Sneak Peek at MINI’s New Interior Trim Options
We’ll have a full rundown on new colors an trim in a few days but until then we’ve compiled information from several sources that give us a glimpse into the updated interior trim options on the 2011 MINIs.
Seating:
– Tuscan Biege: Replaced by Arctic World
– (New) Crosscheck Toffy (R56 only)
– (New) Satellite Lounge Grey (R57 only)
– (New) Cross Check Polar Beige (R55 only)
– (New) Ice Blue Cross Check (R57 only)
– (New) Gravity Polar Beige Leather
– (New) Classic Green Lounge Leather
– (New and JCW only) Carbon Black Lounge Leather with Red Piping (Previously unique to the WC50)
Headliner
The standard grey/biege headliner is replaced with a more neutral “pure grey”
Colorline Trim
– Cream White is replaces by Polar Beige
– The Standard Dark Grey is replaced by Carbon Black
– Toffy colorline (a unique color on the Mayfair) is now available on all R56’s
New Dash surfaces
– Silver Checker is replaced by Silver Black Checker
– Brushed Alloy is replaced by Striped Allow
Other Trim
– JCW adds dark gauge faces
– JCW adds red stitching to shift and e-brake boot
– Chili Red dash trim now unique to JCW.
– All originally silver plastic interior surfaces now made matte black
Our friends at Bigblogg helped us compile some of this report.
<p>I’m gonna be freaking jealous. Really like the cabin updates. Can’t wait to be able to afford and trade in. ;)</p>
<p>Any pics of the new seating and dash and colorline options?</p>
<p>I can’t wait to see photos of the Green Lounge Leather. I don’t know if I’ll <em>like</em> it, but it’s going to be interesting. I think the Carbon Black colorline looks fantastic. But I’m very sorry to see the Cream White colorline go. I was thinking of building my next car from the inside out to have the Cream White/piano black art deco look on the inside. I don’t think the Polar Beige will cut it in that context.</p>
<p>What will Green Lounge leather look like? Will it be a deep, saturated green, or kind of a pale Pea Soup Green? What if it has yellow piping, like Lotus colors…</p>
<p>If you wanted to build a clown car, you could get a JCW in Laser Blue, with a Chili Red roof, and green leather seats. Yikes.</p>
<p>Are there any other JCW interior options that will be available for 2011? I like the black and red, but just wondered if there were other choices.</p>
<p>I drove a 2010 MCS recently, and am most appreciative of my 2008 MCS R52. The 2010 had a constant whine that would become, for me, most distressing; the computer controls, on the center speedo are a disaster waiting to happen (put them back on the control sticks coming off the steering wheel); the lack of feel in the steering as well as the car’s inability to hold the road were also a liability. I think BMW have made the MINI into a small BMW; fast, efficient, not a sportcar, boring, and very overpriced. I will stick with my R52, and be very happy.</p>
<p>Michael, I fail to see what your complaints have to do with the new interior trim options of the 2011 model year.</p>
<p>Michael is part of the reason I should take DB’s lead and stop reading MF comments for good.</p>
<p>Mathew,
Me too, I get so tired of guys that are in love with their R53 Mini’s. Hey, it was a good car six years ago, but time travels on. Then, they go for a test drive in a R56, with the already preconceived notion that they are not going to like anything about it. I don’t what Michael drove, but he didn’t drive the Mini S that I test drove a couple of months ago. That car was exactly the opposite of what he described. Compare it to a BMW, I test drove the 128i and was I ever dissappointed in that. Gutless is the word that comes to mind. As for the interior, the radio controls and all, I really like what Mini did for 2011, especially the upgraded plastics. Are the 2011’s perfect? No, but then that wonderful R53 that he thinks that he is comparing the 2010 to wasn’t perfect either. No car is. But, the new 2011 JCW, except that Mini elected not to include the Valvetronic, is darned close. My opinion.</p>
<p>Yes, can we institute a ban on posts that drone on criticizing a current model that conclude with the author announcing to us breathlessly waiting to hear that he will “stick with their (incert old model here)”</p>
<p>Translation. “I’m too cheap to buy something new so I’ll act like mine is superior”</p>
<p>If I had penny for every MF post of this nature I’d have almost three bucks.</p>
<p>Agreed. These interior updates have me seriously considering a trade-in of my 2006 next year. I just really disliked the silver trim, volume knob and controls below the radio display to be honest. They might be minor gripes, but if you are inside your car a lot, it matters! It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s definitely much better than the 2007-2010 models.</p>
<p>While I have a hard time noticing the exterior differences in the updated cars, the interior changes are very obvious to me. The new trim is definitely an upgrade. To me it is much more tasteful than the silver trim it replaces.</p>
<p>I have recently had the opportunity to drive an R56 JCW and an ’02 R50 within a very short period of time. Ignoring the obvious performance differences, I found both positives and negatives for each version. The 1st generation cars may be more precise, but the 2nd generation cars are more composed and refined. I guess it all depends on what you’re looking for in a car at the time of purchase.</p>
<p>I understand and agree with those of you who are tired of the constant (and unnecessary) bashing of 2nd Gen MINIs with little or no contribution to the discussion.</p>
<p>I happen to be one of those “staunch R53 fans” myself… but I try hard to be mostly objective in my comments here (except perhaps MINIs continued decision not to make the JCW suspension standard on the JCW trim) and also recognize that different people like different things. I have many friends with 2nd Gen MINIs, most of which I totally “dig” and appreciate in their own way, even if they are quite different from mine.</p>
<p>That all being said, I REALLY like this 2nd Gen refresh – seems they paid some attention to many of the complaints. Gabe also posted recently about steps they are taking to improve the steering feel. Although I doubt I’ll ever actually sell my R53 (I’ve spent far, far too much money on it to ever consider that a “wise” idea), I could potentially see myself in owning 2 MINIs one day down the road. Very curious to see how the R58 and R59 turn out! :D</p>
<p>I wonder if this refresh is available without the chrome trim? i.e. ALL black!</p>
<p>I have a 2009 and I’m tempted by the Valvetronic and the interiors. The configurator has a few new options as well, like a Value Package. If only they had a deep blue this year. I might have to go to green, after I see the new one up close.</p>
<p>“Compare it to a BMW, I test drove the 128i and was I ever dissappointed in that. Gutless is the word that comes to mind”.</p>
<p>You must have driven an automatic in grandma mode. I have an 09 128, 6 speed and an 04 Cooper. The 128’s engine is silky smooth up to redline, a really great powerplant. 0-60 in 6.2 is nothing to sneeze at.</p>
<p>Any idea when we’ll see these changes in the configurator?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I agree with minipuma and M.Covey, I don’t really understand what Michael said had to do with the interior article.</p>
<p>That red and black interior is great. Hopefully something as impressive will be available with the Countryman!</p>
<p>Can’t wait!</p>
<p>Oh boy, that black trim interior looks soooo much better than the silver in the current JCW. Finally, a classy/sporty looking interior to go with a great car. Hopefully the quality of the materials will match the look in the picture. THANKS MINI!</p>
<p>txdesign:</p>
<p>Sorry if I ruffled feathers, but yes it was a six speed. It was smooth, like you said, but absolutely NO POWER, at all. I will give you this thought, it was an 09 with 9K on the clock. It just had no feel to it at all. The handling was like a normal six cylincer Mustang, actually I felt the handling is better in the Mustang. Of course realize, that right now I drive a 07 MIata, so I am use to pretty good handling.</p>
<p>I’m digging the new interior and loving the arctic world seats. If only Mini would revert back to R52 headlights, I would trade in mine for an ’10 in a heartbeat!</p>
<p>I’d love to see a Burnt Orange interior…</p>
<p>The new interiors are gonna ROCK…
I love the new Grey Lounge Leather Seat!!!
too bad its only available in the Cabrio.</p>
<p>Cant wait to see the New JCW in person</p>