salespeople's stories talked me back into the run flats. Black wheels are new for me, should be fun.
Added Adaptive Xenon headlights with washers, thanks to the Xenon comment. I commute every Friday night so that's worth it.

Sounds like it may get built second week in Feb. When would that put it stateside?




2012 Cooper Hardtop


Base MSRP $19,400.00


DESIGN
Chili Red Body Color STD
Anthracite Headliner $250.00
Carbon Black Color Line $0.00
Dash Surface in Fine White Silver STD
Door Panel in Carbon Black STD
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction STD
White Turn Signals $0.00
Black Roof/Mirrors $0.00
Leatherette: Carbon Black STD
Standard Floor Mats STD

PACKAGES
Cold Weather Package $750.00
Heated Front Seats
Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets
Sport Package $1,250.00
16" 6-Star Spoke
Allow Wheels In Black
Dynamic Traction Control
Front Fog Lamps
Rear Spoiler
Sport Seats
Technology Package $2,750.00
Center Arm Rest
Harman/Kardon Sound System
MINI Connected with Nav System
Rear Park Distance Control

PERFORMANCE
1.6L 16-Valve Alloy Engine STD
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
Start/Stop Button STD
6 Airbags w/Side Curtain System STD
Dynamic Stability Control STD
Sport Button STD
Adaptive Light Control $100.00
Auto Dimming Mirrors $250.00
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror $250.00
Rain Sensor and Auto Headlamps $250.00
Rearview Mirror with Compass $100.00
Retractable Headlamp Washers $0.00
Xenon Headlamps $500.00


INSTRUMENTS
Automatic AC $500.00
6-spkr AM/FM CD Player STD
HD Radio STD
SIRIUSXM Satellite Radio STD
On-Board Computer STD
Universal Garage Door Opener $250.00
Blank Line
MSRP w/Factory Options $27,400.00

Destination $700.00
Total As Configured $27,400.00

 

My '09 Cooper came with the 16" Wheels w/ Runflats... and still had the spare.

 

My 08 Cooper also came with 16 inch runflats and has a spare. One of the reasons why I bought it.

 

If you don't mind me asking, was there any room for haggling with the dealer when you put your order in? I keep hearing that Mini doesn't have much, or any, wiggle room when you order a car.

 

A little. Not tremendous. But I highly recommend trying USAA, Costco, Zag or a similar car buying service that introduces you to dealers via Internet pricing. In theory it's for in stock inventory only but if you end up having to order because they don't have what you need, they're motivated to keep the relationship going.

 

That's a great build and is going to be one hell-of-a nice MC.

CONGRADS! Now the w-a-i-t begins...

 

It's at the port! Now, just need to find out what boat it goes on. ASK-MINI said they couldn't tell me.