Hi All - I know I'm crazy, but I've decided to reorder and wait all over again. I think my dealer is less than pleased, but I'm sure they'll be okay in the end.

I decided I'd like the extra power of the S over the Cooper, and also a different color... Hyper Blue/Black instead of Pure Silver/Black.

Because the S is a bit more than I want to spend already and because I'm not a super aggressive driver, I probably won't take the Sport package... so no DSC or LSD. (I imagine I'll get some comments about this based on posts I've seen here!)

Anyway, I'm AM spending extra dollars for bling: chrome line interior, exterior, anthracite headliner and possibly the dash. I really like the chrome grill of the Cooper and the chrome mirror caps, hence the chrome line exterior.

My real undecided is the dash... I could go with the freebie - Alloy Patina, which I like a lot. But, I've also seen the Piano Black in cars recently (tested one Friday) and with the Chrome Line Interior and anthracite headliner it looks amazing. (Anyone have a HB with Piano Black want to chime in?)

Then there's always the Hyper Blue dash and ovals, that looks pretty cool, too. And somewhat unique.

So I'm stumped on the dash, but want to get this order in pronto!

Any suggestions for deciding the dash color? Other comments are welcome, too. Here's the build:

2006 MINI Cooper S

Hyper Blue Body Color
Black Roof/Mirrors
Chrome Line Exterior (Chrome Mirror Caps)
Premium Package
16" V-Spokes (All-Season)
6-Speed Getrag Manual
Black Leatherette Sport Seats
Chrome Line Interior
6-spkr AM/FM CD Player
Center Arm Rest
Anthracite Headliner

Dash - Int. Surface "Seven" Piano Black, Patina or body color??

Thanks!

 

I vote for Piano Black. If you like the bling of the chrome it's definitely worth it. I'm about to order an S and am going with a less bling aproach so I'm going with the antracite but my Cooper has piano black/chrome and it's very nice.

 

The Piano Black would provide a nice contrast with the chrome.
I do have a place in my heart for Piano Black in general though considering my case for my computer is a nice piano black.

 

I vote: order now! Time's running out. The dealer may say, plenty of time but he may get an email from MINIUSA saying "Orders Closed" What then?

 

body color - tie it all together. I love the CR dash in my wife's CR MCS.

Pass up an LSD for $500?!? - oh, yeah - you were only asking about the dash....

 

Just get the least expensive color and then you can paint it later or apply vinyl or whatever. I have the HB on my HB/W and I LOVE it. I am going to do some vinyl graphics on it to finish it off.

 

I have the anthracite dash with anthracite headliner and chrome line and I think it looks really sharp. One thing i like about it is that the downtubes, door pull rings and speaker grilles are a dark grey rather than the silver that comes with the alloy patina or body color. not sure about the piano black, but i'm not a fan of the circles on the pass side anyway. The pic isn't that great, but you can make your own judgement.

 

I ended up with the alloy patina but it wasn't really my choice. I had anthracite ordered but switched to regular silver after the order was placed. However, when the car arrived, it was alloy patina. I didn't like the heavy duty flake size of the antracite. I do, however, like the fact that all the downtubes and door trim matched the dash. The regular silver also made everything match. I prefer the lower gloss sheen of the alloy patina but am saving my money for the JCW leather dash....oh yeah.

PS - I went for the LSD and DSC but no sport option. It snows where I live.

Swizzle

 

Very clean lines...sharp!

 

I LOVE the alloy patina and everyone who has been in my car has run their hands across it and said "ooooh, wow, that's soooo cool and soooo unique." I like that!

 

thanks everyone!

i think it's between the Patina or the Piano Black. The patina I would pick because I like it and there's no upcharge. The Piano Black because I've tested several cars with it and it looks great, especially with the chrome.

I still keep thinking about the hyper blue dash, too, but wonder if I will get tired of it.

The "free" dash might be the best option as I am trying to wittle down my cost and am thinking I may add DSC, just for the safety factor, and possibly even cold weather, since it isn't too much. Alone, these items about just a little to the monthly note ($300 for col pkg. at 6% over 4 years is just over $7), but together they add a little chunk of money.

I wish I could just make a decision already!

 

Go with the anthracite. With the anthracite headliner and chrome it looks great. No charge for it either (and no silly circles)

 

Either go for bling (Blue) or subdued (Anthracite). I think I'd go for bling myself!

 

Piano dash circles are bizarre in colour. they arent silver and the red isnt red, its orange red. The circles are tones of some earthy colour. It costs 200 dollars. if you get that and do not get LSD on a mini s, that's a waste of money if you love to drive it all seasons for sporty desires. If you dont do either and just get DSC, that's fine and safe and a good idea (very few drivers who own MCS's for the sport have LSD as their car didnt even have that as an option in those years!)

The black chops up the interior look and does match any other important object within the cabin. IT is cool in it's own right. It is like someone who buys a 61 inch all black pioneer plasma and installs it in a beautifully decorated small home. It doesnt fit even though it's cool.

If you really like it, ok I guess. it isnt a bad option just an odd option. Remember, it is a part of a look that you cannot buy in America, the 7 series wild looking interior setup they have as a costly option in England.

Anthracite or patina is nice. Headliner in anthracite is needed for dark colour cars I feel. for a PW or very light colour, eh, wouldnt say so much. IT does look good though.

Chromeline interior looks fantastic, i bought it. exterior too i did anthracite interior but patina looks great as well.

 

Another vote for Anthracite. I actually love the look of the Patina.. but it annoys me immensely that its not shiney. If you don't like Anthracite, then I vote Piano Black

 

With the HB exterior, I would go with the body color dash and door inserts. While I LOVE the Piano Black, I think it's more fitting on Red, Silver, Black, and Pepper White MINIs. I think the Piano Black might look out of place on the Hyper Blue car.

I envy you. I wish I was in a position to place an order now, but can't ju$tify right now.

 

You will get tired of the alloy patina. I did after a couple of years, and I loved it when I first saw it. I like the body color look, but I am partial to the anthracite as well (I have it now).

 

iwant a gray dash