The whole family has gotten involved in picking the colors and surfaces for the Mini we're planning on ordering soon. Now we're confronting the fact that you can't, for example, combine either blue exterior with the loungewood red interior. Is this so "wrong" a combination that they just won't let us do it? By the way, the red leather is a must for my wife.

 

Yes, the imposed limitations are frustrating and I've never heard a reasonable reason why they exist. The red leather is stunning, smart wifey. I personally adore dark silver with the red leather.

 

Some combos probably will not look good together and the designers are just saving you some grief and us an eyesore. However, a little flexibility might be nice. For example, English Oak necessitates Piano Black circle trim on the doors. I'd rather have silver, but no go. I will say that there were few options when I got my first MINI in late '02, but these expanded over the years. Perhaps the same thing will happen with R56 to some extent. Don't hold your breath on the more extreme stuff though.

 

Talk to a dealer, they are the ones who ultimately put your order into MINI for production. I have no idea what if any restrictions could be relaxed, but maybe.

 

Hmm. We already have a silver car. My pal who inspired me to shop for a mini has a white one, so that's a no go. I'm kind of hoping for something a bit more "classic" in color, and the lightning blue seemed like the ticket but, alas, no red leather allowed! I'm in Virginia, so the idea of a black car isn't all that appealing. We may be down to the green (also dark, I know, but the black won't fly with the family). I know, we should consider other leather, but my wife really likes the red...she felt like it really opened up the interior. Help!

 

Check out the Tuscan Beige leather...you can get it with a blue exterior and it does wonders for making the interior look more light and airy.

 

In the end MINI is trying to save the customer from making dubious choices. Laser Blue and Redwood Lounge Leather may clash to such an extent that it would effect resale value as well as customer satisfaction. Compare MINI offerings with most other competitors and the customer has far fewer combinations. I have Sparkling Silver with Redwood Lounge Leather, a good combination. PW, Black and even BRG look real classy with Redwood. As mentioned previously, the Tuscan Beige is also an excellent choice. Frankly, all MINI interior colors are well ahead of the competition.

 

Something just occurred to me. In most cases, the deposit is refundable up until you take delivery. So, a dealer could get stuck with the MINI you order. Perhaps BMW is trying to protect its dealers from ending up with a lot of odd combinations on their lots. Someone orders red seats and blue exterior, takes one look at it and wants their deposit back. It could happen. Banks do this with houses. You want a loan to build a house? The bank is going to make sure you build it to certain specs or they wont give you the loan. They want to be able to sell it if you default.

 

Are you getting a regular MINI Cooper, or a MINI Cooper S? The regular MC is available in Nightfire Red. IMO, that is one of the best colors going for MINIs. It is elegant, yet has enough character for a MINI. It would look good with red leather. Unfortunately, you can't get it with the S.

For the S, Chili Red with a white roof is quite classic. Other than British Racing Green metalic, you have run out of options for the S.

 

Sorry for going OT, but are you sure that's possible? I just checked my purchase receipt and it says "non-refundable deposit".

 

That's the first I've heard of that being said in black and white. It's been discussed a lot, and the most I have heard are one story of someone having to fight it, and the common case that you don't get it back until the car is sold to someone else. It very well could be related to state laws. Try to check out yours.

Back to the original post, if you are still looking for raw opinions, BRG is terrific and I do not think it would be too Christmasy. I know someone here has that combo, maybe in the "Post Pics of your R56" thread.

 

Yeah, I was annoyed I wasn't allowed to order the red accent cloth/leather interior. Since when doesn't red and blue match? It's on the freaking Union Jack and American flag. I was, however, allowed to order the Pacific Blue. I was concerned because mixing different hues of the same color can be bad, worse than contrasting colors. Fortunately, the combo does look decent.

 

You always have the keenest insights that fly over my head LynnEl! (I keep writing things today that sound sarcastic, but I really don't mean them to be!!!) Add a white roof and there's no good argument against it!

 

LOL roandren. I don't want to risk aiming lower. I didn't think your post sounded sarcastic. I like your idea about the white roof, except for its color.

 

I'd say your wife is spot on. If you're going to swing the money for upgraded seats go for the redwood leather. The black lounge seats are nice as well, don't get me wrong, but the redwood adds a whole new dimension to the car. They aren't just super comfortable, the look great from inside and outside the car. I went with redwood leather and think it was probably the best option I chose on the car. Ultimately, color is completely a personal preference thing though. I went with all black outside, anthracite headliner, and piano black accents. I love having everything be dark excpet of for the interior and seats. I'm not big into chrome or tan leather so I think the car would definitely have lost something if I went all black and got the black lounge leather.

 

OK, now I just can't speak. I meant you observe things that I don't notice. I'm pretty short, so you don't have to be too cautious!

 

It's my job. I'm a professional pest.

 

Come to think of it, I believe it varies from state to state -- based on local laws. My MA at MINI of Mountian View, California specifically said, "...refundable at anytime." That may be mandated by California law.

Now back to regular programming.

 

I'm in a similar dilemna. I want to get the Oxy Blue Cooper and the Redwood lounge leather but MINI doesn't "allow" that. Did you ask the dealer about this? I find it strange that they will allow the Redwood lounge leather with Nightfire Red (similar colors can clash and I think these 2 would) and with Racing Green but not with blue exterior colors.

If you put all that money down up front, I don't see why they wouldn't give the customer what he/she wants. When I bought my townhouse, I had to pay for upgrades up front with non-refundable deposit. That way the builder didn't lose money if you backed out. Why can't MINI do the same?

 

I want an S in Nightfire Red... you can't ALWAYS get what you want... (hey sounds like a good song... )