I am hoping this is a good place to get some opinions on how easy or difficult it is to maintain chili red. It is my lead choice among the three colors I am narrowed it down to with the other choices being pepper white and pure silver.

In terms of chili red, I have concerns with a non-metallic red given prior experience with red 20 years ago. I remember it showing swirl marks and micro scratches from day one. I also remember it being hard to keep a nice shine to it. Are these valid concerns with chili red? Are reds in general easier to take care of today? Do most dealers take their time to prep the car well for delivery? Finally, what color (chili red, pepper white, pure silver) do you find the easiest to take care and shows well. Thank you.

 

I have a chili, better then darker colors fro my previous vehicles. I would say the pw or silver would be easiest .

 

Any color will show swirls marks and micro scratches. Some colors just require more effort and lighting to see them! Of course, those same colors don't offer the same visual impact in terms of pop, reflectivity, and richness of color. Think silver or white.

20 years ago, you probably had single stage paint which oxidizes more easily than modern clear coat paints. Keeping a shine involves slightly more work, but regardless you have to maintain paint regardless of the technology to keep it looking it's best.

With the knowledge we have today, maintaining paint that looks as good or better than it did in the show room is entirely feasible.

 

I have PW, and you have to work hard to see swirls when there are some.

 

I like Chili Red it stands out. PW or Silver just blend in to the back ground.

 

I appreciate the opinions.

 

I believe you are correct about my past car having a single-stage paint. Would you have any concerns about paint mismatching under a clear bra? I had clear bras on my last 4 cars with no negative effects, albeit they have all been white or silver. Thank you again.

 

I love the Chilli Red MINI but, I think a car's color should reflect your personality. Red to me, is a bit "showoffy". Do you like to stand out in a crowd? To me PS and PW are a bit more safe. They stand out when they are clean and polished, but in a classy way. Its a MINI they are all easy to maintain. Learn how to wash properly without inducing swirls. Lots of good tips in this forum

 

The Chili Red was actually meant as a compromise. After talking another look at it, I do find it attractive, albeit it's not really the color I would typically choose. My preference is for Pepper White. I think the new compromise is I get the Pepper White, but will add some type of stripe or decal with some red in it.

 

Cool!

Love PW, it's so classy

 

Red is faster!

 

Well, there is *that*...

However, the girl who has gotten 2 speeding tickets in the past 6 months in PW might argue that point...

 

Red is nice.

It was the color of the Mini that I saw when I first became "aware" of Mini Cooper. Yeah, it will show scratches, like any other color. But that's why you buy a PC polisher and you're here.

Keep your polishing cloths clean and you should be okay .

 

Hmmm ... what girl might that be Mel?
There is a relatively new technology out there that can help prevent such occurrences. Only been around for a few decades but all reports are that radar detectors can prove beneficial under the right circumstances.

 

Yeah I bought one this week. So embarrassing...but I got the first one pled down to a "Speedometer Violation". The second one, I'm not sure I'll be so lucky...