Hello, i am oredering my mini cooper very soon and b4 i do so i would just like to run my spec over you guys to see if there should be any changes.

My ideal spec is:

MINI COOPER 1.6 4-CYL 16V
-cosmos black or indi blue with black roof (not sure which yet)
-cloth kaleido - black

CHILI Package without sports suspension plus
- brilliant silver interior trim
- chrome line exterior
- front fog lights
- height adjustable seat
- interior light package
- leather steering wheel and gearknob
- rear spoiler
- 5-star alloys
- sports seats - leather/kaleido upholstery
- floor mats + storage compartment package

Optional Equip:

Remote-controlled alarm system (Thatcham CAT1)
Xenon Headlights
ASC+T

Accessories:

Aerodynamic kit
White rear lights
white side direction indicators
Sony MDX CA 680X MD/RADIO + 6 CD CHANGER

I was also thinking about tinted windows, rain sensor, PDC and air con, but probably won't get any of these. Anyone got any thoughts?

Any information and advice will be very much appreciated.
Many thanks and regards. KM.

[Hat]

sounds like you've pretty much ordered everything!

Nice colour choices. If it were me i'd go Indi Blue & black rather than black/black, but thats just a personal thing.

Only thing i would probably change is to dump the Xenons in favour of manual air con. Not sure what the xenons give you in terms of a better car but air con is pretty much a must these days. Manual is probably preferable to auto because then you can turn it off & there are reports on here that the auto air con is a bit noisy.

enjoy!

[Carl Johan]

If I were you, I would order the air con and forget about the Xenons, Aero Kit and maybe the ASC+T (_maybe_). From an economical point of view I would think that it will be a lot easier to sell it again some day if your car has got air con.. Good luck!!

Cheers,


CJ

[dr remulac]

sounds good. blue easier to maintain than black.black paint can become alot of work...
I'm really not too exited about those driving lights. Unlike older minis that seemed to have a bumper to put them on, the ones on the new minis seem out of place. they just don't seem to fit the car.(just my opinion, don't mean to insult)
also, a mini without a white roof is like a scotsman wearing a pink kilt. LETS MOTOR and good luck

[AidenL]

I'd think about the A/C too, always pleasant to have, especially on a humid day, plus very helpful for re-sale.

[Tom F.]

A/C can also contribute to safety, because it dehumidifies the defrost air on those rainy, foggy cool days.

It not only for hot weather!

[Lumspeed]

Forget the Xenon , far to expensive , go for the Air con if that's your taste , but i got sun roof as I like fresh air .

I got BRG metallic and like it but it mean's washing more than often as dark colours show the muck more , so I would pick the Blue over the Black.

Everything else look's ok .Virtually same spec as mine .

But personally , Dont't specify on board computer as I did , It's a waste of money £ 100 pound's wasted in fact.

And if you are into music get a cassete boost or cd boost the sound is very ok .

[Lumspeed]

Oh I forgot !.

I would not specify the aerodynamic body kit . Don't know what current price is , but at the time I Spec'd mine it was £1.500 Doolie's . If you desire a non standard look then hang fire , The MINI2 is so popular now with various tuning firm's ther are 'LOAD'S' of add on body kit's emerging .

Look on the web .

Cheer's.

LUMSPEED.

[anthonyyule]

why do you need PDC on a car the size of a MINI?
surely you arent THAT bad at parking are you??
or,...is the money burning a hole in your pocket??
buy something else with the extra you will save.

[Martin L]

a/c is a must IMO. Helps in Winter and Summer

[miniblue]

Yes, I agree with Martin, A/C was an essential for me. Also what about the Multi-Function Steering Wheel?! Pretty useful in my opinion. I've used it loads and love it (more so for the audio controls than the criuse control). Search MINI2 for MFSW, there are loads of reviews/supporters around.

All the best with the buy ... and welcome to MINI2.

MINIblue

[ipartridge]

and the sports suspension plus is a hoot

you soon get used to it and want more and more chuckability

[stormcrow]

As you can see, everyone has their own opinion, and the MINIs great because it lets you personalise it so much.

Personally I love my black/white cooper and yes although it shows the muck it looks damn sweet when its cleaned. I've never really enjoyed washing a car until MINI arrived. Now I actually look forward to nice weekends to lavish attention on it. Perhaps I am just getting old

Just go with what your heart says (as long as it talks to your wallet first)

[Spy Car]

I would argue against a cd changer. The boot is quite small already and the changers take up too much space.

Like the Xenons and the sports suspension plus.

[dcfkan]

MINIs (or any cars) without air-con may be hard to sale nowadays, so I would drop some of the more "frivolous" options (body kit, xenon, clear lights etc.) and get air-con instead.

ASC+T is good value, so is MFSW (which is not on your spec).

To me, alarm is a must, so I would keep that.

If you are going to spend money on options etc., then I would advise getting as many factory-fitted options that you want now rather than later, as retro-fit is more costly and may not be possible.

My 2p

DK :apple:

Thanks you all very much everyone for your kind replies. It has be ver much appreciated !!!
Manual air-con, judging by all ur replies has been added to my list.



The main thing that I am still not sure about is the aerodynamic kit though. Especially since it comes with front radiator grille which is in black and since i am getting either indi blue (with black roof) or all black, i'm not sure if this would work.

Secondly, is the factory fitted alarm any good or is it better to get one fitted afterwards? I may also get my ICE (MD/CD head unit) fitted afterwards too since the prices offered seem to be slightly exaggerated (and they don't include fitting)!!!! One final question, what is radio BOOST?

Regards

KM

[Bonjour]

As far as I know (having looked it up on www.thatcham.org), the MINI has the same alarm as you'd get on a bimmer. It's definately a Thatcham category 1 alarm and so will qualify the car for a lower insurance premium. I was thinking about getting a clifford concept alarm but having looked into it for a bit, decided to stay with the factory fit as it appears up to the task.

The radio BOOST basically fits higher spec radio, with such features as dolby NR and higer power outputs. As far as I know, the speakers stay the same.

All the best, your car seems quite nicely spec'd out!

[dcfkan]

Remember to ask for CD Prep - it is free and saves you a lot of hassle if you decide to add a CD changer in the boot later.

About the alarm, I cannot recall my insurance company (the one with the red phone) giving me a discount

DK :apple:

[zoooooom]

Must have options are the Chili pack and the xenons

and unless you are not a very good driver then forget the ASC+T

and at the end of the day its what you want and not what everyone else tells you,

I did not have xenons on my first cooper and now I do and they are expensive but well worth the money

[dcfkan]

Quote:

Originally posted by zoooooom
and at the end of the day its what you want and not what everyone else tells you,

Concur with zoooooom's sentiments as everyone's needs and wants are different - it is your car, and you have to live with it at the end of the day!

DK :apple: