The Most Underrated Option on MINIs is…
We’ve specced our fair share of MINIs over the years and followed MINIUSA’s tweaking of options and packages. The truth is that the most underrated options differs greatly on what you’re doing with your car and where you drive. So instead of giving you a single answer, we’re going to give you three.
(Based on MINIUSA’s options and packages for the F54, F55 and F56)
The Most Underrated Factory Option/Package for City Dwellers is: The Cold Weather Package.
It sounds crazy but the cold weather package is critical for those who are constantly fitting their MINI in tight urban spots as I typically am. The irony is that it’s not the listed options that help the city dwellers (although who doesn’t love a heated seat). It’s the unlisted options that deliver enormous convenience: The reviser dipping right-side mirror and the power folding mirrors. Both make the easier to park and fit in tight city-sized spots.
Runner up: the alarm and convenience package – we’ve can’t pick between the two.
The Most Underrated Factory Option/Package for Suburban Dwellers is: LED headlights
Never has the delta been bigger between the standard MINI headlight and the optional one. The current F54, F55 and F56 LED headlights are excellent and a clear (sic) improvement over the Xenons that came before them.
Runner up: the convenience package. Who likes pressing key-fobs?
The Most Underrated Factory Option/Package for Enthusiasts drivers: The Manual Transmission.
Yup, the single best way to endow your MINI with that go-kart feel is by simply ordering one without selecting the automatic. We think this is especially important outside of the city where you have plenty of space to stretch the MINI’s legs. But then again we we’re crazy enough to think it’s perfect for long urban commutes as well. Maybe it’s just perfect for everything.
Runner up: Variable dampers and/or the passive Sport Suspension (depending on whether you’re getting a Cooper, Cooper S or JCW).
Ok enough of what we think? What option or package can you not live without?
<p>Definitely the most underrated is the cold weather package. I’m amazed when I look at dealer inventory how many times the dealer orders a car without it. Mini should just make it a standard item.</p>
<p>Completely agree, It should be built into every car sold north of the mason dixon line for sure. I can’t speak to the needs of those in warmer climates…..maybe it’s not so valuable there, and it speaks to Gabe being from where he rated it so highly.</p>
<p>I live south of the mason dixon line and it’s still required. We have many mornings in the 20s, a handful of teens, and on rare occasions, single digits.</p>
<p>agree on all 3 counts, my ’08 + ’13 Clubman were equipped w/cold weather pkg/manual tran; lights were upgraded on the ’13 to xenon, glad to hear the LEDs are better</p>
<p>as an aside, got the driving lights for aesthetics on my ’13, but actually use them quite frequently for evening suburbs/rural driving – any word on how the LED driving lights are compared to the predecessor?</p>
<p>The list of underrated options really depends on where you live and drive. Cold weather package is not an option I would get (didn’t get) as I have no need for it here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Now the dipping right side mirror should either be a standard option or a Stand-alone option. Folding mirrors, ahhh. – Now it comes with the inside/outside Autodim option..That is where the dip mirror item should be included with and not with the Cold pkg.</p>
<p>To the question: “Who likes pressing key-fobs?” I have no issue with that. Comfort access is not something I got or would get. What’s so difficult or hard about pressing a button on a fob? Come on!</p>
<p>For me the most underrated options are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Auto dimming rear view mirrors. With so many vehicles having HID headlights (factory and after market) those light are blinding. I swore that after my R50 I would not get a car without A.D.M. I never see dealers spec this option. Btw, the regular manual inside mirror adjustment is ok but the A.D.M view is so much better and clearer view in autodim mode.</p></li>
<li><p>Rear fog light: Not only for fog, but heavy rain and snow/white out conditions. If people are getting the Cold Weather PKG because they get snow, rear fog should be a must. I got them because we get a lot of fog in the summer here. (FYI. Front Fogs if purchasing a Non S is also a must)</p></li>
<li><p>Storage Pkg: I am so glad I got that option. It allows me to keep emergency stuff and folded canvas shopping bags in the boot (and hide it) while still giving me a full usable boot space. I don’t know why more Dealers don’t spec’d cars with it.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Regarding the LED headlights, I agree that the standard Halogen are crap. I would have purchased the LED but the $750 extra wasn’t in my budget (I only purchased the most needed options). In today’s market, MINI should have had some type of HID as standard, no more Halogen.</p>
<p>The other option depending on where you live that I never see spec’d by the Dealer is the Alarm system. The was a must for me. Yes you can get aftermarket (or maybe even dealer installed) but aftermarket may mess up the electronic of the car, and dealer installed to expensive vs. at time of order.</p>
<p>I would also like to see the new Active Driving Assistant option to be a stand-alone option and not as only via the Fully Loaded Pkg ($4,500 + $1,000 MSRP). ADA has some excellent safety systems and I don’t care for and don’t want so of the stuff in the full loaded pk (like Panoramic sunroof, NAV, Dynamic Damper and 17″ Rims)</p>
<p>With the options you want standard the base price would increase by 2-4K I. Then you are right back to the same price as choosing the options – except you don’t have a choice.</p>
<p>Bernie4pres: I think you have my post here mixed up with another post I have for a different MF article. My comment here is on what I feel are the most underrated options, key word being “options” (not standard)</p>
<p>Now I do feel that for a car classified as “premium”, Halogen Headlights should not be standard. Not in today’s world, especially for a premium car. Doesn’t have to be LED but should be some type of projector HID. Halogen’s are for cars in the sub $20K range.</p>
<p>Also I noted that the ADA option should be an A la Carte package. That option/package should not require a person to also have to puchase the full loaded package option. I find it odd that MINI requires a person who wants those safety features to have to get another package with stuff (and cost) that I wouldn’t want.</p>
<p>As for Autodim rearview mirror, when I purchased my 2015 F56 S (April 2015), I didn’t have to also get folding mirrors and outside autodim. Each option was A la Carte and that’s how I feel it still should be.</p>
<p>Now to get the inside Autodim rearview mirror, you have to get a package that includes folding outside mirror with autodim. That did increase the price $250 more. Maybe not enough people were getting the ADRVM so MINI decided a package would have people order it. I don’t know, I’m just not in agreement with that decision.</p>
<p>I was replying to correct post but I misread standalone option as standard option on the drivers assistant pack – hence my 2-4K price increase estimate. Re reading I see you only said LEDs should be standard.</p>
<p>I’ll agree about shouldn’t have to get fully loaded pack the get drivers assistant although there are several optional items needed for the DAP to work that aren’t included in the pack (hence MINI saying fully loaded is required – should offer another version with the not included options it needs to work for a slightly higher price if need be.</p>
<p>LED headlights. Why are halogens even offered? Not only is visibility better, the car looks far more premium, even in daytime with the LED DRLs. Most F5x cars I see have halogens, and they just look cheap. Of course Mini cheaped out and the brake/signals are still bulbs, but I guess they need to save something for the LCI.</p>
<p>I skipped Comfort Access after reading the manual, which says you still have to push a button… on the door handle. A lot of cars with this detect your hand grabbing/pulling the handle. If I have to push a button, it may as well be in my pocket. I suspect folks (women, mostly) who carry their keys in a bag may feel differently.</p>
<p>Guess you feel differently about comfort access than me. I love not ever having to pull the keys out of my pocket. My 07 had it and when traded it for an 09 I wanted to save $500 and did not get comfort access. Picked up the MINI and immediately regretted not having gotten the comfort access. I regretted it every single time I locked or unlocked the doors until I got a new 2011 I made sure I got it on that one.</p>
<p>I have a base model 2015 Cooper-S with a manual. For 23k, I’m good not having any packages. That amount of money bought me a very quick (not just quick for a “small” car, just quick period) car that oozes fun and competence the moment you get behind the wheel. Sure, I wish I had more tire under it than the stock 16″ provide (I live in Little Rock, we have some awesome roads here), but otherwise I’m very happy with the entry-level model.</p>
<p>dynamic headlights and auto climate/lights/wipers.. never had those options ever but could not live w/o them :)</p>
<p>Auto lights and wipers are (have been) standard equipment in the US. Auto climate I believe became standard equipment on the F56 for the 2015 model.</p>
<p>Being from Iowa, yes the Cold Weather Package, but it should include heated steering wheel as well. One pet peeve is the heated seats: Why can’t they be adjustable, rather than burning your but off within five minutes? Ok, sure there is the three adjustments, but even on one, the seat burns you out. AND: Maybe I’m not so savvy, but the heater never gets even warm, until the 30 minute mark, by then I’m at work, or wherever I’m going.</p>
<p>You may have something wrong with your car. In every MINI I’ve ever had they work as warm, hot and hotter.</p>
<p>Gabe, it’s this way in the roadster as it was the same in my previous r56. Same with the crappy heater too. Example: Ladt night, it took 20 minutes to get home, my but was burning off and the heater had no heat, and this was with a temperature is 21 degrees. Go figure? I’ve gone to my MINI dealer and they say it’s normal.</p>
<p>hemisedan: I have a somewhat different thing that happens to me. With the Auto dual climate set to Auto and the A/C on (button activate), if the outside temp is lower than inside, I get heated air, even thought the A/C is switched on. Crazy.</p>
<p>I did some research and that is normal for any vehicle with this type of setup. In my opinion, even if it’s 40 degrees outside, if I have the A/C on, I should get A/C (I know why would I have the A/C with it being 40 deg).</p>
<p>The other thing I’ve found, in the F56, the temp can only be adjusted in 2 deg increments. Why? Every other vehicle I’ve driven/tested who has autotemp, the temp can be adjusted in 1 deg increments.</p>
<p>With the auto climate you set what you want the interior temp to be. The car will then figure out how to get the inside temp there as conveniently as possible. I’ve had mine blow cold air on a cold winter day when it had been sitting out in the sun. The A/C button does not define cold air. In certain cases it can actually provide warm air faster and it will dry the air, which is great if you live in a humid climate.</p>
<p>The 2 degree increments come from Celsius (I’m guessing the system is set up in C). I think very few people can actually feel the difference between 66 and 68 ;). In my 5 series it’s digital as well, but I can’t even see exactly what temp it is (see pic). In my Mini I used to have it set to 72 when it’s cold, 66 when it was warm as it didn’t adequately cool when it was warm or heat when it was cold.</p>
<p>I love the LED lights on my MINI, they are awesome and are very helpful.</p>
<p>Adaptative LED’s and Harman Kardon. These headlights are absolutely awesome, from how they look to how bright they are. The HK sound system is really nice, sounds great with deep bass and is LOUD!</p>
<p>I agree with this article though I wonder if the “convenience package” is the “storage package”? If that is the case, I got nearly everything on the list when I ordered mine. Manual transmission, cold weather package,alarm system and storage package. Did not get LED lights.</p>