Hi again. I have a few questions about people's opinions on some of the options. Please be frank about your opinion.

I am probably NOT what most would call an "enthusiast." I am looking for a fun car, lots of pep, but also reliable and handles/performs well. This will be my first "sports" car after being a Honda Civic driver for many years. So, I want a car that when I go on a long drive it will be fun and comfortable. Mostly, however, this will be my car to commute in, get groceries, etc. I don't plan to attend many track meets, although I might check out a Sunshine Minis gathering at some point.

So, with that perspective, here are my questions.

One: The rear fog lamp. What is the value, and does it make much difference?

Two: Floor mats: recommendations on carpet vs rubber? I live in Florida, so sand will find its way into the car. Guaranteed.

Three: Has anyone seen photos of the JCW Aero kit compared to the "standard" one offered in the hyper sports package?

Four: How does the Universal Mobile Phone Prep work? I have a RAZR. Is it bluetooth? Does it take up the entire space inside the armrest?

Five: the sports package comes with 17" crown spoke alloy wheels, which are NOT runflats. I assume if I get a flat with them, I'm stuck. There's really no room on the mini for a spare, so I'm considering the upgrade. I'm also torn on tire size between the 16" and 17". I'd appreciate opinions on both the sizes and the runflats vs regulars.

Six: (almost done) Pros/cons of leather seats compared to cloth. (My Honda is cloth)

Seven: What do the driving lights do, really. (I mean, I GET that they are lights, but how much of a difference do they truly make?) How much will I notice/appreciate them if I get them. (I plan to right now. Just for looks alone... That plus Aero = sweet!)

That's plenty for now. THanks to anyone who can help me out. I'm now piecing together my final R56 specs.

Thank you!
JMelrose

 

Well if you live in Central California this is a must, but i guess it really wouldn't do anything for you out there

 

"Two: Floor mats: recommendations on carpet vs rubber? I live in Florida, so sand will find its way into the car. Guaranteed."

Since I live in NJ, I use the carpet mats in the summer and the rubber in the winter. I think you should do fine with the carpet mats in FL.....sand vacuums up relatively easily.

 

Floors mats - depends on whether you'll be tracking in wet or dry sand. Dry sand is relatively easy to vacuum. However if you're in an area where you drive on the beach and will track in wet sand go for the rubber mats. I learned the hard way how difficult it is to get the smell of wet sand and seawater out of the carpet and floor mats.

Leather is great except for dark colors in warm climates. I had a black on black Acura when I lived in Fla. and it was incredibly hot. Also - last I checked leather was at least a $1,200 option. You can get a lot of toys for that amount of money if you can live with cloth seats.

 

but remember unless the new cloth seats have them, there is no adjustable lumbar support, you have to get the leather/cloth or leather seats for this upgrade (at least with the 02-06 models.)

 

I would ideally like the cloth/leather but i don't like the color choices of only blue or red then. I'd prefer greys/blacks/cremes.

 

One: The rear fog lamp. What is the value, and does it make much difference?

If you drive in an area prone to fog, its priceless. It allow people behind you to SEE you rather than just hitting you. If you've never been in really deep fog, you probably can't understand this.

Two: Floor mats: recommendations on carpet vs rubber? I live in Florida, so sand will find its way into the car. Guaranteed.

Rubber. Shake out. Carpet, Vacuum out sand.

Four: How does the Universal Mobile Phone Prep work? I have a RAZR. Is it bluetooth? Does it take up the entire space inside the armrest?

Razor is BT. Will it work with the MINI BT setup? No idea. In the past MINI listed very specific phones they used (which is very strange since you can buy aftermarket BT kits that work with any BT phone). I'd ask a dealer.

Five: the sports package comes with 17" crown spoke alloy wheels, which are NOT runflats. I assume if I get a flat with them, I'm stuck. There's really no room on the mini for a spare, so I'm considering the upgrade. I'm also torn on tire size between the 16" and 17". I'd appreciate opinions on both the sizes and the runflats vs regulars.

If you get normal tires, you get a can of goop to temporily patch the tire until you get somewhere. RFs can be driven on under 50 mph for quite awhile. If the tires blows out in the normal tire ... your dead in the water. RFs do not handle as well as normal tires if you care about that. It sounds like you do not. This is one of those topics where the "enthusiasts" will tell you to dump the RFs while the more conservative types will tell you the RFs saved their lives. For example, see https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=64565 stranded in Death Valley but RFs saved the day.

Six: (almost done) Pros/cons of leather seats compared to cloth.

Leather will be VERY hot in FL in summer, fine in the winter. Your choice. Cloth is usually better in hotter climates.

Seven: What do the driving lights do, really. (I mean, I GET that they are lights, but how much of a difference do they truly make?)

It all depends upon what kind of driving you do. If you drive on dark roads with no oncoming cars ... or say early in the Morning before the rush hours, they are priceless. They let you see MUCH better.

If you rarely drive at night and only in urban areas where you can't use your highbeams, they will be worthless.

 

No opinion on 1, 3, or 4.
2. I would definitely go rubber. Carpet gets grungy no matter how much you vacuum it. With sand, RUBBER!
5. I have 16" runflats and I'm happy. Y'all have a few bumpy roads too, and from I what I read here, 16's help, runflats don't.That said, I'd rather be moving and bouncing than fixing a flat.
6. I got the leather, because cloth just doesn't survive my kids. Other cars I have seen with cloth support this.
7. I really wish I had gotten the driving lights - might still, but they cost more now.

 

Hello JMelrose...

I can answer a couple of your questions (I think):

1. Rear fog lamp...I've never used it but I've got it on both of my cars. If I'm going into a fog bank, I want the person behind me to have as good a chance as possible of seeing me.

4. Universal Mobile Phone...I've got the current version in my Mini Cooper. I have had great success with it and would recommend it. Coupled with the multi-function steering wheel, it is GREAT! I don't know if a cartridge (adapter) for the Razr is available. When I bought mine a few months ago, it was not. It might be now. I know that they finally made an adapter for the 5 series BMW. It IS bluetooth. The system also charges your phone. And yes, it does take up the entire inside of the armrest. However, you can remove the adapter and there is a "plate" which can return the armrest to its original function (the plastic plate protects all the contacts and allows you to use the storage space inside the armrest).

Chuck

 

This is GREAT info. I haven't had a lot of luck getting responses about some of these questions from my MA, so I'm glad to have NAM to help me out. I research stuff obsessively before I buy big purchases like this, and the MINI fanbase is one reason I know I'm getting myself a great car.

Thanks all. Further opinions from others are certainly still welcomed and invited!

 

1. One option I have heard different things about is the keyless go comfort access. This feature will unlock the car when you walk up so you don't have to dig your keys out of your pocket. Will it also allow you to start the car with your key in your pocket, or will you have to dig the key out when you get into the car?

2. I think I want the navigation system, which I think integrates the radio. Does anyone know how the iPOD will interface with this?

3. Does anyone know if there will be any add-on gauges like there were for the '06 (boost pressure or something)?

Thanks!

 

Yes
I don't think any details have been released.

I would think so down the line, but immediately.

 

the ipod will use the navigation screen and controls, or so i have heard. I can find support if you want

 

If you could find out that would be great. A friend of mine has a Honda with the iPOD integration but it treates the iPOD like a big CD and only shows the songs as Track 1 through whatever. I was hoping to at least show the song title.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=2007+ipod

should be ID3 info with joystick manuevering

 

JMelrose,

I'm curious to hear from others about one of your comments regarding long trips. Personally, I can't take any more than about 2 hours in mine, but then my wife and I specifically got it as a local commuter car for shorter trips and errands. For us, it's great for that, but for long trips, the MINIvan gets the work.

I know some others put some megamiles on their MINIs and don't seem to mind it at all.

Greg

 

The rear fog lamp, other than being a good safety feature in fog or snow, is excellent when someone wants to follow you to some event or place they've never been before. That bright red light sticks out like a sore thumb in traffic, lowering the probability of their losing track of you.

 

Excellant!

Do you think it will be able to play video as well?

 

I hope not. Then MINI drivers'll be rear ending H2s because they're distracted watching reruns of Sandfred & Son on their nav screens

 

i would agree that due to US laws it will not be OEM capable of video. of course you could wire a PS2 or portable DVD player into the backup cam and it would work just fine as long as you arent moving.

 

Hi again again. I'm still hoping for some people's opinions on a few things:

And, again, thank you!
jmelrose

 

If you are getting an S then all tires are run-flats. That is according to my MA. I ordered Crown Spoke with performance run-flat tires, which from what I read on here is an oxymoron.

 

See, that's the confusing part about the run flats. If you use the configurator, the sport package has the option of 17" Crown Spoke (Performance) or 17" Web-spokes (Run Flat Perf.) for $500 more.

In some of the pdfs with specs on them going around a month ago, they had an all season on there as well, but I don't see it at the moment. At any rate, they clearly delineate the run flats as being one option but not the other. So, this is why I'm trying to figure this stuff out. I'd ask your MA to double-check his facts, because those initial PDFs and the current site indicate run flats are not standard across the S line.

Please let me know. I'd love to get a definitive answer.

 

I sepcifically asked yesterday and today when I was at the dealer and they confirmed the the Crown Spoke wheels come with performance runflats and you can get all-season runflats as a no cost option.

I was concerned about it too, so I have been harping on this since I decided to order back in September. My MA and the sales manager both promised me that they are Dunlop Performance Runflats.