I've read a lot of post and many tried blacking out their chrome trims but for me i think the chrome makes the mini looks more expensive and classy. Painting the rims all black makes it looks like a a spare tires but then it's probably just me getting old ....

I used to have a base model cars that most trimming are made of black plastic, the handles, interiors , grill all black and the most expensive ex model are all chromed so i just don't get it why make it look cheap?

I just like my mini the way it is with all its bling bling

 

I like chrome.
I love that Minis are so easy to customize.
The current trend to black everything out is interesting, but not for me.
I do admire those cars from afar and appreciate the work and pride of ownership that obviously goes into them.
Personally, I plan to add some chrome touches to Little Wing.
The cool thing is that most of these mods are reversible.

Every car is not going to appeal to everyone.
Can you imagine if all of our cars looked alike?
Viva la difference!

It is ironic that most of the chrome is plastic too...

 

I like that the choice is yours ! (youification)

 

It *is* cool that these cars can take so many forms / appeal to different tastes.

My opinion is that it likely is generational (the appeal of chrome vs. black trim). I'm like the OP in that, back in the day, black wheels were generally black painted steelies that meant a) you hadn't yet had $$ for some custom rims or b) you had some, but they'd been pinched by vandals so now you're back to having to run steel wheels with no wheel covers.

Likewise, plain ol' versions of cars had black rubber around the windows, where upper level trims would have chrome / "bright" accents.

So...yes, my MINI was ordered with Chromeline interior / exterior. I love it, others would be reaching for the wrap/PlastiDip in a big way

 

My age is creeping up now but I think the black wheels just look bad ***. Seems like more and more race cars use black wheels and I like the look. With that said, I do like chrome accents on the body so we added the chrome hood scoop when we ordered our Clubman.

The benefit of gloss black wheels is they look satin black when covered in brake dust. So, I spend less time being **** about how clean the car is. But, I'm still obsessive about it.

 

Chrome Chrome and more Chrome Do I have to say that again?

 

Ironically, that's how I feel about most aftermarket rims, especially the dual lug pattern type, with no centercap. Totally generic.

But as for blacking out the chrome: It's the current trend. And I can justify this by pointing out that in the early days of MINI, people were putting all chrome R50 grills on to R53s, which had color coded slats. The omission of chrome comes and goes. Case in point (using Hi-Po production vehicles): 1971 and 1972 Plymouth Road Runners had a body colored bumper option, as did Ford Mustangs, Pontiac GTOs and others of that vintage. Fast forward to 1988, and the BMW M5 had all of the bright anodized trim finished in satin black, compared to regular e28s. And let's not forget the ultimate black car of that or any era, the Buick Grand National. I can appreciate all styles, and the variety within.

My own personal MINI is keeping all of it's chrome. I've added the factory chrome line interior bits. I've toyed with chrome line exterior, and R53 gas cap, but decided against. I like the outside just the way it is.

 

My issue is that some of the chrome is to wide. I like the belt line but not the headlight trim or taillight trim on the non-clubbies.

 

Re: wheels, I remember someone here having a very good point saying that he preferred silver or chrome wheels to black as he wanted people to see the design of his spokes.

That stuck with me. Especially with an all black regular Clubman that's all show and no go, I very consciously bought silver rims so my spokes can shine. Also, the slower I go the better chance you have of seeing them hahaaaaa.

 

"To each their own" never rang more true than when it comes to MINIs.

Me... moderate amount of chrome is good. And not only is the black wheels thing way overplayed but I want beautiful wheels to stand out, not be camoflauged to blend in with the tires and fender trim.

 

I like the chrome on the Mini because it's in places that work with the design. I see a lot of cars where the only chrome is a random outline around the side windows, which I think looks out of place and kind of silly.

Interesting point, Rainman - now that you mention it, it is strange that the headlight rings are so much wider than all the other chrome trim. Good thing I don't mind my chrome, 'cuz I'm not going to be able to unring that bell!

 

I like the looks of some of the blacked out cars and glad they can make their Minis unique. But for me- I paid extra for the chrome-even on the interior. It is staying!!!!!

 

I love chrome on my MINI! When I was a girl, chrome was the expensive touch. My Dad had hot rods and my Grandfather always said that my Dad would chrome his a** if he could get it off. :-) he actually did chrome all of the heater floor vents in our house!
I can appreciate the blacked out cars, but they all look the same to me. I like my car to stand out in a crowd! Chrome all the way for Winnie!

 

My gen1 mini has a full complement of chrome. Imo it just looks right on a car that has it roots in a classic car. But to each his own....helps my car look even more special!!

 

Sounds like we grew up the same. Dad had chrome wheels, stick, spark plug wires....

 

I dislike chrome. I had the door handles, headlight rings, and grill sanded and painted the same black as the top of my Clubman. I also had a set of wheels powder-coated gloss black.
Like everyone else said it is a personal preference and it’s great we can each tailor our own MINI’s to what we like. Personally I prefer stealth instead of flash.

 

Just to back up my statement...

 

I like the chrome!

 

Sparkley things make me smile!

 

+1 for me also a chrome lover!

 

Mine has the chrome thingy on the bonnet, and I like the contrast. To me, I think the car looks a bit more "sporty" with the accents done the way they are.

 

Looks great!
I'm really wanting a chrome hood scoop.
But, do I want to the overlay or should I replace my current scoop with chrome?
There's a big difference in price, but does is there a difference in look?

 

Personally I like chrome but what I like most is that almost no two MINI's look the same. As I'm sure most of us have seen MINI's that are not our personal taste but at the same time we freely admit that the car was well done and shows that the owner put a lot of thought and effort into making his car unique.

I for one rarely see a MINI that I think is ugly or boring. To me what is great about the MINI is every now and then I see one that is totally new and striking. Again, this is what makes the MINI so special as there is no other car that transcends age groups, income brackets and gender with such ease. In our family my 80 year old Mom drives a MINI, I drive a MINI, and My 17 year old daughter drives a MINI - and no one has ever said that any one of us is driving a inappropriate car. In fact just the opposite people often comment on what a cool little car they are.

 

I am neither a chrome hater, nor lover. Although I wouldn't go order any extra chrome on my car, I can see how some would like it. I agree with the comment about the chrome around the headlights being too big. I think they come with just enough chrome. I've noticed a couple of comments about "you-ification" in here, and it made me laugh a little. The majority of the posts I see here, on NAM, are something along the lines of: "Just got my new MINI! YAY me! Look at all of the blackout I did, and my black wheels!!! Aren't I so original and different??!!!" lol Kudos to all who have decided to embrace their chrome!

 

I just bought my wife a lease return Mini Clubman S and I was surprised that she wanted the one we got because it came with the chrome package and she usually doesn’t like chrome.

She said there was just something about this car that made it appeal to her. I could go either way – although I did like that the windows were already tinted.