Something about the MINI has always appealed to me. I was thinking of picking up a used one, so last weekend the wife and I went to the dealer to see what they had. Until then, I had never even sat in a MINI. I test drove a new 2015 MCS. Oh my, what a car! Wife gave permission to get one (she said I had a stupid grin on my face for the entire test drive). So I am in the process of deciding what I want. So far I have decided on this:

2016 MCS
deep blue
black roof and mirrors
black bonnet stripes
fully loaded package
black cosmos spoke rims
spoiler
sirius radio


Still trying to decide if I want the bike prep package or just put a receiver hitch on it.

Also still trying to decide if I want to change any of the colors on the interior.

Also not sure about the cold weather package. I live in the northeast, but I do not like hated seats, my butt puts out plenty of heat by itself! But I do like the idea of the dimming mirrors.

How do these cars handle in the snow? I will be keeping my silverado, so I can use that during storms.

I will be ordering in the next month or two.

 

Well that test drive was an expensive mistake! Welcome!

 

Welcome to the addiction

 

I've always had all-season tires and have never had a problem with the handling of the car in the snow. The ground clearance can be a problem in deep snow.

 

If I was ordering I would go...

6 speed
No options
No sunroof
Manual seats
Cheap rim option to throw snow tires on
Use the money saved for another set of rims and some pilot sport cup 2 tires

 

The MINI makes a great bike hauler.

By bike prep do you mean rack mount points off the rear of the car?

Make sure to take a look at the rack that attaches. The one for the Countryman is actually not that bad but I don't know what the F56 uses.

A hitch will give you more options. I ended up going with the MiniFini. It's the pricier option for after market, at around $1000 installed. I then added the 1Up bike rack.

The following thread is about the R59 and shows both the Curt and MiniFini hitch systems. The link takes you to post #70 with my final thoughts on my setup. The thread starts out with the Curt, post #65/67 discuses the MiniFini install.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4095024

Another option is the Saris Bones RS, the only rack Saris says works on the MINI. I used one on my old R53; easy install with just 2 ratcheting straps. But like all trunk racks it will mar the clear coat. I used one for 8ish years and simply buffed the clear coat before passing the car on.

 

Welcome to NAM! Good luck with your purchase! Just be sure to get yourself a really good set of snow tires for winter driving and you should be alright.

 

Go ahead and spring for the cold wx package. You don't have to turn on the seat heaters, but it'll be nice to have them there in case you want to. The self-dimming mirrors are really neat. I thought they were pointless until I drove a car that had them, and now I notice every time I'm in a car that doesn't have them.

 

Cold weather package and heated seats not only help resale up north in the future but feel so good having those extras.

" black cosmos spoke rims "

Good choice.

 

I wound up purchasing a 2015 off the lot. I got an MCS,

Lapisluxuxury blue
black roof and mirrors
black victory spoke rims
all season tires
cold weather package
premium package
rear spoiler
LED headlights
LED fogs
white turn signals
black sport body stripes
satellite grey color line
Piano black interior surface
center armrest

I made a good enough deal that I was able to extend the warrantee to 8/100000 and the maintenance to 6/100000 for a total of just over MSRP, and with the special financing they are offering now.

I bought the car yesterday, and I LOVE it. What a blast to drive, and I don't have to worry about anything except tires for quite a while.

 

That "stupid grin"will be around for a while get use to it lol, Welcome, you will enjoy

 

I don't know if the F56 Cold Weather package is the same, but IMHO, the one in my R56 is worth the extra money. The seats get hot very quickly, though, even on the lowest setting -- I usually have to shut mine off within one or two minutes at the most.

 

Congrats! Very Cool. " Lapisluxuxury blue " Like this