As we originally reported last spring, MINI will be dropping Jet Black (the non-metallic black) from the line-up in 2006. That has irked quite a few since Astro Black (a metallic black) has traditionally only been available on the Cooper. This meant that the Cooper S would be left without black as an option altogether.
We can now exclusively report that MINIUSA will indeed be offering Astro Black on the Cooper S and indeed across the entire range for the 2006 model year.
<p>phew… I guess all those who said MINIUSA had no senses can rest easy. Faith in their decisions has been restored a bit.</p>
<p>great news. next question(s): will it be available with September production? and, will we have to wait for October production to combine it with the silver roof and mirrors?</p>
<p>So, can someone explain what the difference is between Astro Black and Jet Black? I guess I’m asking what the difference is between regular paint and metallic paint (besides the $400+).</p>
<p>Anyone have pictures side by side by chance?</p>
<p>Yay… good choice Mini USA…</p>
<p>J,
The basic difference is the metal flake.
Metallic means that someone has tossed a bunch of flakes of shinny metal into the paint to give it a shimmer. (in the simplest terms)
It also means that it is difficult to repair from a matching point of view.
Repainted metallic finishes are obvious. The flakes never lay the same way twice.
Too bad jet black couldn’t be the color to stay.</p>
<p>Jet black was a beautiful color–I actually like it better than astro black. But, if you’re going to do the silver combo, astro black would probably look better than jet black, as the silver is metallic also. I think this is the combo I’m going to go for, I can get it without stripes and checkers.</p>
<p>Yeah, but Astro Black has a blue hue to it — It certainly is no Jet black, that’s for sure! My bet is that Jet Black will be a return sometime in the future — But that’s just my opinion. :-)</p>
<blockquote> So, can someone explain what the difference is between Astro Black and Jet Black? I guess I’m asking what the difference is between regular paint and metallic paint (besides the $400+). </blockquote>
<p>I also believe the metallic paint is an extra coat of paint as well. I remember reading that somewhere. </p>
<p>Also, metallic paint tends to hide dirt and scratches much better than solid paint. It has it’s pluses and minuses.</p>
<p>I’m glad I got my Jet black MCSC, it will be rare in a few years. First year convertible with last year color = only year as convertible S jet black.</p>
<p>Now only if they will bring back Liquid Yellow.</p>
<p>TooLShack wrote: “Now only if they will bring back Liquid Yellow”</p>
<p>The yellow Mini used in their brochures didn’t match the yellow that was put on the car. Liquid Yellow looked too light/faded looking. That was going to be my first choice until I saw the color in person. I would have prefered a more glossy darker yellow. That would look really good with a black roof and black mirror caps.</p>
<p>Well one persons shade of yellow is another persons …..</p>
<p>I had to sell my LY 04 MCS because a sudden home purchase came up, sold it last week. My plan was to get one just like it in a 06 flavor. The color cancelation kinda put a damper on that. Owning yellow Minis has been a family tradition since the 70s. Uggg :(</p>
<p>Nice trick to force buyers wanting a Black MINI to spring $450 extra for black paint…LOL.</p>
<p>Same with the now $200 “Body color dash”.</p>
<p>What’s next?</p>
<p>How about None More Black as an option?</p>
<p>I’ve heard this… That Jet Black is one of the most popular colors on MINI’s in the U.S. So to protect the residual value of all those Jet Black MINI’s currently on the road, they decided to put Jet Black on hold for now. The theory is that if the U.S. roads are flooded with tons of Jet Black MINI’s it would make them less valuable for resale than if the color were more rare. So, it’s now been forced into this artificial or corporate-induced rarity.</p>