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I was wondering if you could help me get over some decisions regarding my mini-in-progress... It's pretty crazy having to decide everything you want!
I'm going for the Cooper and have limited funds, so trying to get the most I can, haha.
Here's what I have decided so far!
'06 Mini Cooper
Manual
Chili Red / Black Roof & Mirrors
Black bonnet stripes
Auto AC
Multifunction steering wheel
15" rocket alloy wheels
standard stereo
Here's the stuff I'm stuck on...
1) Standard or Sport seats? Is it worth the upgrade?
2) Leatherette or Cloth? I live in a hot climate, but I'm kind of sick of cloth...
3) What do each of the toggle switches control? I can't afford all the options, but I want to to try and get the two outside and two center so that it looks a little better... I think the rear fog light is the other center one?
4) If I do get the leathrette, I will go with the grey/black which turns the doors grey too... does anyone have this with either silver or anthracite interior? Which looks better?
go for the chilli pack mate, its the best package. you get half leather sports seats, chrome line interior, ac, sports steering wheel and some other bits and bobs i forgot about.
I vote for standard seats, not that much difference.
Cloth for TX, I think you would regret leatherette the first time you wore shorts in the summer.
two outside toggles are for the windows, then from left to right it's DSC, door locks, rear fogs and front fogs. I think you will only have the windows and door locks, can't get rear fogs without front fogs.
And last, both combos look good to me, I'm sure you will be happy with whichever you choose.
My Mini, Chili Red and Black is currently in Houston being repaired from a collision. Which dealership are you headed to??? You could look in on my MINI if you are headed to Mini of the Woodlands. I live about two hours away from MINI of the Woodlands and it will be a while before I see it again.
specs
Cooper S
Auto
sports package
red cloth
anthrice head liners and interior
chrome gages
bonnet stripes
moon roof
xenon headlamps
auto wipers
rear fog
web spoke performance run flats
...ad $16,500 of damage from a wreck.
Thanks for the replies. LGK, I am actually getting mine from MINI of the Woodlands, but won't be heading back up there for a while. I was up there this past weekend, but not ordering until around July so I can take delivery around Sept. Thx for the suggestion tho!
I do like the anthracite over the silver, as I too think the silver looks kind of cheap. I wish that the antracite didn't cover the ENTIRE door bezel though... I would like the inside to remain silver... oh well...
I found this picture in the 'interior' portion of the site, and was wondering if this is the grey that the doors turn to if you get grey/black leatherette? It's a lot lighter than I expected, and not sure if this is a 2006 or older model. Does anyone know?
Ick... I'm having a heck of a time deciding the interior because of all these options, ... I wish I could get black interior with the grey/black leatherette, but that only seems to be an option on the S... grrr....
you got what i got
but i got a sunroof!
it's soooooooooo neat cuz it has a screen
to give some shade so i don't totally cook. i love it!
i also have heated seats which is going to be ohhhhh
so nice in the winter time.
First off, you'll love your new car regardless of final specs, so congratulations in advance. #1 piece of advice would be to add up the cost of the options that you have listed, and compare your total price to that of a base-equipped MCS. There is cost overlap between these models, and I would choose a no-options MCS over an optioned-up MC any day of the week.
Regarding the upholstry, the MINI's AC is quite efficient, and we've found the leatherette to be comfortable year-round. The leatherette also seems to be the most durable choice available. Ours still looks new at 2 years/33K miles.
You'll need front and rear fog lamps to avoid blanked toggle switch positions (these can be retrofitted later. again, I recomend putting this money towards the upgrade to an S).
Colors are a subjective matter. I prefer all black/anthracite.
I have the standard seats in my 03 MC here in Arkansas, (hot and humid summers), and I like them. They are solid dark gray, but I prefer the two-toned ones that weren't available when I got my got my MINI. The vinyl looks brand new after almost three years.
I'd get the front and rear fog lights. They aren't that expensive, and I hate having plastic plugs where a light should be.
My MINI is CR/W and I love it. I also like the black top. There is a CR/B MCS near me with a Union Jack on top, and it looks great.
Hmmm...just punched your specs into the build-your-own window at miniusa.com. Your options list did not bump the price up as much as I would have thought, so an 'S' would be another $2500. Great value for $ as you get upgraded wheels/tires, suspension, seating, and transmission in addition to the engine. If you can't swing it, I'm sure you'll enjoy your Cooper (it's digital representation looks nice).
Salem: I actually test drove both the MC and MCS, and prefer the MC. It just fits my driving style better, plus, like you noticed, I can add the features I want to the MC and keep it within my limits. The MCS is really out of my price range... I like the MC too since it gets better gas mileage. I have a Honda Civic right now, so it'll be nice to keep it closer to what i'm getting now
When I was talking to my MA, I asked him about the fog lights and he said you can have either or both. Since I now know for certain which toggle is which, I think I'm going to go with just the rear fog light so that I have the two outside and two inside toggles. At least it looks a little better than other options where you have a missing toggle... Having a complete toggle bank isn't really one of my high priorities either
As far as seats go, I have only ever tried the sport seats since even the MC I test drove had them in. I liked them, but was wondering how the standards seats are too?
I really like the grey/black leatherette, but hate how the doors have to change to grey. Why can't you get it and have the doors black?!?! I'm worried getting the black leatherette will just make the interior so dark since I'm almost certain I'm going with the anthracite interior...
Purchased my Mini from the Woodlands recently...got it two months ago....I, like you kept options down.....ended up getting sport seats and winter package...yea I know we're in Houston.....but on cool mornings...even this morning it was nice to heat the bum. I added aftermarket wheels and am very happy with options...well except wish I'da gone HK on stereo but guess I'll just upgrade...the standard stereo realllllllyyyy sucks. I got anthracite with all black leatherette as my car is pepper white with black roof soo all black looks good. Did think about reg seats with cloth....just as you that dealer had none to check out. Good luck..and as said before you'll love it either way.
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Some questions by a future MINI owner! 
As for the interior, I'd always choose anthracite over the silver. The silver looks cheap to me.
... I wish I could get black interior with the grey/black leatherette, but that only seems to be an option on the S... grrr.... 
Hi all...
