Hey all,
So I was cruising around NAM and checkin out some vendor stuff and I clicked on ESE's new thread saying they're carrying H-sport stuff now, I saw their link had an MCS that looked very similar to mine here,

so I then proceeded to check out their site. Every time you go back to the home page of the site it changes the headline image, so at one point it sported this attractive MCS,

Why would this bother me, well I looked at their project car section and saw that this is infact and 05 MCS, mine is an 03, and looks like this, (the grille i can get over, but the side vents kinda get me, and the blacked out window mouldings really get me! I've never seen another MINI with that done and I work at a MINI shop)
and now my car even sports black Team Dynamics pro race one rims in the winter, so do you all think this is a fluke or did this guy see my car on NAM or mwerks.com where it was featured prominately? I'd like to hear what you think. Am I just paranoid, or did these guys see my car? Be sure to check the mwerks link below, or just go to the site, www.mwerks.com and you'll see the car on the bar of features at the right, it says charlie deets, but i bought tha car from him almost a year ago and its been on that site for a while. Thanks alot everyone... James

 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?

Individually, I've seen many of the aspects on many other cars. The side vents - the majority of Coopers and some Ss sport them. If by "blacked out window mouldings" you mean the chrome line around the window (?? sorry if I'm wrong)... For awhile now I've been trying to think of a way to successfully cover up the chrome and make it black. But, I agree, as a whole package, it does look just a little too similar to yours.

They probably saw your car and were inspired. A lot of people look to other MINIs for inspiration... asking where they got their wheels, who did their stripes, what people think about painting arches, etc. I guess you should just be flattered... I know thats not a very good response

 

Hmmmm...ditto what Stef said. Gotta say, James, that yours is a VERY outstanding MINI! I also have an all-Jet Black MCS, 2003. Yours is about the nicest I've seen, so cheers about that!


Clover

 

If we're looking to other MINIs for inspiration.. I'd like to know how you got that phenomenal paint shine and if you did de-chrome the window surround, details on how you did it.

 

James,

I'm the last person to kiss azz so let me say that the MINI shown in that ESE pic looks no where near as hot as yours. Fear not about the similarities...yours wins hands down.

 

Paranoia? Nah...great minds think alike...schweet looking ride James, motor on...

 

I have an 05 MCS that is all jet black and I hadn't even gotten it off the showroom floor before I was asking people how to black out all the chrome. Lots of people hate chrome, and lots of people love back, I don't think they're ripping you off, just share the same taste as you. BTW - what did you use to black out the chrome stripe around the pass. cabin. I've talked to others that did it with black vinyl - which I was planning on trying, sounds much easier than trying to paint it.
Joey

 

Indeed your car looks nice. I had seen pics of it before. But you must keep it garaged, since I have NEVER seen you on the roads out here nor have we had the pleasure of your company at one of our events.

Now that can change.

We have yet another (first of the Spring, and it isn't spring yet here) Track Day this Friday, March 25th down in Pueblo. We can solve a few problems all at once if you want to join us:

- we can all check your ride and tell you in person how nice it is. We can even sit in it.
- you can join your first MINI5280 event
- we can individualize your car with some rock pits and if you are lucky, perhaps a window crack or two if you come down on the track with us. And we can even scuff up your tires some, maybe roll them off the rims

Anyway, consider this your formal invite to join us. We would love to ogle and drool with you.

JPS
President@MINI5280.org

 

Hey all,
Thanks for the compliments,
I guess I just got caught up seeing another MINI almost identical to mine, but it really does seem to be a compliment. In response to the last post, I am going to the event this friday but not to drive, I'm actually Randy Webb's newest employee, and since his car is out of comission for the moment mine will be representing Webbmotorsports at the event (it's actually being put in the trailer to get to the event so it'll be nice and clean). So anyone who's going to pueblo, look for the "ROCKSTAR MINI" at the Webbmotorsports area (I'll even let you sit in it). As for all the prior MINI5280 events, I am a student and have been too busy to attend thus far, but you can look forward to seeing me at some of the upcoming ones. The car is not kept garaged, but I don't drive it everyday so you're bound to see me out there sometime. As for how I personally did the window mouldings, I used Vinyl to cover it up, it is easily replaced if some of it comes off and is much cheaper than paint options. Again, thanks to everyone for the votes of confidence, I'll just keep your compliments in mind.
Peace,
James

 

What bothers me a little is going to ESE's site and looking specifically for the parts to black-out parts of my MINI and not being able to find them. :smile:

As for the similarities, I'd simply say the mods you made make a lot of sense when trying to black-out a car. I suppose they could ask your permission to use your ideas but that seems a little silly. But I know the feeling, I get pissy when I see a MINI that looks just like mine as well. Though I have no real right to get pissy since mine is still basically stock.

 

The RGR's are on order and the I'll be tinting the windows next week :smile: Just Kidding...

I've seen your cooper before and if I did copy it, then it was purely subliminal. Obviously I have the same distaste for chrome as you do, but with the limited styling parts out there for the cooper...it was only fate that mine would resemble yours. I don't know of any other black grills for the front and sidemarkers aside from the dealership. I blacked out the trim with 3M pinstripe (1/2")...that bugged me the most.

I definitely don't want to cause any angst amoung my fellow MINI owners so let me know what I need to take off and I will

 

I love that homemade garage they put their MINI in. Thats tight.


Cool company name too. Very European.

 

Hey man, no hard feelings, i just was surprised when i saw it. I can understand your disliking of chrome. I'd never want you to take it off, just wanted a little validation, just getting your side of the story is enough. I can't blame you for liking that look. Also you have those graphics on it (the ese on the side, and mini on the hood), i think it seperates it plenty. I honestly like the look of your car, don't go taking stuff off because of me.
Thanks for getting to the forum,
James

 

We're all one big happy MINI family again!

If someone would come out with a decent replacement grille other than the aero kit, this whole thing could have been avoided!

 

True that,
The only replacement grilles other than factory all require a whole front kit. It's rediculous. I think the same thing goes for side vents, they make chrome ones but no body color or black ones aftermarket. Oh Well, i guess we just have to get by on what they provide. But if anyone out there is involved in the visual upgrade bussiness look into body colored vents Please.
Thanks all,
James
P.S. Brian, i'll probably be getting an aerokit at some point in the future so mine will be changing slightly anyway

 

and working with Randy. That you care about and pay attention to minute details will be good for his customers, as always. That is the way it has been.

If you all are leaving from WEBB let me know, we are just around the corner at 7 and if you all are ready to go, we will go with.

Thanks,

JPS

 

hummm..is it just me or I don't see the resemblence of the two other
than its blk/blk and has the aero grills? wheel color different which
completely changes the image of the car and the ESE car even looks
like it's even sporting some 16's. large ESE decal...


it must be just me.

 

this is a great pic! it's just a little underexposed...bloody hot ride!

 

My Cooper needs some free parts

 

James,

I like your wheels alot better! I have been saying when I get a second MINI I'm going to do the all black like yours too. Sorry dude :smile:

 

Well if it makes you feel any better (worse?) I had planned on blacking out my MCS when it came it. My last 4 cars have been black hatchbacks, all with black wheels. I haden't needed to do any blacking out of chrome on my last cars but it was something I had planned on once I found out it came from the factory like that. You've got good taste as far as I can tell (the Schroth harness gives it away ), and you should feel flattered...not ripped off.

-Jake

 

Ditto!!! I have an 05 all jet black mcs and I just drool everytime I see your's!!!!