As has been stated before, choosing your options is a very personal thing. When I went to buy my MINI I originally wanted a Chili Red/White, but then I saw the Lightning Blue, and knew I had to have it. The options I chose were, MINI Cooper, Automatic, VINYL leatherette seating, Cold Weather Package, Rear Fog Lamp, and Bluetooth/iPod. I love my MINI, and plan on a long relationship with it.

 

agree on the option choice being entirely up to you. If you're not careful, the total bill can add up pretty quickly.

Option packages are different in Canadiana. We ended up ordering the MCS with:
- comfort package (sunroof, heated seats, blueteeth, rain sensor, auto dimming mirror)
- style package (chrome and piano black trim bits)
- anthracite headliner
- xenon
- electric heated front windshield
- h/k audio
- comfort access
- leatherette
(rear fog is standard up here)

basically, you have to live with what you choose. Definitely a balance between a few hundred bucks and whatever perceived enjoyment you get out of the feature. I'm happy with my selection, and I'm sure you'll be happy with yours.

Cheers,
Mark

 

So the "electric heated front windshield" is a Canadian option - I wondered because I needed to have my windshield replaced the other day due to a close encounter with a large flying stone, and the windshield installer need to know if I had a heated windshield. I told him I didn't think so but I had the Cold Weather Package. I didn't think a heated windshield was an available option. That explains why he asked.

 

All,

Thank you for all the inputs. I placed my order today for a 2012 MCS Automatic, BRG body/roof, no stripes, Sport package, black head lights, HK sound, and sunroof.

It's due to be delivered at the end of May and I'm looking forward to it and can't wait!

 

Congrats! I have a sunroof, and I love it. It's my first car with one. ... You'll like the HK sound, I think. It's the one thing I really regret not getting. That, and I wish I got the 17" wheels.

 

Good, frugal package. I like my sunroof even though I rarely open it. It lets a lot of light in making the cabin seem brighter. I've got manual but next one will be auto probably. HK sound is a must. The one thing that I got that I wouldn't have ordered is the comfort access. Add that on!
(and all wives love the Countryman, but it's a load).

 

Congrats. The wait will seem endless. But the car is worth it.

 

Good stuff...well now I have a new problem...

I'm considering not getting BRG, but not sure what I would choose over it. I like the color, but just not sure how I'll customize it down the road beyond white stripes...haha

Problems...problems...

 

It sucks that they discontinued Laser Blue, I really like that with a black roof.

Color depends what you want the car to look like. Chili Red with white is a light-hearted combination. Black on black makes the MINI look pretty mean. Pepper white and black is a clean, classic combination. I was just looking at the website over the weekend, the grayish blue is interesting, but I would want to see one in person.

See how the long wait is driving you crazy already? Have fun.

Mike

 

BRG II with black everything else. Its the best.

 

The current BRG is a beautiful color and you have many other options beyond generic white stripes. Regarding stripes, I have seen white, black, matte black, green, yellow and depending on how bold you are, you can even go red with red mirror caps. No stripes is a good look and I have thought about taking my green strips off and going back to solid Pepper White. Do some research and you will find lots of looks you like.

 

Only miss for me was not getting USB/iPod. I don't use iPod / iPhone all the time (I tend to switch back/forth between iOS and Android devices) so I didn't value the iPod integration much.

But I didn't catch that unless you order it, there's no ability to read a USB "stick / thumb drive" devices either. That would've been nice to have.

Oh, and that package is a huge pain / big $$ to install later (microphone, lotsa wiring / extra components) to the point where most won't bother.

Functionally, there are far-cheaper aftermarket solutions that get most of the way there, but it woulda been nice to have it all integrated as it turns out. And to get to use USB's of music if I wanted to.