I've been agonizing over this for months, and I'd like to finalize a build so I can go ahead and just order an '07 (I wants it now....my precious....), but the sheer number of choices and options has totally paralyzed my brain.

I've got it basically figured out. My current agonizing decision is which dash surface is going to look best w/ my overall scheme?

Here's what I've got so far:

R56 MINI Cooper or Cooper S (Decision awaiting serious test drive and talk with wallet.)
Exterior:

Chili Red/White Roof
16" White Bridgespoke Wheels
Sunroof
White Turn Signals
Rear Fogs
White Sport Stripes (+extensions down the bumpers [similar to the JCW Challenge car])

Interior:

Rooster Red/Carbon Black Leather/Cloth Sport Seats
Rooster Red Color Line
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Headliner

Basically the outside is going to be red and white (and hopefully sporting some custom Detroit Red Wings vinyl in the future). Right now the interior is mostly red and black, but with a hint of chrome highlights.

Here's my thoughts on interior surface choices:

Fine White Silver (standard on the Cooper, N/A on the S):
Pros:
Cheap as free
I like the flat black door rings. Matches the red/black theme well.

Cons:
Standard = Boring?
Giant plasticy silver dash could ruin the red/black effect
Doors too black?

Piano Black
Pros:
It's black, and nothing but the black.

Cons:
Shiny! Too shiny? I dont mind the shiny on the dash, but not thrilled about it on the doors.
Scratches easily, right?
$200

Brushed Alloy
Pros:
Snazzy?
Breaks up the monotony of the duochrome interior.

Cons:
$300
Not thrilled about the silver door rings. I don't think they entirely go w/ the red/black scheme. If only it came w/ the brushed alloy, but the flat black door rings...


So.......what do you guys think would look the best? If you got the Rooster Red color line and/or seats what did you choose? Any regrets? Anything I should be considering instead?

I'm going down to the dealer tomorrow to look at a car they got in w/ the red color line. I'm hoping it's also got one of those three dash choices.

 

Don't forget...your overall color scheme is red, black, and white. That's why white silver would work. It's all about contrast...the same as on the outside of your car. Also, if you're concerned about it looking boring, I think the rooster red dash/seat trim will add so much drama that the interior might look a bit frantic w/ another "look-at-me" element. Let the red do it's thing and make that interior sparkle...let the silver give some relief and add to the effect by providing contrast. That's my justification for the "no cost" option.

 

I got Piano Black. It is shiny. It is plastic (and you can tell). It shows fingerprints. Yes, it does scratch, be very very careful. Plexus plastic polish and DP microfibers will be your new favorite things. It bugs me that my secret compartment door is Piano Black, basically there's a permanent finger print that advertises "Hey, push here"

BUT: when it's cleaned up it looks absolutely smashing and elegant. It's worth the upkeep IMO. AND, if it starts to look too bad, you can replace those parts I do believe ($$). I wouldn't recommend it if children will be riding (esp shotgun).

 

What about English Oak? It would go with any of those colors.

 

I have the Rooster Red colorline and Piano Black.

If I didn't have the Chromeline, I may have gone for Fluid Silver but the black really helps to set off the chrome. The dealer didn't have one in stock when I ordered so it was a leap of faith but I am quite happy with the result.

 

+1 for the English oak. Very classy, never seen it with the red color line...would be interesting.

 

I'm not sure how the English Oak would look w/ the red color line...I think brushed alloy would look nice.

btw, I have the std color line w/ English Oak and love it!

 

With your set up.. you can't lose. Any one will look great.

 

If you want a subdued interior that has attitude (to go w/ that anthracite headliner) do a dark dash...piano black or oak. If you want a more cheery cabin go silver. The interior has a good number of silver bits anyway so there's no escaping it really.

 

I have the Piano Black. I love it, it looks very nice and I haven't had any problems with it.

 

I have a similar interior, sans the red seats, and I went with the brushed alloy. I love it.

 

I'd love to see someone's ideas about the chrome line interior with the brushed alloy - how would they come off together? I'm pretty keen on the brushed alloy, but can't decide if the chrome lined interior is worth it to add to that or not.

As to the OP's question about the red dash and seats, my personal pref is to go with the red on the dash but not the seats, but that's just me. For seats my fav is the carbon lounge leather with the cream piping- but this is YOUR CAR, not mine! Any which way you have mentioned the dash would look good I think, honestly; have seen pictures of the red color line dash with the piano black and chrome and it was veeeerrrrrrry nice but I like the brushed alloy too...... And I like the English Oak as well- gee, it all looks good! How to choose?

 

I have that combo. I am at work now with no access to my pics, but later I can throw one up. I think it works great. Basically, in choosing what I did was go completely opposite of what I had been driving for years. Was so tired of the black and grey plastics, grey seats....dull, drab, dull and freaking hot in the summer. So I went with rooster red with brushed alloy dash, chrome line, didn't go for the anthracite headliner, and got the sunroof and let me tell ya, I'm loving every minute of it.

 

Thanks Spectral- I'd LOVE to see the pics, that would be fantastic! I will be checking back later- glad to hear from someone that has the combination and likes it.

 

I have the brushed alloy and love it It is real metal and has a much nicer look and feel compared to the plastic trim options. Workes fine with the chrome I do have in the car, though I don't have the chrome line trim.

 

Here you go.

 

For those that are really picky about color matching, the rooster red interior bits do not match the chili red exterior. In fact, none of the interior color choices in the '07 match the exteriors. Unlike the previous generation, though, all the interior bits of the same color line do match pretty well.

The only combo that needs immediate help is the tuscan beige with the "required" cream white color line. The beige leather is beautiful, but it needs a different color line.

 

I have JCW carbon fiber dash....looks soooooo good!!!

 

Ooooo...I do like that!!!

 

Yeah, I think the silvery alloy would be really nice with the red/black.

I've got piano black/English oak/chrome interior. Love it with the PW, but I keep an old diaper to clean the perpetual fingerprints. Everyone wants to touch the shiny surfaces!!
Not sure about English oak with the red/black. . .

 

Thank you, sir!

That does look really nice! I was a bit worried about the matte alloy finish and the shiny chrome not matching well, almost to the point of ditching the chrome and just sticking w/ the standard matte silver trim rings. But that looks pretty dang good.

If I were doing a classic, plainer MINI I'd be all over the English Oak, but I just don't see it fitting in very well with the bold, racy feel my car seems to have taken on (somewhat inadvertantly).

My original choice was going to be a BRG MINI with the English Oak dash, wheel and shifter, but I wasn't really all that excited about any of the interior options that would have matched that classic, upscale feel. The lounge leather seats felt really nice, but I was really put off by the white piping for whatever reason.

Are those Cocomats I see?

---
Thanks for all the opinions so far. It's like having an argument in my head, but w/o all of the effort.


I broke my cardinal rule of car buying (If you have no intention whatsoever of buying the model with the more powerful engine, then don't test drive it!) today, and, much to the chagrin of my wallet, I'm now leaning towards the S. So the Fine White Silver is out, leaving just the Piano Black and the Brushed Alloy.

I did some hands on testing at the dealer, and I definitely liked the way the Brushed Alloy felt (though the alloy trim pieces on the door handles seemed a tad wobbly. It's odd rating a dash material on how it feels, but with the secret compartment this is probably the only car you'll actively be touching the dash on.

There is something to be said for the Piano Black. It makes the chrome line interior really pop out, but it was also veeeery fingerprinty.

I'm still undecided, but this and the choice between the Cooper and the Cooper S are the only things standing in my way of ordering the car. I'm going to go back on Saturday w/ my girlfriend in tow to see what she thinks (and then potentially do the exact opposite).

 

People might start to look at me funny if I start carrying around a cloth diaper in my car. Especially since I don't have any chillins.

 

Thanks again for the pictures of your beautiful dash. When you get a chance can you post some of the door area as well?

 

Are those Cocomats I see?


Yes indeedy!

Besides fitting great, I really like 'em because they make the floor "pop" instead of being a big, black void like it would have been with rubber mats.

A better shot of the floor:

 

That's what the secret compartment is for!!!