I'm a fan of the English Oak - got it in my '09 R56 and I'd miss it if I had to replace the car. I was looking at a coupe and/or roadster recently and was disappointed to see that another feature of my current ride - Redwood Lounge Leather is no more. This kind of locks me into my car for now - not a bad thing - because I am so pleased with the car and, to no small extent, the interior. I didn't order this car, got it used from BMW dealer - but my thanks to someone that spec'ed it out in '09! In general, looking at the configurator, I personally find the interior choices a little lacking. Perhaps they are winding up to roll out some new more appealing things on some of the upcoming models?

 

Meant to ask where you were getting the panels from.

 

But, the $100,000 question...is it real??? I thought it was, but now you guys have me second guessing. When I ordered it, it said "genuine english oak," but did they mean "genuine plastic english oak?" I know that it looks very similiar to BMW/Mercedes wood trim that I have had in the past that was real. The high gloss/shiny look is common for the real wood trim, i.e., burlwood, poplar, etc. I looked at it closely last night and I'm still not sure. In any case, it looks great with my BRGII, tan leather sport seats/colorline. Matt

 

I think it's real. In CaptBJ's picture on the section to the left of the steering column the grain is parallel to the colorline. On Tank251's, the grain is slightly uphill. If it were fake, I would think they'd be identical.

If Mini does stop offering it, I've seen one NAM member who had dash trim custom painted with a very convincing wood grain look. I think a good artist could mimic the english oak look.

Very nice interior, CaptBJ. It looks classy.

 

My MA assured me just now when I called that the "genuine english oak" was not genuine. He didn't know if it was plastic or whatever. But it is not, nor was it ever (2007 -2012) real wood. Would love it if he was wrong.

So now I wonder if you can get real wood for it. Anyone know?

Details from my order:

2012 Cooper Hardtop

4BE Dash/Door Handle in English Oak

 

Thanks - it was not what I planned to order when I went to order, but this was en route to the dealer and unspoken for and it was too classic of a combination to pass up. BRG, tan leather, and wood dash.... and as an early 07 I was getting the wood wheel and gear shift for no extra $$ once premium package was included.

BUT - is it real? It is clearly behind a layer of plastic - not just a thick polyurethane or something like that, I have a wood dash on my 79 - this is a thick plastic layer I suspect over very thin veneerer.

Looking at the edges of the secret compartment it looks more plastic like as I can't see any seams where a veneere had been cut and the edges fitted


But looking at the steering wheel the grain pattern defiitely changes suggesting multiple pieces


If it is totally plastic, it is a better than average fake job IMO. What I do know is that the wheel shows no wear nor does the shift **** whereas the 'real wood' one I had on my 79 was pretty much trashed in 3 years from ring knocks and sweat. So what ever it is ..... I'm still happy with my decision to go this route.

 

Looks good Capt. Your dash looks better than mine. Mine has a more grey colour. I don't have the wheel. I never saw an option for it. But I may have missed it too.

 

When I spec'd out my coupe a couple months ago I thought I wanted english oak, until I saw the sample swatch at the dealer and it looked awful (to me). Really fake and plastic looking. Of course, it could look better in the car than on a flat plastic square.

 

Very sad to see this as I was about to buy a Mini with polar beige+oak combo interior... Anyone know how much the dealer will charge to install those oak panels?

I also noticed that the polar beige door handle/color line is a lighter shade than the polar beige door panel, was this due to lighting or are the two really different in color?

 

Not sure on cost, but I have that exact combination and love it...BRGII, polar beige, polar beige colorline, and english oak. All of my polar beige is the same color (the lighter version you see in the pics.) I noticed that the pre-2011s have a slightly darker beige (even though it may have been called polar beige also).

 

Thats good to hear Matt, thats exactly what I want! I was sooo sad to find out about this today... polar beige + oak + BRGII is such a classy combination and it matches perfectly with the iconic Mini! Can we see some photos?? :D

Was about to buy a brand new cooper s with that combo but I guess I'd have to wait...

 

Thanks! Mine is an S also! Unfortunately, I'm in China at the moment and my car is at the airport. :( I return on the 27th and after I clean it up would be happy to post/send some pics. I also have the interior and exterior chromeline for the classic Mini look.

 

Sounds cool. I considered the polar beige briefly (With the LiB not BRG). But it put the car even further over my budget. But I kept the English Oak.

 

I think it looks better than the square. But looks best with the Polar Beige, which in pictures I have seen sets it off.

 

You and I wanted the same look and I love it. People always say how great it looks. I have BRG with Choco Lounge Leather seats and color line and Oak trim. Looks GREAT!

 

Any dealer should be able to source them. Online you can check out miniofsouthatlanta.com

 

I'm sure. I've always wanted a BRG car with a tan interior. When I got my '03 MCS it wasn't an option, so I was pretty psyched for it this time around. But I found the polar beige to be a little light, and the.... toffee, is it? to be a little dark... Plus the fact that there was still a lot of black. i want ALL tan interior. Seats, dash, trim panels, etc. With wood accents. Not just select panels.

Do you have pix, though? I'd love to see the combo.

 

FYI - any one looking at my 07-S pictures here - the colors have changed over the years. On 07 this was English Oak with Tuscan Beige Leather and the premium package

when this was ordered tuscan you got the cream dash and door panels which are lighter than the seat leather - they could not be changed which I worried about but today they still look pretty darn good - but I'm also a bit fussy about keeping the interior clean.



I got the wood wheel and wood shifter for no extra cost but I believe that changed by the next model year. I recall some 07 were even delivered w/out the wheel but some folks cried foul and were able to get their mfsw changed out for the wood.

 

No pics. Just saw some while doing research. I would want an all tan interior too. But not an option.

 

Ordered Toffee and English oak panels yesterday.