OK, this (Cooper S) is going to replace my Ford Escape parts-hauler/daily driver when not in the other vehicles, so it will sit outside most days/nights, unless tucked in at the warehouse during the day. Just needed a reason to be able to haul parts, and the fun factor for the Coop is irresistible.

I know Silver is easiest to maintain for outdoors, and for those of us as **** as we all are, it is the least likely to create needs for medication.

BUT, when I saw the Pure Silver, the contrasting black trim just stood out too much. So I looked at Dark Silver, and coming from the Porsche world, it's like Seal Grey Metallic - a nice, but very subtle color, and not a screamer, and ok, it will be fine outdoors. And yes, those of you who know me, know that I can have all the trim painted out, either gloss black or body color, but not really thinking that way at this moment.

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a stunning Astro Black S. Wow. Loved it. I know it's easier than jet black to maintain, but how bad is it? Am I going to regret it knowing it will sit outdoors a good bit, and will get dusty, or is that really not as bad an issue on the metallics?

My Porsche is Guards Red, other vehicles in the stable are white (Audi), and white pearl (Lexus RX), and kids cars (metallics, mostly).

The Escape was a great hauler, in silver, hardly ever noticed it was dirty.

But on the Cooper, the lighter silvers against that black trim just turned me off. So I'm thinking either Dark Silver (yawn), or Astro Black

Help!

Thanks.

 

I think you should replace the Ford Escape with a Porsche C4S convertible and get a mini as a track car with a painted center console of course...

 

Yeah, I had a feeling I knew who you were.....


Really, this is the coolest thing I've driven outside of the Porsche world in a long time. What a fun beast. Spec'd a Cooper S out to around 29K.

Of course, convincing the wife that now that I'm getting rid of the Escape as my parts hauler, I needed a replacement, and 'oh yes, honey, there is plenty of room in there..." well, that's been fun.

Actually, I found the storage unit that fills the back hatch void, and with the seats folded forward, I have about the same space in there that I had in the back of the Escape (without seats down). Now that I'm not doing the Turbo wing (our largest piece) and rarely do the side skirts any longer, the biggest piece IS a rear center console and I can get about 5 of them in the back of the Mini.

So......what do you think about Astro Black? Too high maintenace for an outdoor storage vehicle? You know I'll detail the heck out of it, but I really do not love any of the other Mini colors (yet).

 

Whatever you do....don't buy Dark Silver. There's already enough DS MINIs on the road.

Kidding. They both look good. Go with your gut instinct.

 

Gut: dark silver would be easier to maintain.
Gut2: astro black is what you really want.

 

I say go with the Astro, but then as you can see I'm biased

 

I get more comments on the paint of my Astro - people really seem to like it. In the right light, it looks like a smoky gray!
It def shows dirt more than the DS, but its not terrible. I think one of the reasons you notice it more on the AB is b/c the color looks different depending on the light, thus you spend more time examining the paint and noticing its dirty...

 

Thanks for the info, but how is keeping the car in great condition, does it show dirt worse than others, etc?

 

How about sparkling silver or lighting blue with black roof?

 

get a/b because its what you really want . if you dont you will always second guess it and wish you went with the a/b. you have to wash any color to keep it clean.

 

Moz...can you post some shots of this beast please? Thanks!

 

I will do when I get it Eric! The JCW car isn't released yet, mine goes into production next week and I'll be taking delivery the beginning of July but don't worry I'll post lots of pics and vids when the time comes. I'm stupidly excited.

 

I agree. People were telling me the the darker colors would show the dirt faster but I really liked the BRGreen and the darker blue but when I saw the astro black i was like ummmm yeah that's nice! but I had a black car before and wanted something different.

 

I got AB...in NJ this thing is impossible to keep clean. I get it washed and then an hour later it's covered in pollen and crap. I just bought a california duster, which is supposed to work wonders, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet because of rain.

But when it is clean it looks nice...

 

whatever you do, don't go looking through the R56 photo thread, then you will be all confuzed.

Every color combination looks good in my opinion, I went through, silver/black, BRG/White, BRG/Black, LiB/White, LiB/Black, the list goes on for eternity, then settled, ordered Lazer Blue with Black, then changed the order to Lazer Blue/White haha.

Point being, just get one of each haha.

 

Eric,
Seriously have you driven a clubman yet? It's a bit bigger, you might even fit a porsche turbo wing inside if you do get an order. The clubman 99% the fun but with a bit more practicality. I would have gone that route except for me I needed to fit the mini in my "snow blower" garage bay so I needed the car as short as possible. I know my wife thought the clubman was nice and wanted it instead.

As for colour... I think I'm done with dark metallics... Back to plain old yellow, red and white cars... Easier to keep clean and easier to touch up when you have a chip or scratch.

Cheers,
Corey986 aka Corey(NJ)... Yes I know I don't own a 986 anymore but still miss her as my 1st convertible...

 

I was facing the same two color choices myself (the only two that my wife and I could both agree on) and went with the Dark Silver because of the easier upkeep. One thing to consider though is how small the Mini is... a quick wash without detailing won't take that long.

As for the Dark Silver being boring, it provides a nice neutral backdrop for adding stripes to liven it up a bit - something that I've never done with any other car I've owned but feel completely comfortable with on the Mini. I'm going to have the roof painted silver with silver painted viper stripes as soon as I take delivery (this isn't a clubman, which you can actually order that way). A white top/mirrors with viper or bonnet stripes is a great look too in my opinion.

Keep in mind that you'll change your mind 20 times on the color and options once you've ordered. I tried to give myself a 48 hour cool down period before calling the dealer yet again to change my order. Thankfully it goes into production next week...

 

I just checked out your web site Eric and it put a smile on my face as I've struggled with dealer bumper holes in the past and never knew about your products. Speaking of consoles though, what do you think about the matt silver bits in the Mini console and steering wheel? I think that the Mini interiors would look so much better with a satin black finish on those components, but you would have to deal with the print screening. I especally like the rubberized satin finishes used on some of the mobile phones (Motorola Q and Razer MAXX VE). What do you think?

 

My Xterra is Silver and I never noticed the dirt so I was looking at the Silver while I was at the Dealers...I saw the Astro Black and oh she is a beauty, but in my heart I knew I could never keep it that shiny and clean, that's when I saw him...Black top, Dark Silver body...oh my I park Coop outside during the week and in the garage during the weekends, so he's not easy to keep clean either, but as someone mentioned earlier, a mini doesn't take that long to wash...I guess the question you need to answer is, "if I go w/ heart (the Astro Black?) will noticing the dirt drive me crazy ."

Also I originally went to the Dealers to check out the Clubman, alot more room for just 9.5", you may want to consider a Clubman. I changed my mind about the Clubman because if I need to haul something, then out comes my Xterra...

Good luck...

 

Thanks for all the replies! Even though I know it will drive me crazy, I still seem to gravitate to AB. Not sure yet though.

Not interested in a Clubman....just not what I need, and I have another larger vehicle if I really did need the space. This is a fun, grocery-getting, parts hauler, smile-producing go-kart for me.

And what about contrasting parts? On the AB, it seems to look best with body color roof/mirrors. On the Dark Silver, I think the black roof/mirrors works. But again, I digress.....the dark silver just does not grab me. The pure silver makes the trim stand out too much. Man I hate this.

Guess I need to go hang out at the dealership some more. (shakes head)

But thanks for all the input!

 

I spent almost a year deciding what to get and was planning to order DS/B. Just before my order was to go in, I saw a CR/W on the lot and it was just the happiest looking car I'd ever seen. That's when the doubt set in. I wasn't sure if I wanted DS, LB or CR. I ended up buying a CR/W right off the lot and it is so nice, just a different type of look. Whereas, I was going with sporty and elegant when I spec'd out the DS, the CR is just fun, fun, fun. I still look at other MINIs driving by with different colors and wonder if I made the right choice -- do we all do that? One of each please! :D

 

Well I for one have scientific evidence wrought from extensive psychological testing as well as chemical chromography tests, sunlight diffusion tests, and atmospheric refractionary photonic vector schematics which state that 99.7% of adult Mini owners would be happiest in a car repainted TO dark silver OVER the factory astro black with a light coating of Krylon safety orange over that then baked in the sun for a period of at least 2 weeks but not more than 6 years. After this, wax the car three times with a heavy coating of Crisco and wipe it off with a Huggies brand diaper.

This color combination is most pleasing to the sections of the brain that control happiness, hunger and urinary function, thereby satisfying the basic human needs and providing the best return for your money in happiness quotient.


Dude, seriously. What color do you like best when you look at the car? Forget about all that other crap. My god. You really are asking complete strangers to pick out what you are purchasing? Unbelievable.

I am still amazed at how many subjective solicitations for ideas on what to buy, color foremost, there are on this site. Make a decision for yourself based on what you like best. Who gives a frack what color I like. I could be a colorblind moron for all you know.

 

Jolyrogr is right. You should pick out which one you like best. I went for the Pure Silver myself, because I loved that contrast between the body and the trim, which you mentioned not liking. We can't really know your tastes and may pick something that you end up hating down the line.

Pick the color that puts a smile on YOUR face. That's what these cars are all about, the big goofy grin that you get when you motor. Nothing else matters when it's just you and your MINI on the road.

 

Jolyrogr, you're freakin' hilarious! Are you a writer? If not, you should be!

 

You should go with a black Kia Amante instead. It's a fantastic rice burner.