[rentagas]

Thinking of buying a cooper D..................................

There are obviously a few out there so what specs are "essential"?

Rakey mentioned that he felt the car would benefit from sports suspension

I'd spec DSC, Xenons, Auto Aircon but I am determined not to spec this car the way I did my last MINI

I fancy the classic red/white union jack roof/red leather seats-but I am getting carried away again

[mister.t]

Im not sure you can have CR with red leather. 2 very different reds. Leather Lounge Carbon Black will look very cool though If your going for 16s, then go for sports suspension, otherise go for 17s with std suspension.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

There's one really great combination of colours that I really used to like on old cars (makes me thing of old Mk2 Jaguars and Volvo P1800's) and that was a classic cream white outside with red leather inside and it's a combination that you can get on the Cooper D.

Jut make sure you include the xenons, aircon and decent leather and you'll be fine I've driven several car with DSC and the only time I've ever found it helpful is if the standard handling of the car is so sloppy (Citroen C5 estate) that you're so remote from the driving experience you need it to stop getting into trouble. I've never once come close to needing for it in 40,000 miles in a MINI.

Tigger.

[rentagas]

I think you're right about the red/red combination

OK -didn't want to turn this into a DSC thread but suffice it to say I wouldn't buy a car without it! It kept me out of trouble several times in my previous car. I tried speccing on the mini.com configurator and stopped at £17800-perhaps I'm going to have to compromise!

I agree the pepper white/red leather/cream piping looks nice

[Harpo]

£17,800??? I have neither full leather, auto air con nor a sunroof, but I still topped 18k on it.

If you're taking full leather within a <18k budget, then you'll be compromising other areas of spec.

So prepare for a 19k cost!

[rentagas]

yes it's now coming in at £18600
And then there's the trip to see Mikey............................................. .....

[rentagas]

Oh and it's pepper white
Chili Pack
Black bonnet stripes
Black roof+ Mirrors
Red Leather
Piano black
DSC
sports susp
MFSW
Alarm
Heated Mirrors
Auto dim mirror
Rain sensor
Xenons
White lenses

At the moment.................................

[Alan Partridge]

I've had my Dooper for 4 weeks now, I agree with Ollie, I've got 17" flame alloys with the standard suspension and I would say its firm enough. I've found the hi-fi upgrade good enough for the stuff I listen to, I like the auto-dim mirror because I'm lazy and for only £90 I think the sports button is good value. The sports button doesn't completely transform the Dooper but I think to have weightier steering and a more responsive throttle when you fancy it is well worth having, especially at the price.

[Harpo]

With the benefit of hindsight, I have to say that I am really pleased with the options I specced.

But I didn't go for the sport button, and I guess I shall never know what I have missed.

Unless I drive your car for a bit Alan.

[Alan Partridge]

I think you've got a cracking car with or without the sports button Harpo.

[Triffid]

Ive enjoyed my Dooper for 12 days now and these are my observations..

Like others have said the Sport button IS worth it. It has the effect of making it easier to drive around town due to you only having to feather the accelerator. Also it makes it more enjoyable to drive on tight twisting rather than just economise on a long Motorway or A road without. It enables you to extract the max performance from the car more easily (also due to sharper steering and a somehow sharper gearbox). But it won't really make the car any faster as you can't gain power from a button and I reckon it uses more diesel..

For a few days I thought that I'd completely wasted the money on the armrest, as it is just too low. You end up resting your hand on your leg, unless your arm is moved so far back your elbow is behind your seat!. BUT, I have found a use: when you are in a traffic jam and/or slow moving traffic it allows you to rest your arm while you have the hand on the gearstick ready to change up.

I haven't got the sport suspension. I have 16 inch bridge alloys. The ride is pretty firm and I have to say I wouldn't want it any firmer as you can already hear the road beneath you and I can just about put up with it..

The HI-FI option is OK. I think it all depends on the sound system in your old car. I find that there is a lack of bottom end from the rear half of the car meaning that the sounds perhaps lacks depth?. Even with the slight disappointment with it, it does seem to be improving with it getting a good workout on most trips. I have found that with MP3 discs you need to keep the bass and treble settings neutral as there is too much distortion otherwise.
But compared to most standard sound systems in most cars it is a lot better.

I have standard lights and am intending to just upgrade the standard bulbs as you can get a fairly good improvement. Not up to Xenon standard obviously, but if you go for those 50% brighter bulbs you will notice an improvement over standard. But standard lights aren't any better or worse than any other car with standard bulbs I reckon.

Definitely worth having the MFSW option as there are a lot of small buttons on the central console and you have to take your eyes off the road to find the volume, forward/fast forward track buttons. Buy it for your safety especially if you have Cd's with 100 mp3s on!.

I don't rate the Auto Aircon much as it is quite low powered. Hardly notice if its on or not and its not even proper summer yet.. But it does improve the central console.

Just read that..quite serious.. Overall though I love the car...after a few days you learn to love its agility and its MPG...62.1 but so far but im economising this tankfull!

[ONED]

Boost radio really is poor compared to the last model, but could not justify shelling out for the Upgrade which seem Cr@p too

Really don't like the heating controls (manual aircon as before) find it difficult to get comfortable settings, and the Hot / cold is very hard to make out.....it's either all red or all blue with no graduation in between

Sports seats I'm disappointed with too. We had standard seats in the ONED before and I didn't mind them in 3.5 years of ownership, but these seats are really firm and seem just to be glorified standard seats with a couple of bits of foam stuck on to turn them into buckets!

Would have liked Factory Bluetooth as I have it on the 3 series BM and it's brill, but the cost is too much on the MINI so will have to go aftermarket.

[Harpo]

Interesting points there Barrie...

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED (original)

Boost radio really is poor compared to the last model, but could not justify shelling out for the Upgrade which seem Cr@p too

I find the standard radio is fine. Not great but good for my listening habits. I listen to DAB exclusively, mainly to Radio 5 Live and theJazz, so cranking up the volume in Harpo's car just ain't gonna happen.

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED (original)

Really don't like the heating controls (manual aircon as before) find it difficult to get comfortable settings, and the Hot / cold is very hard to make out.....it's either all red or all blue with no graduation in between

I'm happy with the manual A/C, a downgrade from the previous auto unit (which was positively dangerous to operate), but I have to agree that the fan and temperature dials are a triumph of form over function. I'm so glad I don't have the auto system which is both fiddly and ugly.

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED (original)

Sports seats I'm disappointed with too. We had standard seats in the ONED before and I didn't mind them in 3.5 years of ownership, but these seats are really firm and seem just to be glorified standard seats with a couple of bits of foam stuck on to turn them into buckets!

The sports seats I'm really pleased with - perhaps they were designed with my shape in mind - so much better (both for me and Mrs H) than the previous standards. I'm looking forward to a few long trips in them.

Also I like the door arm rests, they are just in the right place for my elbow and forearm. Amazing how a slight tweak can render something that is useless (old arm rests) into something of real worth.

[rentagas]

Mmmmm seriously thinking of pairing the spec down
I lost loads of money on my last mini because I over specced it!

Must haves are DSC and pepper or chili pack...........
Nluetooth and stereo upgrade will probably necessitate a drive up to mikey

Sytners are suggesting a June build is possible..........................

[rentagas]

Drove the Cooper D again on quiet, fast winding roads
The gear box takes some stirring to get the power but when it comes it's more than good enough
So I bought one!-

OK spent far too much.......................

Chili Red/White roof/White stripes
Clth/Leather Rooster Red
Chili Pack (was determined to buy pepper but succumbed)
Auto Aircon
DSC
MFSW
Heated Mirrors
Chrome Interior
Additional Decor Rings
Colour Line Rooster red
Piano Black
Sport Button
PDC
Xenons
White Lenses

Not sure about red/red/red/black -all a bit 80's?

Not sure about price of new buetooth/ipod USB kit I may add this

For August (stop/start model) build

[mister.t]

Very cool spec. Not '80s at all. Its a timeless combo, so you will have no trouble selling it on. Good luck with your specing and order. With the Xenons, well, we don't drive our car much at all at night, but KenL has replaced his std bulbs with upgraded 'xenon' like bulbs. Saved himself a few bob, and his bill was a good bit cheaper.

[rentagas]

Might change it yet
New bluetooth/usb option looks good

[pantheon]

I'm thinking of ordering a cooper D too - this is my spec


Cloth Cosmos Black
Sparkling Silver and white
Multi-func. Steering Whl
15" 5 Star Spooler Alloys - white
Remote Control Alarm
Heated Mirrors/Washerjets
Visibility Pack
First Aid Kit & Triangle
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Front Seat Heating
Rain Sensor & Lights On
PEPPER Pack
Ipod connection kit

[pantheon]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas (original)

Might change it yet
New bluetooth/usb option looks good

I wonder how much the new bluetooth/usb option is

[rentagas]

It has been reported as costing £695 as such it would be a reduction from the previous kit which cost £870 and included the MFSW and the armrest. If it includes an ipod connector via USB it would be as close to a bargain as you'll ever get from BMW