1 JULY 2004

Scitt Dunsmore Apr 26th, 2004 Link

I just talked to Julie at Classic Mini of Ohio and these changes will take effect July 1st for other countries not including the US. No info on the US changes. Here is the MINI link showing all the changes. http://www.mini.com/COM/en/themini/model_refreshing/index.jsp

Josh Apr 26th, 2004 Link

2 Thumbs Up! They kept the good things and solved many of the inconveniences, and I was always hoping for a body colored dash. Any idea if those 4 dash colors will be avalible on different body colors, say a DS body with a Chili Red dash?

Am i right to assume that the MCS will have the same fabric choices as current because its not listed for the MCS on the mini site?

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

FYI that link is also the main link (first line) of the story.

Josh Apr 26th, 2004 Link

Gabe, good to see the ur site is back up

Charlie Apr 26th, 2004 Link

I don't know if it's tragic, ironic, or just plain sad that MINIUSA is the LAST entity to announce these changes….whenever they choose to do so. All of these 2005 changes are listed for the rest of the world, but MINIUSA has been silent not only to potential buyers, but also to its US Dealers to date about 2005 MINIS, when they'll be available, price increases, etc.

Maybe they should spend more time informing their dealers rather than writing dime store novels to include with car enthusiasts and mens health magazines.

It really hurts when the buying public learns more than the dealers are allowed to know.

Matt Gifford Apr 26th, 2004 Link

Sorry about the outage, Josh. I'll be making some changes to the site so that this particular problem doesn't happen again.

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

From my understanding you cannot mix and match dash and exterior colors. So if you have a chili red MINI you can either get a chili red interior dash or all the usual option of silver, anthracite or alloy patina in the MCS.

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

I can't imagine US cars will be produced in a vacuum. They will roll down the same assembly line (there's only one) and receive the same changes. The spec maybe slightly different but most of the changes will affect US cars. So based on this schedule deliveries should start in early August in the US.

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

Thanks Josh – good to have it back up :)

charlie Apr 26th, 2004 Link

I agree Gabe. But it would be nice if MINIUSA had the same information timeline as the rest of the world……don't you think? Or does MINI.com not represent the interests of MINIUSA?

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

I completely agree Charlie. The spec that MINI.com has may not be what the US gets. It's an issue there's no doubt about it. I can't tell you how many people at dealerships and even at MINI corporate have told me that this site is where they hear most of their information in regards to new models and additions.

In fact if I told you who has said that to me you'd be absolutely stunned.

charlie Apr 26th, 2004 Link

Do the initials J.P. ring a bell?

Gabriel Bridger Apr 26th, 2004 Link

LOL – not quite! I probably shouldn't say anymore :)

dc Apr 26th, 2004 Link

Any pics of the new ingress/egress grab handles mentioned here on April 23 ?

The new chronograph gauges look better than was previously posted back around Feb.

Wish mini.com would provide pics I could link to.

Rocketboy Apr 27th, 2004 Link

Hummm… I'll take the increase in power, the fold down mirrors, and the MP3 CD player. I'll take a big 'no thanks' for the Japanese Script cloth seats… (ugh, what's next, MINI R Type?)

Wen Apr 27th, 2004 Link

i like the third visor and the map lights! any ideas on a retrofit?! :)

Jason Z. Apr 27th, 2004 Link

I want those headlights! somebody needs to figure out a retrofit kit for them for my now classic MKI 2002.

Matt Apr 27th, 2004 Link

almost enough to get me to trade in. pepper white, Cooper S, with more power and shorter gearing, possible new mirrors and the new key. too bad i'd get hosed.

froglegs Apr 27th, 2004 Link

FWIW, more than a couple US dealer's sites say things like “coming soon”, e.g.

http://www.minitowson.com/index.asp

Makes me think the US cars are indeed on the same schedule as everyone else. That black eye purple is pretty okay looking, but the name?

R Apr 27th, 2004 Link

The goofiest thing on the MINI…the original “sun”visor and now the new one!…R

Jeff Apr 27th, 2004 Link

Does anyone know if the new antenna will work with Sirius satellite radio? I don't believe Europe has Sat radio so it may not.

HarryC Apr 27th, 2004 Link

anybody know what the new ratios in the Getrag 5-speed are?

Also, could we please have a higer-ratio overdrive for better hwy mileage?

Sean Bartnik Apr 27th, 2004 Link

Oh man I want that extra sunvisor. I will be interested to see if it's retrofittable :-)

Michael Apr 28th, 2004 Link

I'm guessing that the new antenna IS compatible with Sirius. It says it's satellite radio compatible, and Sirius is the BMW/MINI partner so I'd think it's a pretty safe bet…

What's the deal with the new black? Is it darker, lighter what? It seems weird that of all the colors to tinker with, that they would choose black…

alex Apr 28th, 2004 Link

maybe the new black is like BMW carbon black, which is a really cool black/purple color…

Randolph Lee Apr 28th, 2004 Link

Any word on the if the US CVT Coopers will at last get the paddle shifters that the Rest of the world has had for over a year?

Philip Apr 29th, 2004 Link

The German online configurator already shows pictures of the MY05 updates when going for an MCS.

You have to look closely but the interior shots already feature the new passenger door handle and front map reading lamps as well as the new head lights.

There is no preview of the discontinued indi blue any more.

Gabriel Bridger Apr 29th, 2004 Link

The UK configuator should be up as well. No word on when MINIUSA will update their flash site.