Just thought I'd start here and say hi and introduce myself....warning long post ahead

I'm a regular over on Miata.net, MINI's are very popular over there (a lot of Miata owners have both) as are Minis (the original of course).

I've gotten interested in buying one because of my wife, who normally could care less about cars but needs a new one REALLY likes MINI's...come to think of it so do about 99% of the women I know, even those who don't care about cars

Since used MINI's command such a premium and I like the engine and transmission in the Gen II a bit better, we've decided to go ahead and buy new.

She doesn't drive a lot, and while I'll be driving it some I've got other cars I would still be using that are fun to drive to...so rather than a real daily driver it will be mostly a garage queen...

But as she points out it will be the only car SHE has ever picked out, all of her other cars have "been a great deal", or a friend or relative had one available, etc. ; this is one car she'd actually have a say in getting.

Not to prattle on too long, but we're looking at getting a base Cooper, probably Oxy Blue/White (no sunroof), might go with Chili Red/White but OB is a fairly rare color and really suits the MINI, especially for her.

Looking over options we'd keep it fairly simple, winter package, foglamps, rear foglamp, white signal lenses, probably the rotator spoke wheels, and a few other accessory bits.

A couple of questions I have are:

1. Interior accents - seems like all I see are silver, Piano Black looked ok but might be a little tomblike, especially in a OB car, anybody have "Gotham Grey"? Any other suggestions for the interior accent trim in an OB or CR car?

2. Armrest - take it or leave it? Her current car does not have an armrest but I have them in my other cars (or with the Miata the console becomes and arm rest because you sit so low) but I hear the MINI factory one is really not very good, there are aftermarket ones but what's the best quality and fit, factory or aftermarket?

3. Invisishield - seems like a no brainer, given the blunt front end of the car but our local dealer (who I am not very impressed with at all, in fact they seem pretty rude and arrogant, I might shop elsewhere for the actual car) is asking $900 installed - that's $640 in labor alone for a car that doesn't really have many compound curves, so it seems exorbitant and given some dude at the dealership does them (I'm generally not a fan of the quality of service and accessory staff at new car dealers) and it's not factory I wonder if it's just better to get it done aftermarket?

Anyway that's all for now, I'm looking forward to this forum, seems pretty nice, much like miata.net, not a lot of cowboys and troll jerks in fact I have not seen any.

We're probably 90% sure we are going to get the car, just need to decide on a time frame, probably looking at a late summer order for delivery in Novermber - December, if they are shipping 2009's by then.

Analogeezer


p.s. If we go with Oxy Blue I see there is already a 50+ page thread waiting for me to join.....you guys are sick and I mean that in a good way!

 

My CR/W MINI has carbon black/Gotham grey interior. It doesn't strike me as too dark, though the interior of my roof is a light light grey, and I have a sunroof. For interiors, you could scope out all the MINIs at a dealership till you see something you like with either OB/W or CR/W.

I don't have an armrest, and don't miss it.

Invisishield. Don't have that either. Have gotten a few pings on the bonnet which eventually I'll touch up.

So, welcome to the MINIverse of the quirky and eccentric.

CROC 411

 

Welcome! Sounds great that the process is something both you and your wife can enjoy together. I agree with RedDragoon that looking around the dealer lot at combos in person might help. I will say that I test drove an MC with the black lounge leather, anthracite headliner, piano black and crome trims and it was very sharp inside and didn't seem too dark, though it did have the sunroof so more light was coming in.

Welcome and have fun

 

Welcome, and good choice of cars! I suggest the MCS, only because of the power and the fun...test drive both and you'll understand.

I have the brushed silver - I like it, since it breaks up the monotony, and it's really easy to take care of (NOT so for the Piano black...unless you LIKE fingerprints and smears.)

I'm still undecided on the arm rest. I didn't have one in my last MCS, and do in my current car...it took some getting used to....

Good luck!

 

Welcome to NAM!
I have the euro armrest, and really love it. It lifts out of the way for spirited driving too!

I wish I'd have goten the clear bra, I have AB and a **** load of chips on bonnet!

 

Piano black interior doesn't give the car so much a coffin feel as a limo feel. Very luxurious, and I absolutely love the look of it... but it also attracts dust and fingerprints, as xuhohx said. If your wife is at all OCD, skip the piano black. I'm in my car once a week with a swiffer and a damp towel. If I had to do it over again, I'd go with the brushed alloy surface interior. Doesn't show scratches and imperfections, and looks gorgeous.

I didn't think the center armrest was a must, but it's actually really nice. Goes out of the way when you don't want it, and is right there when you do. It also makes a great spot to stow your cell phone when you're on the road. Glad I have it now.