When I first got my Cooper, I was a little disapointed in the quality of the interior. But after living with it for almost two years and driving many other cars- old and new designs, I've concluded that the MINI's interior is of good quality for a car with a $17K base. Sure, you can option the hell out of it and then you're paying close to $30k for a $17k car with lots of options and the same $17k designed interior quality.

The 2005 dash seems to have reduced the number of pieces, and the door grabs on my '04 can sometimes feel weak- but overall the quality of the leatherette and carpeting is well above that of domestics, japanese, and even the newest VW interiors which are now not that great- especially the new Jetta. My girlfriend's '04 Civic has some intermittant rattles and actually will need a new door panel to fix one very obvious rattle. In the warm weather my MC is solid without any squeaks or rattles. Now, in the winter it does start to creak a little, but again, I paid for an outstanding structure, suspension, driving dynamics, etc. If I hear a couple random rattles when the temp is low, that's fine.

The next gen will certainly have a better interior. As long as the driving dynamics are retained and improved, it will be a step forward. Besides, I'll never give up my current Cooper- it's already a classic!

 

Much as I've enjoyed power seats I just don't see it helping the Mini, power seats are much heavier then manual.

Its funny, people want this small nimble car to be everything, compete with high hp cars, AWD, luxury - but at the same time people enjoy and love it as it is for what it is and its success is based on that. The car really has a great balance of characteristics and shines in its handling, style, and yes, quality as compared to many cars - mess with the equation and you may regret it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it :smile:

 

Eval , really good point, several posts back, about it not just being the material but the padding, insulations, etc. That had not occured to me. Yes, agreed feel and handling are the primary reasons to love MINI. Like I said I wish it had the interior of an Audi TT but really feel MINI is a much better (at least for me) auto. So especially if upgrading the interior were to negatively effect handling and fun -- well I'd rather not in that case.

 

...some of the posts in this thread have implied that "upgrade" maens faux-lizard skin, wood dash, probably thinking flying-saucer lights under the car...why would anyone want to do this to a MINI; isn't that what Dodge Neons and the like are for?

 

Then just count me out! Unless I can get a small disco mirror ball instead of a rear-view, with a mini xenon spot to light it up. Now that would be an upgrade!

Matt

 

sorry, the disco-ball rear view mirror is available as aftermarket only ;-)

 

No. The car costs too much as it is. If you don't want the plastic dash, get the JCW CF.

 

go drive a Scion, Toyota, Honda, ECT......then complain about interior quality

 

I like the JCW carbon dash but the $ are rediculous. I am about done with the engine and next is the flywheel, quaife, clutch. I am starting to look at interior mods. I think the interior is a weak spot on the car and i would have paid extra for a little more quality. I'm not too big on aftermarket interior parts as they never seem to integrate well. Silk purse...sow's ear effect.

 

I think with the anthracite interior and headliner, along with the chome interior package and leather...that makes the MINI pretty sweet. I would go for pwr seats BUT would be happy if they would just move the seat slide adjuster to the doorside vice the console side. My wife is 5'2" and I'm 6'4" and I get REAL tired of leaning way into the car to pull the seat back so I can get into the car.

I consider the 05 and 06 interior upgrades to have been highly beneficial...although charging for the anth. headliner is REALLY pushing it.

Cheers

 

Ain't nothing wrong with variety. Wood grain dash is available from the factory for about $150 and as dealer installed option ($500) in Europe. MINIUSA should offer it here too. Why not give the people the choice.

Looks nice, especially with the cordova leather or the white stripe leather options.

It's a matter of taste. I personally spent the extra money (like so many do) on the chrome interior. I like the way it looks, especially with the orange glow reflections at night. I always liked the chrome gage rings on the Miatas and the 3 series.

 

Well, not everybody buys a MINI for the "performance" so I do believe there is a market for power seats and a higher-end deluxe interior. If performance was my only concern, I would buy a Porsche.

 

Check with your dealer. I believe it is offered as an accessory.