Update (10.23.03): According to sources this issue should be resolved in a matter of weeks (despite what some dealers might say).

Here's some interesting news I just recieved from a reader:

Here is a tidbit for you. We stopped at the dealer today to check over our (new) car and was informed the MINI alarm system will not work on any '04 models. Seem it requires a new mounting bracket for the combined motion/tilt sensor. BMW/MINI has issued an alert to the dealers about this. No fix is in the pipeline and no ETA for a solution.

Does anyone else have more info on this? It would seem that this is an unfortunate mistake on MINI's part. I'm sure that it's not good news for parts counters and customers alike.