Current conditions bering what they are, Chewy, If you can find a car already on the dealer's lot that you really like I would recommend that you make a low but reasonable offer for it. It may not have every option that you want but it is important that you are happy with the one you choose.
There are so many more cars on dealers' lots now that they have to be discounting some off the list price. You could certainly get your Chili Pack and more for the same money or less than you'd be paying for ordering one specced entriley to your liking.
As an expample my dealer had zero MINIs available for sale on his lot in late Septermber when I ordered my
MCs. According to his internet site he currently has 63 cars. All but one, a Cabrio, are 2009 models. I'm sure I could have found one among those 63 that I liked as well as the one I ordered if I were getting a healthy discount off list. I'd say find one you like, make an offer and see what happens. If you can't find one you like a lot or if the dealer won't come down on the price enough to make you happy, place your order.
Oh, and one comment on your spec list. Think about heated seats.
