MINIUSA to Bring Back The Anthracite Headliner

Sean Bartnik Sep 6th, 2004 Link

YES!!!!

Well I know what's going to be in my car then :-)

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ryGuyMCS Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Excellent news! Exactly what I'd been hoping to hear. I was flipping through some pics today of the standard vs Anthracite headliner and it made me sad to think I'd have to get the standard finish here in a few months when I order. Way to go Gabe, and MINI for listenning to your customers!

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Kurt Collins Sep 6th, 2004 Link

I bet it won't be a FREE option though.

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Gabe Sep 6th, 2004 Link

I would assume it wouldn't. It's not elsewhere in the world.

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Chris Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Great news Gabe. How much does it cost as an option elsewhere?

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Luke Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Kurt, It won't be free.

I was one of the “independent verifications” and heard this from a Mini USA rep at the BMW sponsored Limerock Event today.

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david bowers Sep 6th, 2004 Link

That's great! I wonder if we could start an inititive for them to bring the other options available in Europe to the US too. For example, airbag cut-off switch, electric folding mirrors, etc.

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d.j. derek Sep 6th, 2004 Link

I knew they would listen to me. (laughs)

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d.j. derek Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Gabe,

When we put are heads together, things do come true…

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Marcus Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Awesome news! Thanks Gabe! And thanks to ///ACS330Ci for creating the petition!

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Paul Mullett Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Good job, it was plain stupid removing the option in the first place.

:)

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pete Sep 6th, 2004 Link

can we make a petition to bring back the 04' s gear ratios and the 04' tailamps? my 04' stock can beat any 05' i do like the 05' exhuast though, but i still think they're cheaping them out.

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Big Jimmy Sep 6th, 2004 Link

I am glad it is back (hope it ends up that my MINI has it in the options). Shows the power of the all-mighty buck. I am glad that MINI listens to their consumers. I agree with the want for power-folding mirrors, I have absolutely no use for them but would order them just to have them. Gadgets are cool.

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Sunil Sep 6th, 2004 Link

MINI has to be be the best auto company in the business today.

To start with, they let you pick all the options on the car you want (impressive for a car under $25k). If you want to buy a Volkswagen GTI, you have to pick from a handful of configurations. Buy a MINI, and you have a fair chance of being the only one with that exact car for states around.

Despite all of this, people still bitch. And what happens? They listen!

MINI – the fact that you listen is important and appreciated. There are few companies, automobile or not, that actually want to give the customer what they want.

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Deborah Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Good job MINIUSA and all the folks that made them hear the masses! Now if we could only get the politicians in this country to listen so well!

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Gabe Sep 6th, 2004 Link

I appreciate the thanks but I really think it was all you guys and the noise made on this site and the forums as much as my email and the petition.

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David Sep 6th, 2004 Link

Man this is awesome! I have to agree with others about trying to get the other options over here as well like the electrically heated windshield, powerfold mirrors, wood dash, factory tinted windows, passenger airbag deactivation, and all those cool accessories they have in Europe.

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Joe K. Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Does anyone know what the cut-off point for adding/changing items on an order before the car goes into production at the factory?

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Eric Hui Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Chris, not sure about other country, but in Australia the anthracite headliner is a $300AUD option.. To give u an indication, the cloest similar price option to that, is the Cockpit Chrono pack, which cost about $350AUD.. hope it helps.

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ejkd Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Thanks Gabe….. Now, will there be petition to bring back the REAR FOG LIGHT ?

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ejkd Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Thanks Gabe….. Just wondering if there will be petition to bring back the REAR FOG LIGHT ?

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Gabe Sep 7th, 2004 Link

As mentioned previously the rear foglight kit should be available soon as a dealer accessory.

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Sean Bartnik Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Joe K, Your order can be modified while the car is still in “on order” status. Once it goes to status 150 (scheduled for/in production), you can no longer modify the order.

Your dealer can advise you of the most up-to-date status information (the owner's lounge info is good but sometimes lags behind a couple days).

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Luke Sep 7th, 2004 Link

A friend of mine told me that it was Jack Pitney, the General Manager of MINI USA who told me that they were bringing the headliner back. He also mentioned that they were working on the rear fog lights and they will be availble soon.

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Dillon Sep 7th, 2004 Link

…I'm glad that I and so many others signed the petition. There is trully powering in voting. Good job,Gabe.

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Mike Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Man! This stinks for me. I really wanted the anthracite headliner in my MINI, but my production date was just a week late and so we couldn't get it. Now I find out that MINI will bring it back. That sucks! MINI really dropped the ball on this one.

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Eric R Sep 7th, 2004 Link

I think they do this stuff just to see if we're paying attention… ;) Glad to see it's coming back!

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Patrick Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Same here, MIke. My MINI is now in production and I too wanted the anthracite headliner. Next time around i guess. After all, its only the headliner…

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ryan Sep 7th, 2004 Link

what exactly does the anthracite option change? just fabric or fabric, handles, window posts etc… also has anyone seen it in person and does it actually look better? it certianly does in the pics. thanks

ryan

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///ACS330Ci Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Awesome! I just hope it's back before my January build date.

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Luke Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Ryan, Pics: http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture40432.html http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture40434.html http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture40435.html http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/picture40436.html

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Norms Sep 7th, 2004 Link

I called MiniUSA and they had no idea that the Anthracite option was back and my dealer knows no way of making sure I get it in my late Oct delivery car since it is not a listed option.

Not the end of the world or a deal breaker but would love to have it anyway.

Good to see that Mini Owners present and future have a say though.

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Sean aka revwillie Sep 7th, 2004 Link

Gabe, you linked my photobucket! I feel so special. Well, I was holding off until Jan to order anyways. Now I have another reason to wait.

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Rossii Sep 9th, 2004 Link

Heard from a mini rep attending Minniapolis meeting….rep from England was there and said It will “NOT” be coming back…period! The anthracite headliner is a BMW Only option. Let the comments begin!

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Geoff Parker Sep 9th, 2004 Link

I contacted my MA in a last-minute attempt to add the antracite headliner to my MCS (being completed tomorrow). “Too late” but he just returned from Mini training and confirmed that it WILL be returning, though date and price are unknown.

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MINIclo Sep 9th, 2004 Link

Oddly enough, even though I composed the online petition, the site wouldn't accept my signature! Oh well…I just hope whoever wants the anthracite headliner option will be able to order it in future!

Cheers! Clover ;)

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Gabe Sep 9th, 2004 Link

Nice work Clover – didn't realize that!

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Mark LaRocco Sep 13th, 2004 Link

How about a petition for the euro parcel shelf?

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Gabe Sep 13th, 2004 Link

Mark – I've had the euro shelf for ever two years now and love it. However there are some big differences between the two. First off the headliner would cost well over $1000 to buy and install… the shelf is around $80 and you can install it yourself. The shelf is also readily available in the US at any MINI parts counter or at OutMotoring.com where as the anthracite headliner would not have been if it wasn't for MINIUSA's change of mind.

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diamondrg Sep 13th, 2004 Link

Gabe, This morning I called ASKMINI to check on the status of my MINI, it's scheduled for week 41. I asked if they had an update on the anthracite headliner and was told that I could tell everybody that “Dan at ASKMINI said that it was definitely NOT coming back.” He said that all of the rumors on the various web sites were false. I realize that due to the timing of my MINIs production, I will not be able to get it regardless, but I'm hoping for everyone else that Dan doesn't know what he is talking about. Randy

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d.j. derek Sep 13th, 2004 Link

Gabe,

Is that true, we are not getting the anthracite headliner back?

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Gabe Sep 14th, 2004 Link

Randy,

Historically the fine folks at ASK MINI are the last to know about any spec changes coming down the pipeline. I wouldn't worry too much at this point.

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