[RUSSCHADBURN]

Hello there

Just wondering if anyone has seen the actual Cottonwood interior rather than the plastic looking swatches that the dealers hold?

Also does anyone have experience of the Harmon Kardon sound and is it worth the extra?

Thanks meantime

Russ

 

[JJH]

Hello there

Just wondering if anyone has seen the actual Cottonwood interior rather than the plastic looking swatches that the dealers hold?

Also does anyone have experience of the Harmon Kardon sound and is it worth the extra?

Thanks meantime

Russ

Hi Russ - like every interior & exterior option, you need to see a car with the 'cottonwood' interior yourself... I don't have it on my car, but thought it looked OK - and much nicer than piano black or the awful white finish!

With regards to Harman/Kardon upgrade - there are a huge number of references/topics on this forum (some from me) and I would say that it's worth every penny - a must have option if you want to enjoy your preferred music in your MINI.

I hope this info helps!

 

[MAC99]

Hi Russ,

Had my car for almost two weeks now, and I must say the Harmon Kardon sounds very nice!

Always wondered if I should have chosen it when speccing my r56 cooper two years ago, but didn't. So I made sure I got it this time with my new Cooper S.

The mini has an internal storage hard drive of 20gb (not sure if this is standard over all specs, I have the medial XL and chilli pack), and you can save your music to this.

You have to view your music in iTunes then copy and paste to a USB drive.
Plug into the car and use the menu for external devices, you will get an option to import music.

The reason for me stating this is that in my opinion, the music sounds better from the internal drive rather than from your phone?

The HK has a nice clear sound, the music has lots of detail and clarity, not thumping bass just a good sound overall.

I would definitely go for it as I think it is a worthwhile option.
I don't listen to a huge amount of music, but when I do it's nice to have such a system.

400 watts and 12 speakers!

 

[lawrothegreat]

Hello, I have the dark cottonwood interior and I absolutely love it. It's a real wood covering and works well with the contrasting satellite grey underneath (in my photos). Whilst it is a real wood covering, it's not half-inch thick wood (obviously) rather it's a manufactured covering with a matte effect. When you open the secret compartment on the passenger side you can see how the actual grains wrap around.


Also the interior world packs give you LED light piping around the door ellipses (several feet's worth in total) that otherwise you don't get with the car.

 

[Crimguy]

I think the HK system is merely ok. Bass is there but not very punchy. Somewhat dull. No midrange, so everything sounds thin to my ears. Not surprising as 4" drivers in a thin enclosure are limited in what they can do.

 

[Lonelycupid]

Wood interior is fairly cool throw back to the original Mini, and makes your car that much more unique.
However it's fairly pricey. So if you can justify the $$ by all mean.
Otherwise, I'm sure you can wrap it it vinyl yourself for fraction of the price.

HK system. It's totally depends on how much of a music nerd you're. If you enjoy listening to music (Like most people). What's a few $$$ over 4-5 years of ownership?!

 

[Shigaman]

Would have loved the option of the Cottonwood interior, but sadly it's not available from here in Japan.
The HK sound system was one of the few things I didn't spec on my F55 MCS (due here late Nov). I didn't get a chance to listen to it, but did sit in the test drive MCS and listened carefully to the standard 6-speaker set-up. I'm sure the HK system is great, but the standard audio sounded 'good enough' and with all the other option boxes I was ticking I decided to save some money by not going for HK. I don't think I'll regret that, but I figure that if I do I can always have something fitted later, after-market - perhaps something better than the HK set up, even.

 

[JVondel]

In my search for the "view" in real life and not in photo's for my exterior and interior I searched the car sales websites, like e.g autoscout, etc. In the Netherlands I noticed that the Mini dealers also have some demo models they have for sale. So one dealer had the ice chocolate version and others had the cotton wood interior. So this might help to see it in ral life.
Another "bonus" for the mini your cottonwood is that you will get the light pipes in the door. So you can have your own disco party in the car. That explains why it is a bit more expensive than some other color options.

 

[jeremybingham]

I have to say that in terms of clarity bass etc the HK sound is full and rich; amongst the best I have had in any car in fact-fiddle with the bass and treble setting s a bit crimguy ! However I was v impressed with the middling system and it's only really the extra welly that the HK provides-I reckon non audiophiles will be happy with the sound of the model below- basic is only 4 speakers-cant imagine that would be any good but the visual boost comes with 6-inc the subwoofers under the seat. Personally I love the hk system-whack it up and those subwoofers under the seat make you tremble! it's fantastic and as they say over a few years not much extra!
if you are in any doubt do what I did-ask the dealer for a demo-I played the same track in all 3 versions ie 4 spkr 6 and hk system before going for the hk system as a last minute extra -more because I liked the look rather than the extra sound quality!