I am happy with everything I got. Got the premium, cold weather, HK, xenons and both fogs. If you got some money for play, the HK is very nice if you are never going to get any aftermarket components. If you are, I hear it does not play well with others, so best to stick to stock unit. Heated seats are lovely in Michigan, not sure how cold it gets in Texas.

I love the xenons. Like seriously, I can not say enough about how great they are. Haven't been in a MINI with the stock lights yet, but everytime I drive someone else's car that has halogens I wonder if the lights are even on. It is that big of a difference. The only problem with the xenons is they have a very drastic cut off point, but it is only really noticeable because what is lit up is really lit up.

Basically whatever you can price out on MINIUSA is what you will pay. If they are asking you to pay stupid fees don't

I am financing through one picked by Classic MINI was the lowest rate I could find. It is not the MINIUSA credit program and I could of used whatever I wanted.

 

My advice is always keep it as close to base MSRP as possible, for reasons see thread reading "Will I regeret buying an MCS?" in MINI talk, so I don't repeat myself here. Check towards the current end of the thread.

 

I do know what you mean, especially with the color coordinated dashes ... for some reason it doesnt look as good as the darker colors.

I got to admit though that if I were to order a new one, I would not get leather. Lot of work to keep it up.

 

On a non "S" Cooper the first two options boxes to check off are the sport seats and the sports suspension plus upgrade.

The car handles much better with the suspension upgradeand the seat support is much improved with the sport seats over the regular seats.

Any other options are entirely up to you.

Good Luck with your order and enjoy your new Mini.

Steven

 

I am also glad of everyones input! I have been searching around wondering the same things. I am about to order and ponder the stuff myself.
I do know that you can by aftermarket seat heaters. A lot of the Jeep guys use them. Pretty easy to install.
What options must you get to have all of the toggles on the dash? I know that the rear fog light is one, is the front driving/fog lights needed to complete the toggles as well?

 

Yes, both fogs and DSC, not the driving lights, at least in mine that is a separate switch

 

Depends on how you will be using the car. For an everyday driver and weekend funmobile with some long trips thrown in all you really need is the MFSW and perhaps a sunroof to accentuate the fun factor. The newer standard seats (05 +) have higher bolsters than previous years and are still very comfortable plus they still have the same adjustability as the sport seats without being as confining. If you are going to be driving more aggressively on a regular basis than perhaps the sport seats, sport suspension and DSC would be some options to think about. Just remember the ride will be harsher than the stock 15" wheels and suspension.

 

Both fogs? Is there a switch and more than the one in the rear bumper? Other than the driving/fogs of course?
I plan to order the MCS and have to have the sunroof and xenons. As well as painted dash for a little color in the cabin. I cant see anything else needed as I am not a track driver, nor do I live in a cold climate! I live in the same town as Sndwave. When I'm not deployed of course!
Sorry for robbing the thread!

 

There is a toggle switch for the front and one for the rear fogs

The driving lights has a separate switch not part of the toggles

I dont know what you mean by "one in the rear bumber?"

 

There's a rear fog that rests in the center of the back bumper. Then there are two fog lights in the standard places on the front.

Rear fog is one toggle. The two up front are controlled with one toggle. The DSC toggle switch finishes up the center.

You can look at some pictures on my site listed in my sig.

From left to right, the toggle switches are (at least on Miles):

driver window (up down); DSC; door locks (unlock lock); rear fog; front fogs; passenger window (up down)

 

Thanks Minibot! That clears a lot up. Next question is, has anyone been able to order the switches only to put into the dash without actually having the options installed? I dont care for the DSC. Isnt that an included option on the MCS? I am still confused on the front foglights issue. Is there a seperate set of foglight in front other than the white driving lights? Or is this what we are talking about? What do I need to order that doesnt come standard in order to fill out the switchpanel? Thanks!

 

Sounds like someone who has never tried seat warmers.

For me, it's a must-have option. I had them when I lived in Southern California, and despite what one would think, I used them often. Now that I live in Utah, they're indispensible. I'll never have another car without them.

Xenons, hmmm. I have them, they look cool, they are brighter than halogens (though not miraculously so as some might argue IMO), but if I didn't get them in a package, I don't know what I would have dropped $500+ on them. When I drive my wife's Honda I don't think "I wish this had xenons..." I do like the auto headlamp feature though.

I also like my rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rearview mirror, H/K, and garage door opener. All these things are great, but not must-haves. I plan on keeping my car a long time, so I decided to splurge on all the options I might regret not getting. Better safe than sorry.

 

Hmm. ... REAL men (or women) dont even use cars .... They WALK to work ... in the snow

 

The Front Fogs lights use ONE toggle
The Rear Fog light uses ONE toggle
The Driving Lights do NOT use the toggles. It is a separate switch not near the toggles

You need DSC to fill out the toggle bank

 

You don't need dsc to fill out the toggle bank. Not sure on coopers, but S's come standard with ASC and that gets replaced with DSC if you opt for it. Same spot and everything just an a or d depending on what you have. Both are basically the same system, but asc is only for tire slipping, traction, where as dsc adds sensors to see if you are sliding, stability.

 

OK ASC, DSC, ...

 

Does standard ASC have a toggle?

 

Fog lights - in recessed holes in lower bumper ($150)
Driving lights - chrome, mounted in grill on bonnet ($400 + install)


If you don't care about having fog lights, you can save yourself $150 or so and just order the 'full rack' from Classic.
If you don't care about having labels, you can just drill out the empty spots and put in toggles (sourced from someone who replaced their toggle rack.)

 

Yes, ASC has a toggle.

 

Thanks for all of the information!
Understand completely now!!

 

Go do a test drive in one that has them. Have her bundle up, and then turn the seats on. See if she feels the difference. My wife is also always cold and I'm hopeing she doesn't love the heated seats so much I have trouble getting the car when we drive seperate! I'm honestly expecting her to never want a car without them again based on my short experience with them on a rental a few years back, I know I want them pretty badly.

 

XENONS, ANTHRACITE HEADER, FRONT AND REAR FOGS, H/K SYSTEM, LSD, DSC, SPORT PACKAGE. The car warms up plenty fast so I didn't think the winter package was worth it; I rolled that cash over to the Xenons. :-)

After hitting two suicidal deer on my commutes to and from work with my Jeep, I decided that having better, brighter light to see in the DARK is the way to go. PHENOMENAL difference in clarity. I'll never go back with any future MINI purchases.

Oh yeah, buy a set of SNOW tires if you get snow in your area that sticks to the pavement.
We're looking forward to 8 to 11 inches on Friday, the 9th! :-)
Skier. Love snow.

Dave

 

Don't forget that it isn't just the toggles...you get holes in the bumpers (or plugged holes?) where the fog lights would have been if you don't order them, right?

 

This is why I didn't upgrade the suspension and wheels.........I like a comfy ride....to each their own MINI

 

Shh, stop giving her ideas.

It wont matter. We are from Boston and the cold aint no big deal. Being all bundled up just makes her happy. A warm tush ...