Hi Ministers,

I think this is my first post ever on NAM, although I am a long time forum/gallery voyeur!

OK so I think I might be taking the jump into actually BUYING a mini.

I have one major problem that I just cannot get my head around, and being a visual person at heart it is causing me to go insane!

So I really love the Chilli Red with white stripes look. I just like the whiteness of the white against the Chilli Red.

My problem is, I actually prefer the Clubman over the standard Cooper. But, as you know, the Clubman does not come with White Stripes. It comes with Silver Stripes. I still like silver features and would be happy to go with silver features, but I will be spending ALOT of money on this thing!

So my question to the Ministers is this - which way do I go? I guess I just need convincing that the Clubman Chilli Red with Silver is the way to go, as opposed to a standard Cooper in Chilli Red and White.

Thanks for listening to this loon.

cheers!
Glen

 

Stripes are such a minor thing. Get the MINI you really want and then buy aftermarket stripes and put them on yourself.

Problem solved. Right ?

 

Oh I never knew you could do that

But also I like the White roof with Chilli Red...

 

I'm sure you could also put a vinyl graphic on the roof of the Clubman, although it might be tough given those two ridge lines on each side of the roof.

Sounds like you have an interesting decision to make. Just have to weigh the pros and cons of each and make a smart choice.

And, btw... why limit yourself to one color on your roof of a Chili Red MINI ??

 

Not a fan of the silver roof, sorry. I had initially wanted the CR/White regular cooper but decided on the Clubman. Rather disappointed with the lack of white roof on the Clubman and went with NFR/Blk although I've seen CR/Blk and it looks good too.

 

This is a tough question. Perhaps the first thing to resolve is which you need more, regardless of the color, the R56 or the Clubman. Given my lifestyle (pets, hobbies, home renovations, friends over 50 who would have trouble climbing into the back seat of an R56 ) and the fact that this would be my only car, I couldn't even consider a MINI until the Clubman came out, much as I liked the look of the R56.

I blame my obsession with color on my quilting. I love it when colors combine and "pop". CR/W does indeed pop, as does the white roof with many other colors. The silver can subdue colors a bit, but it still looks very nice. There are some terrific CR/S pix on pp. 6 and 7 of the CR Clubman thread that made a believer out of me. I ended up going CR/B for the bold contrast, and I couldn't be happier.

+1 on the aftermarket stripes (although your dealer might be able to "break the rules" and do white stripes after all), and CR&PW&JB offers an interesting workaround with the checkered roof. Keep in mind that you'll have to choose between silver and black for the C-pillars on the Clubman's boot as well, unless you want to go aftermarket for body-colored C-pillars.

 

Hi All,

Thank you very much for the feedback. I will take all of it onboard.

It's not that I don't DISlike any particular color-combo - they're all great - it's just a very personal thing I guess.

tancred - thanks for the CR/B suggestion. I love your term 'pop'. That's exactly what I am aiming for. But every combo pops on the Mini!

Test-driving a clubman on Tuesday I believe...

cheers,
Glen

 

I understand your situation. I wanted a Clubman w/ BRG & White roof/stripes (nod to the racing tradition) but couldn't get white so went with Lightning Blue & silver. It works as I am Air Force but still think whoever set up these combinations needs to find a new line of work.

 

The CR/Silver combo is sooo pretty with the racing stripes..you should look at Parkertons profile and pics on flickr in the clubman section...they are a great representation of CR/Silver...Good Luck with your choice!!

 

If you and your front passenger are tall and like leg room there really is no back seat in a R56. I had one as a loaner and with the front seat all the way back it touched the rear seats 0 leg room back there. The R56 is basically a 2 seater or a short peoples car. Besides I think anyone over 30 wouldn't want to climb back there.

My Sugesstion:
Order a clubbie with body colored roof, and black rear trim and you can get the white stripes put on. With the prices MINI charges im sure you can convince the dealer to order and install them 4 you. Those extra 9" and rear door are really nice. Also the longer roof allows you to mount a longer luggage box to carry junk in if you wanted to take a trip with 2 or 3 other people. The cubbie has a hidden basment and sub basment (if you have runflats) to put lots of junk in. And unless you intend to race this car you won't notice any differance in handeling or power between the two.

Both cars are definately fun to drive and dont look like everything else on the road.

My Clubmann replaced my Surburban (which I still own). I haven't drivin the surburban except to get it inspected since the cubbie arrived end of September. Im taking the clubman on a short 3000 mile trip with 3 people instead of the surburban and at this point gas prices have nothing to do with it since they are currenty lower than when I purchased the surbaban in 2001.