it's my first post so please bear with me.

after forcing myself to wait as long as possible (at least until that 'college thing' was out of the way), i'm looking to finally order my cooper in the upcoming few months. i'm not on any waiting lists or anything, i've just sat in quiet longing for over a year now (driving my girlfriend insane all the while, mind you). but seeing as how i'm after a cooper and not the coveted 's', i'm not too worried about it (should i be?). besides, i've waited this long, what's a few more months?

so for months, i had been set on a BRG cooper with a white top (and matching bonnet stripes). until i saw one. i was disappointed how dark it was. i had to be right on top of it to even know it was BRG and not black. i'm all for dark greens, but to a point. but then i found pepper white (w/ black roof and bonnet stripes). and i was sold. it was everything i was looking for. regardless, im set on the exterior. now for the hard part...

i was just going to go with a black interior. nice. common. not to risky. but then i heard of the tartan red combo. honestly i hadn't even considered the red (probably due to the whole BRG period). i've seen a few pics. they look great. but... im just not sold yet.

so... here, five paragraphs into this virgin post i get to my questions. anyone out there have the tartan red cloth interior (especially with pepper white exterior, but all comments welcomed), do you like it? how 'deep' is the red? (i.e. heinz ketchup, twizzlers, or red wine?) i guess i'm looking for kind of a maroon. i want it to look classy next to the pepper white, not like i walked into 'playland' at mcdonalds. does anyone have pics of the interior (what i'd really like to see are pictures of the back seats and panels)?

thanks for any comments.

 

I too, originally wanted BRG, but decided on Silk Green (with black top/mirrors/ leatherette) because it's rarer and in my opinion a little "dressier". I don't have a red interior (actually, I don't have any at all, since my car is still being built) but I have seen your combination at my dealer. Pepper white/blk w/red cloth. It's very handsome. The red is bright, but since it's "cut through" with grey thread (the pattern) the overall impression is darker. I say go for it.

 

White with red interior is a classic combo. We decided to tone down the red by specifying the anthracite.

 

Mild,

I have a velvet red, white top/wheels, and a red interior - It's Ketchup" red - looks very good. I have the Anthracite interior as well - looks gteat - the silver would be too much with the red and white (IMO).

Red is good......
Cheers,
Gross67

 

Hi mild, and welcom to MCO!

I saw PW/B with red tartan at my dealer last week and it was beautiful. In fact, I ordered the redinterior with my PS/B Cooper, although right now my MINI is getting some aftermarket red/black leather covers installed in place of the cloth. I do love the red tartan though and think it really brightens up the interior. Here are a couple of pics I took of my car with the cloth. (This was done prior to dealer prep of the car, the red door sill is just a plastic protective covering.)





I guess I'd say the red is closest to the color of ketchup, definitely not a red wine. It's not quite as red in person as the pictures seem, but the back with the red seats and panels definitely says RED. I think it's a great color!

Good luck with all your decisions!

_________________

All I want for Christmas...

 

Welcome, Mild! I too have been reading up on the MINI and looking for them on the roads for months now! I think your colors Pepper White with Red interior sounds really great! I like your idea about the stripes! You will have a really nice looking MINI!

 

I have several months before my lease is up so I am with you in the "not in any rush" group!!

 

thanks for the help (and the warm welcome) everyone.

i never thought it would be such a hard decision. 12 months ago, i just wanted a mini. any mini. but now as my self-appointed 'deadline' approaches the choice gets harder and harder. but deep down i know i will love whatever i end up with. everyone has been so helpful. i've heard nothing but good things about the pepper white/tartan red combo. i love how it looks in the front (two front seats and door panels). i guess it's just the back seats that scare me a little. probably because i hadn't seen any pics of them. until now. and they look fine. it's just so hard to visualize it all. i need to keep checking the local dealership for one. (the Columbus, OH mini shop leaves much to be desired however). i'm sure if i saw one in person i would be sold.

it looks like the panels are a little darker than the seats. is that true? how about the back of the seats (front and rear)? are they red or the dark grey?

thanks for the pics vamini!

 

The MINI is the first car that I actually thought looked nice in white :smile: the Tartan Red interior really adds some zest to the Pepper white. Personally I went with the CR/W with Tartan red interior, I can't wait to see it in real life when I get her. I am a huge fan of the color red, I dye my hair with a color that is brighter than the C on the MINI's..heheheh I think your choice with th PW and Tartan Red will look gorgeous!

 

I'd go with the Tartan Red interior. I got my MINI in jet black, white top, white 5 star wheels, and red interior. I always get compliments on the color choice, and I think the red interior adds a beautiful eye catching touch.

 

Go to a dealer, and look at everything, then decide. I loved the BRG also, until I saw the Pepper White w/ Black Roof. To me, it had 007 written all over it. I did not buy it however because of a faulty passenger window mechanism. I love my Indi Blue, but when it comes down to trading in three years, I'll be lookin at the Pepper White Rag Top.

Good Luck
Jim

 

The door panels are slightly darker than the cloth on the seats. The backs of the front seats are grey, and I assume the back of the rear seats is the same but I'm not positive about that... Even if your dealer does not have a car on the lot with the red interior, he should have a set of swatches you could look at to see the true colors.

Have fun, and I'm sure you will love whatever combination you choose!