So I hate asking silly questions like this because it comes down to personal choice, but I'm now wavering between Dark Silver and Astro Black. I've already put down a deposit for an AB R56, but the car hasn't gone into production yet so I can still change it if I want.

My thinking at first was, man I hate how car mfgs use plastic fenders / side skirts these days, I should get a black car to "hide" it (coming from the B5 A4, black A4's look best because they "disguise" the black non-body-color sideskirts.) But seeing more regular R56s (and seeing MINIs with body-color fenders which make the car look ugly, IMO), I'm thinking it may be better to embrace the plastic in the interest of contrast. I think it does well for the R56. Black wheels on a DS car with black roof is hot hot

The car will be lowered and will have 17''s at some point, so I'm interested in what people think is a better look. I WANT to like black better, so any pics of lowered AB R56s would be appreciated So what do people think, contrast or (less) contrast?

PS this is the car that made me want to go with black in the first place, but I don't know if the R56 is going to look the same. Also, is that a different shade of black?

 

Have you seen Astro Black in person??? I ask because it's actually more a very dark shade of greyish blue (AB owners don't kill me, I just don't know how else to explain it ). I was going to order my MINI in AB initially as well, thinking that it was jet black, but after seeing it in person decided on another color. Don't get me wrong, it is a very awesome and incredibly unique color, just not what I expected or wanted to go for. The MINI in the picture is a jet black R53 so keep in mine that you're R56 will look pretty different. Finally, AB is going to require a good bit of a work to keep clean; opposed to Dark Silver which will hide dirt pretty well. Then again, if you were gonna go for solid black then I'm sure you've already thought of that.

Personally I'd go for DS but that's just me. Between the two it'd be a pretty hard decision as I like AB a lot, just not for myself.
Best of luck, you really can't go wrong. It's been said before and I have to agree - the MINI is one of the few cars that truly looks good in ANY color (at least any color that it's offered in; can't speak for random custom jobs )

 

If you can visit your dealer and see the colors in person. Like Msteadman said, AB isn't quite black, or at least what you'd think. I personally like it, so my vote is AB/ AB!

 

i was deciding between laser blue and DS... i went with the laser blue because i figured the MINI is a FUN car and should have fun bright colors... of course when i see some well done up DS or AB, i get a little envious but between the two i would definitely go DS, as cool as an all blacked out car looks.. i love contrasts. If it was a flat or satin black, i would be all over it though.

 

Yea I've seen them both in person...guess I need to go back and look at them side by side.

 

The points you present are valid and well-considered....bravo! I've seen some fab ABs...and I must say if I never see another DS that'd be fine w/ me. Since DS is an original color they are just everywhere. Nevermind MINI has more silvers than they have blues!!! Since I'm terminally over DS, I'd vote AB....but I readily admit my bias is irrational. Good luck...whatever you choose will be super!!!

 

They are both great choices. Black will be harder to keep clean and to me that is the only difference.

 

Thats Glens Jet Black MINI, I have an Astro Black and love it haha

 

Thanks! Point well-taken...rarity definitely appeals to me.

Glad to hear it! Got any good pics? ( I saw your gallery but can't tell which ones are yours...)

Regarding the hard-to-keep-clean part, I'm **** about washing my car and not really worried about it. I'll just have to wash her more often!

 

Well I'm patiently waiting to take delivery of an AB/AB MCS. I was tossing between the two colors as well. As said above they're are a lot of DS MINIS on the road, not saying I don't like DS, but there are a lot of them.

I like the fact that the AB is a metallic paint vs. Jet black. IMO I think they named it AB because it reminds me of when the Sun has set and its just about to be pitch black outside, but there is still a bluish hint of color. I don't know if that makes sense at all . but yeah...

Anyway I vote AB/AB...yay

 

both shine like new pennies if you treat them right...good luck on your decision...just make sure you post pics of the new toy when you bring it home!

 

no pics of modded AB's?? Come on, make me want it!!

 

HOORAY FOR ASTRO BLACK! I LOVE IT! The most common term people use when they first see my ab/w is 'sleek', which is what I like about it too. Thought about DS as well, but like gokartride says, 'they are everywhere' and I prefer to be a little different. Not that there aren't plenty of gorgeous AB's out there and maybe one more soon. =-)

 

Astro Black: sinister, stealth, dark and dangerous
Dark silver: reserved, silent, quiet
from a color point of view, it depends on your personality, and you should choose a color that best describes you... im a quiet, reserved guy, but i am a big fan of AB on the 2nd gen, it hides some of the niggling details im not too keen about the new car under a meld of black... a well and detailed AB is killer... at night

i prefer my DS, even though its not a 2nd gen, thought i bring another DS into the fray

 

I just picked up my AB/W MCS - Just remember that it is a metallic Black as that is why most people think it doesn't look 'black enough'

 

That's me! Scared yet? LOL. I am so not dark and sinister! I am SLEEK!

 

Given those two choices I'd opt for DS, only because I can't really get used to Astro Black. It looks black from far away but then you get up close and it looks blue, it really annoyed me when I took one that color for a test drive.

I think I read somewhere that Jet Black is making a triumphant return in '08, you might want to wait for it.

 

Dark colors look great for about 10 min - then the dust starts to settle.... If you like to clean - then go for it..

 

Good, it's settled then. You shall go with all PS.

 

hmm, good to know. Into skimboarding? My bro's handle was always skimvic

 

I think you might be the first person to ever get the reference :D

 

I just got a DS MCS....so I think you should get AB! Don't need any more DS MINIs on the road.

 

AB it is

I was looking for pics of clean looking lowered ABs but didnt get any, so I had to go out and find my own

(I know its an R53, but it helps to get an idea of what the color looks like)




http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=3980

 

Any photos of an AB with flat black sport stripes. I know I posted a pic request in the exterior mod section, but I dont think it gets that much traffic. I think flat black sport stripes (the whole kit) would look awesome on AB car.

Thanks,

JEff