Ok. So ordering my first mini in the near future, but have some questions. These are the features im most likely going to get.

MY/White roof (maybe white bonnet stripes)
Front/Rear fog lights
Sport Seats
Cold Weather Pkg
Chrome Line Interior
MY Interior???
Piano Black Trim???
Oak Trim???
Anthracite Headliner
Arm rest???
MF Leather Steering Wheel

Yeah I think that is it. So my questions are about the arm rest and the MY interior. I have heard from a few people that they dont like the arm rest, an addition that i thought i could not live without. So if you have the arm rest and love/hate/regret getting it, if you could please tell my why. Another question is the MY interior. I love the color the problem is i kinda looks harsh for the dash, and maybe i was thinking that the color would annoy me while driving. My other dilemma tho is that maybe my "cockpit" would be to dark on the interior so this is why i was considering the MY trim.so maybe if anyone is out there and has the MY interior and love/hates it please your input would be appreciated

No Suggestions????

Hey Riffster. I've got the MY interior with piano black. I really like it. It's one of my favorite features of the car. It doesn't seem too harsh or bother me at all when driving. I'm looking at getting Redline's yellow/black shift and parking brake boots to add more yellow to the interior.

I have the arm rest. It fits my frame perfectly. It's just the right height and spacing from the shifter. When my elbow is on it, my hand falls directly onto the shifter. It doesn't get in the way or open on it's own. I have the phone cradle inside for my Razr (which I bought specifically for the car).

You're best option might be to find a car with the armrest and see how it fits you.

Most of the interior is black so I opted for the anthracite headliner. The light gray seemed out of place since there are no other parts of the interior that color.

When I took delivery of my car, I got to see how all 3 of the roof options looked. There were 2 other MY cars in the showroom with mine. Mine has a yellow roof. The other two each had black roof w/black stripes and white roof w/white stripes. I don't like the stripes since they are just vinyl and not painted. They are on top of the clear coat. If they had been underneath, I would have ended up with black stripes. The white roof MY car was my least favorite when looking at all three side by side.

I don't care for the wood trim. I took a 200+ mile test drive in my friend's Mini with the oak trim. I didn't like the type of grain they used. I thought it looked like a plastic picture of wood. No offense intended to you all that love it. I don't think MY color line would look good with the oak at all. But I have never seen that color combination.

Well, I don't have a MY mini, but I've seen pics somewhere in the forums of a MY mini with an all-black interior (all-black seats, piano black interior surface, and anthracite headliner) and the yellow color line and I thought it looked fantastic. But, if you think the yellow is too much, the cream color line is also very nice and would also lighten the interior. And the oak trim looks good with the cream color line.

One thing: you didn't say what seats you're getting, but if you happen to be thinking of getting the black lounge leather seats, you might want to get the cream color line because it matches the piping on the seats (exact same material). They really should mention that in the configurator.

All that said, if it were me I'd get an all black interior with the yellow color line. Bonus: the annoying bright yellow warning labels on the visors would actually coordinate with the yellow color line.

I don't have an armrest so can't offer an opinion on that, but I think there are after-market options available if you hear that the stock armrest isn't great.

Hah, I should have checked for replies before I posted!

I got Piano Black, but it wasn't quite what I hoped for. It is a softer plastic than I expected. I was thinking it would be a hard glossy Formica like surface on my NHT home audio speakers, but the dash pieces seem more like polystyrene (the stuff model kits are made of). So, it scratches fairly easily. it also shows finger prints. It isn't horrible, but it somewhat disappointing.

I think I'd go with English Oak if I were doing it again.

Personally, I don't like chrome on the interior. It catches the sun and reflects it into one's eyes, and can reflect in the windows.

Anthracite Headliner is good. I like it. Glad I got it.

I didn't like the arm rest. Tore it out. It got in the way for shifting and didn't fold back far enough. Different size people have different opinions about it. Best to sit in a car with one to see how you like it.

Definitely get the Multi-function Steering Wheel, but I've not seen the leather one. I put a leather Wheelskins cover on mine. Don't think the leather wheel was available when I ordered.

BTW, You can get leather covers in a variety of colors for the door armrests from Redline. I put black in my MCS.

Didn't like the plano black because of all of the fingerprints and it looked like it scratches easily. Robin's post confirms this for me. Chrome is nice, but I'm probably going to black out all of the chrome parts. So it wouldn't match the exterior for me.

Oak trim? Is it really wood or plastic? Couldn't find one with it.

Arm rest fits me. Just go to the dealer and try one out to see if it fits you.

Thanks guys that is extremely helpful. Good point about tho chrome, robin. I just want to cover up all the silver that is in the interior of the car. For some reason i really really dont like the silver trim, which is why i was going to go with the chrome. But i would rather have silver then to be blinded by the reflection from the sun.

I think someone asked what seats im getting. Probably the leathrette because it doesnt cost extra, then i would probably get the MY trim. Slightly considering the beige leather then i would go completely english oak and no yellow trim.

P.S. Minidrivr, i love your car. Maybe i will even go for the black leather.

They match fairly well.



Robin makes a good point on the chrome line interior. I don't like chrome, but I have the chrome line interior. I don't like the gray plastic trim that was the alternative. For some reason I just didn't like how it looked. I haven't noticed the chrome line blinding me in the sun and I don't wear sunglasses. But it's probably something similar to the armrest and it's more about your own preference.

I like leather seats so I opted for the expensive lounge leather. If I would have bought the white Mini, I would have chosen the cream color line and either wood or piano black. I haven't seen the wood w/cream line in person but all the posts on here with them do look nice. I could see myself getting use to the way the wood looks. I don't have any scratches in the piano black so far. It does finger print. I don't use the secret compartment for anything just because of the finger printing.

I believe it is real oak veneer with a clear plastic coating. I think it looks pretty good.

Whatever you decide on, be sure to use Zaino products to keep it looking and smelling like new. Tweete is 5 years old now and is still fabulous.

Wood trim looks good, IMHO, with Tuscan Beige leather seats and a wood MFSW.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1884327...7603745110564/

The Tuscan looks good with the English Oak. Another combination that would go well with a EO is the Redwood leather. Wonder how that would look in a MY MINI?

I won't get into the interior colors. Some good posts already about that. I will say, I have the arm rest and it spends most of its time in the "up" position. Not sure really why, but I don't like it that much. I didn't have to pay for it, so I keep it. I'm about 6' at over 230, so maybe my build has something to do with it. I feel cramped, especially when fastening the seat belt. That's my $.02!

Yeah i really like the redwood leather but its not an option for MY . For some reason you cant pick it... Doesnt really matter though because i want the leather but its a little too pricey for me. but you never know

Hey MiniDrivr do u have the antracite headliner?? I dont think i have ever even seen a mini without it. At the dealer here all they have is the minis with the anthracite.

Riffster, I've got the anthracite headliner. My dealer had some of each. My friend's Mini does no have it. I would get it if you like how it looks. It gives you black A-pillar covers also.

nice choices!

if this helps..I have the Eng oak, cream color line w/ LL seats.The Eng oak warms the interior look nicely and will not scratch or finger print like the piano black. Pianoo black also looks very good but a bit higher maintanence.

I have the chrome interior trim to complete the retro theme. Anthracite headliner a must have IMHO.

I think this would work well w/ MY. The leatherette seats are very nice. If I was not hung up on the retro look of the seat piping I would had no probelm w/ blk leatherette seats.

Anything you can do to get body color on the inside of your car is a good move, imo.

Yeah that does look good the only think that kinda stinks with Eng Oak is that with the piano black it covers the whole door ring and the eng oak doesnt.

Thats exactly what i was thinking tho about lightening the interior, because when i finally found a way to get rid of all the silver the interior it looked very dark.

Just (4 weeks ago) got my MC Mellow Yellow/Black with standard interior.

The MF Leather Steering Wheel looks like the Standard but you
must have the 'MF' for Cruise Control (and radio control).

I was not too crazy about the Armrest factory install.

Look at what is offered here by the NAM Vendors for three options;

you can get the 'normal' armrest with the sliding cover,
a smaller version, with no storage
or a larger version,with 'flip-top' storage lid.

All are MINI Products with logos and bolt right into your MINI (or could be Dealer-installed).

I have ordered the Largest Armrest, with flip-top storage.

Having been spoiled by seat comfort in my 20 yr old auto, did not like comfort of any of the seating/upholstry options,
so I have ordered the WET OKOLE front seat covers and plan to use Memory Foam as well.

That Mellow Yellow Interior Accent looks a lot better in photos posted here than it did on MINIUSA Configurator and you should like it.

My 'comfort' seat covers are ordered with the matching Yellow inside panels and I am considering ordering an extra yard of that
(320) material for 'more color' as well as more comfort for armrests (doors as well as center).

Wk14 MY/B MCA w/Premium Sunroof & MFW

Huh. Those are pretty cool. One question though, where do you get them installed??

+1 on the Wet Okoles. I need to save up and get some myself...

They're just slip covers for your seats-- no need to install.

My 'large' flip-top Armrest just arrived, it was a ten minute 'install' (remove two T10 torx screws and loosen the forward two) and it is perfect for me.

Quality is excellent and since Outmotoring website did not give dimensions, thought I would post approximate measures here.

12.5" long and 4.5" X 4.5", forward edge ends exactly above the handbrake grips back edge and height of top surface is 5.5" above the top of the parking brake lever.

This 'height' is probably best for the manual shift, but I adjusted that to be a couple inches higher, for my comfort (since I have auto tran).

The MINI Logo is on the flip-top latch button and top is padded, the inner compartment is 9" long, 4" wide and 2.5" deep.
__________________________________________________ ___________

Wet Okole offers free 'install' if you can visit their Costa Mesa, CA main office, website says that you don't even need to remove front seats to put them on.

Since I plan to add a little Memory Foam, I shall remove (4 T10's and wire connectors that you must reconnect before turning ignition on, to avoid air-bag disconnect warning that dealer would need to re-set) both seats in order to get the best possible job. I also want to locate the Satellite Antenna connector that is reported to be hidden under carpet, below passenger seat.