First, I was not able to take the roadster for a ride. However, I have a friend who owns the 2012 cooper s convertible, who is very willing to have me take it out. I figure that the experience must be close to the roadster .
My wife and I were comfortable sitting in the roadster ... But it was hot and humid; my wife lasted 30 seconds before she said, " it's too damn hot, I have to get out of here." She then proceeded back into the air-conditioned building... Oh boy... A bad omen !!!!
It appears that the mini dealers are linked to specific BMW dealers , at least around here. They were excited about my Bimmer... Makes life easier for them...
The base model is dull... Must go with the S... I think the JCW is too expensive for what you get, at least for me ... So, the S is still in play...
I guess the warranty is close to BMW.... But with only three years of maintenance , not four... The Mini rep told me that service / repairs are similar in cost to BMW... Impressive space for a roadster... And I think the car looks sharp.... I was told that I could select specific options, and not have to get entire package...
All roadsters were sold with the exception of one base model.... My wife actually liked the coupe . I did too, surprisingly , since I originally thought that they were ugly.... My wife thinks that the Minis are cute... She doesn't like the stripe (I do)... her quote, "makes it look like a clown car"... Yikes, just what I needed to hear.... btw: we each have our own cars; I don't advise her , and I make my
own choices... Her reaction to the top down in the heat, and mid-day sun does concern me a bit... We weren't moving, though... Still have some research to do...
Best,
JoNack

 

The heat is an issue, but moving with the A/C it's not so bad.

The ride of the roadster and the coupe are comparable. I test drove a coupe S and a Justa hatchback on my first visit. I went to another dealer and was able to drive the roadster S and it was a unique experience. So my advise is find the car you are interested in and test drive it.

The 4th year of maintenance can be purchased as part of an extended warranty or figure funding a small "MINI maintenance savings account".

As for what options you get, half the fun is in figuring which ones you "need" which ones you "want" and which ones you just "must have".

 

From your perspective, what are the need and must have options?

 

IMHO the "S" performs just great without any modifications, plus most of them can be done later should you feel the need.

Appearance is so personal and subjective. Some colors seem to beg for a stripe while others do not. Black wheels seem to be "in" these day, but who's to say they won't be replaced by the next best thing? I saw a Pepper White with the "Funky Tattoo" and I really liked it. It was between that and the red with black stripes up to the day I placed my order.

Comfort/convenience options are personal as well. I do all urban driving so felt no need to upgrade the lights or wipers. I'm in FL so no need for any cold weather options. Plan to do as much top down driving as possible so no need to upgrade the stereo. I went with the "Comfort Assist" but not sure I would do,it again, jury still out on that, same ones for the A/C upgrade. I'm an iPhone guy so my regret is not getting the MINI Connect with Nav upgrade.

Seat are comfortable just the way they are, went with cloth because I don't like leather.

I really believe you need to go and hang around the dealership and "kick some tires."

 

I would agree with Retired Rev. It is all about what is important to you. I love all of the options I have. I ordered the car just the way I wanted it and would not change a thing. The must haves for me were the "S", manual transmission, Sport Package and MINI Connect.

You should also look for a local MINI club. You can meet a number of people, build some good friendships and really get a sense of what people like.

 

If you ever drive at night the Zenon headlights are a "must have" and you can't retro-fit them cost effectively.

My '09 S got auto trans (I know, not for every one), Zenons and the center armrest - I wasn't sure I wanted the armrest as the one in my '03 was terrible (and I took it out) till I drove a loaner after I got mine and realized how much I missed the armrest (in my '09), I don't feel like I missed out on anything else.


The new cars have the bluetooth and such, I think I'd want that were I to order a new car. I would not get Nav or connected, but that's just me.....

With a roadster, I would think a lot will depend on where you live and how much time the car spends with the top down

 

If your looking @ roadster and do a lot of high way speed hk stereo is the way to go. Top & windows down the extra money is well worth it.

 

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With top and windows down it is impossible to differentiate the sound quality from one radio to another. If you're going to drive a lot with top and windows up, maybe, but with the cabin noise of the roadster, this old man can't tell the difference. I said before that the HK stereo does not impress me. My wife has it in her top of the line Outback Limited. I've got the 6-speaker Bose upgrade with the powered subwoofer in my Fiat 500, now that is a stereo even these old ears can appreciate.

 

When I had some loaners a couple months back (Cooper HT, Countryman S, MCS in that order), I noticed that with windows down I could hardly even hear the base radio in the MC and Countryman. The MCS had the upgraded HK stereo which worked well.

I can't imagine even being able to hear the base radio in a 'vert or roadster. That said, if you can hear, I doubt it will make any difference from a quality standpoint with all the wind/road noise.

 

Geez Rev relax a little didn't realize this was such a hot button topic for you
I don't know about your wife top of the line Outback limited ,
or your Fiat 500 but i find that the extra speakers placed strategically on the roadster do a really nice job.

 

It's not a,"hot button" topic for me. Subaru uses the same H/K stereo system for their upgrade, same as the MINI. Fiat uses a Bose system with a great powered sub-woofer for their upgrade.

The bigger issue is in a very small cabin, with top and windows down it is physically impossible to distinguish the subtleties that any good stereo creates. And as for "extra" speakers, when is 6 speakers not enough?

But don't let this old man who actually paid the extra $250.00 for the Sirius radio (sure, I know that the sound from the satellite is crap) -- don't let me stop you from spending $750.00 for the cool upgraded stereo.

 

While riding my Can Am spyder in hot weather, I would sometimes complain about the heat. I got great advice from a friend. GO FASTER!!!! This also works in the roadster.

 

It sounds a lot like my wife in my R59. If she brings a hair tie and we are not going out somewhere she likes the top down but not often. Some people just are not open top motors. Like your situation, she has her own car so my choice of the R59 didn't bother her.

As for the HK sound system, while nice it wouldn't be at the top of my options list. I have it but it doesn't come close to a high-end home system. Besides, no one buys a car for the stereo anyhow.

 

That's funny you should say that about the stereo. I did some work for a music producer who won a grammy. He said that when they finalize everything and burn the first cd, they go listen to it to hear how the mix sounds. Their choice for the listening room?? Their cars. He claims most people listen in their cars, therefore they mix for that.

 

If you want quality sound in an open roadster, use your iPod with earbuds. But of course, that's not exactly the safest practice.

 

True, in post production/mastering the goal is to make the final product sound good on any platform. I have been in studios where they also have small single driver loudspeaker setups to mimic playback on small clock radios/boom box type systems. While most people listen to music on less than high-end equipment, the high-end listening room and equipment will really make the music come alive. I already have a listening room, I bought the R59 to hear the turbo spool and the exhaust pop and gurgle with the top down.

 

I find the HK stereo to be hugely better than the base system. I wouldn't buy a MINI without the HK...and I've had seven of them now....only two without HK. One of those I retrofitted the HK and there is a big difference in the components. As far as the other options, it really is up to each person. Our Roadster was ordered exactly like we wanted it.