[mini_belle]

Hi all. This is my very first post here but I have been lurking for the past couple of weeks. After years of driving boring little cars (Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 106, yawn), I have turned over a new leaf and recently acquired my first (Cherished) MINI (you'll notice how I say "first", implying there will be others ).

Was originally very torn over which colour to choose, so I went to my local dealer to check what was on offer. I noticed people swooning over bright young things (eg the pepper reds and electric blues etc), but there, sitting at the back un-noticed and ignored like a wallflower, was a lovely, 3-year old pure silver MINI Cooper (with black roof). Discreet and understated, I decided that it would suit my personality perfectly as I myself tend to prefer to blend in the background. So I fell in love with it (just like that!!!) and bought it there and then without even going away to think about it. It's presently in the workshop getting its poor little wheels reconditioned (its last owner was, apparently a bad "parker" and did much damage to the rims) but I am due to pick it up next week.

Now here's the thing. I don't particularly like being noticed but somehow I feel it's not right to have a MINI and not try and stand out a little. Therefore it's not my intention for my baby to remain dull and unassuming, and I want to give it a bit of a makeover. I am thinking: a monochrome Union Jack for the roof (but it's a sunroof - not sure how that would work) and also a monochrome Union Jack fuel filler cap decal (I've seen colour ones on Mini Pirate's site, not sure if I can get it in monochrome) and also a single black boot strap with normal-colour Union Jack.

Gosh is that too many UJs?!!! (I am French, by the way, but I guess it's ok for me to have UJs on my car ?....)

Where could I go to both buy the roof design and have it fitted? If it was a solid roof I might attempt to do it myself but no way I would try that on a sunroof). Am gonna be living in Watford (from next week) so any recommendations in that part of the UK would be well received.

Finally, if anyone has photos of their "done up" Pure Silver MINIs - I'd love to see them.

I loved the MINIs ever since they came out - I cannot believe it has taken me 5 years to actually own one! Am so excited now I have taken the plunge and look forward to becoming an active member of these forums.

[KPKalle]

Nice first post and welcome to MINI2

I think Mini Pirate is your best bet for decals. But you could try looking at what the other site sponsors have to offer http://www.mini2.com/sponsors.html. Also have a look in the Exterior forum and also the Galleries where you'll find out what other people have done.

[Hatrick]

Welcome to MINI2.

You'll have loads of fun here.
I love Silver ........ but of course I am a bit bias.

Sounds as though you have lots of fantastic plans for yours.
As you said ....... can't leave a mini tooooo subtle!!!!!

[humph]

Welcome To MINI2. Pure Silver, Black Roof, Two tone UJ. Great taste you have there!

First thing I had to do when I got mine was get rid of the orange side repeaters. Replaced with black crystal ones from mikeythemini at http://www.newministuff.com/new/index.php. Also got my silvatec front indicator bulbs from him too, front end looks much better now, (silvatecs weren't fitted when my gallery shots were taken). Cost about £40 total, and take two minutes to fit. Then went a bit more pricey with JCW soundkit .

Going to be replacing my UJ soon as it's deterorating, thanks BMW. Don't know whether to relace it or not. If not am going to get full A panel union jacks in silver/black instead.

Best of luck. Hope you enjoy your MINI.

[Rakey]

how about some aero side skirts, they would change the look in a nice subtle way

[J0nesy]

Pure Silver Black Roof A gr8 combination!!

I have done a few things 2 mine, the shark vents and clear rear lights always look good, have a look in my gallery, I know there are a lot of really nice cars on this site (mainly S's) (want 1), but I am quite pleased with the way mine is @ the mo..

Dave,

[mini_belle]

Guys - your silver minis all look delish and not dull at all. Went over the gallery photos with great care and now feel very inspired. Dave's shark vents just look wicked - I want some and I want them now!!! . I think this is the first thing I'll look into, as well as changing the skirts (am not too keen on those black things which are on my mini at the moment).

Thanks for the words of encouragement and all the ideas. I have today just completed sale of my old Peugeot (hooray!) which means I can pick up my new girl after this weekend (it's covered by the free 7-day MINI insurance at the moment). Can you feel my excitement ?? !!!

[Rakey]

there is a group buy in on this site for Side Skirts, so you could get them cheaper if you take a look and put your name down

[:: Jon ::]

My old Cooper below

Mods to exterior that it had

Lowered 30mm
Cooper S Front, Rear Bumpers
Cooper S side skirts
Cooper S filler cap
Tints all round
Colour Coded grille


click to enlarge
even looks good dirty

[mini_belle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonmorgan (original)

even looks good dirty

Jonmorgan - you are quite right - one of the (lesser) reasons I went for pure silver is exactly because I won't need to obsess too much about it looking clean as I would have if I had gone for eg pepper white or black (also lovely colours but let's face it, I am just not the kind of girl to spend hours shampooing and polishing and waxing and stroking my car at weekends when I could be out DRIVING it!....)

[mini_belle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

there is a group buy in on this site for Side Skirts, so you could get them cheaper if you take a look and put your name down

Good stuff! Am very interested but am not sure who I would get to fit them for me.

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini_belle (original)

Jonmorgan - you are quite right - one of the (lesser) reasons I went for pure silver is exactly because I won't need to obsess too much about it looking clean as I would have if I had gone for eg pepper white or black (also lovely colours but let's face it, I am just not the kind of girl to spend hours shampooing and polishing and waxing and stroking my car at weekends when I could be out DRIVING it!....)

Black is the future

[Tonic_Neil]

Silver with Black roof is the best in my opinion.
My girlfriend purchased hers about 10 months ago, and I've pretty much finished what we want to do to it now.

K&N induction kit
Bluefin tuning
Miltek exhaust (Cat back)
Magnecor ignition leads
Strut brace
Refurbed 17" R90 alloys
Eibach springs
Spot lights
Clear side lenses
Honda aerial
MCS side skirts
600 Watt amp and Kenwood sub in custom box (makes the mirrors shake even at motorway speeds )
Parrot blue tooth hands free kit (all through the stereo).

Next upgrade will be to an MCS and start playing with that....

[jeffroestobar]

Check out this posts on NAM for more ideas:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ht=pure+silver

My old MC:


New MCS:


Good luck and have fun.

[ErikR]

How about a set of these? They would look gorgeous on a PS MINI and would really tie in the monochrome union jacks if you chose that route!

[mini_belle]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeffroestobar (original)

Check out this posts on NAM for more ideas:

Thanks for the suggestion - I was not aware there was a North American Mini forum - plenty of good stuff to read there too.

[mini_belle]

Quote: Originally Posted by ErikR (original)

How about a set of these? They would look gorgeous on a PS MINI and would really tie in the monochrome union jacks if you chose that route!

Erik what kind of rims are these?

[JG.26]

Bonjour MINI Belle,

Congrats on your new MINI have you got bonnet stripes on your new Pride and Joy? I agonised for months before I got the black ones with pinstripe white edge, I have to say also think the monchrome UJ looks the biz, pics in my gallery, not biased or anything mind lol, you should be able to get one fitted to cater for your sunroof OK,

good luck,

Tim

[chappas]

Tinting the rear windows also looks good on pure silver with black roof

[viperfire]

Silver is the best there is