I am going to look at a 2005 S with Alloy Patina surface...any thoughts?? I have never seen it as I am newbie....I am have seen the silver, anthracite and color dash...Does anyone have a picture...the good, the bad and the ugly...??

Help ...as the car is configured the way I wanted.....I need a little advice from experienced owners....

 

It's really a personal preference. You either love it or you hate it. I happen to really hate it, and I can't believe it was the only available interior on the S for a couple of years.

 

The Alloy Patina looks like brushed metal. If you're a neat freak, it'll annoy you off in no time because it looks very "industrial". That said, it does add a sexy and funky aura to the interior that no other car has. However, just like chrisnl, I'm biased: both of my S's have had Alloy Patina, and I wouldn't want 'em any other way!

 

LOVE IT!

 

alloy patina is a brushed unfinished metal look... very industrial.... i love it... however i'd taken anthracite next time... alloy looks great with DS btw

 

I have it... here's a picture that doesn't really show the detail of the brushed effect. You can see - a bit of the brush in the area above the glove box. Also note the side door panels.. you can see the color difference. I like it. Once I own it... it looks a bit more plastic than I recalled it looking at a dealer. But I am not sure what else I would have ordered. Good luck with your choice.

 

If you're in CA, get the anthracite, then we can switch. :smile:
I love the anthracite, but got mine used with the Alloy Patina. The wife (graphic designer) LOVES the Alloy, but it's mine, mine, mine!

After three months now it's not bad at all, but I really like the anthracite.

Did I mention I like the anthracite?

 

Anthracite looks even better with DS. I don't mind the AP bits, just don't like the light silver pieces (e.g. down tubes) that come along with it.

 

There were some early durability issues with the alloy patina interior. Maybe they have been resolved of late.

imo, this is one of those things that looks neat at first but you quickly tire of. Kind of like that Magnum station wagon. It was interesting for awhile. But now, whenever I see one, I think it's escaped from a **** Tracy comic!

Unless you really really like the alloy patina look, I think you'd be much happier with the anthracite...

 

I think it looks really cool, kind of reminds me of the iTunes brushed metal look. But, I ordered mine with Chili Red interior.

 

My original dash was alloy patina and it was durable.
(careful- it doesn't like being painted)
Overall it's a good matte finish. Anthracite is nice and shiny and quite durable.

Although I did paint my dash, my door ovals are still alloy patina.

 

I have an 04 MCS in EB/EB. I have the alloy patina dash and Lapis leather. Some on these threads have felt the interior is too flashy, I love it as I didn't buy a MINI to be like everyone else. It had to be special or what was the point? I haven't "tired" of it in over 23,000 miles and I get alot of complements from riders.

 

Get Anthracite! Much better and it looks the business! Most durable interior trim finish of all currently offered. Always get complimients on it

Avoid any interior trims that use white silver door pull handles and dashboard center legs. Silver paint is too soft and peels just by looking at it (Trust me I have a '02 Cooper with the Silver trim). The anthracite trim paint is much, much, much stronger and resists normal wear and scratches 1000 times better than silver. The Alloy Patina unfortunately has the scratch prone silver door pulls.

My last 2 MCS have been ordered with Anthracite and the trim still looks like the day it left the factory

 

The alloy patina looks cheap and fake.

 

Almost all of the passengers in my car comment on how much they like the patina finish.

Personally, I think the fact that so many other plastic parts remain silver looks cheap. The mini is a hodgepodge of colors, materials and textures though, so maybe it's fitting somehow.

It's going to be almost impossible to get a good picture of the finish. I don't hate it, but I'm not a huge fan either. Had I bought my car new instead of used I would have probably gone with anthracite.

 

I'm not a fan of the alloy patina. Maybe if it had a clear coat I'd like it more.

 

Rather than posting yet another personal preference (which is in my sig, anyway), let me just say that all these finishes really must be seen in real life if you want to know what they look like. Pictures just don't do them justice.

That having been said, I have often wondered if the alloy patina finish might not be a little better than the others at hiding dirt, smudges, scuffs and scratches.

 

THe Alloy Patina is done with someones flip flop. And thats the truth.

They really could do it alot better.

 

hey guys, i am a newbie here. i have had my mcs since April 24 and I love the Alloy Patina dash. I am a neat freak about my car but like the unique finish. No other manufacturer has anything like it! I like the satin finish.

 

I was going to get the patina since it was the default choice on the build your own MINI website. But immediately changed my mind when I test drove one with it. YUCK! Anthracite looks SO much better. Of course that is my opinion.:smile:

 

Thanks for all of your help....chose to purchase a Jet Black with the Antracite....I appreciate all of your help. Alloy Patina is nice and has it's plusses but Antracite is my choice....

 

I second that opinion. Blah! JB

 

Only thing I hate about my car besides no rear legroom is Alloy Patina. Will trade with anyone who has plain silver or, better yet, british racing green!

 

I love Patina.