[joeyjoe9]

currently i have decided on
alloy patina interior

but thinking about chaning it to
anthracite + chrome interior pack

seats in any case are black leather

i also have prem, sport, and cold wx pkg + harman kardon sound system. and dark silver exterior/white roof. any options i can live w/o to knock off costs since now i'll probably get chrome interior?

thoughts?

[Johnny225]

Anthracite really does look better in my opinion.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by joeyjoe9

currently i have decided on
alloy patina interior

but thinking about chaning it to
anthracite + chrome interior pack

seats in any case are black leather

i also have prem, sport, and cold wx pkg + harman kardon sound system. and dark silver exterior/white roof. any options i can live w/o to knock off costs since now i'll probably get chrome interior?

thoughts?

We recently got a Chilli red Cooper and couldn't understand how the best looking interior finish was the free one! We choose the pepper pack and could even have had the bright silver FOC, but we didn't want it. The anthracite really does look superb and sparkles in the sun.

I then fitted an aftermarket chromeline interior and it looks fantastic. It goes really well with the anthracite. I wouldn't consider any other interior combination. If you go for the chromeline interior you can go onto ebay and buy matching chrome for the door handles, tweeters and main speakers. (though won't fit over the HK speaker bits ).

Tigger

[joeyjoe9]

What color are the HK speaker bits? That is one of my options as well. Do they come in anthracite? One of the reasons I am thinking of changing the interior is that I don't like the lite silver on the door handles .

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I'm sorry, I don't have the HK speakers in my car so it came with the standard speakers and tweeters with surrounds in anthracite plastic. This was then covered up with bright chrome covers and it looks utterly fantastic.

Personally, I know exactly what I would do. I would look to not spend a penny on an ICE upgrade from the manufacturer. Then, with the money saved, I would buy a really nice head unit and some great speakers and put them behind the standard grills for a subtle approach. No one would know just how good they were until they heard them!

This would allow you to have the best sound and chrome finish on the door handles and speakers.

Tigger

[joeyjoe9]

Thanks! I did decide to go with the anthracite interior with chrome line interior and dropped the HK package.

[stryder]

Aftermarket ICE upgrades sound like a very nice proposition, until you look around, and realize outside of the UK, basically no installer knows what they're doing with a MINI. I wouldn't trust anyone to take apart my car to do speaker + amp installs if it was the first or even 5th MINI they had done. Especially 'less popular' markets like Ohio, there just isn't the talent available to do anything on the audio side, so I'd rather pay a bit extra to get the factory setup then run the risk of everything getting messed up aftermarket.

Of course $550 is a bit expensive for the H/K, so it is a good way to cut costs, if you have to.

[Johnny225]

JoeyJoe, look at my gallery. I have anthracite and the H/K. It really doesn't stick out, you hardly notice it as your odo and other bits are the same color.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by joeyjoe9

Thanks! I did decide to go with the anthracite interior with chrome line interior and dropped the HK package.

Great decision, anthracite and chrome really works! You will then be able to upgrade the standard HiFi at your own pace as and when time and funds allow.

Incidently, I had the cheapest possible factory radio fitted to mine for the same reason. I have a Sony to fit in the next week or two. However, the cheap standard system is working so well I am not actually rushing to swop it over !

I wouldn't be too worried about getting someone to fit the system professionally. It really isn't that involved and all the parts are available off the shelf. There is no need to cut wiring or trim. Installing something like a phone, or sat nav, is a very different matter

Tigger

[joeyjoe9]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will wait to upgrade as $550 does sound a bit high esp. when I find myself often enjoying listening to the rev of an engine or, if they're playing, the Cleveland Indians on the radio!

[RobHardyUK]

I havent one for the hk setup, but i would like to hear one. I am going to do my install myself, as i have relative experience. I only ever use Alpine.