Have a bit of a dilemma that I could use some guidance on and am hoping that the good people here on NAM can help me out.

Let me preface this by saying, I am a mililtary dependant living in Italy. I work on a base with a fairly small populace. There is one MINI dealer in this area that Americans can purchase from.

I spent over a month pouring over every little detail on my car. It's my first brand-new car (I'm 33) and I put a lot into making sure that this car was uniquely ME. Not that a Pepper White is terribly rare, but a Roadster is, especially in this area!

Well, apparently someone saw me in my car, loves it and is ordering one at the dealer - EXACTLY like mine! Not just the same color, same seats - same everything!! These people have looked inside my vehicle and have taken notes! Small base, this vehicle stands out by a mile and so they can check it out while parked. I know this because they've stopped me getting out of my vehicle to talk about it!

Needless to say, I'm upset! I thought the whole point of the MINI experience was to make it uniquely "you". I know as a MINI afficianado I would take no joy in telling someone "Do you like my new car? I copied it myself!". Not only that they work across the street from me so I will see this affront every darn day.

At any rate, my husband tells me I should be glad to be a trendsetter, although he understands why I am upset. I'm sad that I've had my car not even a month before someone decides to copy it.

So the question is: what do I do to set my car apart? I've customized quite a bit already but they are subtle details. I'm thinking whitewalls and perhaps some different rims. I want to keep it elegant and I have been going for a vintage retro theme. Any ideas? Thanks for some insight/perspective!

 

That would annoy me, too. How about some bold side stripes? Or, if your budget can stand it, a body kit, or maybe get your black plastic trim painted to body color? You might also want to mention to them, in a diplomatic way, that you are enjoying creating something unique, and that they are making it an unexpected challenge. Otherwise, it could be a continuing expense.

 

You said it's not the same color, so why worry about it? The same color would **** me off thought. Do what they're not willing to do! I'd get some coilovers, and some forged 3pc wheels, and drop that thing, just to start. See how far they're willing to go to copy you!

 

I understood that it WAS the same color, along with everything else.

Honestly, I don't see there is much you can do if the copycat decides to continue the trend. As far as changes in keeping with a retro theme, I've been on the lookout for the 16" steel winter wheels. Paint them silver, and run MINI One centercaps, and those thin aluminum beauty rings the hot rod people run. Of course if that gets copied......

Another option is to copy THEIR tags, get a ski mask, and engage in some armed robberies. Then hide your car for a while. Sorry, the only solutions I could come up with were smart-*** ones.

 

Yes, same color, unfortunately. I LOVE the idea of framing them with some sort of craziness, lol!

I have hinted heavily that I am not happy with their outright rip-off, but they've been dismissive. I get that they're free to make their own choices, but they should be theirs, not mine. They've said things lilke "we were thinking of black interior, but then we saw yours so we are doing that instead!".

The thing that gets me is I spent a pretty penny on this vehicle, now I forsee myself spending even more just to make sure that they can't carbon copy my car. I don't have a ton of money to mod the heck out of it. Any opinion on white walls? Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Bullie, I just re-read my original post and I can see how it wasn't clear - I've edited it for clarification. Yes, they are making it the same color...

 

How much longer until your spouse is due to rotate out of Italy?

In the meantime, drive them nuts by adding some non-OEM mods and let them try to figure out where you got them.

And if you're taste is similar to mine, some red bits would set yours apart... mirror caps, wheel center caps, grille badges, "John Cooper" signature decal, etc.

You aren't at Aviano Air Base, are you? Beautiful up there!

 

http://www.mightystripes.com/Sides.htm

 

Maybe you an get some customized A-Panel graphics.

You can also take some solace in the fact that it might take a while for them to get their car and who knows, the factory might mess up and their car might not be a duplicate of yours.

I must admit that I like it when somebody says, "I've never seen a car like that!". I'm sure somebody in my area will someday order a red roadster with black stripes, but I hope it isn't anytime soon.

 

Mr. minineen here... I'm diggin' the ski mask idea. Any excuse to don a bandit hat and drive fast.

I'm too laid back to take this as serious as it is, but I was thinking a warm white on the tire sidewalls (not quite pepper white) would go a long way. Just trying to picture how that’d look with the black wheel arches…


Otherwise, the car is exactly what she wanted, so I can't see changing much else. Maybe some rims...

 

Stop worrying about other people and enjoy your car. If you want to make it different, you can look at wheels or change the stripes, but the bottom line is that you shouldn't be bothered by what other people do. It is a car and there are bigger things in life to worry about.

 

There is definitely value to this viewpoint - I don't love the car less but as petty as it may be it doesn't change the way I feel. I appreciate everyone's input.

 

How many different variations do you think are available in that color? Someone is eventually going to have the same choice as you, that is the point as it is a stock car. As I said, if you want to make it really yours, then get a wrap done on it with some type of personal artwork. Then the "copycat" won't be able to copy it.

 

Big picture... I agree. But this is the $33K equivalent of someone mimicking everything you say... and parking it right over there.

When you can customize something to this degree, it’s hard not to take it personally. Try saying ‘forget about it’ to the two girls who show up to prom in the same dress… especially if one copied the other.

 

Problem is, we are not "girls" we are adults and as I said, there are only so many variations. It is just a car at the end of the day.

Now, if you customize it from the factory baseline and that person copies it, then it is getting a little weird. However, she could easily get a wrap done and it would be custom to the point that it couldn't be copied.

 

When you say customize from baseline are you talking all OEM? I did order this custom, it's not off the lot in any respect. And true, we are all adults but that's what makes it even weirder that someone would want to copy every single one of my choices: wheels, trim, interior, colorline, options, etc...

Bottom line up front, not here to argue the finer points of how reasonable my feelings about this are, rather to see how I can continue to tailor my car. I like a lot of the suggestions that have come through so far.

We rotate out of Aviano in 2015, so we will be here awhile. Thanks for the suggestions on the red...I may start adding some JCW bits. And yes, it is beautiful up here and being so close to the Dolomites (5 mins away) makes for some FUN windy, twisty driving!

 

If you're looking for some decent retro rep wheels, consider Konig Rewinds, or Rota RBs. Looks like Panasports/Minilites. A lot of MINI owners run the Rotas, especially, (or you can just go with the real thing, but I'm not too sure about fitment).

 

You have an OEM car. Just because you didn't buy it off the lot does not mean that someone else won't select those options. When I bought my MINI it was just like another that was running around. By customizing it, I mean install things that are not from the dealer or factory like new wheels or vinyl that is custom to you. I have been to Aviano (Vicenza) and ran the Dolomites with my MINI (I worked in Heidelberg Germany where I bought my MINI) and there were several with my same spec running around. Perhaps someone copied me or perhaps they just got lucky, either way a new set of wheels change all of that.

 

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." - Charles Caleb Colton

 

I would stay away from the white walls. I don't think it will give you the retro look you are going for. Look on youtube for plasti dip. You might consider changing your wheel color. (it's completely removable if you don't like it)

 

Ditto!

 

Agreed!

I also agree about avoiding white walls. They only look good on cars from the 50s.

 

Why don't you try and get to know the person who "copied" your selections?

Who knows, you might just end up best friends - obviously, you have the same tastes?

By the way, I love your car... I wish I had one JUST LIKE IT!

 

Maybe you could sit down with them in front of the computer and show them all the different options they have. Who knows, they might just like something different once they see what it looks like.

 

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate all the different views - exactly why I love NAM. I'll post pics if/when I make any mods.