I've spec'd out so many Roadsters that I am close to the 10 million combinations on the configurator. I am close to my final decision based on what I had on my [now departed] R56 and my wife's Countryman. I won't bore you with the build but I was wondering which option do you wish you had ordered or which option do feel was a waste of money. Thanks for your input.

 

I my opinion sat radio could go. I really enjoyed it but I just can't see paying $160 a year for radio. So now i have an ugly bump on the boot for nothing. Comfort access is very nice. It's great not needing to get a key out to drive. My wife's clubman doesn't have it and I really miss it when I drive it. Heated seats are really nice for those cool nights with the top down. BTW the top is always down as long as temps are around 50 and not raining

 

There's a part of me that kinda wishes I'd sprung for comfort access, but after spending $100 on rear fogs just to plug that hole, I couldn't bring myself to spend $500 in order to leave another hole in the dash empty.

 

Even though I do not have an iPhone I with I had gone with the mini connect simply because the screen without it is so useless and the controls for the radio are absolutely terrible, not to mention not being able to stream music over Bluetooth.

On the other side, I'm really glad I went with the sport package and the xenon headlights.

 

I wish they would incorporate Android into MINI Connected. I am probably going for Connected minues the Nav and use my Samsung one note for music and Nav attached with a Kuda mount that I had on my R56. My wife has the Nav in her Countryman and I am not a fan of the MINI Nav system at all.

 

I wish I'd skipped the nav all together and got the JCW kit with the money saved, then I'd also have cloth seats which I definitely prefer over the pleather for the summer!

 

yeah they're not going to. when the bmw guy in charge of this was asked about the lack of support for any other platforms, his response was that people should just buy an iphone

the mini tech systems in general are pretty bad, i honestly hope that in the new f versions they make some big changes to it. for a premium brand, they have a very sub-par tech set up. honestly the sync system (which was the basic one, not mysync) in my ford was superior and easier to use to this set up, and that's pretty sad.

 

Without a doubt, I'd skip the auto-dimming rear view mirror if I had a do-over. The rear spoiler, when deployed, blocks the sensor on the mirror from the lights of most following vehicles rendering it essentially non-functional.

No other regrets.

 

Honestly, for what the Connected apps offer...I just don't care enough to switch to an iPhone or to wish for an Android version. Even if I had an iPhone, I don't have unlimited data, so full time streaming is pretty much out of the question. And I don't relish the thought of having to plug and unplug my phone every time I come and go.

That said, until bt audio is standard, I think upgrading is worth it.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using NAMotoring

 

The best package was the JCW. You get the exterior body kit , 17 inch wheels , the JCW interior steering wheel , red stitching , upgraded seats , red stitching on the shifter and shifter boot , door sills , etc. I'm really happy I got it. I wasn't until my Recaro's got cancelled.

 

Passenger Seat Delete.

 

I don't think I'd change anything on my build...course I got most everything, LOL. But to those wondering about the radio. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN IPHONE, just an Ipod Touch works just as well.

I don't like Apple products, and I'll never use another iPhone except when I have to troubleshoot them at work.

Get the Mini Connected (Minus Nav...it's outdated, clunky, and costs $$ to update). and buy a cheap iPod Touch. Load it up with music and enjoy the perks :-)

Honestly, I don't regret anything on my build...:-)

 

Although my wife might disagree

 

Upgrades I'm very glad I went with:

- HK stereo upgrade

- JCW interior and exterior packages

Only thing I wish I would have gotten but did not is black JCW wheels instead of the silver.

 

It's a small one and dealer installed but from day one protection on the top of the rear bumper. Even being careful, pulling things out of the trunk you get scratches. The only other thing is to negotiate non run flat tires in the deal. Even if it is more money, it is a shame to have to wear out the run flats before getting a smoother performance ride.

The decision I am most happy with is avoiding most packages. Yeah there is some eye candy but not needed. The std AC is fine. Garmin is cheaper and easier to use. I find I listen to Sirius radio so mini connect is pointless. Cold weather stuff in San Diego, not. I did get heated seats so on colder (realatively speaking) nights I can drop the top and still be comfortable.

Biggest splurge was lounge leather and JCW pkg. The stance of the roadster must have the body kit. The red stitching is weird with the brown int. but I can live with it. Just turn one year old last week and wouldnt have been happy with any other car. The top has been down more than up.

Alan

 

Love my car just the way I ordered it except I wish I would have gotten the fabric seats and rear parking sensors. I rarely back the car up with the top up, but when I do I would like the added confidence rear parking sensors provide. Must haves for me include the Sport Package, the Technology Package and heated seats for cool days.

 

I have the heated seats but rarely use then - even on the coldest of days -- too hot for me after 3-4 min. However, that's probably the favorite feature for my wife! She loves them.

 

I purchased my Roadster as it was off the showroom floor.

I really wish I had the JCW rear bumper, only because that GP diffuser is the coolest and can't be installed on the standard rear end..

 

This happens to me too. We can't be the only ones. I feel like we should collectively raise some hell and try to get either some free accessories OR perhaps a fix for the mirror in the form of secondary sensor, or perhaps they could put it behind the glasss in the center. You wouldn't be able to see it since its a mirror :P

The only other things that are a pain are the runflat tires and the terrible horrible mic quality when on phone calls.

 

Have you left them on longer than a couple minutes? They get real toasty, and then cool off to warm. The first few minutes they are on full blast to get warm faster, then they drop to whatever setting you chose.

 

That's a problem easily solved!

And one that has crossed my mind.

 

On my R57 I am very thankful for the heated seats. I use them all the time. They make top down motoring such a pleasure.

 

I'm kinda regretting getting Navigation. I knew it only got middling reviews from people here and elsewhere, but didn't realize it didn't have text-to-speech. That's pretty lame for a $750 upgrade. Still glad I got Connected, though, as I like having a full screen for infotainment. Having album art show up is especially nice.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using NAMotoring

 

I got only the Mini Connect and am really glad I did. We've got an iPhone, iPad and iPod. Don't think that we need another GPS, although it would be nice to have it on the in car screen. Why isn't there a way to transfer, thru iPhone onto the screen?
I ordered cloth heated seats, actually the Cold Package. Another glad I did it. And I love the JCW aero package. 3k is a bunch for both JCW packages, but to get the Aero Package added later, well a lot more dollars.
The first thing that I did was ditch the runflats, and went bigger on size. Used my wheels fr my old JCW, Motegi Racing Wheels (16 lbs)
The one thing that I wish that I had not done, was give in to my wife on the automatic transmission. Just hate the thing, plus I know that it's costing me at least 5 mpg.

Other than that, I love the ragtop. Does have one annoying rattle in the drivers door, I think that it is actually in the door latch. Drivers side only.

Bill

 

I'm with you on all that. I'm going to upgrade to a Samsung One phone note with a big screen that is close to the size of the MIMI screen. I'll mount that with the Kuda mount from my R56 [totaled 2 years ago tomorrow!!] My wife's countryman has Nav and it is very outdated. So I'll use my phone as my Nav and music system and connect with Bluetooth. I still want the screen but do not like the Nav. It is frustrating that MINI has not made android OS compatible with MINI Connected. Maybe on the F56 but I doubt it.

Ditching the run flats is the other thing for me. I could sell the RF's and wheels to cover the cost of new wheels and tires. I ditched the RF's on my R56 and went with Conti Contact Extreme summer tires and was satisfied with that. Had them on for only two onths before it was totaled. I have some other cosmetic mods too, mostly cosmetic.