[North East Cooper S]

Hi all,

Lookin for a little advise from those of you who currently own or have previously owned a Cooper S.

I'm looking to put in my order for a dark silver Cooper S at the start of next month. I am looking at the options list but i just can't make up my mind. Money being no object, what would you suggest??

Unfortunately the only thing that is out of my price range is the Works kit due to insurance purposes.

Thanks

[Hammer]

It all depends on what you will be doing in your MCS. If you're going to autocross or otherwise race it, the LSD is a must. Otherwise, it's personal preference. I got the HK stereo and the multifunction steering wheel and love it. And I highly recommend the Sport Package.

[North East Cooper S]

Just looking to create a motor that is comfortable enough for the daily commute, but still sporty enough to go for a weekend b road blast!

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by North East Cooper S

Money being no object, what would you suggest??

Get everything.

[ukdavvy]

We got just about everything cept satnav and MF wheel.

Parking sensors suprisingly good.
HK also good.
Full leather nice

Folding mirrors possibly overkill

Cant think what Id be happy to skimp on actually

d

[Berthil]

I've got the autodim rearview mirror and rain-sensor (next to lots of other stuff) because I imported my MCS 2nd hand from Germany, if I would have bought new I would not have taken them. Now I will take them if I buy new, very nice and they work excellent. The chili package is a must and wil increase your re-sale value.

[steve5452]

Get the MF wheel, I didn't but really regret it now The auto dimming rear view mirror and rain sensor wipers are a must have IMO very happy with mine

[mburchill]

Well, I suppose it depends also on how much time you spend in your car. I spend about 4 hours a day in mine (and love every minute!), so it wasn't hard for me to justify getting all three packages, R90 rims, and driving lamps.

At the time, my friend thought I was daft for not getting the HK stereo... but now that you can get an iPod connector that allows you to use the MFSW controls and a digital sound module, I'm going to get those put in as well.

Personally, if I could afford it I would also be getting a 2005 JCW kit, but I guess you have to draw a line somewhere ...I mean, either I do or my WIFE does!!

Good luck on your choice - I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you eventually decide on.

- - Michael

[Singkit]

I just bought an 05 MCS, dark silver, dark top w/ sun-roof, leathers, sports pkg w/ 17" S Lites, rain-sensing w/w, xenons, and HKs. It was a manager's demo unit w/ 2K miles, so most of the bugs were already sorted out and fixed. I drove it back from St Louis to DC New Year's Day. I really do not like the run-flats at all -- too harsh and unforgiving on the ride in anything less than table-top smooth surfaces.

I don't know if the dealer did anything to the engine, but this stocker is plenty for me. The only thing I would add to this toy are the black stripes on the bonnet/hood, the invisishield protection, and the I-POD adapter.

No matter what, you'll love the car! Good Luck!!!

[cbudgo]

I've had my MCS for two years and 40000 miles and love it. The car was ordered but the delivery did not go through so I picked it up from the dealer with no wait time. It is quite loaded with no HK sound and No GPS.

DSC or DCS is hideous, and a real hazard in my opinion. It slows the vehicle by a huge percentage when wheelspin is encountered. Which is fine if you live in a very ICY area. I encounter snow during the Winter and I don't use it. It is a pain to disable it or shut it off every time I get in the car. I've been put in some very bad spots because of it.

The headlight washers are foolish and a waste. they always spray when I don't need them and they spray your neighbors in a James Bond smokescreen sort of way. The over spray gets all over the body work if you're not traveling at speed when they shoot. Also they dribble a bit under the hood when they activate. If you like to detail your engine, it's just another thing to clean up after.

I went with the 17" rims which I like, and the leather is high quality, as well as the rest of the car.

good luck

[Ibb]

Hi!

You can see my spec in my signature below. I pretty much went for it all. I didn't get the sunroof as they're quite heavy, and personally I'm not interested in them. I didn't go for full leather I'm looking to get the John Cooper Sports seats in Black and Red, will also be looking to change the rears for the JCW seats too.

Other than that all I can say is, if you want your car to be more responsive and lighter, try to skimp on the options, but atleast get the Chilli pack, and the chrome line interior is gorgeous!

I could easily live without the items in my spec, such as rain sensor, elec fold wing mirrors, auto ac, dsc, Sat Nav, but I love muscis so Harmon Kardon was a must cos I didn't want to go aftermarket and adds losts of weight and sound, more interested in the engine note!

But good luck all the same buddy! You'll be happy no doubt, whether many options or not soo many

[Jo-Man]

if money is no object... i can't c why u can't get a work?!?!?!
S is a group 15... n work is a 18.... will not be a big different.... only a few hundred pounds or less....
or it sound to me money is a object after all ?!?!?!

[Ibb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jo-Man

if money is no object... i can't c why u can't get a work?!?!?!
S is a group 15... n work is a 18.... will not be a big different.... only a few hundred pounds or less....
or it sound to me money is a object after all ?!?!?!

He's absolutely right! I will have to pay another £230 for a Works S, how much have you been quoted?

[North East Cooper S]

I can handle getting everything on the options list and the insurance without a problem, but the cost of the works kit combined with the fitting and the insurance costs (please bear in mind that i am only 21) will be beyond the amount i'm willing to pay.

Short of getting the Cooper S with minimal spec and fitting the works kit its just not an option for me.

[bobnobski]

Chili Pack - gives you the a/c, interior lights,computer, nicer seats etc.
MFSW - gives you cruise control
Vis pack - heated screen etc
Sunroof - Brilliant in the summer and looks awsome

My advice is not to over spec 2nd hand buyers IMHO look for Chili packs, AC, Cruise & sunroofs - and these are the options I would advise!

Also choose you colour carefully - the used market is flooded with dark Silver & Electric Blue MCS. Which is worth bearing in mind come resale. Perhaps look at some of the new colours!!!

DONT Go for

Leather Seats - hot and sticky in the summer
SAT NAV - Looks awfull & £1.6k buys a nice hol to the caribbean
DSC - complete waste of money
Auto Air - another gismo - alot of people say its noisy
3 spoke steering wheel - disgusting!!

[nylo]

think the 3 spoke steering wheel looks the business! ive got a ds/w, and wouldnt change it for the world. love my H/K stereo, the sunroof (great amount of light gets in, plus it's just cool!), and the bodykit... I LOVE MY MINI!

[Ibb]

Quote: Originally Posted by North East Cooper S

I can handle getting everything on the options list and the insurance without a problem, but the cost of the works kit combined with the fitting and the insurance costs (please bear in mind that i am only 21) will be beyond the amount i'm willing to pay.

Short of getting the Cooper S with minimal spec and fitting the works kit its just not an option for me.

I turned 22 in October, I only have 1NCB and Tesco are asking for £1700 insurance for the MCS Works.

I dunno how much you've been quoted, but I've been quoted much much higher more around £3000+.

Hope that helps

[nylo]

i understand the problem here. I'm with a group insurance thing, all the household's cars are on the same policy (only way I, and my younger brother could get insured for 'nice' cars), and it limits me to driving cars up to group 15, which happily my S just falls into. So it's not a case of just paying the extra, they just won't touch you. maybe NE Cooper S has something similar...

[mburchill]

S'cuse me - I don't mean to sound like an old f*cker, but I mean...let me get this straight:

You're 21 and getting a MCS, right? ...are you complaining that you can't afford the Works kit with Insurance? ...Geez, man - be thankful you'll be driving a MINI at all! Personally, I don't think folks your age can appreciate what it *means* to drive a MINI. Unless you've spent some time 'in-the-trenches' driving a 10+ year old clunker - what have you got to compare it to?

I Won't tell you what I was driving when I was 21... and I was damn glad to have it too! Count your blessing, my son.

- - raven34

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by mburchill

I Won't tell you what I was driving when I was 21... and I was damn glad to have it too! Count your blessing, my son.

Go one, tell us what you were driving when you were 21. I will. I was lucky - got a good deal on a '74 Buick Century that only had 25,000 miles. I think I paid $2,000 for that beast. So at 21 it was great. Then I was still driving it at the age of 22, 23, 24, 25...... Oh I think I was 30 before I finally got rid of it. By then it had over 150,000 miles, you could see the pavement through the floor and the trunk had a nice smelly pool of water in it every time it rained. I had other junkers before and after that one but that was the one I had when I was 21.

By the way mburchill aren't you too young to be pulling the "when I was a kid you age...." thing. Although I am aware from my own personal experience that the older you get, the harder it is to not sound like your parents.

I don't think the poster you reference was so much complaing as attempting to explain the apparent inconsistency between the statements "money is no object" and "can't afford JCW".