Paul over at MINI2 has posted some additional changes for the '04 model year that weren't on the original bulletin I first received on the 15th of July. Many of these I had heard rumors of before but never had been able to get them confirmed:
- New key on all MINIs (not confirmed for '04)
- Cooper not coming with leather wheel as standard (11/03, for USA) (not confirmed)
- MP3 Compatible CD Player (not confirmed)
- Harmon Kardon loses Radio/Cassette.
- Indicators flash once when MINI unlocked, twice when locked.
- Doors relock after 2 minutes if not physically opened before that time.
- Shark Fin Antenna standard (from Andy) (not confirmed)
I had heard talk of replacing the key as far back as before the introduction of the MINI in the US in March of 02 so it will be interesting to see what they finally come up with and when they bring it out. I would imagine it might look a little more like the current BMW key.
The MP3 compatible CD player simply makes a lot of sense in this day in age as well as the loss of the cassette player for the HK option. Both these changes seem like no brainers to me.
Again these changes haven't been officially confirmed but Paul's track record with info like this is pretty good.
<p>The new revised key is a very welcomed change from the current one. According to Paul, the key will be similar to the one currently used for BMW products meaning that it will have 3 buttons Lock/unlock doors and a separate button for the trunk/boot lid. This is the way it should have been done from the get go. Now we should be able to have both, Comfort Opening and Boot release all in the same keyfob!</p>
<p>Also just to clarify, the regular Cooper in the US market has never had the leather wrapped steering wheel as standard equipment. If you just want the leather wheel, this is a $150 option, and with the MFSW controls is $350. I ahve never seen a new MINI with the bare plastic steering wheel.</p>
<p>The automatic door re-lock after 2 minutes is a fantastic safety feature if you forget to lock the doors and the visual lock/unlock acknowledgement when unlocking the car is helpful (Curently the lights only flash once when locking up the car).</p>
<p>The other changes are welcomed as well. My only dissapointment is that MINI still doesn't think that MINI owners are worthy of having their own factory installed Homelink unit like in most BMW's.</p>
<p>Good point Frank about that steering wheel. I hesitated even putting that one up there but I thought I'd at least pass it along and see if anyone else would be able to make sense of it. </p>
<p>The key will be a nice change. I've always thought that the current BMW key was about as perfect as you could get in terms of design. The only step would be to make it slightly smaller I suppose.</p>
<p>I personally like the “Swiss knife” styled VW/Audi fold away keys. they look sharp and feel high quality to the touch.</p>
<p>I have gotten used to the rather oversized MINI key but I would also like to see a smaller version that fits better in pockets.</p>
<p>By the way, we went to see “Johnny English” over the weekend (With Rowan Atkinson the late Mr. Bean) and the movie was funny as heck. Rowan was driving an Aston Marting Vintage (Or Volante one of the two) and in one of the scenes he is holding the car's keys in his hand and you could clearly see that the Aston's key looks almost identical to the current MINI key. Maybe Valeo of France supplies the keys to several automakers including Aston Martin.</p>
<p>Great movie but it needed to have MINIs in it!!!!!!!</p>
<p>I am very pleased to hear about these changes for 2004. I currently have a key with the 3 buttons so I will be happy with the new key.</p>
<p>I also like the idea if the car relocking after 2 minutes. I'd hate to have the car go unlocked because the key pressed against something in my purse. This way if it gets hit my accident the car will relock. </p>
<p>and Thanks Andy, I was going to buy the S2000 antenna and have it ready to go on my car the day it arrives. I believe the Shark Fin will look good! so it's saving me a bit of money!</p>
<p>Thanks for these updates!</p>
<p>Pebbles</p>
<p>I unfortunately DID buy the S2000 antenna for my upcoming 2004 MCS. DOH! Maybe I should wait on further purchases until I have the car. : )</p>
<p>Does all of this mean that my MINI just placed on order and supposed to arrive in late Oct. will have all of the listed changes? And what more can you tell me about the mp3 change? That is a major consideration for me.
Thanks.</p>
<p>will the MP3 player be retrofittable to an 02 MCS?
Sounds wonderful.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm in the minority, but I personally like the looks of the current antenna. Not a fan of the shark fin. I guess I like the “remote control toy” look of the car.</p>
<p>What about the cup holders? Are they going to be larger?</p>
<p>Does anyone know when the Harmon Kardon system with MP3 compatibility will become effective? Will it be with the start of '04 production or later? I'm planning on ordering a MCS next week for September production.</p>
<p>The automatic relocking scares me a bit…I can see myself pumping gas, washing my windows, happy as can be and then suddenly click…I am locked out of my car! Have to train myself to remove the key!</p>
<p>I also understand that in late '04 model the 5 speed on the Cooper is going out to be replaced by a 5 speed GERTAG.
I know I have had sync problems between 1st and 2nd when I get higher RPM's. This is a very good idea. This I believe is the MAJOR change in '04 for the Cooper…</p>
<p>The Coopers with the Getrag will be 2005's thus that wasn't included in this list. You can read that article here: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/?Y=2003&M=08&D=16&TitleID=NewGetragGearboxForTheCooperIn2005">New Getrag Gearbox for the Cooper in 2005</a></p>
<p>The auto relock does just that. The doors had to have already been locked, so the auto relock can't lock your keys in the car, only you have that power. 8')</p>
<p>The MP3 rumor may be incorrect. My dealer told me no BMW in Canada will have MP3 capability in 2004 (incl. new 5 series).</p>
<p>None of the official 2004 MINI info mentions a MP3 stereo..unfortunately.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me how reliable are the Minis, I want to purchase a 2004, but I want to know about their reliability, and also if anyone knows if there would be major changes in the exterior of the car on the 2005 models. Thanks.</p>
<p>mari – i'd recommend looking further down the main page for more information about the new 2005 MINI. Further use the search feature to access older specific information. And finally take a look at the archive (in the top navigation) for a listing of all stories.</p>
<p>Regarding the reliability I would comb this site and some of the forum sites for that answer. Everyone has a different experience with different cars so the answers you get will vary a great deal I'm sure. From my experience while the MINI doesn't have Honda type of reliability it is a solid car that seems to hold up well over time.</p>