2005 MCSC config adviceneeded: lthr, satnav, 16???

2122 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by loveamini, Mar 17, 2005

nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2004

About to finalise spc for a :blblack: black, black cooper s conv but could I use a bit of advice as I am new to this forum.

Will get: Chili pac, lsd, chrome int, HK, heated seats, single cd, visibility pac

Key questions that I am kicking myself over and would really welcome comments:

1) Black Leather or Panther Octagon cloth/leather. I think that the leather looks the business but have doubts about the value
2) Sat Nav or not: This is almost a aesthetics issue - I think I prefer the speedo in center - but not sure it is great value
3) 16" or 17" wheels, and then which ones: tempted by the 17" bullets but am concerned about ride quality. I also have a Z 8 with run-flats and know all about hard ride!!!

No stripes

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Berthil

· #2 · Dec 30, 2004

3

No Satnav...

I always wanted a Cooper S with Satnav because I liked the two meters (rev and speed) next to eachother behind the steering wheel. Now that I have a Cooper S for half a year I'm glad I did not get the Satnav. I now really like speedometer in the middle, I think it looks much nicer than the chrone pack. Instead I got the extra instruments set retro fitted (see pics)

Also the Satnav may limit you in your future audio choice. iPod interfaces are likely not to work with Satnav system I think, but others may now that for sure.

I just got home today from ordering the Digi-tec tuning kit. I saw there a VERY nice audio/satnav system with big 7-inch DVD screen (Kenwood). They shift the Airco and other controls down to fit the screen in, very nice! And at the same price as the Satnav as an option. If I would have known this before I probably got that instead of the PDA with nav and mp3 player (3rd pic). b.t.w, I created that Mini skin for PocketMusic myself, took me almost a week.

I have the 17 inch S-spoke with runflats. It's bumpy but I haven't driven other alloys/tires. I also have full leather and almost 2 years old now. I can't see any defects in the leather, they hold up well.

Have fun with your S!

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mxyzptlk

· #3 · Dec 31, 2004

I've seen it referenced here before, but what is the chili pack?

Hersheykiss

· #4 · Dec 31, 2004

mxyzptlk said:
I've seen it referenced here before, but what is the chili pack?

It's just a bundle of the most popular options. I think the full pack for the MCSC is 17" alloys, 3 spoke steering wheel, floor mats, passenger seat adjustment, storage compartment, front foglights, xenon lights, manual a/c, trip computer, interior lights and from 2005 - LSD.

Hope this helps!

Nickyg - hello fellow 2005 MCSC! I ordered mine a couple of weeks ago but have to wait until Jun 05 apparently.

indimini

· #5 · Dec 31, 2004

nickg mcsc said:
16" or 17" wheels, and then which ones: tempted by the 17" bullets but am concerned about ride quality.

I had the same concern when I spec'd my MCSC. I ended up going with the 17's after test driving the car. The ride is not harsh at all - the SS+ isn't on the convertible so the ride is a bit softer. I ditched the runflats straight away for Proxes 4 to get improved all weather handling and a quieter ride.

I think that the leather looks the business but have doubts about the value

I have the dark blue leather w/ cool blue exterior. The leather is decent, but I've been a bit disappointed w/ the fit as the leather seems to pucker - it is not fitted as well as the leatherette or cloth. Still a very nice seating surface.

For the sat nav, I'd personally say go w/ center speedo and look at something like the TomTom Go. It is probably half the price of the built in sat nav and you can move it to other vehicles. That way you have center speedo and navigation.

Best of luck with your spec. Hope you love the car as much as I love mine. One question though -- why no external chrome pkg? I think it would look very sharp on the otherwise all black car.

Gr8Dain

· #6 · Dec 31, 2004

mxyzptlk said:
I've seen it referenced here before, but what is the chili pack?

If I have read past threads correctly, the Chili Pack is not offered to those of us on this side of the pond. After wondering about it for a while, I finally found a threat that explained it that way. I stopped thinking about it after that

Personally, we went with the chrono pack. I thought about having the speedo in the center and adding the additional instruments below, but don't like to look down and away from the road. And I am obsessed with constantly monitoring my instruments. As our MCSC in just now landing the states and making its way to our dealer soon, I have not yet driven it to know if the combo we picked out is EXACTLY what I am happy with, but we will soon find out.

We went with the Panther black leather. I have heard that it wears well and look forward to it.
I am also concerned about the wheels/tires. We went with the 17" bullets. If they prove to be a problem in other than ideal conditions, I will get a set of all seasons, but this car will sit in the garage in the really bad stuff. It is a 'Toy' for my wife, and we can fall back on the quattro Audi in the snow.

Good luck. I can't wait to get ours (I mean my wife's) car.

Dain

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Rakey

· #7 · Dec 31, 2004

nickg mcsc said:
About to finalise spc for a :blblack: black, black cooper s conv but could I use a bit of advice as I am new to this forum.

Will get: Chili pac, lsd, chrome int, HK, heated seats, single cd, visibility pac

Key questions that I am kicking myself over and would really welcome comments:

1) Black Leather or Panther Octagon cloth/leather. I think that the leather looks the business but have doubts about the value
2) Sat Nav or not: This is almost a aesthetics issue - I think I prefer the speedo in center - but not sure it is great value
3) 16" or 17" wheels, and then which ones: tempted by the 17" bullets but am concerned about ride quality. I also have a Z 8 with run-flats and know all about hard ride!!!

No stripes

ok my 2p's worth

leather is poor quality with MINI, after about 4000 miles it starts to sag and bag, I have it in my current car and it has been dropped from my MCSC that is due end of Jan. This has happened on my car, other people I know and also in my GF's MCC that she only got in Sept. Get half leather and you can then if you really want something different get someone to trim the centre panels, which is where is bags with an unusual combination, making your car more unique.

Sat Nav, I love MINI sat nav, have it in the current car and can't wait to get the new one as it now comes with TMC too. If you do loads of driving to places you don't know then its a great tool to have, yes there are other option you can stick in the car, and have to take out everytime you leave car, which all seems a bit messy in the car and too much hassle for me. Also I am not a big fan of the centre speedo, as I want to see the speedo in front of me, not in the middle where all the passengers get to see it

16 or 17? Well I prefer 17's as they seem to fill the arches better, but like you say ride is a little more harsh than the 16 but not that greatly, if you don't like runflats then you can switch to a standard tyre later on which is what I did on my current car

Good luck and welcome to MINI2

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nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 1, 2005

Decision made, thanks to all. I went for a JCS works!

So, thank you all. Very friendly board. Glad to have discovered it.

Spent about 2 hours at dealer yesterday looking at about 20 cars and driving 2. So have gone for an MCSCW or should I say a MCSWC??? Either way 210 bhp of stealth fun.

Comments on final spec very welcome.

My rational for what it is worth:

Having driven the S, the handling is everything people say, and it is hard to find a car that is more emotionally involving - just makes you chuckle. Totally "chuck-able"
I did however miss "grunt" off the line versus Z8 (not surprising) but also versus x5 3.0 D (surprising to me).
Have read enough about leather to be concerned about wear, but more significantly I found that on a black, black car I liked the two tone and two textures of the cloth/leather combo more than the full leather.
Sat Nav, nice but seemed a bit fiddly, and I do prefer speedo in centre of dash.

Decided to save on leather and sat nav and spend about same on the JC S Works 210 bhp upgrade. But I have not driven a works yet so hope I am not disappointed!??.

17" bullets as well, look better and ride is taught but not to firm (softer than X5 sport). Why oh why does BMW insist on run flats?

Ordered December 31st, available 2 week of Feb!!!!! But will wait for delivery till March to get an 05 plate.

Black, with Cloth lea octagon black
John Cooper Works Tuning kit
Chili Pac(sports st wheel, 17" bullet, xenon headlights, air con, LSD, etc)
Chrome-Line interior and Anthracite
Visibility (heated windows etc)
Front seat heating
Harmon Kardon Hifi with single CD

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nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 1, 2005

Hersheykiss said:
Nickyg - hello fellow 2005 MCSC! I ordered mine a couple of weeks ago but have to wait until Jun 05 apparently.

Hersheykiss,

Thanks for the message!

I was quoted September

from the first London dealer I went into.
Do you want details of how to get one earlier??? Dealer I ordered mine from has plenty of slots which you could spec now for Feb or March delivery.

jonnyyellow

· #10 · Jan 1, 2005

nickg mcsc said:
3) 16" or 17" wheels, and then which ones: tempted by the 17" bullets but am concerned about ride quality. I also have a Z 8 with run-flats and know all about hard ride!!!

we have the 17" wheels and the ride is still wonderful... I personally wouldnt care for the 16"s becuase they dont look as good , with thicker tire walls...

Hersheykiss

· #11 · Jan 1, 2005

nickg mcsc said:
Hersheykiss,

Thanks for the message!

I was quoted September from the first London dealer I went into.
Do you want details of how to get one earlier??? Dealer I ordered mine from has plenty of slots which you could spec now for Feb or March delivery.

Oooo - yes please! It would be fantastic if I could get one earlier! Is it from a London dealer?

I thought I was doing well to get a June slot as the dealer said that the waiting list was approx 11 months (i.e. Nov 05!) but he happened to get a slot for June 05 that day.

When are you getting your new mini? You must be so excited!

Rakey

· #12 · Jan 2, 2005

if you try a few you are bound to get a slot

I decided about 3 weeks ago to change mine, and have delivery on the 28th

nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 2, 2005

Hersheykiss said:
Oooo - yes please! It would be fantastic if I could get one earlier! Is it from a London dealer?

I thought I was doing well to get a June slot as the dealer said that the waiting list was approx 11 months (i.e. Nov 05!) but he happened to get a slot for June 05 that day.

When are you getting your new mini? You must be so excited!

Hersheykiss,

In London, try Park Lane Westminster (0207 963 5658), ask for Ben and please do tell him that Nick sent you! I think the Feb delivery's are in 112 status now so need to be spec'd fast.

Looking forward to March! Tough trade off between delivery in Feb or wait till March and get an 05!

Happy new year to all!

Hersheykiss

· #14 · Jan 2, 2005 (Edited)

nickg mcsc said:
Hersheykiss,

In London, try Park Lane Westminster (0207 963 5658), ask for Ben and please do tell him that Nick sent you! I think the Feb delivery's are in 112 status now so need to be spec'd fast.

Looking forward to March! Tough trade off between delivery in Feb or wait till March and get an 05!

Happy new year to all!

Cool - thanks for that!! I am going to give him a ring tomorrow morning. I too am hoping for a March delivery so that I can get the new plate. Will let you know how I get on!

Happy New Year to you and everyone else too!

Update: I've now placed an order with another dealer and have a delivery date of 1 March 2005!! Woo hoo!!! Thanks so much for your help, Nick! I owe you a pint!

nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 11, 2005

Hersheykiss said:
Update: I've now placed an order with another dealer and have a delivery date of 1 March 2005!! Woo hoo!!! Thanks so much for your help, Nick! I owe you a pint!

Hershey,

Outstanding news!!! Congrats - I see you are now agonising over stripes. I keep pulling my spec out and running over options in my head - he he. Can't wait

Hersheykiss

· #16 · Jan 12, 2005

nickg mcsc said:
Hershey,

Outstanding news!!! Congrats - I see you are now agonising over stripes. I keep pulling my spec out and running over options in my head - he he. Can't wait

My great news was all down to you, Nick! Thanks again!

Have you finally decided on a spec? I am sticking with stripes, I think. Only 7 weeks to go!!! Woohoo!!

nickg mcsc

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 17, 2005

Max Mini has arrived!

So, I took delivery of jc works convertible on Tuesday.
Having traded in a BMW Z8 is was not expecting to be impressed by the performance.

I was wrong

This is a little jem of a pocket rocket. Everything I had hoped for and more.

Z356

· #18 · Mar 17, 2005

Traded in your Z8?

I am keeping my Z8 when the Mini Cooper S cabrio arrives. It is being built right now at Oxford. I will not go the JCW package since I only need to drive it around my home in Carmel, California. Too bad you couldn't keep the Z8. I think that this is one of the few modern cars that will become a "classic" in the not too distance future. I hope that before I die (I am now 54) it will be eligible to be displayed at the annual Pebble Beach Concours de Elegance. I ordered my MCS with just about every option, except Navigation, Chrono and Exterior Chrome. From looking at the rumors about the next generation Mini interior (see Motoring File and NAM), it looks like the Chrono idea will be discontinued and the center Speedo will become larger and incorporate more information, including a space for Navigation and radio display. Long live retro!

loveamini

· #19 · Mar 17, 2005

The MCSCa is great, combined with the JCW CAI, it is like driving a rocket ready to dodge forward at the press of the paddle.

I just love the Nav system; the rounded chrom ring surrounding a super-clear TFT screen is just a classic. You can also choose to see the on-board computer on the screen while at the same time gets guided by the lady coming out of the stereo speakers, simply awesone!

I think the 16" wheel might be a bid low to the ground clearance, you might scrape the bottom of the front bumper when passing some speed bumps. With my 17", I scraped twice on the parking cement blcok in the local shopping centers, and they're not even that high.

Have fun!

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