I recently bought a 2008 MCS, and was hoping someone could tell me what my seats are made of... I'm assuming Vinyl or some other synthetic material...

Second question - what should I use to clean them? If they're synthetic, should I use whatever I use to detail the rest of the interior (A.K.A. Armor-all, etc.)?

Lastly, my car didn't come with any floor mats. I'm not opposed to buying the mats available from MINI as funds become available, but I wonder if there is an equal product that costs considerably less.

Also, my driver's side floorboard has a little plastic cap to the left and just in front of the driver's seat - I assume this is a plug for where a floor mat retention clip would attach? I can't stand floor mats that migrate towards the gas pedal...

 

What you have is called "Leatherette", you can clean the seats with just about anything. I use 303 Aerospace Protectant, or a 50/50 Solution of Prima Nero/Water depending on what I feel like at the time.
Can't help with Floor Mats, I have WeatherTech and they do tend to scoot, but for the PNW Weather I wouldn't have anything else.
Hope this helps, congratulations on the MINI btw.

 

Prima Nero is the my personal choice as well. Second everything RJKimbell said

 

I use Prima Nero too... But full strength -- should I really be diluting it?

 

I consider all of my choices in what car care products I use to be a personal preference, there are way to many people trying to tell you what to do and how do do it??!! I won't do that...I'll tell you what I use and if you so choose to use and do what I do and it works great...if you do what I do and it doesn't work for you, you are always welcome to try something new!!
I use Prima Nero in a 50/50 Solution because it seems to be easier to work with, it doesn't streak as bad as when using it full strength, again just MHO!! I use either a Yellow Round Foam Pad or Griot's Garage Interior Towels depending on what area I am working on at the time.
Hope this helps!!

 

I bought a set of Cocomats, (black with red dots to match the car) they seem to be very well made. I've got a set of Weather Tech mats I use in the winter.

http://www.cocomats.com/

http://www.weathertech.com/?gclid=CN...FUSK4Aodag2ezA

 

I requested the rubber mats from MINI when we were doing the paperwork on my car (bought off the lot). They have a couple of Velcro thingies that keep them from sliding forward, although the dealer had to fit something to the floor to make them functional. In fact, I think all new cars are legally required to have some kind of floor mat retention setup to prevent the mats fouling the pedals.

I also have the leatherette upholstery, and I really haven't had a need to deep clean it yet. I generally wipe it down with a moist chamois after I wash the car and am drying the door jambs, sills, dash, etc.

By the way, I've toyed with the idea of using Coco Mats in the summer and putting the rubber ones back in for winter. I like Cocos very much, but the expense has made me hesitant.

Spridget

 

I run BMW and Mini rubber all weather mats in all my cars as that plush velour stuff just doesn't stay clean and is just not as easy to clean either. I highly recommend you just get the Mini rubber mats and call it a day. They will last the life of the car and will make your life easier. Mini mats will come with velcro fasteners and backing to secure to those mounting points already on your floor that you noticed (those black caps come out and you screw the velcro plate into it). I believe Mini mats are like $50-60 and can be had on ebay or your mini dealer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...#ht_1562wt_941