Question on Interior Chrome Pkg
Originally Posted by Mr. Bill
My 05 MCSC has the factory interior chrome package and they are black. You can certainly order aftermarket chrome 'covers' if you need more chrome though.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, NC
I recently retrofitted the OEM Chromeline Interior pieces into my 05 MCS.
The OEM Chromeline Interior does not provide chrome covers for the toggle switch guard loops. (Some aftermarket suppliers do offer covers for these).
Chrome is a balancing act. Some people remove or black out all traces of chrome, and others go into chrome-overload. Personally, I think it is best if done "tastefully."
What's great about adding the Chromeline Interior (either as a factory option or as a post-purchase retrofit) is that it doesn't introduce another element into the interior color scheme that isn't already there--it merely re-distributes the quantities.
For example, our cars already have a bit of chrome: door pulls, toggle switches, glove box handle, shift ****, and e-brake tip. Your doors, dash, bezels, and downtubes are silver (or anthracite, or brushed, or body color, or piano black...).
Unlike introducing a third color such as carbon fiber, wood grain, etc. into the interior, the Chromeline Interior just changes the ratio: a bit more chrome (the bezels and brake handle ends become chrome) and a bit less silver, anthracite, etc..... without bringing in a totally new element into the interior.
The result is an interior that appears well-appointed without looking overly busy or uncoordinated. The pieces just "look" like they belong. The aftermarket suppliers make everything conceivable in chrome. It's a personal preference, but I'm not a huge advocate of going berzerk with it--if you upset the balance, it will be evident and (in my humble opinion) will look like you just stuck on everything you could get your hands on from the "Bling-Rack" at your local Autozone.
P.S. One thing that really ties in the Chromeline Interior without making the car look cheap is the Whalen Shift Machine! I had the top half of mine polished to mimic the chrome top of the stock shift ****. (See "After" Pictures).
My Before:
My After:
The OEM Chromeline Interior does not provide chrome covers for the toggle switch guard loops. (Some aftermarket suppliers do offer covers for these).
Chrome is a balancing act. Some people remove or black out all traces of chrome, and others go into chrome-overload. Personally, I think it is best if done "tastefully."
What's great about adding the Chromeline Interior (either as a factory option or as a post-purchase retrofit) is that it doesn't introduce another element into the interior color scheme that isn't already there--it merely re-distributes the quantities.
For example, our cars already have a bit of chrome: door pulls, toggle switches, glove box handle, shift ****, and e-brake tip. Your doors, dash, bezels, and downtubes are silver (or anthracite, or brushed, or body color, or piano black...).
Unlike introducing a third color such as carbon fiber, wood grain, etc. into the interior, the Chromeline Interior just changes the ratio: a bit more chrome (the bezels and brake handle ends become chrome) and a bit less silver, anthracite, etc..... without bringing in a totally new element into the interior.
The result is an interior that appears well-appointed without looking overly busy or uncoordinated. The pieces just "look" like they belong. The aftermarket suppliers make everything conceivable in chrome. It's a personal preference, but I'm not a huge advocate of going berzerk with it--if you upset the balance, it will be evident and (in my humble opinion) will look like you just stuck on everything you could get your hands on from the "Bling-Rack" at your local Autozone.
P.S. One thing that really ties in the Chromeline Interior without making the car look cheap is the Whalen Shift Machine! I had the top half of mine polished to mimic the chrome top of the stock shift ****. (See "After" Pictures).
My Before:
My After:
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
I bought a kit off eBay for like $80. It is made from chrome covered plastic. It looks good and has held up very well. I have had it installed for 1 year. It came with the toggle switch covers which I did not install. They just covered the front side of the ring and i didn't think it would look or feel good when in use.
Other than that, I have been very happy with the kit. Looks and feels like chrome without the $$$$.
Hope this helps!
Other than that, I have been very happy with the kit. Looks and feels like chrome without the $$$$.
Hope this helps!
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Thanks for all your input
I just got my car back from adding fog lights at the dealer and I thought the loops were chrome - I guess I was wrong. Anyway they replaced the switch panel the color looked different to me.
I just got my car back from adding fog lights at the dealer and I thought the loops were chrome - I guess I was wrong. Anyway they replaced the switch panel the color looked different to me.
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 798
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte, NC
I did the installation myself.
The cupholder rings were the easiest: just snap off the old ones and snap on the new.
The shifter boot ring was pretty easy too. Once you pop off the old ring, the shift boot is sandwiched between the outer ring and an inner one. Separate the two rings, substitute the chrome one, and then snap back into place. There's an aligning tang to line up--very self-evident.
The rings around the hazard and dimmer buttons just pluck off and the new ones just get popped right back on.
The vent rings turn to unlock before coming off. Align the keyway in the new ones, press them on, and turn them to lock them on. This is also very easy.
(You'll want put on the speedo ring first, or you'll have to take the vent and button rings back off again).
The two toughest parts of the install are the speedo ring and the tach. In my case, I bought a chrome tach so it was a direct swap-in (then the dealer has to reprogram it).
Recently, just the tach ring can be bought. These days, the tach can be removed, opened up, and the old trim ring removed by levering its tabs from the inside. This is a MUCH less expensive option. This wasn't always available: when I did my install, you had to buy the entire chrome tach plus programming. Fortunately, I came across a great deal and got the chrome tach itself for $50.
The speedo ring has to be unglued, which means you have to get to the backside of it. This isn't as scary as it may seem: above the speedo are two screws going up into the dash cover. Remove these screws. Open the driver's door and remove the cap covering the left end of the dash, then remove the two screws there. This allows you to raise the dash just enough to remove the middle section of the facia. First, pull out the bottom of your painted dash, then pull up on the dash enough to lift the painted trim off its hangers. Remove the screws beneath, and the entire speedo surround comes off.
The speedo trim ring has a dab of hot-glue on each of the tabs. Use your hot-glue gun to re-liquify the dabs of hot-glue, switch rings, then give each tab another dab. Reassemble in reverse.
The E-Brake handle is bought as a separate piece.
Squeeze and pull up the e-brake boot. Invert the boot, then cut the zip tie holding the boot to the back end of the e-brake handle. Pull the tip off the e-brake handle (twist with a small flat-head screwdriver) then pull the two tabs apart and slide off the body of the e-brake handle. Install in reverse--use a new zip tie.
My costs (using my 10% Club Discount) were:
$112.50 for the retrofit kit (from dealership)
$23.85 for the e-brake handle (from dealership, sold separately)
$50.00 for the tach (brand new, I got a bargain off someone)
$47.50 for the new tach programming (no longer required)
If you don't have the arm rest, you can also buy the rear cupholder ring, which is sold separately (don't know the cost).
There are a bunch of pics and instructions here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59403
here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=20#post869970
and especially here (with prices):
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/chrome.html
The cupholder rings were the easiest: just snap off the old ones and snap on the new.
The shifter boot ring was pretty easy too. Once you pop off the old ring, the shift boot is sandwiched between the outer ring and an inner one. Separate the two rings, substitute the chrome one, and then snap back into place. There's an aligning tang to line up--very self-evident.
The rings around the hazard and dimmer buttons just pluck off and the new ones just get popped right back on.
The vent rings turn to unlock before coming off. Align the keyway in the new ones, press them on, and turn them to lock them on. This is also very easy.
(You'll want put on the speedo ring first, or you'll have to take the vent and button rings back off again).
The two toughest parts of the install are the speedo ring and the tach. In my case, I bought a chrome tach so it was a direct swap-in (then the dealer has to reprogram it).
Recently, just the tach ring can be bought. These days, the tach can be removed, opened up, and the old trim ring removed by levering its tabs from the inside. This is a MUCH less expensive option. This wasn't always available: when I did my install, you had to buy the entire chrome tach plus programming. Fortunately, I came across a great deal and got the chrome tach itself for $50.
The speedo ring has to be unglued, which means you have to get to the backside of it. This isn't as scary as it may seem: above the speedo are two screws going up into the dash cover. Remove these screws. Open the driver's door and remove the cap covering the left end of the dash, then remove the two screws there. This allows you to raise the dash just enough to remove the middle section of the facia. First, pull out the bottom of your painted dash, then pull up on the dash enough to lift the painted trim off its hangers. Remove the screws beneath, and the entire speedo surround comes off.
The speedo trim ring has a dab of hot-glue on each of the tabs. Use your hot-glue gun to re-liquify the dabs of hot-glue, switch rings, then give each tab another dab. Reassemble in reverse.
The E-Brake handle is bought as a separate piece.
Squeeze and pull up the e-brake boot. Invert the boot, then cut the zip tie holding the boot to the back end of the e-brake handle. Pull the tip off the e-brake handle (twist with a small flat-head screwdriver) then pull the two tabs apart and slide off the body of the e-brake handle. Install in reverse--use a new zip tie.
My costs (using my 10% Club Discount) were:
$112.50 for the retrofit kit (from dealership)
$23.85 for the e-brake handle (from dealership, sold separately)
$50.00 for the tach (brand new, I got a bargain off someone)
$47.50 for the new tach programming (no longer required)
If you don't have the arm rest, you can also buy the rear cupholder ring, which is sold separately (don't know the cost).
There are a bunch of pics and instructions here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59403
here:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=20#post869970
and especially here (with prices):
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/chrome.html
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