Seems like the Anthracite headliner will be a 2 month rarity! Forget the LSD - this may be the rarest Mini option of all time. I E-mailed my dealer to make sure that the 4AA option is on my Mini, which should be built in early August. Not sure if that means panels instead of mesh for the sunroof.

 

I worried about the mesh too but now that I've had my MCS during the longest and hottest days, I've found that it's not a big deal -- the mesh works well enough. Plus, the glass is a UV filter so you don't have to worry about UV exposure (as long as the glass is over you, of course!).

btw, if I couldn't have both a solid and a mesh screen, I would choose the mesh.

 

Its really sad to see them pull back on the Antracite again! I want to get an 05 MCS with the LSD and i wanted the Antracite interior but now it won't be availible when i order.

Why is it so hard to include simple options accross the world, why does europe get this option and we don't!? I'm not completely sure if they pulled it from all countries but it is disapointing!

Can we start a petition to get it back as an option? Maybe an e-mail campaign to MINI customer service?

 

I know its confusing, but its the Headliner that will no longer be offered. The Anthracite Trim package is still available. Mini said that it was being discontinued due to cost, but I do not see how a different color could cost a whole lot more, unless the Anthracite Headliner included solid sun shields for the sunroof. Quite frankly, no one seems to know much about this whole mess, and until someone with the 4AA option receives their car in the U.S., we probably won't know what they are talking about.

 

Got mine !!

 

I understand its just the headliner but i really wanted it to finish off the look.

Rossi,

Can you get us pics!!??

Thanx!

 

I mean't to say that I have mine ordered......car should be here in Sept.

Selling my 03 MCS.....DS/DS/PP/SP/Leather/HK....18K miles......

 

When you consider that they did not start making 05's until July 1, and the time to make the car and ship it and prep and deliver it exceeds 30 days even to the East Coast, I do not believe anyone in the U.S. has an 05 production spec car yet. People keep pointing at prototype Convertibles and drawing conclusions about the final production and tend to be wrong in most cases.But the clock is ticking, and someone on the East coast will get an 05 soon.

 

It does cost more to stock parts and have options. So I can understand the position. However how can you make that decision after production has started. Where were the bean counters at pre production planning. Perhapes they saw that it was a popular option that they will hold off till Jan. for a reintorduction with a cost to the option.


Also there has been no Mini statement about a solid sunroof screen. This has all just been rumor.

 

E-mailed my sales rep and he says that Mini is still accepting the 4IA and 4AA codes for anthracite trim and Anthracite headliner. Guess they are not up to September builds yet. Could be they will accept them for orders now and delete the headliner code for builds scheduled after September 1.

 

Interestingly I spoke with a Chicago dealer who mentioned that almost all ordered 2005 MINIs have been equipped with the anthracite headliner so far. I would bet that if enough people complain about this move MINIUSA may reverse their decision.

 

Thats what i'm saying!

Where do we write the e-mails and lets make this thread a sticky to push people to write MINI about it!

 

So this small package actually has a solid sunroof cover? Is that something I could get fit onto my Cooper since my cooper is already finished with the production stage? I must say, Damn Mini USA for not updating their site sooner! I'm finding out that I'm shafted on so many options because of this that I'm starting to get very upset!

 

I hope the Anthracite liner doesn't come with solid sunroof covers because i rarely use my mesh now and i don't like completely blocking out the top glass.

That would actually turn me away....

 

it doesn't.

 

i wonder if i can order the head liner from my dealer and install it on my own !! hmmmmmmmmm.


is this headliner just dark grey or what, i like the sound of it cause it would hide dirt real well!!!

 

Here's a pic of what it should look like. My wife's a graphic designer.


I spoke to miniusa yesterday about warrenty claims on the headliner. The guy I was speaking to said that the anthracite parts will be available for repair only and not if you wanted to swap your headliner.

 

ehhhhh dealers are a bunch of shmukes, i figure not all dealers are created equal and it may vary from dealer to dealer!!

but ya never know!:smile:

 

Installing a headliner is a very tricky process. I would expect total cost from a dealer to be well over 1k.

 

This whole thing can only be described as bizarre. The notion that you would walk into a Mini dealer and order a headliner as a part and have them say "No" is insane. Like they know or care if your car came with one. Sometimes I think that dealers just like to hear themselves talk.


The excuse for stopping it, meaning "cost factors" makes no sense. More than likely the "cost" problem is a supplier that went belly up or can't fullfill its contract. I advise everyone with an Anthracite liner to check real carefully when they pick up the car, since the "cost" problem may in actuality be that a lot of them are defective and have had to be replaced or rejected.

 

well i acually worked at the dealer some time ago and have helped in the replacing of an auto show car so i know the mounting points and all, its bark is worse than the bite, i could do it in about an hour with some help!! my car is dark silver so i think it could be a cool little extra sumptin special!!

 

As I understand it, the new non-availability is a USA only thing.

Apparently it is available at a cost for other parts of the world, especially the UK. In the USA it was a no cost choice (at least with the sport package).

I have it ordered on my week 32 build MCS (1st week of August).

I confirmed with MINIUSA that I will get it, as the OL is not showing what options were ordered, color and interior only. I'm glad I'm getting it, but I also let MINIUSA know I think they've been acting flaky. =)

 

Yeah, but what are they gonna do, take your supercharger away?

"I'm sorry sir, but MINI Cooper superchargers are a privledge. You've broken the headliner availabilty rules, and now you must surrender the intake."