MINIUSA to Bring Back The Anthracite Headliner

Sections: Uncategorized Sep 6th, 2004 42 Comments

Early last week I sent a letter to a contact and MINIUSA regarding the Anthracite Headliner and it's availability in the US. Two days later we got a very promising response saying that the email (and the petition that it linked to) was received by MINIUSA Corporate at the right time. The response insinuated that, due to the feedback from MINI owners, the anthracite headliner would be coming back to US order sheets sooner rather than later.

Since then we've had two other independent verifications of the options change however there's no word yet on the timetable or pricing. Stay tuned for more info.

Written By: MF Staff

http://mini.uglydoris.com Sean Bartnik

YES!!!!

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

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!
Kurt Collins

I bet it won't be a FREE option though.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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

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

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.
david bowers

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.
d.j. derek

I knew they would listen to me. (laughs)
d.j. derek

Gabe,

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

Awesome news! Thanks Gabe! And thanks to ///ACS330Ci for creating the petition!
http://www.mini2.com Paul Mullett

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

:)
pete

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.
Big Jimmy

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.
http://widepipe.org Sunil

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.
Deborah

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!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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.
David

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.
Joe K.

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

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.
ejkd

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

Thanks Gabe….. Just wondering if there will be petition to bring back the REAR FOG LIGHT ?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

As mentioned previously the rear foglight kit should be available soon as a dealer accessory.
http://mini.uglydoris.com Sean Bartnik

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).
Luke

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.
http://www.leftthis.com Dillon

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

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.
Eric R

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

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…
ryan

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
///ACS330Ci

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

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
Norms

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.
Sean aka revwillie

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.
Rossii

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!
Geoff Parker

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.
MINIclo

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 ;)
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Nice work Clover – didn't realize that!
Mark LaRocco

How about a petition for the euro parcel shelf?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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.
diamondrg

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
d.j. derek

Gabe,

Is that true, we are not getting the anthracite headliner back?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

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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