This rumor comes from Paul over at MINI2:
“A little vogel tells me that MINI plans to introduce the option to have colour coded arches/sills. I think this is a great move and will be a popular choice judging by the feedback on here, what do you think?”
I know this would probably be a fairly popular option among some out there but I have to say I'm personally against the idea of body colored painted wheel. With the belt-line (where the glass meets the metal in the middle of the car) of the MINI so high and the car being so short it makes the wheels and the wheel wells look very insignificant and the entire car seem rather ungainly and tall. This would get even worse if you didn't have the 17″ wheels but 16″ or even 15″ wheels.
Further more the design of the car relies somewhat on the use of different material for the wheel arches and sills. As Christian Lanz explained to me recently “I believe that design elements should be constructed of varying materials that reflect their intended purpose. In contrast to the rest of the car, wheel arches are PROTECTIVE elements as well as esthetic ones, so why should their material be of an identical appearance or texture to the rest of the car's sheet-metal? I personally find it visually appealing when an object's components retain the natural appearance dictated by their function.”
Hopefully this remains an option and not a standard “feature” like the color coding of various plastic bits in most late model run BMW models. The best example of this is on the E36 3 series where the entire body including the lower sills, became body colored later in it's life cycle.
<p>I have mixed feelings about painting all surfaces of the car in the same matching body color. If it is done professionaly, might not look so bad but imagine having an all Liquid Yellow MCS, including the roof? A bit too much for my tastes.</p>
<p>I like the way the current colors and textures blend around the car. You have a contrasting color roof, body color, contrasting mirrors, black roof pillars, chrome accents, black wheel arches and side boards. It provides a nice visual balance that somehow is lost when a frenzi of matching body color begins to cover every other trim piece.</p>
<p>Gabe–Paul simultaneously posted a rumor that future builds will have optional (exterior) color-coded interior panels, ostensibly expanding upon (but perhaps replacing some of the) current options (i.e., anthracite, brushed metal, etc.). What is 'known' with some certainty is that color-coded interior trim will be available on the forthcoming cabrio/Open.</p>
<p>Hopefully MINI would paint these things right as many people that have had this done have not painted with the proper flex agent and haven't filled the texture in the fuctional plastic. Ssome sills I've seen look like an arts and crafts project gone wrong. </p>
<p>I plan to have my sills done in anthracite — to match my wheels. Two-tone might be sweet — still debating…</p>
<p>The painted interior body panel rumor was floated around last year as well. Honestly I'd be surprised if MINI didn't do this as the current MINI ends it's production cycle in the next 3-4 years.</p>
<p>I could go for some body-colored interior trim, but I like the black exterior trim the way it is now. It goes with the MINI's “tough” appearance, and keeps it from looking too “cute” like a Beetle, which has too much painted plastic if you ask me. The only thing I don't like about the black trim is the way that wax clings to it…</p>
<p>That said, it would be interesting to see what the trim would look like if painted a contrasting color.</p>
<p>GJR–There are quite a few MINIs with contrasting body/trim colors on MINI2. The effect on Bonnie Scottlands DS/B MCS is quite subtle:
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery_Bonnie+Scotland.html
"><a href="http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery</a><em>Bonnie+Scotland.html</a>
The contrasting trim on Racer's MINI is anything but:
<a href="http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery_Racer.html
"><a href="http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/gallery</a></em>Racer.html</a>
Depending on your perspective, the possibility for contrasting body/trim color combos is either cause for celebration or unmittiegated fear :)</p>
<p>I rather like the butch appeal of
the black rubber arch trim, like
the old VW GTI.</p>
<p>Whe you see a the faded and cracked paint on the plastic bits
of a six year old Pontiac,
the utilitarian's virtue shines.</p>
<p>It would be GREAT to have this as an option. Another Good Move For Them!</p>
<p>Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the idea of the rough-grained trim to minimise paint scratches from errant rocks and door-dingers? Maybe the new trim will be of the same material as the bumpers.</p>
<p>The car was styled with the black arches as part of the essential look, and I for one think the balance of the cars visual appeal is upset by same-colored arches. I've noticed this slightly with all-black MINIs, and the MINI looks heavy and somewhat fatter with the same color arches, My opinion only, but I remember some of the ugly arch conversions on the old Minis that were horrid! Don't want to see that happening again. </p>
<pre><code> BCNU,
Rob in Dago
</code></pre>
<p>I had a red/white MCS parked next to me (EB/B) the other day. He had the front aero kit with black grill, painted the side skirts and arches red (had a slight rough appearance) and the stock MCS rear valance. I have the stock black arches and trim. Both look good in my opinion and is dependent on roof color. I also have dark tint on the windows so my black and blue scheme works!</p>
<p>The Christian Lanz link is broken, Gabe.</p>