That's the question I'm pondering these days. I'm getting close to ordering my MINI, and I keep flipping between CR and AB as my color choices (no real desire for other colors, regardless of how easy they might be to keep clean) . I love how both look (either choice will have white roof/mirrors/viper stripes), and so my decision essentially comes down to how difficult each is to take care of.

CR is a flat paint, so I assume that it'll show swirls and other paint imperfections moreso than a metallic paint. However, it'll mask dusk a little better than AB, right?

And I assume that the metallic flakes in AB will help mask swirls, but because of the dark color it'll show dust and dirt more?

Is there any logic in these assumptions? Or are they both equally difficult to keep shiny? Thanks for the help in advance!

 

I can only speak for the Chili Cart but she is always super shiny! I also don't see to many CR on the street which is nice.

I've had black cars and when they are clean they are glorious but they do show dirt quickly. I'm sure you'll love either color!!

 

Well my CR is certainly not FLAT and looked, you've offended her



You are right however, the darker the paint the better it shines when clean. Nothing looks better than a clean black car. But black would drive me crazy because it would stay clean for about 3 minutes. Also to consider is that black paints (at least from BMW) are softer and more prone to swirls.
So it really boils down to just how OCD are you and can you live with the requiements of a AB MINI? AB is a great looking color but ... CR is faster!

 

aren't metallic paints a lot harder to touch up as well?

 

They are harder to touch up from my experiance, I'm a CR owner and have found it to be a deep a shiny paint. I'm not super OCD but by using mystique and hydro from detailers paradise I have been able to clean it shiny.

 

I vote for AB just so my car can be that one tiny bit more unique.

 

R56, definitely black. not because of the swirlage, etc. the arch plastic
looks awfully huge unless you get them painted to body color.

 

I vote for CR.

Despite both colors being dark and on the more difficult side of the spectrum to care for overall, red is almost always easier to maintain than black. The CR, in particular, is easy to get some nice wetness out of and yet hides more than the AB (scratches/swirls and dust!). Plus, many black paints tend to be physically softer paint- which will lead to higher scratch risk.

I concur with the comments about metallics in general (ie, touchup paint) but metallic vs flat aside, red is still easier to keep looking nearly perfect.

I do love a black car but red is the best of all worlds, IMO!

(note that I would personally opt for black anyway if Nick vowed to be my daily detailing slave to keep the black in perfect shape 24/7! )

-Heather

 

Although I don't have ASTRO black, I think I qualify as someone who can answer your question.... CR or AB ?

Well, after having spent hundreds of hours detailing a CR Cooper and maybe 75 hours or so (hey, we've only had Dr Evil for 6 months now and he's a weekend-only MINI), I can honestly say....

GET ONE OF EACH !!!!!

Of course, if I have to pick one or the other, I will stick with my first love... Chili Red. Not too hard to keep looking great and when it's well taken care of, a real eye-catcher. Especially with the right amount of checkers.

 

You sir, Mr. "I can't make a decision so I'll buy one of each" CRPWJB, are a waffler, a flip-flopper a fence-sitter extraordinar!
Ever thought of a career in politics?

 

Hey now, someone with a user name that includes "Maybee" is going to call ME a waffler... flip-flopper... fence-sitter... ???

But hey, maybe you're right. After all, I'm loving some other MINI colors too, so who knows... maybeeeeee some day you'll be calling me "CR&PW&JB&LB&MY&ANOTHERCRTHISONEWITHWHITEROOF" .

 

Well before you rush out and buy one of each, consider for a moment that there is a character limitation for screen names.
You know I kid because I'm BRG with envy.

 

Here ya go


Mark

 

That reminds me... I forgot all about BRG ! Add that one to my list of wants. BRG with white roof and mirrors, black viper stripe with white pins, and a white scoop.

 

I wish my BRG was solid BRG, not metallic Maybe some day I'll paint him that way

Mark

 

Here is what Astro Black looks like when dirty


And when polished and cleaned


Dirty


Clean



When Chili Red gets dirty, it looks orange!


And when it needs polishing, it looks dull in the sun


Once polished looks much better!


This is not the same MINI, but it is the same Chili Red. Once polished, it looks fantastic




Bottom line is, I don't think you can go wrong with either color if you maintain it. I think in these examples, Chili Red looks worse when neglected due to the significant color change.

 

I think we should start up a petition for MINI to make the BRG in non-metallic paint. While we're at it, let's petition them to bring back JB and PH. Well... maybe one thing at a time.

 

Thanks for all the constructive responses, especially OctaneGuy's comparison shots...those were awesome!

I'd like to say that it helped to sway my decision one way or the other...but after hearing so much positive feedback on both colors I'm just as stuck as I was before!

I have all the components of the order figured out....now I just need to decide on a color.

 

I'll sign up to that

Mark

 

Can we add HO availability for the Cooper tintop?

And the return of SG? I heart SG muchly.

 

I just looked on the MINI configurator, and of the 13 possible colours, 7 of them are some shade of blue or silver.

I think MINI needs some new blood in the design department....

 

Black or red? Im no help. I have both.

 

One side of your car is red and the other black?
Whoa, talk about indecision.

 

How about a red body colour with black roof and strips.

Mark