OK, so because I'm crazy and like to have a little fun with my cars... I thought I'd share the following with you guys for grins.

I'm actually contemplating turning my potential black MCSC into...

The A-Team "Van".

I mean, the red stripe, and these wheels:


The only problem would be the stripe and "spoiler" going up and across the ragtop. I wonder how I'd do that... actually sew on some red fabric? I'd have to assume there's to way to reliably and durably *paint* on the ragtop...

Anyways, I've seen it done on a Smart (online) and on a Scion xB (in person) and thought it was awesome.

 

love it.

 

go for it, set a standard

 

Sounds fun.
I don't think you'll be able to sew the fabric on easily, I think something with an adhesive would probably be easier. It's just finding the right fabric and adhesive to do the job.

 

pics of said van?

 

Go For It!
I Pitty The Fool if You Don't!!!
A-Team Van:

 

Except that everybody who thinks of the van never, ever thinks of the top half as grey - I personally like it better all black with the red stripe, and I'm pretty sure in some scenes/shots they used all black.

That said, this plan may be on hold as the Mini I'm thinking of buying already has some customization on it and isn't just plain black. In time, though.... and of course, figuring out how to stripe the ragtop is a big part of that.

 

or you could just do a red pinstripe and not be as literal with it.... that would look sweeeeet

 

Jeep based on this:
I assumed you want a (2002-2006/7) R50/53, right? If so let me try to clarify.
The R50 MINI Cooper the car with NO supercharger, the "justa" Cooper (R50) has a CVT "auto" that is prone to go bad. And yes replacement parts need to be bought from dealer and the cost is $7,000 average for the same parts that went bad. The ZF ecoTronic VT1F gearbox is used in all years of MINI Cooper R50, so no year is really good. (to answer your question)

For 2005 the R53 MINI Cooper S (Supercharged) got an automatic that has a traditional torque converter style autobox, that does not share the problems the R50 MINI Cooper's CVT has. The MINI Cooper S (R53) has a Aisin 6-speed automatic gearbox. The MINI Cooper S Auto is only built from 05 on.

As far as your link:Is an '05 MCS improved that much over an '04?
The R53 2004 MCS "auto" does not exsist, the MCS "auto" did not come out until 2005. But other than that some of the improvements include better gearing for 6 speed manaul transmission, optional LSD, power steering design, lighter harmonic balancer/dampener, fan relay, some lighting stuff, and other stuff. Anyway, sorry for long post, just wanted to clarify, so that others would not misunderstand which model we are talking about.

So, I would suggest a 05-06 MINI Cooper S (R53) Auto.

 

hey howsoon - how did your reply to jeep-power end up in *this* thread??

 

Somewhere on the web is a spoiler that mounts to the top edge of the hatch on a cabrio. I think I saw it on NAM, but who knows. So do the whole A-Team theme below the windows, with black on bottom, gray on top, then a red line across the front bumper, over the front wheel arches, then straight back and widening to the lower type of spoiler. That would look cool, even though half the kids out there will have no idea why you did it.