So, i believe this is my 3rd post to 1st gear alone. Ive been pining for a MINI since i was in middle school, and have had a passion for cars all my life. I am now going into my sophomore year of university lol. Most of my friends at this point all have had fancy new cars given to them by their parents (subaru wrx, vw gti, 300zx nissan, 350z, the full gamut), and i do have one friend who just bought an 07 justa. although he, like myself, had to work his *** off to get his car. I recently just scored an AWESOME job, and it looks like i may be able to get my dream r56 cooper s!!!! Im still likely a few months off from being able to lose my POS beater (youve served me well teggy, but your days were always numbered being an automatic :/ ). I am just ecstatic about being close to having a car to cherish, run at the autocross track, and simply enjoy driving. Ive been looking forward to this for most of my life lol.

Now, onto business. The questions that i have on my mind are the following:
-Are the mood lights on r56 cars standard? Or were they an option?
-Was the aux input also standard? Ive got an fm transmitter now, and the sound quality is horrible. I was blown away with the non-h/k stereo (compared to what i have now) and having the aux jack would be important to me
-What exactly was included in the 500$ sport suspension? Is that just sway bars, or is that the full shock-spring-sway suspension setup?
-Are there any mini-specific things i should be looking for when inspecting cars?

Sorry for the small rant, and thanks for the help!!!

 

The mood lights are standard on all MINI.

My '10 Clubman came standard with an AUX input. (1/8" stereo jack) It's just an analog audio input like you would find on your home stereo, VCR etc. If you are looking for USB (MP3) port then that is an option.

 

+1 to the above..
-mood light is standard
-AUX in through phono is standard ('07+) and bluetooth/USB is an option
-skip the sport suspension and if you want upgrade with aftermarket after you can out drive the car's handling
-What year/model are you exactly looking for?

 

Sport Suspension:
4 Springs
Larger Front Sway Bar
Larger Rear Sway Bar


I decided to take this option as it was only $250 in Canada on the JCW. I was happy with the handling on the street and can always sell the parts if I upgrade later.

 

Ok, so upgrading beyond the sport suspension is actually very easy and shouldn't be a buying concern is what im gathering. Even if the aux input is analog, im an amateur audiophile currently using an fm transmitter on long island, new york, so i cant really go downhill from where i am lol. Awesome to hear that the mood lights were standard, i love that feature.

I just learned of the ALTA access port today too, and i love it. My subaru friends have the cobb access port, and these little tuners rock. From what i gather it seems like 220 at the wheels with stage 2 is about the norm? Is this right?