My wife and I are purchasing a 2013 Cooper S Hardtop. It's obviously from dealer stock and is fairly nicely equipped....Premium Package, Black 16" wheels, Xenon Lights with black housings and parking sensor. The only things I wish it had are the center armrest (surprised it's not there) and the HK sound system. I'm not too concerned about the sound system, as this is an extra "fun" car for us to use in the summer and fun road trips, but the arm rest bothers me. Is it difficult to install the factory armrest at a later date? Also, how difficult are audio system upgrades? Any help is appreciated.

 

Mine has the factory arm rest, is nice to have on trips. It was a $250 option. My only complaint is the top slides open too easy. I looked around, I didn't see anyone selling the factory arm rest. I did find several non-OEM. This looks very easy to install and seems sturdy.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/center-...7-r58-r59.html

 

Congrats!!!! I ordered mine back in 08 without a armrest because of the slide feature. I purchased a european style Mini armrest that opens. And installation is pretty simple. The one in the previous post is the one I went with. And Way has always been great to deal with.

 

There's a lot of stock over at my Mini dealer, they still have three 2013 GP 2's!

 

Is there a USB iPod / iPhone connection in the arm rest? How well do the iPod controls work through the USB connector?

 

Congratulations. To me, chili red is the absolute best color on a Mini. My wife got it on her CM. If I could have found a JCW that was chili red, my R56 would have been that color too...

Mine came with that blasted sliding arm rest and what a PITA. It's great, of course, to lean my arm on, and it's at the perfect height, but that top slides open on me all the time...

 

I've owned my Mini for as long as you've been on NAM. Glad to see you are finally getting a Mini. Sounds like the armrest will be one of your first mods. It was one of mine.
Our daughter lives in NY as well. And the roads you guys drive on are pretty rough. And with runflats you will probably want to get new tires sooner than later. I have 08s w/85k on it. At 60k I had Koni FSDs and a 22mm rear swaybar installed. I wished I had done that mod a lot sooner. FWIW Congrats Again

 

Actually I have to update my info...my wife and I just moved to Easton, PA a few months ago. There's no way I'd be getting this car if I still lived in NY..didn't have anywhere to keep it! This will be our third vehicle that probably will never see snow or much bad weather and will be garaged all the time. It's also the only vehicle we're purchasing instead of leasing, so we're planning on keeping it a while. I hope we didn't make a mistake by not getting NAV / Mini Connected, but I just think the cockpit looks so much better with the big center speedo. Unfortunately the HK sound system wasn't available on this car either, so there might be some audio system mods coming depending on how terrible the stock system sounds.

Also, any advice on a cold air intake? Should I not bother since the weather here gets so cold in the winter?

 

+1 on that armrest

Had it in my Previous clubman. Very easy to install. Flips up if needed. And the top opens, not slides. :-)

 

Unless you plan on a tune for your Mini an intake is a big waste of money, bolt-ons these days won't add power unless you plan on a tune. The stock intake is more than capable for that 1.6 liter. Exhausts are all about sound unless you replace both cats and get a tune.

 

Congrats on the Chili Red S. Mine is Chili Red also, with matching roof & mirrors. Love the basic one-color scheme. Mine is a '13 also and came with only 1 option - the center arm rest. However, I have not had any issues at all with the sliding problem mentioned here. Maybe they fixed it for '13? Anyway, I had a '12 non-S without the arm rest and no way would I drive again without it. Its a perfect place for your right arm, and doesn't interfere with shifting. Love it!

 

+1 I installed a K@N air filter awhile back and noticed no difference. And I most likely will go back to a paper one. I've read on NAM many times about what is the best mod for the dollar and a larger rear swaybar comes up the most often.

 

Welcome! Chili Red has IS the fastest color Mini!. Never found the need for an armrest. Don't have it, don't miss it. I like the big round speedo too. I would suggest a larger rear sway bar as a first mod and if you want to help the engine out a little, a larger FMIC (Forge/Helix), and/or Torque Arm Insert. Short shifters are fun! Open up the hood scoop to help keep the engine bay cooler and add this to help protect your scoop. This helps you see traffic lights.

Good luck.

 

Regarding Nav/mini connected. My wife's R60 JCW has it, my R56 JCW does not.

Having the center stack located Nav is great because both driver and passenger can see it easily, and the passenger can operate it while the driver is, well, driving! Since the R60 is our "road" car, the OEM Nav system comes in extremely handy.

As for Mini Connected, it's ok I suppose. There are some "cutesy" features we don't car about, but it's a nice to have.

Now, on my R56 JCW, I wanted to have the dinner plate speedo like the OP since it's the last year this will be available. I did have them install the Mini/Garmin remote NAV and it's very nice. mounts on a pod attached to the tach where I can see it easily through the steering wheel. No visible wires or mounting hardware. It basically "floats" on the left side of the tach and is completely adjustable. The speaker on that tiny device is amazing. I thought the turn commands were coming through the speaker system in the car. I have never heard voice commands so loud and clear coming from such a small unit before...it's a fantastic item.

I have the H/K upgraded sound system with bluetooth and iPod integration, so even though I don't have the center stack display, I can control my iPod, and hands-free my phone, so it's a perfect setup for me.

Many folks on the forum have said the stock sound system is terrible, so depending on how musical your ears are, you might be upgrading as you had mentioned. LOTs of stereo upgrade recommendations on this site.