I'm getting ready to place an order for a custom MCS Hardtop. Is there a term for the Agony Of Option Selection Overload?

Here's what I'm thinking of ordering now, and I'd like to get a bit of feedback on whether I'm missing (or including) anything I'll regret.


I've gone back and forth on a few items, mostly the color and sport suspension.

The car will mostly be a commuter, but with some fun times on backroads and maybe, just maybe, a track day or two. So I could probably live without sport suspension, though assuming I can live with it I think I'd prefer the firmer ride. My thinking is that with 16" tires, especially if I someday ditch the runflats, the ride should be fine even with stiffer springs.

I picked the 6-Star black wheels partly because they look cool, and partly because I'm hoping black wheels won't show brake dust and grime so much. I purposely avoided 17" wheels due to their reported reduction in ride quality and pricier tires.

Still deciding on the (expensive) universal garage door opener, and the Adaptive Xenon headlights.

The interior is pretty much stock other than the anthracite headliner. Any really worth-it interior upgrades?

I also debated GPS. I'm a big fan of in-car nav, but as an Android user I just can't see paying for the expensive iConnect and Nav system. So next I considered Mini's Garmin system. I still haven't ruled it out, though it seems the forum wisdom is that you can get a better Garmin elsewhere with plenty of aftermarket mounts to choose from. So for now I'm leaning towards a Garmin from Costco and a mount from ProClip or Kuda.

Thanks for any input. If all goes well, I'll be placing an order within a week. Sadly, the dealer reports that this means I won't see the car until March, but I guess that will give me time to finish making space in the garage...

Very excited to be joining the Mini community!

-Brett

 

As a fellow SO/ BLK owner I like the idea. Only thing I would add is I love the Piano Blk trim on the inside. Oh and a 6spd!!!!!

 

I'm with the above poster. I Love my piano black interior. Also, no panoramic sunroof?

 

Order every option you can afford. It will help later on IF you ever decide to sell her.

 

I meet with my MA tomorrow to place my order. I'll check out the piano black. Is it bad with fingerprints?

Since typing my original list I've added more options to my plan, mostly the Premium package. Now I'm debating adding Nav. I'm a heavy GPS user, and I'm not sure I'll be happy with a portable unit hanging off the dash. But it's so darn expensive...

 

Chrome line interior so that it doesn't look so cheap on the inside but, it is whatever you want it is going to be your MINI.

 

New Car Buying Corollary:

1. What ever option you passed on you'll come to believe you should have got it.

2. What ever option you ordered you'll come to believe you could have done without it.

 

Guess that's consistent with the advice to "Order every option you can afford," since it's easier to ignore an option you don't need than to add one you missed (well, depending on the option).

A related story: years ago I ordered a BMW, and decided to get the Park Distance Control out of completeness, even though I was sure it was unnecessary. Two weeks after taking delivery, the beeping PDC saved me from backing into a tree in my work parking lot. After that, PDC was my favorite option and a necessity on future cars. I realize it's not on the list I originally posted, but that was a typo, since I'm definitely getting PDC on my Mini.

 

I don't really like sunroofs, so that's one I'm omitting by choice.

My MA also suggested it's not a great combination with the sport suspension, since the sunroof has been known to rattle.

 

I have bought two Mini's in the last 4 months. My wife has a Kite Blue Bayswater and I have a SO/BL. Hers has an all black interior and I opted for the Piano Black with White Trim. Comparing the two; I am really glad I ordered with the splash o different color as hers is too boring for my tastes.

 

Here's what I'm thinking now:
Interestingly, "adding" the Cold Weather package didn't change any options, but dropped $100 from the cost. You'd think the build configurator would do that automatically.

I'll take a look at the Piano Black (and maybe other interior options) when I'm at the dealership tomorrow.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

-Brett

 

We've got a similar coloured MINI, we got the Piano black interior, but then also added a contrasting colour line to set it off. (In satellite grey, looks good.)

We looked around at cars on the showroom floor for the colours before finally deciding. They had a roadster with piano black/satellite grey, it looked sharp.

I'm also a fan of the cloth/leather seat option. They seem to be ever so slightly wider to fit our rear ends and they come with the lumbar adjustment which the cloth seats don't.

 

I think this build for the money makes more sense than your second one. I would add the auto dim mirror. My build is very simillar to yours with the only package I ordered was the cold weather pkg I too have the cloth seats and if I were to have spent more money I would have upgraded them

 

I think that sounds good, I went crazy with mine too and can't wait for it to finally arrive.

I chose not to get the nav, I was going to but decided from reviews it's ok but not great. I decided to stick with my garmin and get the kit that mounts it behind the tac.

I also opted for the one premium package since it became cheaper since I had most of the options single item chosen at first. Definitely play around with the build configuration and close attention to what options you choose since it could be cheaper to just pick the package.

 

I'm going to add a dumb option that's seldom used, but it'll bug you if you don't have it...the rear fog light. Here's the reasoning. You'll have a missing toggle switch in the row below the HVAC controls and it's annoying quite honestly. For the $100 it costs, it's worth it.

Also, just food for thought, not sure if you take long drives but the satellite radio is very cheap to add now and a pain to add later. Also, since I live in a city, I've found the power-folding mirrors to be amazing for tight parking spots.

 

I did order the rear fog light because of that one reason, as well as the auto climate control basically because it looks better and seems a bit more refined than the regular climate.

 

* ditch the NAV package and buy aftermarket
* leather seats (punch/perforated if budget allows)
* FR + RR fog lights
* driving/rally lights
* you're in California: get the sunroof
* alarm

 

It is like asking someone else to choose a spouse for you...Eventually you will regret you did not make that choice yourself

 

I thought 17" wheels were automatic with the Sport Suspension?

 

Not sure where you got your spouse, but when I got mine custom orders weren't allowed, and nobody cared about resale value. Luckily, I found one in stock with navigation and heated seats, though I had to pass on the bonnet stripes. :-)

Also, I have a couple friends in arranged marriages, and they're very happy with their spouses. So don't knock it until you try it...

Seriously, I'm not asking people to help pick my favorite color. I'm asking for wisdom based on their experience. For example, I never would have added rear fog lights if I hadn't learned here that skipping that option leaves an annoying blank switch plate.

 

Nope. They may be with the "sport package", but the sport suspension is or can be completely separate. I even got it with 15s on my Justa!

I applaud the change from heated seats to the full cold weather package. I sometimes wish I had added that to my car--and more often, it's because it takes so long for the mirrors to de-fog themselves than for the warmer seat...

 

You have definently configured a couple of nice Mini's. In fact nicer than most. You said earlier you are a commuter for comfort I would trade out the nav for upgraded seats.FWIW I would go aftermarket on the stripes. Again nice builds

 

Someone else mentioned leather seats, this was something I forgot to bring up. I missed your comment about this being a commuter car, in which case you may want to spring for the lounge leather seats. I have the punch black leather and while I definitely prefer the leather to leatherette (did not like the sticky feeling when getting into the car on a hot summer day) the seats are still the same ergonomically as the basic cloth/leatherette sport seats and not very supportive for your legs on long trips. I'm not very tall at 6' but wish there was more bolstering like on the lounge seats for my 100 miles of daily commuting.