[Keeval]

Hi Folks,

I am currently driving a BMW 1-Series (118d Sport) that I've had from new (2004) and as it's approaching car changing time (due to the finance agreement etc,) I decided to have a look in the Mini Showroom next-door..

Well, several hours and two test drives later.. well... I'm VERY VERY tempted. I originally was looking at another diesel, but after looking at the mileage I am now doing (about 9K a year) and driving both the Cooper D and the Cooper I am very tempted to go for the Cooper...

Can't go for the Cooper S unfortunately as I'm trying to keep costs low, and the S will put the insurance back up to what I was paying for my Civic Type-R.

As you all seem to know what you're talking about I hope you don't mind me throwing out a few questions?

I was told that the standard Radio played MP3's ... is this true? (as I had to upgrade the one in my 1er).

ASC+T or DSC.. I'm looking at the DSC (as I had it on my 1er) but not sure if I need it on the Mini.... opinions?

As for the spec I'm looking at:
- Mini Cooper
- Chilli Pack
- Colour (not sure yet!) ... see below...
- Bi-Xenons (didn't put them on my 1er, always regretted it.. not making the same mistake)
- Auto Aircon
- Visibility Pack
- Exterior Mirrors.

Not sure if I need anything else... any ideas? opinions on what's good and what's not. Also ... any combinations that are a "no-no!" (i.e. colour wise etc.)

Cheers.

Paul.

[ScoobyDoo]

Hyia & welcome.
TBH it looks like you've chosen a pretty good list of options to go for. IMO you have to spec the chilli pack and some sort of air-con as apart from anything else it will help resale values.
The standard radio will play MP3 CD's but if you want to use your Ipod/MP3 you will have to go for the iPod link or use the aux lead like I do and I find this works well.
Color choices are pretty much down to individual taste - I'm on my 3rd MINI and Ive only ever had black...... but Red/White or Pepper white/black also looks tasty.
Good luck in your search

[Stiggy]

Keeval - nice to hear someone wants to move from a BMW to a MINI!

It's interesting you drove a Cooper and Cooper D then chose the petrol version. Of course I'm biased and have a Cooper D, and I'm probably going to do more mileage than you. What influenced your choice? Was it just the extra £1000?

As for spec, yours sounds good. I haven't got DSC, but I assumed you only need it if you drive around bends like a nutter! Having said that it's not too expensive an option.

Have you specced the Sport Button? I didn't and regretted it.

Well done with the Xenons. Expensive but worth it!

I really like the bluetooth/USB option. The hands-free phone is clever, but you also get the multi-function steering wheel (and hence cruise control) in the package. Of course you can also add a USB pendrive will all your music, or buy a £40 cable to attach an iPod and fully remote control it.

As for colours - it's your choice! A lot of people are going for White with a black roof at the moment, but I always like to be different. Red with white roof is a bit of a cliche but looks good. Personally I think a black roof is more understated and 'lowers' the car visually. A white roof makes you stand out like a sore thumb - but maybe that's what you want!

Have you got the configurator CD? You can play for hours with spec and colours to get exactly what you want.

[ratbag98]

Paul,

Welcome to another BMW to Mini mover (a 325 Compact was my last vehicle). I'd echo Stiggy's comments about the Dooper - it seems to be flavour of the month on this forum and in the press - some people are even talking about moving from an MCS to a Dooper!

On the colour front, I think the Mellow Yellow is a better fit for sunnier climes than Britain, but that's possibly my innate conservatism coming out (I'm a DS/W driver). All the other colours were on my list of potentials at one point or another.

A quick search for DSC on this forum will reveal every possible opinion! I specced it, along with LSD, for the wholly pessimistic reason that I don't want to end up upside-down in a ditch with my dying thought being "why didn't you spec the DSC, idiot?". So far it's not triggered (only traction control whilst accelerating on loose surfaces) but you never know, do you?

Your other options look spot on (in other words I specced the same!). The Sport button is fun on the MCS, I've no idea whether it's worth it on a Cooper/Dooper. To be honest on my daily commute (A21+M25+A20 = dull, dull, dull), I don't bother pressing it (more likely to hit the cruise button), but the weekend early morning paper run is definitely improved by it (amazing how far away the nearest newsagent has become since getting the MCS!)

Good luck with the speccing/purchasing and welcome to the world of Mini.

Rob.

[LizzyG]

Ooooh exciting time, choosing a new mini! Your spec sounds good. My car has the standard stereo and it plays MP3 CDs and also I can connect my MP3 player up via the aux socket.

If I was speccing a new mini, I would have the multifunction steering wheel, as with that you get cruise control. I would also have the hi-fi upgrade cos I don't think the standard set up is very good, but then I do like my music loud!

Other than that I think you have specced the important things!

As for colour, well they all look good so it is hard to choose! I think I'd have pepper white/black for my next one cos I also like the black/cream interior but then the lightening blue is lovely too.

Let us know what you decide!

[Dollie]

Welcome to Mini!

I replaced my Civic Type R with a Mini Cooper and it was the best decison I made. Not only are the costs almost halved my fuel consumption is great!! Not only that but she is so soo much fun to drive you can't help but smile.
It sounds like you have done lots of research and the options you mentioned also sound good choices. I have astro black on the body and roof Keep us up to date!

[Keeval]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the replies.

@ScoobyDoo - It's good to know that the standard Radio plays MP3, so I don't need to change anything there.

@Stiggy - Yep I agree with you about the Xenons, I'm not making that mistake again. As for why the Cooper and not the Cooper D. Well I'm still not completely sure I want a Cooper D or Cooper, but; originally I wanted to pop into Mini to have a look at the Cooper D, due to the excellent mpg and low CO2 emissions (which means low road tax etc.). But when I test drove it, I found it a tad noisier than my 1er, but still a nice fun car. But I then drove a Cooper straight afterwards and I found it really quiet and to me it handled a bit more enthusiastically (but it was a newer 2008 model). But the decisions still out at the moment. Also I'm promised a test drive in a 2008 Dooper in a couple of days so that might sway me

@ratbag98 - After checking things out I think I will go for the DSC, especially as it isn't much more expensive than the ASC+T.

@LizziG - Exciting yes, and confusing, there are far too many options! I'll be here forever trying to pick something I do have an iPod Nano - so I might stump up for the MFSW and the iPod Kit.

@Dollie - Yep Type-R's are FUN but they cost an arm and a leg to run. My 1er is a LOT cheaper to run than the R both insurance wise and fuel wise. It seems that the mini will be cheaper still.

As for keeping you all up to date. Yep I certainly will do, I just have to decide a colour, if I want any more options and which model Cooper or Dooper

Paul.

[Keeval]

Okay - after more test drives, much haggling regarding the valuation of the part-ex, spec. etc. I placed an order today for the following:

- Mini Cooper in Lightning Blue
- Chilli Pack
- 17" Crown Spoke Alloys
- Chrome Line Exterior
- Exterior Mirror Pack (inc. Heated Mirrors/Washers)
- Carbon Black Seat Trim
- Dark Grey Colour-Line
- Piano Black Interior Trim
- DSC
- Auto Air-con.
- Darkened Rear Glass
- Visibility Pack
- Sport Button
- White indicator lenses
- and last but not least Bi-Xenon Headlights.

Delivery - looks to be January 2008.

So, it looks like I'm going to be a more active member of this forum

Thanks again for the welcome and the answers to my questions above.
I finally decided on the Petrol version as I worked out how much mileage I was doing, and what I'd need to do to recoup the extra 1.2K for the diesel, and for me it wasn't worth it.

Oh... one quick question, I haven't got the smokers pack on the car, will I still get a power point in the front, or am I best adding a smokers pack. (as I need to power a sat-nav).

Cheers.

Paul.

[newbeemini]

Hi you dont need add the smokers pack unless you want the ashtray as the power outlet is still there just under a black plastic cap instead of a cigarettte lighter plus i think with the chilli pack you get an additional power point in the boot as mine did.

Sounds like another happy customer for MINI and one less for BMW, even if BMW own MINI i still class them as two seperate companies. Welcome onboard mate.

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScoobyDoo (original)

Hyia & welcome.
TBH it looks like you've chosen a pretty good list of options to go for. IMO you have to spec the chilli pack and some sort of air-con as apart from anything else it will help resale values.

Chilli pack include A/C.

No need to spend extra on auto (climate control) IMO

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keeval (original)

- Mini Cooper in Lightning Blue
- Chilli Pack
- 17" Crown Spoke Alloys
- Chrome Line Exterior
- Exterior Mirror Pack (inc. Heated Mirrors/Washers)
- Carbon Black Seat Trim
- Dark Grey Colour-Line
- Piano Black Interior Trim
- DSC
- Auto Air-con.
- Darkened Rear Glass
- Visibility Pack
- Sport Button
- White indicator lenses
- and last but not least Bi-Xenon Headlights.

Well, its a great spec.

However IMO you have specced options (bolded) which will offer little, but cost you money. If I were you, I would ditch these and go for the hifi upgrade and multifunction steering wheel.

I also do not think the dark grey colour line is a good option with piano black. If you are happy with the dark grey colour line, go for alloy. Or, paino black with blue colour line combined with blue seats for your car.

Are you going for blue all over? If you are, good choice. Consider adding aftermarket silver viper stripes

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

It's interesting you drove a Cooper and Cooper D then chose the petrol version. Of course I'm biased and have a Cooper D, and I'm probably going to do more mileage than you. What influenced your choice? Was it just the extra £1000?

Not everyone likes the drive or noise of a diesel.

Great if you are doing 15k or more a year, but not the right choice for everyone

[jamesbeaumont]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Well, its a great spec.

However IMO you have specced options (bolded) which will offer little, but cost you money. If I were you, I would ditch these and go for the hifi upgrade and multifunction steering wheel.

I also do not think the dark grey colour line is a good option with piano black. If you are happy with the dark grey colour line, go for alloy. Or, paino black with blue colour line combined with blue seats for your car.

Are you going for blue all over? If you are, good choice. Consider adding aftermarket silver viper stripes

Ditto, although I like the white indicator lenses, cleans the car up. The MFSW is a bargain with the cruise and i use mine constantly and the standard stereo is rubbish (see other posts) DAB is also great but costly.

[Dollie]

Sounds great!! What a great New Year pressie! Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

[Keeval]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Well, its a great spec.

However IMO you have specced options (bolded) which will offer little, but cost you money. If I were you, I would ditch these and go for the hifi upgrade and multifunction steering wheel.

I also do not think the dark grey colour line is a good option with piano black. If you are happy with the dark grey colour line, go for alloy. Or, paino black with blue colour line combined with blue seats for your car.

Are you going for blue all over? If you are, good choice. Consider adding aftermarket silver viper stripes

Hi Ken,

Thanks for your opinions.

I picked the White indicator lenses because as you correctly surmise I'm going for blue all over and I think they finish the car off.

As for the bolded options, funnily enough some of those are actually "must haves" for me.. such as the exterior mirror pack - I need them to fold in so that the car will fit in my garage. Auto Air-con because it is virtually identical to the one in the 1er and I found it VERY VERY useful on cold mornings compared to manual Air-con. The visibility pack gives me the heated windscreen which I again wanted.

The only other option on the list is the Darkened Rear Glass... which I intended to get done afterwards - and for the price it seemed reasonable, bearing in mind it's covered under the car's warranty and the car will not have to be taken apart to put it on afterwards.

I was avoiding the blue on the seats as I thought it looked a bit "too much". I did have another look regarding the colour-line etc. after reading your post, and after having seen a car with the piano black and the dark grey colour-line in the showroom I'm happy with my choice, but thanks for making me double-check

Paul.

[Keeval]

Quote: Originally Posted by jamesbeaumont (original)

Ditto, although I like the white indicator lenses, cleans the car up. The MFSW is a bargain with the cruise and i use mine constantly and the standard stereo is rubbish (see other posts) DAB is also great but costly.

Hi James,

I certainly agree with you about the white indicator lenses. I can't say I'm a big fan of cruise control and after seeing the MFSW buttons, to me they looked a little "flimsy". The stereo didn't seem too bad to me, and I'll be putting MP3's through it, so I guess I'm not an audiophile anyway! I do agree with you though, the DAB system is far to expensive.

Paul.

[airbusA346]

Quote: Originally Posted by Stiggy (original)

Keeval - nice to hear someone wants to move from a BMW to a MINI!

It's interesting you drove a Cooper and Cooper D then chose the petrol version. Of course I'm biased and have a Cooper D, and I'm probably going to do more mileage than you. What influenced your choice? Was it just the extra £1000?

As for spec, yours sounds good. I haven't got DSC, but I assumed you only need it if you drive around bends like a nutter! Having said that it's not too expensive an option.

Have you specced the Sport Button? I didn't and regretted it.

Well done with the Xenons. Expensive but worth it!

I really like the bluetooth/USB option. The hands-free phone is clever, but you also get the multi-function steering wheel (and hence cruise control) in the package. Of course you can also add a USB pendrive will all your music, or buy a £40 cable to attach an iPod and fully remote control it.

As for colours - it's your choice! A lot of people are going for White with a black roof at the moment, but I always like to be different. Red with white roof is a bit of a cliche but looks good. Personally I think a black roof is more understated and 'lowers' the car visually. A white roof makes you stand out like a sore thumb - but maybe that's what you want!

Have you got the configurator CD? You can play for hours with spec and colours to get exactly what you want.

How do I get the configurator CD, I wantee.

Tom.

[Stiggy]

Quote: Originally Posted by airbusA346 (original)

How do I get the configurator CD, I wantee.

Tom.

Tom - You should be able to get the CD from any MINI dealer.

Keeval - I actually agree with you about the automatic aircon. I wish I had it! The standard air controls are very fiddly, and I spend ages trying to get it right. Plus, it looks so cool!

[Keeval]

Hi All,

Well I promised you an update... well originally the car was to arrive some time in January, but I've just got off the phone with the dealer, and it's HERE!

I just need to sort out some time to pick it up now... looks like it's going to be some time over the Xmas week... cool

Merry Xmas All

Keeval