Exterior 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: I'm at a crossroad with my MINI

Personally I'm a fan of black-out and black trim on Dark Silver cars... but it's hard to go wrong with painted arches - always seem to click the look of a MINI up a notch or two. Painted handles are nice too... just a PITA to remove, install, and I'd worry about chips constantly.... but my body color headlight rings are holding up well, so maybe I'm just paranoid. :yesnod:

 

DS and black go pretty well together. Check the interweb for DS with painted arches - it definitely completely changes the look of the car. OTOH, with an aero kit it's almost a requirement to paint the arches (IMHO, YMMV). Really brings the visual lines of the car closer tot he ground.

 

Too much DS if you do the arches and the wheels in DS.

I'd paint the handles etc DS...but not the arches. Then do DS wheels

 

I'm increasingly growing fond of the look where people smooth the arches and paint them black to match the roof, have you considered that?

 

gloss black on teh arches can be nice as well.

If you do the arches and handles.. I would keep the 18s or at least some black wheels. Need to keep the contrast.

 

Phil....I thought of you and took some shots of a DS MINI I saw in Strasbourg, France today. It was DS/DS with DS arches and sill plates and bumper trim. I'll get them uploaded tomorrow night or Monday once I get back to the states.

 

First, I gotta ask ya Professor.....Ginger or Maryanne ?


I just Dark Silver BO taped my belt line...



Added DS Aesthetic Creations Headlight Surrounds



Added DS Orciari Cowl Scoops and painted aero grill surround, side scuttles and M7 Scoop, and custom painted the MINI Badges to make them blend in until take them off and have a body shop fill in the holes....



I have Enkei ES6 Rims in gunmetal and look ok IMO since I still have a Plasti Dipped Cap and some black arches and decals....but If I painted my arches, I would get a set of black JCW 18" rims for sure......



Doing my best to stay with Dark Silver/Black becase as you said, too many colors are not so good for a small car, makes it look to busy IMO.

Only Chrome left now is limited to tips, and wheel trim rings are it.But when I do paint the arches the 18" JCW Black Rims will have to be the next addition. Using the Enkie's may be too much DS.

 

Professor, a bright pink roof would really finish the car. :ihih:

 

I like the arches the way they are as well... Loving the DS and black.

 

I go through the same things man. One day i want to change the arches and then i really look at it and dig them

 

Professor, nothing like a set of third party wheels to spice things up. DS and black has been done pretty well in several iternations but a set of wheels outside the MINI options would really set it apart IMO. You'd be suprised how far your mod dollar goes on a nice set of 3rd party rims compared to spending "MINI money"

I must warn you there are literally 10,000 wheel choices out there. Voice of experience..................

 

I agree!! :cornut:

But seriously... I like Rally's idea with the door handles - Aesthetic Creations has those snap on ones... and if you do want to do something with the arches, I think DS/DS with DS arches is a bit too much and that gloss black would look very sexy. Wheels can totally transform the car and I suggest going there first as if you don't like them, you can trade with another MINI owner and go for another look. DS's with blacked-out chrome are also very nice. What about some vinyl? A quick, cheap, easily-reversible way to add some personality!