The Anthracite Headliner Petition

Sections: Uncategorized Sep 1st, 2004 18 Comments

As many MotoringFile readers surely know, MINIUSA initially offered the anthracite headliner as a no cost option on the Cooper S for the 2005 model year. However in mid July they decided that September allocations would be the last US spec MINIs to have this option and from there on out it would not be available in the US. Yet it remains available throughout the rest of the world as a paid option. Obviously this didn't sit well with quite a few soon to be owners. So in a response to this decision an online petition has been started in an effort to get it back on the options list in the US. You can view the petition here.

Many of you might remember a similar thing happening with the MIIN's rear foglights. Initially they weren't available in the US at all. MINIUSA cited no demand for such an option and thus eliminated them from the car in an effort to reduce cost. An Autoweek article and a huge online petition later and we got our foglights.

As side note I've also sent an email to someone I know at MINIUSA on behalf of the site and all of it's visitors. I'm hoping to hear some news on this soon. Stay tuned…

Written By: MF Staff

SrBlanco

All,

Two weeks ago I took delivery of my all black MCS with the anthracite headliner and I cant imagine the car without it. I would have gladly paid for it if it had been a cost option.

The thing that I can't understand is if it was cut for cost reasons why wouldnt they just offer it as a cost option in the first place? It's not like US spec MINIs are built in Mexico and it would cost considerably more to ship two types of headliners to the factory. If the factory in Oxford is going to stock them for other regions then why exclude one region from the option? It makes no sense.

Even though I won't need a new MINI for years to come I signed the petition for the rest of you. Be strong brothers and sisters. Our voices will be heard!!

ANTH RA CITE… ANTH RA CITE

-m
Matt

there is a very high probablitiy that i will be replacing my existing 2003 MCS with an 05 JCW MCS with LSD for delivery in March 05. I guarantee you, MINIUSA, should the anthracite headliner be available, as a cost option or otherwise, i WILL spec it in my order.
http://mini.uglydoris.com Sean Bartnik

I agree that the anthracite headliner should be available as a cost option. We have a couple cars on the lot with the anthracite headliner and when I show them to customers they always seem to comment about how it's too bad that it's no longer available.

I think it looks really sharp and I think it's grown on me to the point where I prefer it over the standard light gray headliner.
MiniLifeCrisis

Gabe, You mentioned Fog Ligths above. I checked with my MA for my new '05 MCS Convertible and was informed that the Rear Foglights are no longer available in US MINIs as of '05. I guess the patition didn't work. -Eric
Tony

Rear fog lights are not available from the factory for '05. MINI is working on the dealer installed kit though and that should be out soon. Rear foglights were available from the factory for '04.
MINI Matthew

I agree that it was a bogus decision on the part of MINI USA to do away with the anthracite headliner. I was fortunate in that I ordered a car in June with the Anthracite and I think it looks great. However, one thing I think helps to make all cars special… MINIs included, is the fact that production features change. Somethings come and others are phased out… while sometimes a certain feature will only be offered for a limited time. To me, it is these things that help to make each of our cars unique, without sacrificing the resell value by adding “cheaper” aftermarket options. Of course if they had decided to cut off the anthracite headliner option before my car was produced I would most likely be singing a different tune… Either way I signed the petition, just because MINI USA's explanation was so stupid.
Nate

I have a question? If my new MC was built prior to this week and I ordered it with anthracite interior, will I maybe, get the anthracite headliner?

p.s. I have signed the petition anyway
Patrick

Is there any thought of resurrecting the 2 spoke steering wheel… I DETEST the 3 spoke in every way, and I'm not alone:

TWO-SPOKE, TWO-SPOKE !!!
Zach Senders

Does anyone have a picture of the anthracite headliner available? I would probably sign the petition if i only knew what these things looked like.
http://www.michiganmini.com Ryan Hammond

As far as I know the two spoke steering wheel is still an option on the 05 models. As for pictures of the anthracite headliner, check out Ian Cull's website – http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Actually the 2-spoke is no longer available in the US.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Here is the normal headliner.

Here is the anthracite.
Mark

Thanks Gabe for the side by side photos. That is the first time I really noticed that big of difference.

KEEP THE ANTHRACITE PLEASE! I have sighed the petition.
GSKChicago

Okay, so I am an idiot. I need to catch up on all the MINI speak. I thought I had the anthracite headliner, but am too stupid to live and misunderstood. :o( I do not have it and now that I've seen a pic, I want it!!!!!! Wah!!!!!
d.j. derek

I got a response from MINI USA this morning. They said the ANTHRACITE HEADLINER would be introduced again come 01/05/05 as a cost option… Unless someone is playing a joke on me out there…
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Yeah I'm hearing something similar now from within MINIUSA. I'll hopefully get some confirmation on that soon.

The response I got to my letter from a source at MINI was that it was sent at the right time and forwarded to the right people.
d.j. derek

Gabe,

Keep me updated on the subject. If it's true, I'll order my MINI COOPER then and there at my Baron dealership. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and have power folding mirrors too. Also, do you have any word on how much horsepower will be added to the John Cooper Works kit for the base 2005 MINI COOPER?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

No word yet.

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