Given the extremely very poor quality (Scratches, paint peels off easily under normal use) of the White Silver non-lacquered interior trim bits, namely the door pulls and the dashboard downtube legs, present in both Alloy Patina and Silver trims. I was wondering those of you that have had the Anthracite trim for some time already...are you still happy with your choice? Does it scratch or peel less? Is it holding up?

 

Had mine since Feb, no scratches or peels and its a daily driver...

 

Only had mine a few months, but seems to be rugged enough - still looks brand new.

 

Still, Looking Good!! :smile:

 

Had it a couple of weeks. Still looks great, hope to keep it that way.

Cabbagetoe

 

I have alloy patina and it is doing fine- no scratches.
Silver isn't as durable- some scratches on my downtubes of the dash, none on the door pulls.
I've seen anthracite hold up very well so far.

 

i wouldn't know... my trim that was supposed to be anthracite turned out to be silver... funny that.

oddly, it took me two days to realize it. (it does look really good with my colors).
and the dealer claimed he didn't notice at all.
Supposedly, there are some goodies waiting at the dealer for me for the mistake.
Funny thing really is i was scanning the thread of someone changing their down tubes to anthracite.. and i was like - wait a minute... *lightbulb sputtering* my down tubes don't look like that. i'm so observant sometimes.

Don't like this news of it being the most easily damaged trim - but, two weeks and so far so good.

 

I have had my Anthracite trim for over a year and its holding up just fine. No scratches or wear-thru.

 

Anthracite holding up beautifully, only problem are the scuffs on the passenger door from some chowder-head's shoes.

 

I'd just like to add I have the Alloy Patina on my 11month old MCS with 25k miles and it is still in perfect condition. :smile:

 

Anthracite is holding up quite well. Some wear on the top lip of the bin in the door, but none on door pulls or the radio supports. I have been warned by a service writer to expect wear.

Our second replacement door panel just came in for our silver trimmed MINI.

 

>>Anthracite is holding up quite well. Some wear on the top lip of the bin in the door, but none on door pulls or the radio supports. I have been warned by a service writer to expect wear.
>>
>>Our second replacement door panel just came in for our silver trimmed MINI.

Did they replace your silver door trim panel under warranty?

 

>>I'd just like to add I have the Alloy Patina on my 11month old MCS with 25k miles and it is still in perfect condition. :smile:


Actually the Alloy Patina (not being lacquered) seem to hold up pretty well. The problem is the LOUSY quality of the downtubes in the dashboard and the silver door pulls. Last week I saw a '02 MCS with intact Alloy Patina and horribly scratched silver door pulls.

 

My anthracite trim is still as bright & shiny as the day I brought Louie home. 6 months & counting!

Lois

 

>>>>Anthracite is holding up quite well. Some wear on the top lip of the bin in the door, but none on door pulls or the radio supports. I have been warned by a service writer to expect wear.
>>>>
>>>>Our second replacement door panel just came in for our silver trimmed MINI.
>>
>>Did they replace your silver door trim panel under warranty?

Yes, twice so far. I asked about what could be causing the problem and was told "Cheap paint."

 

i have never know that they would replace it under warrantee. that sounds pretty cool though!

Where are you located and which dealer did it?
I might do mine over there too(only if it happen to me)

 

Iv'e only had my car about two months so pretty new, but I sure like the way the
Anthracite trim looks and seems to be holding up good.

It's been easy to keep clean, but it's real easy to scuff the door panels when getting out of the car.

 

MINI refuses to acknowledge the poor quality and durability of their un-lacquered white silver trim plastic pieces. For the life of me, I can't understand why MINI did not put a coat of protective lacquer on the pieces that get the most use and wear like the dashbaord downtubes and the door pulls?? Notice that the lacquered trim bits in the dashboard and the oval section (Including door pocket) in the door trim are lacquered as well (In the High gloss silver trimmed cars) and you'll never see any scratches or paint peels in those areas.

The Anthracite seems to be in a much higher quality plane of existence. Why can't BMW fix the cheapo Silver trim in the same exact way?

Obviously any interior trim that peels and scratches under normal use should be replaced by warranty, because it is a defect in the quality and workmanship of the part. I have heard that some MINI regional managers are no longer accepting warranty claims to replace defective white silver interior trim pieces. COMMON BMW!!! THIS IS A BLATANT AND EMBARRASING QUALITY CONTROL PROBLEM...YOUR UNLACQUERED SILVER TRIM PIECES ARE DEFECTIVE, READ THAT AGAIN DEFECTIVE AND THEREFORE YOU NEED TO REPLACE THEM TIME AND TIME AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND DURABILITY OF THE PART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT (Absolute Keeper!)
On order: '04 Cooper S (On the Jingu Maru, somewhere in the North Atlantic)

 

My anthracite interior is holding up good after 5 months and 7,000 miles. The only scratches I have noted are where my wife rested a cardboard box against the dash while carrying the box home on her lap from the post office, about a 5 mile drive. I almost said something, but didn’t want to hear it from her about how I’m so fussy with my cars. Most people wouldn’t have even seen the scratches and a little cleaner wax got them out just fine.

 

From what I can see and have experienced:
Both the Anthracite (dark finish with texture) and Alloy Patina (swirled brushed finish with smooth texture) are much more durable than the silver. The Anthracite being the most durable. I would still recommend being careful about scratching any surface with a hard object like metal or a box.

Tough up paint would be nice, a more durable paint or clear coat might work. Heck even getting a sponge and doing a sort of highlight dip and mottled splotch patterned not unlike the alloy patina swirl would work with some sort of dark silver grey. Give it a marbled look. Come on all you Martha Stewart replacement crafters out there- now is the time for your ideas!

 

How is mine holding up? Let me check...

OMG it turned blue!!!

 

>>How is mine holding up? Let me check...
>>
>>OMG it turned blue!!!

 

Have a few scratches on the painted :evil: ring around the black MINI horn center.

Wish there was an aftermarket chrome piece. Has anyone seen one?

 

>>Have a few scratches on the painted :evil: ring around the black MINI horn center.
>>
>>Wish there was an aftermarket chrome piece. Has anyone seen one?
>>

Not a good idea. If the airbag ever went off, you could be wearing it as a permanent nose ring.