I'm having trouble deciding between these two surfaces. I've read that the fluid silver is plastic and some say it looks cheap, but the alloy is not for some people's taste as it is more race car like. From the configurator, I think I might like the fluid silver's looks better, but I'm worried about it looking like plastic and not wearing well. I've also considered the piano black, and heard that many people love it, but heard horror stories about fingerprints/scratching. Anyone have any closeup pictures or good/bad experiences or advice?

Here are my other relevant configuration options:

Dark Silver Body Color
Black Roof/Mirrors
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Headliner
Leatherette: Black/Grey

 

I'm not sure how far you are from a MINI dealer, but I think the best bet is to check out the options in person in some real Coopers. I ordered a Sparkling Silver S, after thinking I wanted an Astro Black, but after seeing both colors in person, I decided the AB was too "blue" and the SS looked stunning in person while it looked horrendous on the configurator. I have piano black in my current MINI and also ordered it for the new one, but since its a personal choice, I'd say go look and decide for yourself.

 

Have you had a lot of issues with scratching and finger prints on your piano black?

 

Pick the one you like the look of. Don't worry about wear.

My impression is that the top surface on all of them is plastic. I don't know how thick the aluminum is on the various metal surfaces. It may be thin stamped sheet or heavy foil. The difference between them is the surface finish on the metal.

Next time you are at the dealer, open the secret compartment on one and see if the back is plastic or aluminum. My guess is that it will be plastic.

I suspect that the English Oak is veneer over plastic with a plastic coating to protect it. They aren't going to go to the expense of machining those pieces out of a solid block.

The Piano Black is definitely plastic. It is the black color that shows scratches and fingerprints more than the others. It is just like a black car showing dirt more than other colors.

 

I haven't noticed scratches, but I haven't looked closely. I have definitely noticed the fingerprints.

 

I have had absolutely no issues with scratching or fingerprints. And I'm not one to be all careful and not touch anything or whatever. I have a brake clutch that everytime I take it off (ok, not every time, but a lot of the time) I end up hitting something on or near the dash, and it all looks fine. As Robin said, get what you want, and don't worry about wear.

 

Another difference is that Fluid Silver is smooth, whereas the Brushed Alloy (what I have) is rough and textured. Some like the smooth, others don't mind the rough.

 

The Fluid Silver looks good to me. I personally don't like the texture of the Brushed Alloy. I'd definitely recommend checking them out in person, the effect of the two is quite different in a way that the configurator can't show.

 

I like the brushed alloy but I'm not going to order it because it doesn't continue on the door trim like the other finishes. You end up having a brushed dash and silver painted door trim.

 

I thought I would like the brushed silver until I saw the piano black in the dealership. After seeing the black it was a no brainer decision to get the black. Looks really good with the dark silver and black roof.

It does show finger prints but i keep a micro fiber cloth in the car and just wipe them away.

 

If a scratch or two is so important to someone, paying for the replacement part down the road is cheap. Get what you want and worry about it later.

 

Ok, that brings up another question. How much $$$ and how much of a pain is it to replace these panels if they do get scratched?

Also, can anyone list the panels that the surfaces affect? It's really hard to see in the configurator. I know it changes the main dash panels, but doesn't it also change the doors? And what other panels if any?

 

Brushed alloy will look good with Dark Silver

 

Thanks for pointing this out. I'm leaning towards the piano black now I think.

 

Are you sure about that, Wolfgang? I thought the brushed aluminum I saw on a car on the lot had brushed door rings too.
Also read somewhere that door pulls are brushed alu. but I don't remember noticing that.

 

I got the brushed alloy and was surprised to find that it didn't continue on the doors. The pull handle on the doors is brushed alloy but not the larger piece. Oh well... it still looks good and I would order it again.

 

can anyone show us pictures of all the parts that come with brushed alloy?

Thanks

 

Yep, go with brushed Alloy

 

See my gallery. That's brushed alloy and the chromeline package. Note with the chromeline package your door pulls are chrome. I like the brushed alloy a lot. Piano black was my original choice. In fact, my car was actually delivered with it, but since they neglected to give me the cruise control three spoke wheel as ordered, the entire order was rewritten after the car was built and not yet shipped, and I changed to brushed alloy and the bridge spoke wheels. The brushed alloy, I assure you, has NO PLASTIC over it in any way. It has a slight rough feel to it. I don't mind that, as I'm not using it for a pillow. I discovered while ordering that the door trim was NOT brushed alloy like the dash (too much $$$, they said) and I still have no problem with that. My entire vision for my car was wrapped in the concept of keeping the car very basic and almost plain in appearance, with the performance pieces (LSD, sport suspension, six speed) and not a lot else. I like SEEING flashy Minis but I don't want to drive a flashy Mini. Plain white box (the fridge) is fine for me. To each his own...drive on. If I want attention, I drive that other thing in the gallery. I haven't been driving it much since April, and every time I take it out I am reminded of what I don't like about it...too much attention, moving and stopped. Merry Christmas, you guys and girls!!

 

I really like my piano black. I think the all black interior looks great! The brushed alloy in interesting look, but the feel is what I didn't like about it. Just running my hand along the surface, it felt unfinished to me. With your interior specs, I think i would go with piano black.

 

What about the door pull is that brushed alu. ?

 

The door pull is chromed just like the shift **** trim.

The brushed aluminum is just like the artistic grinded steel panels (patterns of swirls) and such you see in commercial buildings and stores these days. It does not require any wiping and finger prints are a non-issue.

 

Brushed Alloy w/ white color line attached, definitely like the contrast of the color against black. Also the alloy is not foil, in fact its machined so deep that it will almost shred a towel if you wipe it.

As it was said on the door the oval ring is plastic (assuming similar to fluid silver) while the pull is the alloy. Best advice was to see it in person, I got the alloy without seeing and am not disappointed at all.

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...35&hg=51&fg=30

The two dash panels are $131.50 each for Piano Black. Price varies with surface. English Oak is $167.25 each.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=51452752889

I've taken the driver-side panel off. It pulls off. There are steel pins that snap into fasteners in the dash. It takes a fair amount of effort, but do it carefully. The panel is not very strong and has a very narrow section.

I've not removed the secret compartment panel. There is a thread about it, but I'm not sure anyone come up with the definitive answer.

 

I considered both brushed alloy and english oak when configuring my MINI.

Unlike many, the roughness of the alloy actually attracted me to it. Very different from the trim you see on any other car, upkeep is a breeze and it seems extremely durable.

As far as english oak, I really like the fact that it's real wood. Also after seeing either Emtrey or Modnars MINI, I was astounded with how beautifully the oak ties in with the cream color line and carbon lounge leather. Amazing - very classy and luxurious.

However in the end I really wanted to go for an all black/white theme both inside and out so I went with piano black. It's very modern, fairly unique, hasn't scratched at all yet and fingerprints are easily cleaned. Also it contrasts amazingly with the interior chrome. Overall a very good luck.