Okay, I have English Oak trim (dash & wheel) on my new Cooper and I wanted to take a moment to tell everyone in NAM-land how great I think it is. Now, I've seen earlier R56 MINIs on the lot with English Oak and there's obviously lots of interior combinations that it would look good with. I want to sing the praises of my particular combination. Why? Because I lost sleep wondering if it would look okay.

Here's the deal...English Oak is a dark finish. Even more, it causes the door trim to default to Piano Black...also dark. I did not want my cabin to come off "over designed," so I opted out of all colorline options (which might have brightened matters), but went with the standard black dash materials. I also got black checkered cloth sport seats. My hope was that the soft silver trim and white speedo/tach would balance things out. Well, I'm thrilled to report, it all worked out beautifully. The highlights in the wood, and the absolute minimal contast in the seats creates a very subtle interior. That's the one word I'd use to describe the cabin....subtle. It's not overdone or forced...just subtle, straightforward, and classy. Another cool thing with all these dark-ish surfaces is that the speedo and tach kinda float out there as major elements...which of course they are!! Nice.

I think English Oak can work in many ways, and I think other surfaces work beautifully to create a variety of different vibes in the cabin. But for anybody considering going with all the English Oak bits let me say that it looks awesome and if you're keeping lots of black bits I think you can sleep well.

I'll post pics someday but frankly they won't/can't do justice to what is in front of me as I motor about each day.

 

You're such a tease. The ode, but no photos. Making us wonder how it looks.

 

You're description sounds like you have created quite a stylish environ to motor about in. I have resisted all temptation to go to MINI's website and build a new MINI. But after seeing that Sidewalk MINI and the brown leather interior and hearing about your English Oak features, I fear I may succumb.

 

I was very tempted by English Oak, but did not want Piano Black door rings. Like you, I have the Checkered Cloth sport seats with no color line, but opted for Fluid Silver w/ the Chrome Line Interior instead.

This combination will probably not be as subtle as yours but I hope it works. I'll find out Tuesday.

 

There's so many ways to get it right...I just want to document one success.

 

I wanna see .... pics plz

 

So, when will we get to see PICS?

How do you like the door armrests with no color line? What shade of grey are they, anyway?

 

PICS please!!!!! Really want to see the oak.

 

Very good question!! Surprisingly, they are dark grey...just slightly lighter than the door panel. This is also the color of the lower section of the dash below the oak dash piece....that's right, top and bottom dash sections are not exactly the same shade of grey! Seems weird, but whoever at MINI picked this out got it spot on. It also works prefectly with the checkered cloth sport seats which also has very slightly varied shades of grey/black.

It really is hard to see these subtleties in the configurator...and equally hard to see every particular combo (like this one) at the dealer...but if anyone is considering a similar set up I just wanted to report that it...is...good.

 

Now I've got a real stumper for ya. How does the default no-colorline dark grey knee bar and armrests compare with the dark grey colorline that costs $200?

After my order I realized that there must be some difference, but am still not sure what or why it would be worth paying $200 for.

 

How about taking 2 moments and showing us some photos?

 

I know...my bad. I am w/o camera and I fear further retribution may befall Skuzzy due to my post. Alas....at present no pics are possible. Sincere apologies.

 

No problem gokartride, when ya wanna meet for another photo op? Ok folks, this time we will do the pics first, and THEN jaw about how great our cars are.

 

No, that is a very good question because I had to consider the very same thing!!! I've not seen the grey colorline in person (and I am developing more and more a respect for the need of a direct visual) but I believe the grey in the colorline is several shades lighter. I was on the borderline, too, and skipped the colorline. That probably is why I lost sleep over this...it was a bit of a gamble...which is also why I felt I had to post something.

In the end I skipped the colorline because I was prepared to go with a less designed and more basic look...maybe it's a guy thing or something. It did work out, fortunately. I suppose it is the curse of early adoption (no, not bragging) because there just isn't time to see all the combinations available.

 

And how great the Dragon is, too!!!!

 

Pics... pics... pics...

 

And besides, if you win the gamble, you save $200. You may have done it for design minimization, but I did for cost minimization.

One last question: Did you go with the anthracite headliner or stick with the default light grey (I stuck with the default light grey).

 

Me, too!! I liked it on my first MINI and it's still my preference.

 

Actually, it just dawned on me that I'm the one who's going to have to face Clover next weekend in New Mexico and she has that blasted paddle!!!

(first for having no camera and second for quoting myself!!!)

 

I went with the english oak, but the leatherette seats and the interior chrome. I am hoping with the BRG it will look subtle and understated. I'll find out soon i hope and will post pics

 

It does lend a very classic air. Sounds great!!!

 

I have the English Oak with Redwood Lounge leather, and grey colorline. I give it a C.

 

i'm petitioning the removal of gokarts keyboard until we get pics.... copy and paste this into your reply, add ur name, and add the next number for the next disgruntled woodless soul...

1. Mommashine
2.




j/k man... well... maybe...

 

I used the cream colorline to lighten things up/create contrast. It'll take some work to keep it clean but I don't mind this kind of work. The cream also tied in nicely with the piping on the LL seats.

Attached is a pic( dbl click thumbnail for close up ,larger view of a car off the lot). Eng oak w/ cream colorline

 

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