Can you guys help me?

[ScottyG]

Hello there everybody, i'm new to this site and this is my first posting. Go me!

I need help with a couple of things:

I've just ordered a Cooper (on Wednesday) in Pure Silver with Black Roof, Chilli Pack, 17" S-Spokes, Black Half Leather, ASC+T, Multi-Function S/wheel, Harmon-Kardon, CD, Alarm. Need to decide on suspension, not sure whether to go for Sports Suspension or Sports Suspension+? Have asked a few people (including dealer) on their opinions and get conflicting reports. Some say Suspension+ is too stiff, others say it's a must! What do you guys reckon?

Having read a few threads i'm now a little worried! People are talking about a 2004 model Mini, what will the difference be between this and the one i've just ordered? Why did my dealer not mention there was a change afoot? Should i wait for this model? (My est. delivery date is 7th Sept) When is the new model available for order?

And finally!! Can you get protective seat covers for the front seats? (My job involves my clothes getting mucky, don't wanna ruin my beautiful seats!) Some black ones with a big mini logo on would be good, anyone seen any?

Sorry that was so long, you can see i need help! Many thanks guys,

Scott

[Dom]

welcome to mini2.

get the sports suspension plus. It's not THAT hard, but is a whole lot of fun...

Wouldn't worry about the 2004 model, probably won't be many noticeable differences at all

Haven't heard of any seat covers but there might be some about... maybe you could get some plain ones from halfords and have the logo embroidered on at a t-shirt making type shop?

[ScottyG]

Cheers for the quick reply Dom!

Have you got suspension+? I was told that the suspension with the 17's is a real hard combination, but it's the same set up as on the Cooper-S innit?

Nice idea bout the seat covers, hadn't thought of that one, ta!

[stephen_cy_wong]

Welcome Mini2,

Excellent colour choice

Q 1. I think you should test drive both cooper with & without SS+. It depend on what roads you drive on. The roads around my area are not that good, therefore i went without SSP+.

I am happy with the normal sports suspension and can easily keep up with the pace of Cooper S's round corners on Mini Runs.

Q.2 I don't know what they are going to introduce for the 2004 model. It is normally introduced from September builds onwards, so you would miss out as your one would probably be a August Build.

Q.3 Don't know if Mini offers seat covers. Get a Mini Accessaries brochure from the dealer, whihc lists such items.

Remember don't forget Air-Con it is a must, especially for weather like today

[minimarkcs]

1. Welcome 2 mini2
2. GET SS+, it's brill.
3. Don't worry about big mods. on the 2004 model, get your hands on the car as soon as poss. you'll love it.
4. I got an 'inspection' cover from my dealer with a BMW logo. Cost.....nothing. Just take it off after you've had a wash !!!

[GMINI]

Um. It's the runflat's you'll wanna get rid of in that scenario, scotty. So just keep that in mind as you hold the road like an absolute high-powered dream and feel danm near every bump in the road. I like that feel, so I let it rip. The MINI shows it's rattles bright and early after a couple of real bumpy raods, if it's got some.

[Dom]

I had SS+ yeah (unfortunately had to sell the cooper for a house), but was on 16's. You may find it a hard ride, but you'll be grinning loads round every corner. normal ss is a good compromise though if you have bad roads.

test drive both would be a good idea I guess... on 17's if you can!

[ScottyG]

It makes sense to test one then i guess! If i test a Cooper-S with 17's it'll have the same set-up won't it?

I ask this cos i know my friendly dealership hasn't got a cooper with ssp+. (They don't like it!)

Another aside query, if i ask them about changes to the 2004 model do you think they'll tell me? Or are they hush-hush bout that sort of thing?

[stephen_cy_wong]

A Cooper S won't be a good comparison, as it has a heavy engine and different suspension settings to compensate this. Test drive one anyway just for fun

Dealer won't tell you much about the changes, as they are more interested in meeting their sales allocation for the month

[PMM]

Quote:

Originally posted by scottygilb
Have you got suspension+? I was told that the suspension with the 17's is a real hard combination,

I suggest that you test drive on with SS+ an 17's and compare it with the normal cooper suspension and the other wheels, over the roads that you drive on.

When I tested a cooper with the SS+ & 17s it was fine on well surfaced town roads, but get out into the country lanes and it was terrible. Tramlining, hard, unstable, hit a bump and your head was hitting the roof.

On the other hand the normal SS with 15s was much more suited to the roads I drive over.

At the end of the day you pay your money and make your choice, but I wouldn't do it just choosing by looks out of a brochure. Call around a few dealers, one is bound to have the set up you are interested in.

[tavis1]

check WWW.DIAMOND RACING.COM they have seat covers made out of wet suit material with different styles and you can have them custum embroydered.
Tavis1

[v8voodoo]

*Allegedly* the Mini was designed around and tested on 16" wheels and the 17's are purely cosmetic. My Cooper S (SS+)is on 16's and handles fine. It even rides better on bumpy town roads better than my old A3T Sport. Only way to tell what's best for YOU is to drive 'em both. If your dealer can't offer you a drive in both, then I'm sure there must be another dealer within a 100 mile radius of you..?

[Rainbow-Walker]

I agree with v8voodoo, either go for 16" with SS+ or go for 17" with no SS+.

Purely an opinion mind

The best suggestion is as mentioned, TRY THEM!

[phubear]

Here are a few other Seat Cover retailers:

Wet Okole Hawaii ($225+ USD Lots of options)
My cousin had these installed on a classic mustang and it looks more like a custom seat versus a cover:
http://www.wetokole.net/Merchant2/me...ory_Code=MINIC

TVA ($79+ USD a little garish but cheap):
http://www.aiwana.com/Merchant/merch..._Code=miniseat

Good Luck & Welcome!