Roof headlining

[Mark S]

Hi,

I currently have a MCS 2003 and i want to change the head lining (the cloth triming the roof) from the light cream colour it is to a dark grey colour.

I cant see any topics similar to this on the forum!

Has anyone ever tried this themsleves or know anything about it or even who might do it?

Mark.

[MINIAC]

The Anthracite Headlining wasn't offered until July 2004 builds and at that time the clock was moved from the headliner to the speedo.

I'm not sure that this can be retrofit to an early model MINI such as yours.

[Drewuk]

I dont think the change of clock position would cause any problems (they replaced with extra interior lights which are exactly the same size).

The problem i can see is that 2004 onwards models come with an extra sunvisor and passenger grab handle meaning you could end up with some unwanted holes above yours and your passengers heads :-(

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniChilliS (original)

Hi,

I currently have a MCS 2003 and i want to change the head lining (the cloth triming the roof) from the light cream colour it is to a dark grey colour.

I cant see any topics similar to this on the forum!

Has anyone ever tried this themsleves or know anything about it or even who might do it?

Mark.

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

The Anthracite Headlining wasn't offered until July 2004 builds and at that time the clock was moved from the headliner to the speedo.

I'm not sure that this can be retrofit to an early model MINI such as yours.

I have changed a few from the earlier style (pre face-lift 1st Gen) to the newer ones (face-lift 1st Gen), as "MINIAC" states the clock did get moved to the speedo, however this doesn't make any difference as the clock is replaced by some lights (map reading lights I think), and the hole for these is exactly the same shape as for the clock (you may have to paint your clock housing a matching colour , if you're fussy).

Something you do have to take into account, the newer style roof-linings as well as the clock change they also have an extra sun-visor on the drivers side and an extra handle on the passenger side and to actually fit these you need a metal bracket on each side (fitting to the chassis) but these can be fitted, I normally get them from the car that I'm getting the second hand roof-lining from (they have 2-3 spot welds, not bolted) , another point to remember is some have alarms and the sensor is in the roof, if you get a roof-lining from a MINI fitted with an OEM alarm fitted make sure you actually get the sensor fitting / housing also and the roof-lining will go straight in (no hole where the sensor was) the other way around, if you have a MINI with an OEM alarm and you get a roof-lining from a MINI not fitted with an alarm you can cut the hole out if you're careful and the roof-lining will go straight in but you would also need to get a sensor fitting / housing in the matching colour .

I like the anthracite roof-linings, but they are few and far between, if you are thinking of getting a secondhand one as a new one would be expensive and you would also need all the matching plastics (pillar plastics or it would look odd ), also to do the job properly you may have to remove most of the interior .

At one time they did do a spray paint to do colour changes, but I don't think they were meant for the type of roof-lining that the MINIs have and you had to practise or it could end up patchy .

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drewuk (original)

I dont think the change of clock position would cause any problems (they replaced with extra interior lights which are exactly the same size).

The problem i can see is that 2004 onwards models come with an extra sunvisor and passenger grab handle meaning you could end up with some unwanted holes above yours and your passengers heads :-(

You just got in there "Drewuk" while I was doing my reply (I need typing lessons ), when I was at school typing was done on the old typewriters so it wasn't for lads to do typing, and the computers were used for games .

[Drewuk]

I typed far fewer words than you

You brought up some interesting points though - I didnt realise you could have those fixing points added - I would love the extra sunvisor and my partner would get in and out the car much easier if there was a grab handle to hold onto.

I may have to look into this little mod now :-)

Drew

[Randall Raines]

Quote: Originally Posted by Drewuk (original)

I typed far fewer words than you

You brought up some interesting points though - I didnt realise you could have those fixing points added - I would love the extra sunvisor and my partner would get in and out the car much easier if there was a grab handle to hold onto.

I may have to look into this little mod now :-)

Drew

It could be a lot of work just to fit the extra handle & visor though, I normally do it as I'm repairing MINIs after accident damage, I like to remove interiors etc... etc... as they can easily get damaged (If not already, expensive too ) as I have to leave certain work for others to do, I'm not sure if you can actually buy the brackets as a part although you may be able to.

Another point which can be a pain, I'm tall and i find myself banging my head on the passenger side handle from time to time (passenger seat , the other ½ thinks! the MINI is hers ), partly because I can't be bothered re-adjusting the seat down as I'm not in it that often (the other ½ may be right ).

The visor is also rarely used (UK weather) and can be useless at times (when the sun is actually shining ) .

[Drewuk]

Hi there

Thanks for the advice - I guess if not readily available (those brackets) i'll just have to wait for the next purchase to make sure ive got them already fitted

Drew