Hello

Last night when I got home from work, I had an email from Tony at MINI of St. Louis! Somehow their allotment of MINI Cooper S models was at least 7 this month! Since I was 7th on the list my MINI Cooper S was entered! I had been warned that it would probably be February instead I got in now! Anyway, I am ecstatic. This, however putting pressure on me to make actual final decisions! So I am going to list out the car that I have decided on and I would like for you to help me on a couple of interior decisions! I appreciate all of your time even if I don't end up choosing your opinion.

Here goes...
MINI Cooper S
British Racing Green with White Roof and mirrors.
All 3 packages...
Silver wheels with all season Runflats ( any strong recommendations for performance?)

Here comes the help part
Dark Grey Space Cloth with black bolsters and Panther black interior door casings
...

Anthacite or
the Alloy Patina

That is the question
Is the Anthacite just a darker version with the swirls to look like aluminum or is it just a darker smooth finish? Those of you with Anthracite do you like it.

I am 43 and will be 44 when I get the car. I don't crank the stereo much anymore, but like to for short bursts while driving for a favorite song. I know this has been beaten to death, but will the standard stereo do a good job, and do you think the HK is a significantly better sounding unit? I know I can add an amplifier or better speakers and probably improve the sound even more than the HK, but I do want to maintain the original installation look.

I am unbelieveably excited! I was bummed thinking that I was going to miss those lovely spring days for a ride in the country, but now it is going to work out ideally! In fact, if the planets all align my new baby will be waiting for me as my wife and I return from a dream vacation and we return to St. Louis airport! We are going on a cruise to New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii. :smile: :smile:

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

jc

 

I have not heard the HK stereo myself but the word on the street is that it rawks!
I have the alloy patina (the swrily bit) and like it alot! I had a tuff call myself between the BRG and the Black too many good choices out there!

 

The base stereo isn't too shabby, as long as it isn't cranked too high... I play a lot of Moby and Hybrid, and they don't make it break up... sounds good to me! BUT, I am getting the HK when I order my new car today.

 

Patine ALLOY. Beautiful. The antracite is too dull and dark. Also does not look good on the doors (IMO). You lose that great contrast on the doors that the Alloy Patina has. Lots of luck!

 

My DS/B MCS has the Dark Grey Space Cloth and Alloy Patina dash, which IMHO is the best looking combo. My Motoring Advisor has a CR/B with the Anthacite that also looks very nice. I just think the Alloy Patina makes the car look more "sporty."

 

I have a BRG/W MCS and I have the black leather with the alloy patina and magnesium door casings. I like the lighter bits on the inside because it matches the contrast of the BRG/W on the outside. I love the looks of it. The only thing is the magnesium color, being a light color, will show dirt more but it is easily cleaned.

 

I just got a new 2003 Mini and it came with a plastic steering wheel not the leather that I thought I ordered. It was supposed to have leather but the order got messed up some how. I don't feel like waiting 3 more months so I want to buy a leather cover for it. Does anyone know of where I can get a leather wheel cover? I heard today at the dealer they are coming out with a racing steering wheel in March and I could upgrade it.

Brad
raacceerr@aol.com :???:

 

Alloy Patina all the way...At least it "kind of" looks like real metal. The Anthracite in my opinion looks cheaper and kind of dull, though some people seem to dig it.

 

I've got the anthracite and I really like it. Looks better IMO.

 

jk,

I've got the alloy patina, and I say go for the anthracite! I like mine a lot, but I saw the anthracite on Kendall's car here in Denver during the alpine rally tribute, and it is beautiful.

I love the color choice as well - very traditional. Especially cool now that F1 has seemed to go back to the country colors - silver for Mercedes, BRG for Jaguar (pronounced jag-you-are, not jag-wire; small pet peve), red for Ferrari.

If you are going to use the car for any motorsports at all, I would totally stick with the space grey! I also like the way the heater is instantaneous with the cloth. If you have kids or plan on eating in the car, I would go with the vinyl or leather - with the nod going to the stickier leatherette for motorsports.

I like the Panther Black door panels. The magnesium doesn't look right to me, and it gets dirty quick.

I would go with the all seasons and buy another set of light 16s for track work with your tire choice. The S-lites are heavy, but so are the rest of the wheels by comparison to what is out there on the "after" market. They look the coolest, and for the street, that's what matters most to me. For the track, who cares what they look like - as long as they are strong and light!

There. My opinions. I have more if you want them

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com

 

I have BGR w/ white roof..get the white rims!!
also have anthrcite and panther leather
great combo
I have both Sport and premium packages
don't meed cold weather here in S CA
I opted to replace all speakers, put in a power amp and a sub woofer
I will get the JL Stealth box when it is out
also get an arm rest from Mini Mania

 

Thanks for all the responses so far... I am still going with the Alloy Pantina because I too like the contrast, but I could be convinced to change. I think they both look nice, but I haven't seen the Anthracite in person. I take it is is just paint or whatever and doesn't have the swirls that are in the Alloy Pantina?

jc

 

To better help us help you...what seat choice have you made? What color roof top?

I think if you were going for a mean look: BRG/B with leather/ette and anthricite.

I think if you are going for a sport look: BRG/W with space cloth and alloy patina

R

 

>>To better help us help you...what seat choice have you made? What color roof top?
>>
>>I think if you were going for a mean look: BRG/B with leather/ette and anthricite.
>>
>>I think if you are going for a sport look: BRG/W with space cloth and alloy patina
>>
>>R
I don't know, but I thought I was pretty specific on the first posting. but the sport look is what I have currently.

thanks

jc

 

I have BRG S, White/White, Performance Runflats, and Blk Leather. I would seriously consider the leather- I did not spec it, but got bumped up in line (someone else bailed on it) because I would take it, and aside from getting my MINI sooner, I think the leather was great addition. Because you can talk all day about the differences in the plastic zoo that surrounds you (shifter, cover, dash, doors) but putting your hands on a leather covered steering wheel and yer butt in a leather seat makes all the difference. I find the plastic finish to be disappointing (aesthictically), so have no opinion on the variants available (though darker is better in my book).

I find the stereo to be solid, with very little breakup, but have not had much chance for warm weather (open sunroof) driving. If you intend to listen to much classical music, the HK might be an better idea, but for straight ahead rock or country or whatnot, where the recording level is pretty constant, I think the stock stereo has decent oomph. If it came down to HK vs leather, I pick leather. If you are worried about economy, live with the stock stereo ($900 will buy you a pretty decent aftermarket upgrade down the road).

I don't know much about tires, and people have badmouthed the euforias here (the Pirelli's, though apparently some of the performance 17s are Goodyears, no?), but no one has said why in detail. I have driven them in pretty strong rain and in driving (but not accumulating) snow in highway conditions, and they were fine, by my fairly inexperienced measure.

 

I have Jet black,white top, white mirrors, silver wheels, Anthracite dash/doors, emerald green leather r-speed chrome dash trim.... anthracite IMO looks great... much better than the light silver color... Anthracite Has a metal flake finish and when the sun catches it... it really shines and lights up... It's a difficult tash putting together such a kewl car with soooo many options... good luck... Paul

 

It's all personal choice when it comes to the color for the interior. I have the panther black door casings with the anthracite interior. The alloy patina dash seems too weird takes away from the interior IMO. You should check both of them out yourself and decide which one you prefer...since you'll be the one driving it!

 

UH OH! You Anthracite people are working on changing my mind! I need some resolve stiffening from the Alloy pantina side! I appreciate hearing everyone's point of view. Thanks.

jc

 

Listen, i have now seen all 3 at my dealer and the online "build you mini thing".

I personally like to have the interior panels all match or flow nicely. The Alloy Patina is odd and doesn't look right next to any of the door casings.

If you get the magnesium panels, i would get the silver dash to match. If you get the black panther casings, then my choice would have to be the antracite.

Sorry but the Alloy Patina is kind of off the wall and ugly IMHO.

 

With white top and the cloth...DEFINITELY go for alloy patina. Anthracite will be too dark with the silver cloth.

R