I want to improve the interior of my 2010 R57S Chili Red convertible. I've blacked put the exterior, but the interior is a little dark and cheap. I have silver checkered flag dash and door panels, hard plastic grey color line and grey armrests - basically a stock interior with the chromeline interior.

I really liked the wood I added to my old Miata, but that had a blue-green exterior and tan leather interior. I'm not sure wood goes on this MINI, although I like the English Oak panels.

I thought about a red leather colorline and armrests, but the SO nixed that. Right now in thinking of a mid-grey colorline.

I'm open to ideas and I like the idea if DIY.

 

Go for bold. Always liked the chili red interior panels. Consider doing the lower center console and the outer lower dash pieces.

 

Check with Redline Goods they have different options avaliable, shift boots, arm rest. http://www.redlinegoods.com/
You can also check cocomats for floor mats as they have and can do custom mats. http://www.cocomats.com/

Another choice is http://www.carbonmini.com/

 

I faced the same situation when I bought my MINI. I bought it used and so didn't have the ability to "make it my own" from the factory so I went about it once I had it home. I wanted something very similar to the JCW WC50. The below photos show what I had and what I ended up with. In addition to the obvious dash update is the new black headliner. This alone was a major update as it entailed not only replacing the actual headliner but all of the trim pieces that goes into it, and there are many. All in all, I ended up with the MINI I would have specced from the factory and I enjoy it everytime I get in it and drive.


Before:



After:





Since those "After" photos were taken, I've added a center console in carbon to match the JCW dash pieces. It greatly improves from the cheap plastic MINI piece, which I found embarrassing.

 

It's a shame that going bold got nixed by the SO - those red interiors are gorgeous.

I used Redlinegoods, GoBadges, and Cocomats to lighten up my interior. And went with silver CF for the gear selector and ebrake handle.

 

BMC Kid - it looks like your original interior was similar to mine, without the chromeline. I really like what you've done. I might replicate it with Red Plastidip just to show my SO. Frankly, the grey plastic can't look any worse than Plastidip. I was in the dealer yesterday and noticed that most cars now have soft touch plastic in the colorline area, but not all of them. I didn't try and see the difference in specs.

All - thanks for the ideas and keep them coming b

 

Where did you find the red interior pieces? They look awesome!

 

Did you buy the NVD carbon fiber center console or did you go to a different vendor/custom? Also, where did you buy the rooster red trim pieces? I have been comparing prices for the OEM parts and it seems like ~$350 is the best I can get with a dealer club discount.