* Performance
* Safety: Including, HIDs - significantly better than base headlights?  HIDs versus adding fog lights?
* Practicality as a daily driver
* Comfort on long trips (especially seat choices)
* Roof racks (pros & cons?)

Which tire/wheel option provides the best overall balance among the following factors: Safety / accident avoidance / performance, ride quality, and freedom from pothole damage for both long trips & as a daily driver?

Thanks!

In the US, there is a package called “Hyper Sport” that comes with the Aero Kit and Sport Suspension (plus?).

Some have heard this Aero Kit is the same as the JCW kit. OThers have heard it’s a new, seperate one (as yet unseen). Does anyone here (Gabe?) have more information on it, or maybe a friendly neighborhood dealer they can ask? My MA told me it is, in fact, the same kit (and a sweet deal at the price).

Hyper-Sport (ZHS) $1,400 (3/1/07): Aero kit, Sport suspension plus

ala Carte: Aerodynamic Kit (3/1/07) $1300/ZHS

The other question, of course, is, if the S already has the upgraded “Sports Suspension”, why spend the addtional $100 on the package when all you’re going to get is the Aero Kit?

Doesn’t the S model already come with an upgraded “Sports” suspension?

Thanks, JMelrose

Sorry for multiple posts of this. I’m not sure which comments are being actively read anymore. Once the current news scrolls down the page it seems to get lost…

You can read more from our report last Sunday here.

Poor Gabe. There are days when he could just be replaced with a search box. :-(

Thanks for the info! Do you know anything about an alarm system? I thought I read that there was a standard “immobilizer” system and then also an audible one, which was an upgrade.

You got it. More can be found here.

Wow, the Sirius radio is now $950?!?!? I hope that includes the $500 lifetime subscription.

It does. You can read more from our report last Sunday here.

Can you help me??

I can’t help anymore than say I’ve been specifically told it’s a standard feature on the new MINI. Sorry.

I thought I had read it here, but when I went back and looked, I couldn’t find it. Thanks for confirming Gabe.

That’s interesting news, Gabe. I tried to check through the various news posts about the R56, but haven’t found anything indicating that it is going to be standard equipment. Can you help me?? :D

Thanks for the info! Do you know anything about an alarm system? I thought I read that there was a standard “immobilizer” system and then also an audible one, which was an upgrade.

Have you heard anything about subscription costs for the Nav system?

Thanks! Your site is THE place to be this week! :-)

Is the Aero Kit now a factory installed option??

As reported earlier this week, yes the MINI aero kit is available factory installed.

If the dealers have this, when will it be available on MINI USA configurator?

No changes since we reported on this in July. It’s still slated for a December debut.

Anyone know where the Driving Light are? If they’re still being offered? Or just re-named?

This information doesn’t include dealer installed accessories.

Gabe – Any idea where the 5 color cabin lighting option is?

It’s not an option, it’s standard.

My MA told me the Aero kit (which he expects to be the one pictured on the mini.uk.co JCW page) is factory installed, as he referenced the current kit as being about 2350 or so, installed.

So, sweet indeed.

My dealer contacted me today and let me place my order. Very exciting to finally have a deposit down for one of the first of the 3/07 builds (gotta have the Nav and auto transmission…).

I have also emailed my dealer about the lighting option. If I hear anything, I’ll certainly pass it along.

I’d like to read up on the BMW premium stereo.

Thanks in advance! JMelrose

Now you know what us Canadians had to put up with while speccing out an R50 Cooper. I myself could not figure out how the $1,800 sport package did not include sport suspension plus. (it was an additional $500) Not MINI’s finest hour.

It has been reported on MINI2.com in the R56 forums that the hi-fi stero is still a H/K, just without the branding. Same speakers, processing, etc.

Based on what I’ve heard from folks at MINI, that is not true. The Hi-Fi stereo is based on the 3 Series premium stereo which is not related to Harmon Kardon at all. In fact if you look across BMWs entire range you’ll see that they now offer no H/K products.