Need some advice! I want to put leather boots in my car. Need some input on which color (black or charcoal) will match the interior best. I have English Panther Leather, also I need input on four panel or standard.:impatient Thanks

 

No comment on the color. As to 4 panel or standard it just depends on what look you are after. I got the 4 panel with contrasting stitching. If it weren't for the stitching I probably would have gotten the standard.

 

I used charcoal and Medium Blue for my Blue Lapis leather. I just did the striping.

http://www.cube17576.com/mini/shift1.jpg
http://www.cube17576.com/mini/shift2.jpg

I am not sure how close the Panther Leather is to the black of mine. But the charcoal is a good match to the rest of the leatherette on the e-brake, and steering wheel.

 

I recently ordered the boots from Redline. I have a 2003 MCS w/ the "black" leather interior. I ordered the charcoal colored 2-panel replacement boots for both the shift and e-brake.

I was very happy with the quality and color match of the charcoal with my factory interior. I will say the boots have a slightly darker color that is not a 100% perfect match. But a very close match, none the less.

 

Really is handy to order the leather samples - I'm trying to match my Dark Blue leather, and it's tough because it's SOOOO dark. I ordered the leather samples and they send you a little swatch of EVERYTHING - including the carbon fiber vinyls and the "alcantara" like stuff.

Alas - their darkest blue isn't dark enough for me.. though I've inquired about the possibility of something darker...

 

You should do a 4-panel red and blue!

I'm going to order a set too but I can't decide on colors. I forsee swatch-ordering in my near future.

 

What is your exterior color ?

Custom leather boots are a great way to bring the exterior color into the interior and really make a statement.

 

On the interior I have the normal dark-gray leatherette and anthracite pieces. The exterior is PW/PW w/black & chrome stripes. Also on the interior I have the black/grey/silver UJ speedo/tach faces.

I've been thinking about getting either charcoal (or whatever matches the leatherette closest) w/white piping...or I dont' know what else. I REALLY like the perforated stuff (I'm in love with the R56 punch leather) but it doesn't really go with anything.

 

^ Don't just talk about it, Mel ! Show us !!

 

Ha, I used to have it in my sig but my sig is currently being used for better things. Anyway:



That's the best I have right now. She's got new wheels since then, but otherwise is pretty much the same...

 

Interior pics !!

 

I got nothin'. Will have to go get out the camera!

 

I credit CR&PW with my decision to purchase the Redline - it looks so good and was really easy to install. However I have a small annoyance with the design - the boot on the shift has red on the left while the boot on the e-brake has the red on the right. I know, I know - it's just my OCD kicking in . I tried to reverse the shift boot but alas, one-way only.
I can deal with it though since it was such a great addition!

 

Ohhh man that would drive me insane...thanks for the tip on that, maybe when I order I can make a note that I want them to match!

 

You're crazy.

Now that that's out of the way, you really don't want the red parts on the same side - cause then one side of your car would go faster than the other, and you'd constantly be going in circles (or having to compensate via steering, which would wear out the same edge of your front tires.)

 

Hey, Maybee.... Thanks !

But hey, I designed my specifically to alternate the colors. I think it adds to the "WoW" factor.

But I take no offense because I know my taste is not exactly in line with most people.

 

Good point!

Really? Cause I didn't spec them as to alternate and that is how they came. No offense to be construed in anyway, besides after Paul's comment I'm glad they came that way!

Edit: Wait - I just looked and mine are exactly opposite yours, still alternate but the reverse of the photo you posted. Is perhaps your MINI a right-hand drive and you've reversed the photo?

 

Nope, I specifically requested them this way.

Reason ? Well, I have more curves to the left on my commute than to the right. So, I get that extra acceleration with the red on the left side of the shift boot.

Seriously, I did request them that way. And since mine was the very first boot for CVT that Redline ever made, I'm sure it wasn't a problem for them to customize it that way. I even got a discount for sending them my existing boot to use as a template. Felt weird driving around for a few weeks with a naked shifter.

 

Okay here we go:

 

Hmmm... I'm thinking Medium Blue with Red stripes and white stitching - This would match my stripes pretty well (have checked with the swatches)... bring that color combo inside a bit... And I have a small UJ badge on the dash that matches these colors...

 

That'd look sweet!

No white piping?

 

Those gauge faces are saaaaaaaaaaaaaWEEET, Mel !! Where's bamatt when I need that drooling emoticon ? Did you install those yourself ?

Trying to pick out a color for custom boots is easy ! You can pick ANY color because... well... your MINI has NO color. So, what goes with white, black, and gray ? ANYTHING !!

Me... I'd go with something bold, like Red and White boot with Blue stitching.

Edit: HA ! Just read Blimey's post and see we think similarly.

 

Hee. I'm sort of rolling with a monochromatic theme I think...completely non-intentionally though. It's just sort of worked out that way. Sometimes I wish I'd chosen some bright, crazy color so I could do fun stuff color-wise...but then when I pull up to valet at a nice restaurant or drive through downtown, and everyone starrrres, I think "Nah, this is just fine." Hee.

I'm thinking I'll probably order swatches. Maybe I can work 3 colors of gray together somehow.

OH yeah the gauge faces. Yes, I did install them myself, and it was terrifying. I used Matt's (ImagoX) how-to, which made it immensely easier but it was still terrifying. Considering that the hardest thing I'd done to that point was install stripes...I was worried that I was out of my league. But I took the laptop out to the garage (god bless wifi), followed step-by-step, and it took maybe 2 hours.

 

Hate to break this to you, my dear, but you're going to get those stares from the valet whether you have a monochromatic MINI or a Chili Red MINI with a checkered roof and checkered mirrors !

3-tone gray leather boot ? Might work, given the rest of your car. Depends on the shades of gray. Do you think Black/Off-White/Gray would look good ?

Hmmmmmmmm... might have to put those guage faces on my list of upcoming mods. I do okay with intricate work like that as long as I have instructions. So... checkered guage faces, here I come !

Before then, I have a rather expensive and eye-popping mod to complete.

 

I'm thinking maybe charcoal/lighter gray with off-white piping (can you tell I'm into the piping?) Ah, to heck with it, I'm going to order the samples and work it out.

Seriously, if I can do the gauge faces, anyone can. I think it seems scary while you're doing it, and it *is* a PITA, but it really was not hard...you just gotta follow the directions step-by-step and it's fine. All you use are a screwdriver and a torx driver and some canned air and a little brute force

"Yewwww cahhn dewww eeet!" - Bela Karolyi