With the Iconic are you forced to go with the Chesterfield Gray upholstery? Can you switch to Malt Brown or Black Lounge Leather as in the gasoline model?

 

You can probably choose, but dang, they should really enable the build tool already!

This bothers me about the Manual transmission selection on miniusa.com as well. It wouldn't have been that hard to leave the manual option and pop-up and error saying "not currently available, contact your service adviser for details on availability spring 2020". I've talked to a couple people that think MINI outright cancelled all manuals. -_-

 

As far as I can tell you are only able to get the upholstery that comes with the specific trim level, there is no way to get wheels that aren't in the listed configuration combinations for your specified trim, and there are no interior features that you can get substituted for others like you can with the internal combustion engine (ICE) models.

This was my experience as of Feb-April 2020 in the North Texas area so this could change at any time or be different in other areas.

After my deposit was placed, I was given a list of pre-configured trim level options by my dealership for the pre April 7th p​​​re-order. Each of the 3 trim levels had one upholstery option only, but then you could select a paint color and it might only have 2 sub options for roof color or wheels. Each level only has a few available combinations of colors/wheels/roofs/grilles, or about 20 in all. This was in a pdf and it was definitely not exactly what I wanted, but what can you do? After the initial pre-orders were delivered, of which I didn't receive one, my dealership rep told me that they still were only able to order the pre-configured models from the list of about 20 combos. This was confirmed to me 4/30/2020.

I agree MINI USA should put the configurator up, but I'm sure it isn't yet available as a cost savings measure.

 

My Iconic (2021) has MINI Yours Leather Lounge Carbon Black interior (need to pay more for this option). I was offered only the gray and the black interior for iconic trim.
I also asked for sunroof delete which I was not told that was an option. And they did build me one without sunroof.

Seattle MINI sold out their pre-configured 2020 models very early. They were already accepting orders for 2021 models which have more options and I took delivery of one of their first 2021 batch in late April 2020.

 

Seattle MINI sold out their pre-configured 2020 models very early. They were already accepting orders for 2021 models which have more options and I took delivery of one of their first 2021 batch in late April 2020.[/QUOTE]
Really!? Now I'm curious to know how the configuration process went for you? What additional options did you have besides the 17 configuration options on the my20 Cooper SE pdf?

​​​​​​

 

The UK MINI site's configurator at least lets you change the color, roof and caps, and wheels.

https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/ra...your-mini.html

 

The "Download pricelist" is interesting too.

 

I don't believe there are any additional options offered on the 2021 MINI Cooper SE. The option to switch the Satellite Grey Chesterfield Leather upholstery in the Iconic trim level to black for $500 was also offered in 2020, as was the option to delete the sunroof (for no rebate).

Other than wheels, body colors, and the option to include the Energetic Yellow "blade" on the grille with the Energetic Yellow mirror caps (on colors other than Chili Red and British Racing Green), I know of no additional options for the Iconic MINI Cooper SE 2020/2021. At least no options my dealer could reveal.

 

Other than trim level, colors and wheels the options are pretty sparse.

I ordered mine today ... Iconic trim level. I was able to choose color (Enigmatic Black/White Roof), upholstery (Carbon Lounge Leather), wheels (Rail Spoke), and sunroof delete. Otherwise the options are determined by the trim level and there are no mix and match packages.

We tried to add the Black Jack Roof decal as an in-port add-on, but the program would not allow the MA to enter it. He's going to work on that and, if not available, they will install it at the dealer.

Also, the price is the price and there is no negotiating. I am looking at a week 49 (Nov 29 - Dec 5) build based on my request; however, they were already booking production for week 25 (Nov 1-7). Of course, the MA did add that there were no guarantees that they would make the date ... it could be sooner or later.

 

I wrote letters to MINI execs in Germany, Britain, and Woodcliff, NJ, begging them to let me pay $1,500 to get the less-expensive hood-scoopless base MINI Cooper hood. None of them replied, not even to say, "nope." The MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper S, and MINI Cooper SE all go down the same assembly line. How hard could it be to pick one of the scoopless hoods for my SE?

The MINI-E didn't have a fake hood scoop. The concept sketches didn't show a hood scoop. The MINI Electric concept car didn't have a hood scoop. None of the camouflaged 2019 pre-production prototypes had fake hood scoops. However, on July 9, 2019, the production MINI Cooper SE grew a fake, blocked-off un-aerodynamic hood scoop just inches above the unique, aerodynamic replacement grille.

My SE was delivered 3 weeks ago and has been in the body shop for the last 2 weeks making it into the car Design Studio MINI envisioned. I expect my range will increase to 300 miles after I get it back. 200 miles?


MINI Cooper SE, post hood-scoopectomy

 

I guess the scoop goes with their change from a MINI E to a MINI SE.

 

You have read MINI Marketing's mind.

If people think their MINI Cooper SE looks faster with the fake hood scoop, that's fine with me. My complaint is that the company lets you delete a sunroof for free, so why not let a customer begging to pay $1,500 delete the hood scoop? The customer would be happy, the profit would grow by $1,500, and they would be installing a less-expensive hood that's already in stock right next to the expensive "S" hood. Win-win-win.

Sorry to stray from the intent of the upholstery thread, but both topics show how rigidly defined MINI's options have become after years of letting customers choose.

 

Their approach has changed significantly since I ordered my JCW in 2017. At that time, you could customize it in so many ways, although that was probably way too complex for anyone other than a total fnatic. I worked really hard to make sure there were no blank buttons/switches, but when I didn't include the Excitement Package, I found that I missed that boat.

I think it would be nice if they could strike a balance. I liked the cloth/leatherette upholstery on the Signature Plus model, but couldn't add the larger screen or front parking sensors. The perfect combination for me would have been a Signature Plus model with a couple of upgrades, but that wasn't an option. Not unhappy with the spec that I ended up with, but it was more than I needed.

 

I guess I am too use to the Mustang world. Probably 99% of Mustangs, made in this century, have only fake scoops. The only exception I can think of, would be the '03/'04 Mach 1.

I am not as sure as you that the fake scoop must screw up the aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is complex, and there are many factors involved.

BTW, isn't the F56 gas (petrol) S's hood scoop fake too?

 

You are correct, MINI did not make a custom fake hood scoop for the electric MINI Cooper SE, The MINI Cooper S has had a fake hood scoop since BMW switched from supercharging to turbocharging with its second generation of MINIs.

Mustang and Honda designers revel in sticking fake scoops and vents on their cars to make them look faster. I do not believe the stylists for electric cars should include imitations of devices created for cars with internal combustion engines. Electric cars present a clean slate upon which designers could create innovative designs, but few companies are willing to break the molds of the past.

I would point out that BMWs don't have fake hood scoops, but then there's the giant new fake grille they slapped on the front of their next electric car. In their bold rush to embiggen the grilles of this car's ICE predecessors, it doesn't appear they anticipated the attachment of a license plate.


Is the fake grille big enough on this electric car?

 

To be fair the 2nd gen hood scoop wasn't fake, just worse than useless. It blew hot air from the turbo all over the engine bay. =P

I love love love your hood replacement. The 3 cyl cooper has always been my favorite gen 3 MINI because it doesn't have stupid squared off aggressive fenders and a useless hood scoop. It looks the most MINI to me. I was so mad to hear that they were putting a fauxscoop on the SE. My plan was to smooth out and vinyl wrap the blockoff to match the chartreuse accents to make fun of the fact that there is a fake hood scoop on a BEV, but your solution is much less gaudy. I would be interested to know the final cost once you have your original hood sold, I need to propose this to the wifecountant.

 

I'm glad you brought up the lower front-end. I was disappointed with the hood scoop, but happy no other MINI Cooper S body parts were carried over to the SE. Replacing more than just the hood would have been beyond my budget. My wife thinks the hood replacement was beyond our budget, but after a year and a half of complaining about it, she's glad I've finally shut up. It will be a good thing for our relationship if the original hood sells for a good price on ebay. Fortunately, she loves driving our MINI Cooper SE.

 

You can go to Black Lounge for $500:

 

I believe that Britain's Level 3 trim, which is roughly equivalent to the Iconic in the US, comes standard with the Black Lounge leather upholstery and there is no option to order the Satellite Grey leather.

Without first asking, my dealer treated my Iconic SE's Satellite Grey seats with a stain resistant. My MA told me the treatment is part of the expensive dealer appearance package I declined. It supposedly protects the light-colored seats from becoming discolored by blue jeans. I guess I'm happy my seats got the treatment, but why would MINI upholster seats with a leather that is vulnerable to the pants so many people wear?

 

I learned the hard way to never sit in the car with new jeans. Until I get past a few washings, I put an old (but clean) towel between my new jeans and my leather seats.