If you had around $500.00 to spend on an option on the 2007 MC and the car you are buying is already mostly base, would you go for the HK sound upgrade, convience/key upgrade or the multi function stearing wheel and why?. Trying to decide.

 

Tough choice... HK Sound is great (or has been in the past...it's now an Alpine.. I have it on mine and can let you know how it sounds tomorrow night)

but it's a pain not to try a car w/out cruise these days.. (MFSW)

 

It's all very personal, but likely the MF steering wheel, as it provides cruise control along with ability to control stereo & other options in a more convenient manner. HK would be runner up, as I like my music.

Comfort access... I only got it as it was wrapped up in the convenience package, essentially for near-free, so didn't impact the bottom line much, but again, these are all MY personal preferences. How you drive and what you are looking for out of your car should be the major motivators. As yourself: 1. Why am I picking a MINI and then 2: Which of these options is getting me closer to the goals I have motivating my decision to buy a Mini?

And, once decided, never look back. To do so is to step upon the path towards madness!

 

That's a tough choice, as none of those options are available to add-on or change after you take delivery. (Sound system perhaps, but there has been no word to verify that).

Personally, I'd probably choose the MFSW as it adds so much functionality and convenience. The base sound system is just ok, but you might not enjoy the hi-fi upgrade so much when your leg is cramping up after a long highway drive.

 

I would definitely choose the MFSW. After having it on my previous car, I would have to get it on the MINI as well.

 

The hi-fi or the MFSW.

If you're commute (or travel plans) allow it, cruise control is sure nice. If you're in stop and go stuff anyway, skip it.

The keyless stuff is a nice gadget... but I would skip it, personnaly.

I'm a minor audiophile... and the stock stereo leaves somthing to be desired. I would do the hi-fi. It's a good upgrade for the money. Sounds terriffic and is probably better than what you could get on the open market for the same amount of money.

Stereo it is.

 

MFSW would be my choice. Although the cruise control doesnt do you much good on most days...it is nice on those long trips on the open road

 

MFSW would be my choice if between the two, but that is a tough call because I do like my tunes.

 

I'd do the MFSW, too...you'll get lots of use out of it. The key looks fun but (as one who is easily amused) I want to click it into the dash port. H/K is probably nice but (as one who is half-deaf in one ear) I think the standard unit is not too shabby.

 

LSD - which you haven't listed.

 

Get $500 worth of fun ...get the stereo.

I have MFSWs in both of the cars I have now and hardly ever use them ...and I'd rather buy fun than convenience any day.

dean.

 

Comfort Access System, im 16, and starting your car with just a push of a button was to cool for me to pass up. MFSW-ehh its already easy enough to change the radio sations with the top ****, and volume with the lower. No biggy. and I wouldnt even think about cruise control. HK....the speakers in the regular sound great alone.

 

I got the LSD on Zippeee!--also recommend the MFSW for its convenience and utility (cruise control). The keyless feature is "cute," but it's more of a gimick, IMHO.

 

First thought - which do I have now, that I'd miss if I didn't have later.

I have cruise control, love it, but don't use it often due to my commute.

I use my stereo a lot, and miss that it isn't very good - I'm very much looking forward to having a really nice car stereo.

MFSW does more than cruise control, but I don't have those other features so won't miss what I don't have.

Stereo for me. It's what I'll take advantage of most often.

 

Sounds like all are good choices. Thanks for the input everyone

 

Can I change my vote to the MFSW?

The reasoning being: You can allways add/upgrade a stock stereo (or at least add an amp and speakers). Upgrading to a MFSW would be extremely difficult and cost prohibitive. If it wasn't, why would they re-order all the MFSW mix-up cars? Right?

 

Comments I've read on both the MC and the MCS is that the car is so smooth, if you don't watch carefully the next thing you know you'll find yourself way over the speed limit.

Cruise control is a must for a car like this unless you don't mind getting a speeding ticket now and then.

Also .. There have been a lot of comments about the awkwardness of the audio system controls. Being able have control over your CD/Radio from your steering wheel is a good thing (I use it all the time on my car).

In other words, if it were my choice, I'd get the multifunction steering wheel.

I'm also an audio entheusiast so I do understand your dilemma, but you can always upgrade to a better system later. I left it off of my order (gotta stop somewhere with the options) while at the same time wondering if I'd made a mistake, wondering if the standard speakers would be crap. Once the R56s showed up at my local dealer, one of the first things I did was check the audio. Much to my relief it sounded reasonably good.

 

Well unless you are paying cash for your Mini & have run out... hec you are financing it so get all 3 & throw in LSD too

 

MFSW without a doubt, you can always upgrade the speakers later for much less then trying to add cruise/radio controls in a wheel later.

 

Save up your money and get both of them, Hi FI and MFSW. They are both neat and worth having.!!

 

MFSW is a no brainer. The stock stereo is acceptable. Not having a cruise control is unacceptable. Cruise should be a standard item (Ask all of us who had to reorder when our cars were not built with MFSW!!). If you were to splurge and get both, I'd opt out of the hi-fi upgrade and add DSC. If you are getting manual tranny the hill assist is a nice feature and from reviews at the press event works nicely (my MA confirms as well), plus if DSC engages just once,it may be the best money spent. Convienence key upgrade would not even make the list. So my list of options in order of precedence would be:
1) MFSW
2) DSC (a close second)
3) Hi-Fi upgrade (distant third)

If MFSW and DSC were standard I could just drive up to the dealer, pick out a color and drive home with a base model MC and be pefectly happy. But you can't so I added, Hi-Fi, metallic paint, center arm rest,cold weather package, sport seats, and oak dash, in addition to the 'must haves' MFSW and DSC. Probably one of the reasons that MFSW and DSC are not standard!!!!

 

Sports suspension if it's an MC, LSD if it's an MCS (later you can upgrade the suspension easier than the LSD).

 

MFSW is a no brainer