just thought some people would be interested in seeing it up close and personal
http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/bondga...e/1ed94a2f.JPG

 

you have a 07

 

Howd you get an 07?

 

i just put my name on the list at the dealer early



just kidding. Sorry, forgot to mention that its not my car. It's a german aftermarket tuning company that owns the car...they are making new products for it already I just thought it was a good pic to show a close up

 

I see i was going to stay. Man you must have some pull or a S**t load of money.

 

Is it just me, or does the new console look a little 'Fisher Price" like?
(Plastic'y??)

 

Yes, I am not "lovin'" the center console.... is does look cheap... I looked on miniusa.com, and it looks like they have 2 consoles, 1 for the standard radio and 1 for the upgraded radio.... if that's the case, I'll get the standard.......

 

I dont see a difference in the center stack when i click between the standard and the upgrade.....am i missing something?

 

what were they thinking? really ...
the backing plate looks like the stuff a lousy car stereo installer places in your dash when changing to aftermarket ...

i am willing to bet this center stack will change as soon as the 08 rolls around.

 

That, or it'll become one of the ares that the aftermarket targets.

Someone over at MINI2 did a mock up of the center console with a simple graphic in place of the flat black face... also another with colored downtubes. A couple simple, small touches that both made a HUGE difference in the looks.

We will still have a speedo that can be seen from the mon, though... oh, well.

 

I dunno...I like it! I think the silver on black color scheme will make the control clusters more visible. Plain and simple. One can introduce graphics, sure, but the visibility in the driver's peripheral vision is a big plus over the current layout, especially in dim light. You may say, "Egad, gokartride, that's quite a stretch!!" I know...that's all I could come up with.

 

It looks like it still has the dead button that my 05 MCSa has (no auto-climate control). That is the one "design feature" that boggles my mind on my car...for all of the engineering and effort that went into making this such a great car, they couldn't find a way to utilize that button, or find a clean way to remove it?

 

lol a graphic behind it? That would be tackier than having plastic

 

New one's definitely plastic-looking. The first thing new passengers comment on is the look of the control panels and how they look so "BMW" and "luxury" for my "little car."

 

but it could also be that the view is so close in the picture. that close i guess mine looks plastic too

 

What buttons arent made of plastic in a car?
Are we looking for elegant buttons that are hand carved out of ivory or something?

(just kidding)

I dont really prefer the temp controls in that shape and agree that it makes it look toy like.

 

Looks like there are now 3 heat settings, instead of 2, for the bun-warmers.

 

mmmmmm...warm buns...

 

Though I'm not keen on the graphic design one, either... the color-matched plastic in the center console (with black downtubes)... or the color matched down tubes (with the contrasing black central piece) make a HUGE difference in the overall look of the interior.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-i...ght=down+tubes

 

agreed...i just fear seeing checkers or Union jack designs there......people have been know to have bad enough taste to think thats a good idea :impatient

 

I think I'll have to wait to see and feel the center stack in person after looking at these and other pictures. It's been said that the turn signal and wiper stalks have more heft...it'd be great if all the controls did. Just so hard to tell this from pics, although they are helpful. Perhaps one of our nice new R56 owners might care to report in and comment. (hint, hint )

 

Oh, you just KNOW it's gonna happen!!! No avoiding it!

 

True...when you consider the alternatives the ol' center stack starts to look much better, doesn't it?!?! At least now it just sorta "goes away."