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Configurator Challenge: Mini Cooper

How would you spec your little British hatchback?


Customisation is in vogue at the moment, but choice can be seriously confusing. In our new configurator challenge, we're going to let the CarAdvice team loose on a manufacturer's website to create their ideal spec of a certain model.

This week it's the Mini Cooper, as specced by three members of the team.

Let us know what you think in the comments, and let us know which cars you'd like to see.


Scott Collie, Journalist

Scott: I've gone with Luxury Lapis Blue for the exterior, coupled with a set of black 16-inch wheels. Why not the 18-inch wheels in white? Ride comfort! This is a city car, and I want it to be comfortable over Melbourne's potholes, cobbled streets and horrid speed bumps.

The standard Cooper Hatch comes with a three-cylinder engine making 100kW of power and 220Nm of torque. Although an automatic is optional, you'd be mad to spec a sporty small car like this with an automatic. I'll have the six-speed manual, thanks.

Inside, I've chosen Satellite Grey leather sports seats and off-white trim, which contrasts nicely with the black dashboard and door panels. It's also in keeping with two-tone look of the exterior.

On the options front, my hatch has the Convenience Package – that means keyless entry, an alarm, parking sensors and a reversing camera, along with auto-dimming mirrors.

It's not 100 per cent necessary but, given this is essentially Monopoly Money we're spending here, this Cooper also has the Driver Assistance package with LED headlamps, tyre-pressure monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warnings and low-speed auto-emergency braking.

Can I have one please?


James Wong, Journalist 

James: Being the classy dude I am, I've opted for the classic British Racing Green exterior paint, accented with white bonnet stripes, mirror caps and roof.

For the wheels I chose the 17-inch 'Cosmos' alloys in black, because they look a little sporty while also having normal tyres and not run-flats like the larger 18s – #ridecomfort.

Like Scollie, I've gone for the Satellite Grey 'lounge' leather seats with Carbon Black piping, along with piano black trim inserts and the optional Satellite Grey interior colour line for that delicious two-tone look.

In terms of options and packages, I ticked the Climate Package – adding privacy glass, an electric panoramic sunroof and heated front seats – the Multimedia Pro pack – Navigation Professional, head-up display and Harman Kardon audio – along with the Control Package – Driver Assistant Package, LED headlights with cornering lights and tyre pressure monitoring.

I'm too scared to ask what that all costs on a standard Cooper, but I reckon my spec is a great all-rounder – good-looking, luxurious, and filled with technology.


Kez Casey, Road Tester 

Kez: You can't beat a classic, right? Well maybe you can, but that hasn't stopped me from speccing a car to look as close as possible to the first of the modern Minis – given those arrived 18 years ago, they may as well be a classic.

I've stuck with the team because a white roof is a must, but I've bucked the trend when it comes to body colour. A Mini should be playful, so Electric Blue it is. Class has no place on a Mini, no matter how British you think it is.

Cone-spoke alloy wheels also get a lick of white paint, and of course they're 18-inchers – ride comfort be damned. The mirrors are chrome-covered for a twist on the theme, and contrast with black bonnet stripes.

It may look sporty from the outside, but inside I have played the luxury card with Dark Truffle leather trim, Dark Cottonwood dash and door accents, then gotten click-happy with options. Panoramic roof, climate package, upsized navigation, Harman Kardon audio, heated sports seats, dual-zone climate control... Thank you very much.

Trainspotters might notice roof rails (in preparation for roof racks, natch), because you never know when you might need to carry something larger than a folded napkin, which is all the boot is good for. Oh, and LED interior lighting with a black roof lining for party monsters.

And the price? Eye-watering.

Next week, the CarAdvice team will be speccing motorsport Porsches. Get your own GT3 and GT3 RS configurations ready to share in the comments. 

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