Hello Mini Fanatics! I have to start by saying that my cold cold heart hates all of you for your active role in convincing me to warm it up with a new Mini.


I will be getting an MCSC, definitely with the Premium and Cold weather packs, though I have not decided on all of the customizable toys yet. Before I make my purchase, I was hoping to have a few questions answered that I have not found searching various sites, answers that were not clear to me in my newbness, and questions that I forgot to ask my dealer.

Starting with the basics:
Does the automatic with the paddle shifters also have the sport shifter on the stick? The first time I was at the dealer, the only manual they had was on the MC, and I really dug the sport shifter.

What is the real difference between 16” and 17” tires? I have read enough on this board to stay away from the run flats, but I have only been confused more by the tire size comments. The pricing on the Mini site implies that 17” is better, but it seems that there is a differing set of opinions in the forums, or am I confused?

Does the iPod connector in the glove compartment display on the HK radio head unit that comes with the Premium pack? The only thread I could find looked to be a few years old, so I do not trust the responses there.

Tougher questions:
The dealer I drove with has the DSC package on his car, but he says he never uses it. He was a phenomenal driver (wow what these things can do). I am not a phenomenal driver (yet), is it something that is worth the money? There is a lot of hype, but I am having difficulty finding testimonials on this product.

How does the Mini perform in snow? It looks like the consensus is that the factory option tires are not anyone’s choice. Where I live (central Illinois) we get a bit of snow in the winter (nothing like I imagine Maine gets though), and this will be my only car. Will I need to get a set of tires for winter driving, or is there one set of the factories that can serve my needs?

Toughest question:
Does anyone have a good picture of a Cool Blue convertible, preferably a daytime shot with the sky in the background? I am trying to get a feel for what that car looks like outside of the Mini site. I will still end up getting purple, but at least I can tell my GF that I considered the Cool Blue.

Thanks in advance
wh˙sper
serious Mini envy

 

I'm going to answer the questions I can even though I'm not an owner yet either... hopefully some owners will be able to help with the rest!
yes. from what I saw on my test drive you can also shift via the gear selector... although I'm not sure how much you would once you get used to the paddles.

From what I gather the problem with the runflats is that they are very stiff and also quite heavy. pair that with the slites and you've got one very heavy wheel/tire combo. the concensus is that a set of lighter wheels with some non-runflats will give you better performance and ride

check out this thread... there are some great pics of stlmini's awesome cool blue convertible. I also saw one tonight on scrubs btw... cool blue cabrio... couldn't tell if it was an S or not though.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...358#post629358

 

My MINI performed well on the all seasons the first winter.

It was way better the second winter with snow tires.
It is winter here for at least 5 months, lots of snowstorms and blizzards.

I have never got stuck, never ended up in the ditch, seen many an suv, and 4x4 though in the ditch, and I can make this little car do things in the snow that are SO much fun.

 

Consumer Reports recommends if you can get "DSC", get it. BMW's have it as standard equipment.

Check out this website: http://www.esceducation.org/


It's your only car. Get snows.

 

radials and went through my first mini winter here in Maine last season. It handled the snow/rain/ice/sleet just dandy. Needless to say you drive like you're on roads with all kinds of surfaces so don't get foolish just because it's a mini. No idea how any other tires handle, but unless they are snow specific or all season then they likely won't handle as well.

 

I did a bunch of reading, both here and at mini2.com, and the overwhelming consensus was to skip the factory iPod adapter and get the Dension ICE-link Plus instead. Neither the factory adapter nor the Dension will display track names on the Mini's head unit (at least not yet), but at least the Dension allows you to use the iPod display and control, while the factory adapter disables it.

Check out the Dension adapter at www.densionusa.com.

I haven't received my Mini yet, so I can't say anything from personal experience about the sound quality or ease of installation/use, but I read a lot about it over at mini2.com. They have a full review of both adapters.

 

Get the DSC. It makes winter driving fun! I got through last winter here in Michigan with my 16" all-season run-flats and will probably slog through this winter with them as well. 17" looks more agressive, but I got 16" due to Sparky's daily driver status. 50+ miles to work on frost-heaved roads. Eventually I will get aftermarket 17s for summer and put snows on my 16s. I've also found the multifunction steering wheel, auto dimming mirror and auto wipers to be invaluable. Welcome to the fold and Happy Motoring!

 

Whenever you go with a taller wheel, inevitably you go with a "thinner" tire (ratio like 45 or 35). Thinner tire (as in height) means harsher ride

As to the RF issues, that entirely personal choice. Some people could care less about "performance" and the RFs are fine. Others want little unsprung weight and immediately buy lighter wheels, tires, etc. RFs are harsher on the old back.

Ppl say stay away from RF because they "want" performance tires ... this audience is far more perfomance minded than other MINI boards. Each person has different needs. For example, if your comfortable using goop if you get a flat, then forget the RFs. For others, the RFs give people a better piece of mind. Remember, your only reading the opinion of a very small set of everyone who owns MINIs.

Its a safety feature thats nice to have. Do you "HAVE TO" have it, of course not. Cars existed without it for a hundred years without it. If you can afford it, why not get the extra safety.

Remember, your reading a performance oriented board. I would bet greater than 70% of all MINI drivers are perfectly happy with the OEM tires. If your righ enough to buy four more and get better performing ones, then go for it.

I think most people in the snow belt get four snow tires on steel wheels, usually from Tirerack.com which sells specific packages for the MINI

 

Try here http://www.sjbaker.org/telamom/colours/more_cb_cc.html

Not perfect but close enuff!

 

I was going to write almost the same things as chows4us.

Unless you are racing, a "stock" MINI will perform just fine. You would not use the same bat your favorite slugger uses if you could not handle it, would you?

My first MCS is in production, so I cannot speak from experience, but I made some decisions with the info I had, so here they are for what they're worth.

• DSC is a feature that will save your butt someday. I ordered it.
• Run flats are necessary if you have no spare. Blow-outs where you lose control of the car are a thing of the past.
• Bigger wheels = stiffer ride. Have you ever backed into the curb while parallel parking? With bigger wheels there is a greater chance of damage -- every curb is a high curb. I myself ordered all of the sub-options of the sport package except the bigger wheels.
• I, too, ordered the premium, convenience, and cold weather packages.
• I may go with the aux-adapter instead of the ICE link: it's a trivial DIY install and is technology neutral. (What will the ICE link be worth if you get rid of your iPod?) OTOH, I have the impression the CD player handles MP3s. I may just burn a few genre-specific CDs and be done with it.

 

Wow, some great responses. Too many to address individually, so to each of you who has responded, please consider this reply specifically meant for you.

Thanks!

It looks like I may have some more research on the tires, the information supplied is great! I would love to hear more about snow driving, and will continue to check other threads that were started recently on the topic as well.

I will definitely be getting the DSC based upon the information provided as well as some stuff I found last night after posting. Safety first.

For the music, I was leaning towards just an aux adapter, and then aftermarket if needed. It looks like that is the way to go. I have an mp3 disc reader in my current vehicle. It's nice, but nothing can compare to the iPod (or other mp3 players) for convenience and storage capacity.

I appreciate the comments pointing out that this is a performance sight. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in others excitement and forget what your own wants and needs are. I will continue to keep that in mind as I get closer to purchasing.

Thanks again for the comments (and comments to come!)


wh˙sper
soon to end his MINI envy
edit: Wow that was some formating error