Hi Everyone, Getting ready to order my first MINI. It will be a Cooper S. I've got it narrowed down to either Chili Red with black top or the new Bayswater edition in Kite blue/black top. I like the pictures of the Bayswater on motoringfile.com from the Geneva auto show more than the press release images from MINI (I think those are Photoshop, not actual photos). It's hard to order a color I can't see in person--I have seen the laser blue and really liked it, but did not like the flat oxygen blue at all. The Bayswater kite blue is supposed to be metallic. But if I get Chili Red I can get Recaro seats... Anyone have thoughts? Thank you! Chris
In my humble, very much biased opinion... Chili Red/Black is the color I'd go with. As I said, I am biased..... Check out the Chili Red thread here and maybe the pics of everyone's car will aid in your decision. And, ya can't go wrong going with the Recaro's. Good Luck! :beer
+1 Although the laser blue with some blacking out on the rims and other exterior parts looks sweet too. I still say the Recaro seats win!
First, Welcome to M/A! Gonna autox/track/race your car? Red with the Recaros. Grippy seats are good for going fast. Not going to do those things? Bayswater. I really like the coloring and styling and detail on those. I wouldn't want to drive that hard though. I'd want to keep it looking good. Personal Feeling: Since I already have a track toy I'd go with the Bayswater.
Yep, welcome aboard. It is just me, but I have never seen a car seat, worth the price of the Recaros and I have been unhappy with the quality of the MINI leather seats. Jim
I like the look of the Recaro's, but need to see if they will fit my broader-sized beam. Get the Baywater and paint the arches!
Chili red with Recaros hands down. All other mini OEM seats are park benches. Look in my garage for the Recaros I put in my chili red 05 R53. They are from a Mitsubishi Evo 9.
Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to drive one again tomorrow to make some decisions. For me the Recaro seats really aren't that much more--I have to have adjustable lumbar support (no need to go into details) and that means I would get the leather seats. With the S or the JCW I'd get the lounge leather for $2000, then the heated option for another $500. The Recaros are $2750, heat included. Hmmm. Decisions--well I know either one will be a good choice.
I'm partial to red as well. One question are you going to be parking it outside in the sun a lot? If so I wonder if red in the long run is more suseptable to UV. For that matter I don't know if black is any better. Just a thot. For me Chili Rocks
Test drove a JCW today and was convinced to go that way! I asked about the Recaro seats and the dealer said they do not have adjustable lumbar support. I posted in the general board to see if people knew more about that. Anyone know if that is true, or how the MINI Recaros feel as far as lumbar support?