I would suggest English Oak with a wood trim steering wheel and then later you could add one of Robin's shift ***** and/or handbrake handles to really add more wood trim touches. If you look at most older English cars they have wood dashboards and trim accents. Perhaps if you are looking for an "old school" look you might think about the older English cars. I agree with TheBigNewt, go to the dealer and see as many combinations in person and order what turns your crank.

 

Is this true? If you order the EO you get the EO sterering wheel too? I knew you got a EO shifter ****, but .............

 

I don't think I get the EO steering wheel (or ****). I'm getting the Comfort package, which only lists the regular MFSW (leather) as the only option.

I say EO! Definitely go to your dealer and try to find one with EO (might be hard considering how scarce they seem to be on lots these days). But plenty of people here have plenty of pics. It's what helped seal it for me, plus I wanted the more classic English sportscar look (also got PW/B).

 

I believe it's an extra $250 for the EO steering wheel. I seem to remember when I was configuring mine online that the MFSW was $250, and the EO MFSW was $500.

 

Yes, that's my understanding as well.

The poster I quoted stated that the wood MFSW also came with the EO dash, which didn't sound right to me.

 

However, the OP wants the Convenience package. With that package, you cannot get the EO steering wheel (the leather one is the only option).

 

If you are looking for a classic look, what British sports car, luxury car etc. didn't come with a wooden dash. If you want classic go with English Oak dash and opt for the wood steering wheel which will also come with a wood shift ****. Piano Black looks cool but I don't remember any older English cars with shiny black dash and trim. My $0.02

 

I agree. I got the piano black on mine, and it's definately a much more modern upscale look and not very retro.

 

Things may be different now, but I have my window sticker in front of me. I have the premium package with english oak. The premium package included:

Multi-function steering wheel
Sports wood steering wheel
Moonroof
Auto' a/c

My understanding was that when you ordered premium and EO, the wheel came along for the ride - as did the shift ****.....no additional charge...that was a quirk of combining EO with premium.....of course for a time they stopped the wood wheel all together but that's a different story

So my error in the original post was that I should say the EO wheel came with EO IF you have premium pak.....

 

Is the English Oak really wood? The samples I saw didn't look good nor convincing.

It looked "really fake".

 

Thank you for clearing that up! I was really getting confused.

And yes, I'm sure that that wasn't the first time that MINI, or any car company changed the rules on us mid stream.

Thanks again!

 

The 1" square I saw before ordering also looked bad. So I ordered Piano Black, thinking it was a hard glossy formica-like surface. I was disappointed to find that it was a fairly soft plastic. Looks like the same polystyrene used for Revel plastic models I made as a kid.

Having seen English Oak in a MINI, I wish I had ordered it instead. I believe it is oak veneer (thin slice of wood often used on furniture) that has been fumed or stained to a dark color. Fumed oak was popular in the early 20th Century for Arts & Crafts, or Mission style furniture.

The MINI's English Oak seems to have a thick clear plastic finish on it. I don't know whether it is sprayed or laminated, but it looks like it might be laminated.

 

How would the EO look with the Redwood Leather. Would they clash? Does anyone have pictures of this combo? Would it be better with the black leather?

 

On the one hand, I've never understood the desire for wood -- real or fake -- in a car. I mean, the car is metal + plastic, where does the wood come in? Wood always looks silly to me in a car.

On the other hand, I don't think the dark MINI interior needs more black (PB).

I vote no on both. Go with the std checks or silver of some sort.

I know, this isn't answering the OP question :-)

 

Or, better yet, the checkerboard dealer accessory.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachmen...9&d=1167180169

 

I ordered PW/PW with Aero and painted wheel arches with Redwood Leather and really wanted the English Oak until I saw it and really looked like a piece of plastic and very little grain..
I was really disappointed in the look.
Just decided to go with brushed panels..
The dealer said it is real wood but they could have made it have a more natural look than the way it looks....

 

I bought my car off the lot (it was a great deal on an 07 with 2,221 miles) Tuscan beige sport seats, cream colorline and Piano black. I was able to trade for oak dash with another NAM member. I prefer the oak by a large margin. It is an oak veneer with a high gloss finish. The black seemed to magnify fingerprints and dust--I can be more relaxed with the oak as I am not compelled to wipe it off every time I look at it. You have seen photos of both configurations. Choose what you like. You are the one to live with it. So, there you have it.

 

I have the PW/B Clubman. Went with the Piano/Creamline. Also like the creamline since it breaks up the black of the door panels and back seat with the cream armrests.

Here's a couple of pics:

 

Two more shots. Clearer dash pic and one of the back seat.

 

I've got the English oak dash and I love it. I didn't opt for the oak steering wheel however. I decided I liked the feel of the leather MFSW better and went that route. The touch of oak in the dash and the door handle really looks good with a BRG.

 

im getting both for Syd but as I understand it the EO trim is included n/c with the rooster red color line, while for 09 the EO mfsw is now part of the prem pak at $250 extra. classy looking stuff!! all I will need now is a smoking jacket and a brace of Glenfiddich!