Tired of all the chrome lettering on the new Countryman and Paceman? Apparently someone at MINI is as well. Starting with fall production both cars will be available with Option Code 320 (aka Stealth Mode) which debadges the cars. Debading means that all models loose all rear badging as well as the the All4 badge if equipped as such.
It’s great news in our opinion as both cars could use with a little less cladding a little more subtly.
<p>Oh thank god…</p>
<p>Progress, but I think they have it backwards. It should be that way by default and the option code should be used to add all of the riff-raff.</p>
<p>I don’t mind the lettering on my Paceman – there was an option to delete it when it was ordered here in the UK but it also deleted the Cooper lettering too so I left it on.</p>
<p>Now if only we could shrink that massive MINI logo.</p>
<p>Still, I expected this to happen, because it looks awful with the name across the back.</p>
<p>Our detail dept takes them off if requested – heat gun and a touch of wax once they are off. Really very simple.</p>
<p>Thank gawd…!</p>
<p>I have to say, I love how our 2013 Countryman looks with it saying Countryman on the back.</p>
<p>I think the paceman looks fine, it’s a shorter word and is slightly obscured within the crease on the boot-lid. The countryman however is just too long a word to badge that large, it ruins the smooth look of the boot-lid, though I do wish they’d have placed the reg-plate and a chrome handle strip there in the first place like on the Mini hatch!</p>
<p>Not a big fan of either model, but I definitely welcome the change, as that badging is just tacky IMO! Good of them to give the option to clean it up without resorting to dental floss.</p>
<p>Also: Debading -> Debadging. loose -> lose. subtly -> subtlety.</p>
<p>Removing the badges on the backside of these 2 models might be a good option for some but, from the comments I see, it’s a mixed thing. I personally don’t see a problem with it as is. But what would be a really good factory option to have on all the MINI models, is a Blackout Option for most all current chromed items that some of us do via various outside suppliers.
I have blacked out all the chrome items on my spicy orange/black JCW Coupe, but had to search out various vendors to do this. The items include the headlight/taillight rings, ring around the grill, winged logos front & back, door handles, waist line, as well as the side scuttles that now look like the front grill. The only item not blacked out is the JCW logo on the grill & rear hatch. Haven’t found any source that offers that feature….</p>
<p>I am picking my Paceman up tomorrow…I will call and ask if the detail department can do this as part of the prep. I prefer the clean boot look.</p>
<p>It’s nice to have the optional delete, but I don’t dislike the branding. I like the typeface and it looks decent on the Paceman although on the Countryman it looks a bit out of place. As MINI expands the brand I can see their desire for model identification/recognition.</p>
<p>I looked at both models while my car was being serviced a couple of months ago. The lettering did nothing for me and I’m glad that the cars won’t necessarily have it. It wouldbe even better if they just deleted it all together. However, I thought the All4 logo was nice looking. It shouldn’t be part of the delete deal. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater…</p>
<p>This option has been available the whole time here in Sweden. Europe as well, I think.</p>
<p>Anyone know where to find a MINI USA 2014 Product Guide for the Countryman? The new configurator is a bit confusing and doea not appear to properly allow package option selections. Only the Product Guide will clearly spell out what is and what is not allowed.</p>
<p>That explains it. I was always wondering why my Countryman didn’t have lettering.</p>