So I finally convinced myself to buy leather boots for the shifter and handbrake. I'd also like to get handbrake with leather. I can't quite figure it out, and frankly too lazy to call the dealer, but does MINI make and OEM Panther boots for the shifter and handbrake? When I look on MINIUSA under build your own MINI, it looks like they're available, but from posts I've searched here on NAM, only the shift boot is. Anyone know for sure?

Assuming MINI does, then I'm left with the bigger question. Do I buy OEM or look at the ones from promini/mossmini/outmotoring?

How well do the aftermarket match the cloth panther interior? How is the quality compared to OEM?

Also what do people recommend for a chrome/leather handbrake?

got some money burnin' a hole in my pocket...

 

Funny you should ask! I recently went through the same questions regarding leather boots. Here's what I found out. Mini makes leather shift boots and handbrakes with boot in all colors but Panther Black! They make blue, green, beige no black. They do make the handbrake and handbrake boot in Panther black as well as the shift **** but not the shift boot! This makes no sense and when I called MiniUsa they agreed with me. I mean they have the black leather why not make a shift boot so it matches the black handbrake boot? Bottom line they don't make the shift boot in black leather and don't plan on making it. So I bought a black leather boot set from redlinegoods so that both boots match. It would be nice to have the boots match my leather steering wheel but the black boots don't look out of place in my car. I'm very happy with the leather. It really upgrades the interior. Also, I got the boots with black stitching. The black boots that Moss and some others sell have white or silver stitching and IMO look out of place. I hope this helps.
80Spitfire

 

ditto, we have a set that rocks!! Real leather with BLACK stitching...they smell great too!!

http://outmotoring.com/out_motoring_..._boot_set.html

enjoy!

 

Thanks a lot.The outmotoring look pretty nice. I hadn't seen the redlinegoods before. Do you think the charcoal leather matches the steeringwheel leather better than black?

How about leather chrome handbrake?

 

Matt,
I don't know how well the charcoal leather will match the Panther Black of MINI. Redline will send you leather samples for $5.00. That would be the only sure way of checking the color match. I went with the black and I'm happy with it. As far as a chrome and leather handbrake, do a search on this forum. There is one sold by Moss and others but it is of questionable quality. Also, it has no set screw or any way to attach it to the handbrake. So it just slides up and down . I decided against it for these reasons. Newton Commercial offers a total leather handbrake with boot in black leather (they are in the UK). I know of no others.
Hope this helps.
80Spitfire

 

Thanks for the tip. I looked at the 2004 accessories and I thought I found why the shift boot wasn't offered. The Panther shifter is listed for $44 while the other colors are $114. So I thought that could only mean that just the boot for the cooper was included. So I called Classic Mini and I was set straight. You are indeed right. They somehow completely omit the panther boot. Darn. It would have been the best solution for the handbrake and shifter. Still looking. But redlinegoods certainly looks nice.

 

FYI; purchased set of Redline boots in charcoal from fellow namotoring member -- the match is perfect to the OEM panther color.

 

I did decide on the charcoal. They looks just like OEM, but feel wonderful. If you want stock look with quality, get Charcoal with black stitching from RedLineGoods. Here are a few pictures of mine installed.

BTW: i got charcoal stitching.

 

I have the Redline shifter and e-brake boots, very nice fit, much nicer feel and finish than the stock leatherette...

 

Here's a picture of custom-made leather boots for the shifter and e-brake. I purchased aftermarket leather, cut out the pattern, and stitched together to make the boots. Using the original e-brake handle, it's wrapped in the same color leather and accented with some chrome trims. The shift **** is MOMO, however. :smile: