My 2021 MINI SE .... the project has started....

Fair. For me, the SE is both my daily commuter and my fun car. My money is tied up in a different toy (namely a hole in the water, surrounded by fiberglass, into which I pour my time and money). It's fun to see what others have done to their cars, though!

 

Those side markers are nice!

 

That's what I said about the designers not including the fake hood scoop from the MINI Cooper S on any of the design studies, concept cars, pre-production prototypes, or the MINI E. For 2 years I've maintained my seldom-viewed 10-second online slide show protesting Marketing's decision to require the scoop (in vain, I offered $1500 to get a non-S hood), but I appear to be the only member of my particular minority group.

 

I went back and watched Mini’s 2022 reveal video where they talked about the design. Those garish side markers were conspicuously absent from the ‘show models’ on the stage.

 

Hood scoops were invented to provide air to an internal combustion engine, so the ornamental scoop makes a little sense on BMW's MINI Cooper S. Other than the hood scoop, MINI designers observed the form-follows-function dictum.

John Cooper's cars didn't have a hood scoop. (Oh, how I wish there were 5-bolt, 17" Minilite wheels!)

 

You should be able to order 17” Superlite wheels with the correct bolt spacing, hub and offset. https://vintagewheelsus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=508

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Thank you! Those Superlites do look just like Minilites, which is good, but they don't make a 17" x 7" version (8" & 9.5" widths only). Also, they don't appear to offer an F56-compatible offset. As much as I love the look, I'm sort of glad they don't make wheels to fit my SE because ~$400/wheel is beyond my budget.

 

The black waist-line/beltline trim really makes a huge difference. Why doesn't the MINI designer who added all the other Piano Black trim elements to the Iconic understand that?

 

It really makes no sense to me. They went 90% of the way to where most 'black out' owners want to go. But I'll evaluate that later after I put some quality miles on the car. My car is still technically "vaporware" until it hits land (hopefully April 10th).

 

I'm enjoying this thread! I'm picking up my brand new Chili Red SE later today. I've also done a full dechrome + tint. Can't wait!

 

Looks great! Once I wrap my grille I will be deciding if I black out or tint the rear taillights. This has been great to see parts and such.