Hi everyone and thanks for the words of congratulations. Weather still messy so more pictures have to wait a bit. In the meantime, one clarification: When I said the sport button is a must, I meant USING it. Maybe winter driving, in certain conditions, might benefit from easier acceleration etc. but for everyday driving, push the button. The difference is astounding. After 300 short miles I am already used to the new style directionals and wiper controls. No problem - very intuitive. Haven't dug into the radio controls yet but don't anticipate any problem there either. My original 'secret compartment' comment was meant to be whimsical. What a response! Bottom line is interior storage continues to be at a premium so the little extra space is handy. The Astro Black color is so nice. The metallic underlay makes the color look different in different light conditions. REALLY nice. I got the English Oak interior trim and my dealer will swap out my leather steering wheel (NC) for the wood trimmed one when they become available. I ordered a nice MOMO EVO wood and leather 'combat' shift **** last night. Nothing wrong with the OEM one but this is the one thing you touch all the time and MOMO makes some very cool shapes and styles to personalise your ride. Happy motoring.

 

Great color choice! I love my Astro Black MINI, hard to keep clean at times but it's beautiful. Your car looks great with the chrome mirrors, I've been debating getting some for my Cooper.

 

WOW AB/AB is a fantastic color, congrats from another Towne customer

 

Astro Black is definitely the way to go, it looks great with dark tinted windows all around it

 

But soooo hot out in that Texas sun!

 

Congrats on the Astro Black! everyone knows thats the best color anyways

 

I love this car.

 

Sweet new pics. :D That is one classy looking MINI!

So tempted to go AB on my MINI, but I'm hesitant because of the upkeep. I know you're only 300 miles in, but has it been a dust/dirt magnet? Never owned a dark/black car myself.

If upkeep is difficult, I wonder if DS would be any better?

 

Man, that black n' chrome looks good, makes me double-think my lightning blue/black. Never thought of this color scheme.

 

I like Black and the MINI is so small that it washes and waxes quickly. Any extra time spent cleaning it is worth it to me. The day I picked up the car a woman asked me "Why did you get black? What other colors do they have"? So not everyone's fave I guess. That's part of what makes it fun. My previous MINI was Pepper White w/ Black Roof and the chrome. It looked great and got a lot of compliments. Thought I'd go the other way on this one. Thanks.

 

I just came to the realization today that I won't have a garage to house my MINI. I'm borderline obssessive compulsive when it comes to keeping things clean. I think given my circumstances, AB may drive me mad. Although I truly admire the color.

 

Picked up an AB/AB MCS a few weeks ago. Was putting on some wax last night. Is it my imagination, or does it have a bluish tint to it sometimes? Under certain lighting it almost looks like an extremely dark navy blue. Possible effect of the metal flake? Anyone else seeing this?

Randy

 

It is a very different color, first time I saw it in person I had to look twice, it's kind of a black/blue/grey/purple/ metallic

 

AB/AB, simply the best!!

 

YES on the blue tint. Someone already asked me if the car was blue or black. No sun in Upstate New York since I took delivery (a week ago) so I don't know what different light angles will do to the color. The black is sort of 'creamy'. I love it.

 

To my eye, if I stand back from it, in bright sun or not, it definitely looks black. Even in pictures I took this past weekend it looks black. The blue seems to come out as I get close to it, like when I was waxing last night.

Definitely a cool color.

Randy

 

All this talk is making me more excited for mine. Seems like AB doesn't get much love on the forum. I also have an AB/AB but I went with all black on the outside and inside (black mirrors, piano black, anthracite headliner) and the redwood red leather on the inside.

 

again..sweet mini. I too am an AB owner and lover!

 

I am jealous because I have an AB/AB still waiting to be shipped...:( This picture makes my stomach feel all excited!!!

 

I've got a MCS, AB/AB which is currently at the port, awaiting assignment to a ship (the suspense is suffocating me). How can I join the AB owners club?

 

Im towne customer, with my MC on order, its AB/W with chrome. It will look great i think. Yours is really nice!

 

Congrats on the new new MINI!
jason

 

and Geraldo will find secret love letters from a lonely british assembly technician, forcing his long overdue retirement