We’ve got a few more updates on some of the minor changes MINI has in store for the 2006 model year.
Wheels
We’ve just heard from a reliable source that the venerable 15″ holey wheel (seen here via MINI2’s wheel FAQ) that was introduced with the Cooper in 2001, will be discontinued. Word has it that there will be several new wheel styles available for the 2006 model year and at least one had to go in order to make room. We’ll hopefully have a few photos of the new wheels in the coming weeks and months.
Seats
Since we get so much email on this topic, here are a few random bits of information we’ve recently seen on the Recaro seats that will be offered for 2006:
- The prototypes that have been seen recently are finished in grey and black cloth.
- The base seems more than flat enough to deal with US air bag sensor regulations.
- They are somewhat similar to the Recaro seats that were offered in the 2004-2005 VW Golf R32. (the R32 seats were actually made by Koenig)
For more information check out our previous stories on this coming option here.
And for more on the other 2006 model year changes, take a look at our featured articles section in the upper right of this page.
<p>it might have been answered in the other 06 articles, but are the Recaro’s gonna be a stand alone option (not in a package only, like the heated washer jets and mirrors) or part of some kinda special edition. just a little clarification please</p>
<p>They might not even make it across the pond, so lets not get carried away quite yet. The decision to put them in a package or stand alone option probably hasn’t even been made by MINI yet. Car companies procrastinate with this stuff.</p>
<p>Good riddance to those ugly wheels! bring on more BLING!</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The decision to put them in a package or stand alone option probably hasn’t even been made by MINI yet.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah, probably the case. However I would imagine that MINI has learned the ‘Merican market will buy any go fast item it can get. I can’t imagine them not being sold here.</p>
<blockquote>Good riddance to those ugly wheels! bring on more BLING!</blockquote>
<p>Blasphemy! The 15″ Holey wheels are just that – holy. This is a loss to be lamented – an iconic oem wheel that was conceived, along with the S-lite, as an integral part of the new Mini’s design. There is more than enough “bling” to be found in the aftermarket.</p>
<p>I’m sad to see the “holey” rims go too… I liked them, they reminded me of a six shooter design… Oh well… Onwards and upwards…</p>
<p>Yeah – it’ll be sad to see them go. I’m kinda hoping this doesn’t turn out to be correct. That said it’s from a pretty reliable source.</p>
<p>Some of you don’t like the Holies?</p>
<p>GREAT! Keep it up!</p>
<p>Make the value of the wheels drop and make cheaper track/Auto-X wheel set-ups!</p>
<p>Derek</p>
<p>Whatever….they are still UGLY!!!!!!!!! LOWLIFE WHEELS.</p>
<p>Holey is cool huh? can you imagine them on a 3 series?</p>
<p>Those were hideous wheels. Maybe other parts of the world like that sort of thing, but not the US. BLECH!</p>
<p>Long ago there was some mention of a lightweight version and I’ve never heard anything else about it. Is that possibility still alive or was it pure speculation?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Holey is cool huh? can you imagine them on a 3 series?”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Actually the E46 has a vaguely similar 15″ wheel available.</p>
<p>But beyond that what is up with the Holey hatin’ – especially on a Friday??</p>
<p>Actually don’t hate them just think dey be UGLY! To each his own, and as far as the “US” comment….give me a break, we have mo UGLY cars and rims than anybody!</p>
<p>I kind of like the holeys. In fact, I’ve been watching e-bay for a good deal on some, for my winter tires.</p>
<p>I’m a big fan of the venerable (Gabe’s own words) holeys and I will miss them. I’m not suprised to see them go though, especially given the seemingly primal drive to towards more bling across MINIdom. They weren’t flashy, but they were a very potent option (12 lbs.) if you’re hooked on the OEM look.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, ‘the holies’ will live-on on ebay for many years :D</p>
<p>My choice for the SWEETEST rims I’ve seen are the set pictured on page 97 of the ’05 June edition of GoMini.</p>
<p>There like “S” lites only better! Gotta have those when the all red sits in the drive.</p>
<p>Ck Pg 130….how cool is that!</p>
<p>It’ll really be a shame if the holeys do indeed go. MINI seems to be taking the car in a sportier, yet more sterile direction at the expense of “friendly” features like the holey wheels and the wide chrome bumper strips.</p>
<p>I’d love to see real, honest-to-goodness MINILITES more readily available (and/or marketed more agressively) for MINIs. I’d be all over those. Look fabulous and traditionally perfect for a MINI.</p>
<p>are the seats RETROOOOOOOOOOOO?????</p>
<p>I wish they made the 5hole rims in the larger sizes. A heck of a lot better looking than the v-spokes if you ask me…</p>
<p>chrisnl – check out : </p>
<p><a href="http://minilitewheels.com/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://minilitewheels.com/</a></p>
<p>My MINI is the EB one with EV2000 real MINILITE wheels! (17×7)</p>
<p>I just got a email back from James at MiniSpeed.</p>
<p>Those rims in GoMini magazine page 97 are called Image RM2. 19″ £2000 with tyres plus shipping.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gomini.co.uk/index.asp" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.gomini.co.uk/index.asp</a></p>
<p>If you’re looking for old school Minilite wheels.. check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.myminiparts.com/products.php?cat=8">MyMini.com</a>. They have them at reasonable prices and are located in the US. And since they’re a sponsor of MotoringFile… buying from them means your supporting the site ;)</p>
<p>The R81s are a Classic item that would be missed, because they are a strong, very light performance wheel as many have mentioned, AND also because they nicely carry forward the traditional 7-hole design from the original car in a proper modern interpretation. It would be a mistake to drop the R81 wheel. We have two sets, looking for another.</p>
<p>Peter your minilites look awesome. Why didn’t mini come out with these? They look much closer to the originals. How much do they weigh? </p>
<p>Gabe, Love the site!</p>
<p>I’ve got 2 sets of holeys, plus a spare. I guess they’re not for everyone but I love ’em! I’m glad I got my 2nd set when I did.</p>
<p>I too love the holeys. I’m actually thinking of getting another set for performance wheels. I love that they are so lite. And since people are always getting rid of them, i can get a set real cheap.</p>
<p>the best are the web-spoke alloy wheels</p>
<p>The mini is definately a smooth ride. The old school ones in London are still the best though. Kudos to BMW for reinventing a popular tradition.</p>
<p>You can hate on the “holey” pepper-grinder wheels but they are by far the lightest factory wheels offered and that’s why I took them! No other factory wheel can beat that…</p>
<p>You can have your over-priced bling. If I wanted bling, I would have bought a 5er instead.</p>
<p>Can we all just hope that the 15″ replacement for the holeys (which I ran on my sport pack S) are just as light? If they come out with some heavy 15″ wheels it would really defeat the purpose of getting them in the first place.</p>
<p>I liked the rims, i was a bit dissapointed that they didnt make any wider variants. but they sure r miles over the s-lites. first thing i replaced on my mcs. i forget were they 22 or 25 lb a piece either way heavy suckers especially with the run flats. Now i have 5zigen 16’s the fno1 somethings, 15 lbs a piece and look great. personaly i dont like this whole move to the 18in rims the 17’s to me looked to big and bulky now 18’s. its a small car doesnt look right with large rims. just my 2 cents. Oh and everyone who has seen my car since the swap from 17’s to the 5 spoke 16’s has agreed.</p>
<p>I agree with this last comment. Large wheels on small cars (or any car) just don’t look right to me. You also have to deal with the choppier ride and the cost of replacement. My current vehicle, which has 14″ wheels, costs $200 to replace all four tires. Some tires for cars with 17″ rims cost $200 each. I have better things to spend my money on than tires!</p>
<p>Call me crazy, but regardless of my dislike of large wheels, I actually prefer the look of the 15″ holeys more than any other offerings on the Mini. I just hope ’06’s wheels are as nice.</p>
<p>And I couldn’t disagree more about large wheels :)</p>
<p>i’m confused before one month i ordered my mini cooper s in electric blue color as to be a 2006 model due to arrive on september but my car agency didnt say that there will be a problem due to the electric blue color will be dropped and the space blue will be replacing it my question is is it possible for a 2006 model to be in electric blue and is it possible that my car agency has fouled me ???? ((( my car agency didnt have any saying in the changes of colors and didnt give me any info about the changes ))) all my information is from ur wonderful site plzzz anyone reply</p>
<p>help anyone reply plz</p>