MINI Kills Pure Silver (Among Other Changes)
In March, a handful of things will change in the MINI lineup regarding colors and options. Most notably (in our minds anyway) is the end of Pure Silver, a color that’s been with MINI since its launch in the states in 2002. Other colors are getting the chop as well. Sparkling Silver will be replaced by a Cooper-only color called Velvet Silver. The Clubman will get a new Reef Blue Metallic in both Cooper and Cooper S trim.
In Countryman news, color options will remain the same for the MINI 4-door. March production updates will not bring a USA rear bench seat option for the R60 as hoped, but our sources tell us that the bench is still coming and should land very soon thereafter. Official towing capacity for the Countryman will also be issued. [Spoiler alert] It’s officially zero, just like the R5x cars. MINI USA does not recommend towing anything behind your car and does not offer an OEM tow package for this reason (although aftermarket kits are available).
It’s worth noting that outside tue US MINI AG does offer towing packages that comply with local regulations. Unfortunately US regulations don’t allow for these kits.
Lastly, a new upholstery option will be available beginning in March called Carbon Black Cosmos Cloth as a no-cost alternative to the stock leatherette, and can be had on both the sport and not-sport seats alike. So if you’re ordering a MINI soon, keep these details in mind. If you want a Pure Silver MINI, you’d better hurry.
Post image courtesy of Flickr user themulett.
<p>I’ve never been a fan of silver on any car. MINI should be about fun, exciting and brilliant colours. Hi Ho Silver!</p>
<p>I agree Greg, how many flavors of silver does MINI need?</p>
<p>Probably the same number of blues the countryman needs</p>
<p>Its funny because on the ETK , MINI FINI parts fro the R50, R53 are on there for towing.(used to be considered a Factory MINI part, had the BMW part numbers) Its funny they did not pair up again with MINI FINI, instead of an independent thing. I think they missed with this one.</p>
<p>This is funny because its there, but they don’t really tell you anything official.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1266&hg=82&fg=51" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1266&hg=82&fg=51</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1267&hg=82&fg=51" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1267&hg=82&fg=51</a></p>
<p>There is also a factory BMW built tow setup, which i believe is a europe part only just like on the BMW side which includes a trailer with wheels and a $$$$ price tag.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1238&hg=82&fg=51" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE33&mospid=48021&btnr=82_1238&hg=82&fg=51</a></p>
<p>My 1st 2002 MINI was PS… I bought it used, I got a great deal, I was not a fan of silver either but it grew on me and in the end I liked it. The only color I really don’t understand, and here in Pasadena, Ca., there’s a load of them is the brown I see on the Clubby’s?</p>
<p>Alpinamike…All those seem to be bicycle racks not trailer hitches?</p>
<p>Will miss Pure Silver :(, but looking forward to seeing the new Velvet Silver. I remember seeing a PS pre-production Cooper at my dealer that the regional rep was driving before they were launched in the US. Just seemed to be the ‘right’ color for the car.</p>
<p>I’ve had two Pure Silver/Black MINIs – one Cooper (1st batch off the boat in 2002) and one S w/full dealer-installed JCW kit. Great color.</p>
<p>The no-cost all-cloth option will be nice as MINI has always had some variation of it available on all models except the Countryman. Loved the Space Cloth in my previous MINI. Now I have Hot Chocolate cloth/leather which I love even more.</p>
<p>Sorry Dude,</p>
<p>Thought I included the hitches. MINI FINI sport link is there, so half of the story. Here is the non MINI FINI part. This is the MINI part.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RF33&mospid=48018&btnr=71_0323&hg=71&fg=10" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RF33&mospid=48018&btnr=71_0323&hg=71&fg=10</a></p>
<p>It used to show the ball hitch type for MINI FINI on the older ETK under R50,R53, and R52. Since the update , it left.</p>
<p>Would like to have seen the adaptive R5x headlights available in black.</p>
<p>Teasing us with a diesel clubman, huh.</p>
<p>Too bad as a light silver is a great color choice for a re-paint! I did always like the look too.</p>
<p>awesome, they’re finally offering cloth seats for the R60. Unfortunately, my R60 is sitting in Bremerhaven, waiting for a ship. no cloth seats for me.</p>
<p>I wish I would have ordered cloth. Made the leatherette mistake twice. it’s the work of the devil in the summer.</p>
<p>Wait, let me get this straight…</p>
<p>The clubman will now have (after March):</p>
<p>Horizon Blue
Ice Blue
Reef Blue</p>
<p>Wow. I’ve got the blues.</p>
<p>plain cloth (without a pattern) is a great no-cost option. that will def be on the order form the next time around…</p>
<p>There’s also Laser Blue, unless they’re nixing it (which will be a bummer, it’s a beautiful blue, and not just because I own one!)</p>
<p>I know the cloth option is new to the R60, but there’s been the checkered cloth option before on seats…so why the big deal? Or is checkered cloth only available for the sports seats right now? I personally love mine, I thought it was a bit rough when I test drove it, but it’s definitely softened up and doesn’t get hot at all. Looks pretty good too =D</p>
<p>As uninspiring as Pure Silver or any Silver might be, it looks pretty good with a splash of orange…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/essentialmini/3253795374/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/essentialmini/3253795374/</a></p>
<p>I’ll miss the Pure Silver. Our first MINI was a solid Pure Silver S (mirrors and all) that we ordered that way in 2002. My wife does not care for two-tone cars. It was really rare at the time because almost all MINIs were, and still are for that matter two-toned. We had a lot of compliments on it.</p>
<p>In the printed dealer (USA) information book for the Countryman (2010 AG R60 MY 11 27K-0710) they list “Carbon Black Cosmos cloth/Light Tobacco” as an option only available for the MINI Cooper Countryman – it’s explicitly not available for the S models. I got the book last year. What am I missing that a special bulletin would need be issued announcing the availability of this option?</p>
<p>Interestingly, the cloth option mentioned above never was available on the US MINI build-your-own site but was on the UK site.</p>
<p>Also, even with the Carbon Black Cosmos cloth seats selected on the UK build site you are forced into having Dark Tobacco elements in the cockpit. I want the beautiful cloth black/blue seats and all-black interior shown in the UK build site (shown before choosing any explicit upholstery options.)</p>
<p>Color me frustrated.</p>
<p>Kevin Scott,</p>
<p>What we’ve posted here are <em>changes</em> to offerings from MINI USA. So previous information is exactly that — previous information. Package details and what is and isn’t available here vs. in the UK changes often during the life cycle of MINI models.</p>
<p>Pure Silver is discontinued , yes.
but we will offer a new interpretation of silver exclusive to the MINI Coupe.</p>
<p>Eventually this should filter towards the MINI.</p>
<p>Hmmmm, so I wonder if Pure Silver will still be a roof option for the R55?</p>
<p>Saw reef blue on the hampton edition photos… disappointed. I was expecting something like an ocean-blue. It’s too close to horizon blue.</p>