Hey guys, went to look at a prefacelift mini today and it was in pretty knocked up condition and the interior seemed to feel.. well.. cheap. I've never had this when i've seen other newer mini's and was just wondering if this was just a pre-facelift thing?

I'm looking for a cooper s, 2005 model (so that I know that it was facelift put pre gen 2 so I can change the CD player). So, is there any difference "feel and look wise" of the hatchback cooper s vs convertible vs cooper?

If say I went and looked at a standard cooper and liked it would it be the same interior "feel" and "look" of the cooper s, just the cooper s has more power?

Thanks guys, and sorry for such an odd question :D lol

Aside from additional storage "bins" in the center console and no clock above the rear view mirror, the interior of a facelift model won't look any different from earlier models. Seat upholstery and dash and door trim will vary from model to model.

:readme: FAQ: What upholstery and interior trim options are offered? (http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq_interior#faq_faq_trim_options)

So the only difference between the prefacelift and facelift interiors is the clock change and storage places? I also thought the glovebox had changed and presumed other things had...

I'm not sure why but the mini I went to look at today just seemed really "plasticy" and I've never thought that before when looking at a mini, I presumed it must just be because it was different plastics possibly.. Thats a shame. I'm hoping to find my perfect mini and think I would just like a dark interior. I'm hoping to take off all the plastics anyway and use some cheaper sound deadening on them all to give them a more solid feel as well :)

Thanks!!

I also thought the glovebox had changed and presumed other things had...

Early Euro models could have parcel shelves under the dash instead of a driver-side knee bolster and passenger-side glovebox. On facelift models the door cards/handles/arm rests became more curved (away from the door), the dash became a three part dash with the airbag moved above into the soft plastic area.

The interior wasn't drastically changed until the 2nd Gen.

Cool. Thanks for the advice! :)

I've just signed up on here so sorry if I ask some pretty basic questions, just wanting to make sure I know what I'm getting into!

The plastics of the dash on the 1st generation models come in a choice of colours: bright silver, anthracite (dark metallic grey - very smart), alloy patina (fake brushed alloy - not bad, but about as convincing as Fablon!) or it may be colour keyed to the exterior (usually the best option).

The bright silver option looks a lot like the effect on children's plastic swords and can look startlingly "plasticy" if you are not used to it! Perhaps that's the option that you saw...

I simply removed my alloy patina, took them to my local body shop and got them resprayed to match the metallic blue exterior.

Tigger.

Colour keyed dash with leather trimmed down tubes and a bit of chrome and alloy (please ignore the Chinese rug!)

161800 161801

Standard silver plastic:

161802