With the timeline as it is, does this mean i’ll make the cut-off for the ’05 production or must I be forced to receive an ’06 model sometime in january?(!) I didn’t want anything that was only pertaining to the ’06 models…Anyone have any suggestions/advice on my timing and what to expect? Thanks in advance!

Are you saying no traditional black/white stripes at all or no black/white stripes w/ silver roof?

The factory will not fit traditional black or white stripes to a MINI with a Silver roof.

It may also be worth mentioning that if you’re looking at the new silver roof option, know that you won’t be able to order traditional black or white stripes from the factory.

What? Seriously? No bonnet stripes from the factory? I’ve got to say I hate the sound of that. I definately don’t want the new stripes if I trade up, they make the S look like it shot milk out of its hood scoop. If I’m trading up I want a car outwardly identical to my ’05 Hyper Blue with White roof/mirrors/stripes. Are you saying no traditional black/white stripes at all or no black/white stripes w/ silver roof?

You can quote in html by wraping content within html blockquote tags. Or you can make use of Markup – an easier set of commands for most to understand.

And by “markup” you presumably mean Markdown? :-)

A: Well that’s a pretty good question. In fact it’s so good that I might pull that out and answer it on the front page later this week. It’s really question could pertain to a handful of options that aren’t offered in the US.

Thanks Gabe!

How are you including those highlighted snipets from previous posts in your replies?

You can quote in html by wraping content within html blockquote tags. Or you can make use of Mark-down – an easier set of commands for most to understand. For instance in Mark-down all you have to do to quote something is use the greater than symbol “>” before the sentence and then give it a few lines after the quote..

How are you including those highlighted snipets from previous posts in your replies?

BTW, isn’t the new blue called SPACE Blue?

Are those the same 16″ Bridge Spoke wheels (from the European JCW kit) that will be able to clear the JCW Sport Brake calipers?

A: Yes – those are the one and only Bridge Spoke.

Why won’t MINIUSA offer the two-spoke steering in the US? If it’s offered everywhere else in the world then why not here? It’s not like they have to make it special for the US.

A: Well that’s a pretty good question. In fact it’s so good that I might pull that out and answer it on the front page later this week. It’s really question could pertain to a handful of options that aren’t offered in the US.

Will the fully-integrated Bluetooth option finally be available in the ’06 models versus the dealer-installed blob?

A: I genuinely hope so!

Will they finally fix the supposed incompatibility of the Navigation system with the satellite radio option?

A: I seriously doubt it. With an entirely new car coming in 12 months I just can’t see MINI doing any further tweaking that would allow this. I hope I’m wrong.

Gabe, I don’t know if you’ve covered this in a prior post, but are the ’06 silver stripes only available in the new “U-shaped” pattern?

A: Yes.

Gabe, Any word on official pricing of the options/option packages mentioned?

A: US market pricing has not been released (that I know of).

Is the Blue shown in the checkmate photo the new solar blue? I thought the solar blue was a dark blue like the Indi blue?

A: Like Indi blue, it would seem Space Blue changes dramatically based on the lighting environment. At times it can appear almost black yet in bright sun can look much more blue. I would take a look at all SB photos and guess in real life it’ll be somewhere in the middle of all of them.

I wonder if dealers will let you add the new stripe pattern on pre-06 models? The body shape hasn’t changed, so it would seem to be possible…

A: Yes.

Thanks for the update, Gabe! Do you happen to know if the new silver stripes will be decals like the black and white stripes or whether they will be painted on instead?

A: They’re just plain ‘ole stickers.