How can you tell?

Thanks.

For example:

Available anthracite headliner, first offered as a no cost option, then becoming a $200 option over standard headliner.

The anthracite roofliner was available only as an option with the $2000 sport package in Canada.

MINIs built on and after 7/2004 will have “Cascade” ambient orange light. There are 2 small front headliner mounted LED orange lights (Sharing the same assembly as the front map/reading lights) that are aimed at the center console creating the “English Submarine” cabin ambiance. Also the interior of both front door release handles have soft glow orange light at night.

Some MINIs built towards the end of the R50/53 production will have a different stereo from the standard US Alpine head unit offered in the US. The stereo has a different front plate button arragement and was originally offered mostly in the European market. Watch for late ‘06 build MINIs that do not have the Alpine sourced headunit.

The 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission was first offered in the Cooper S and Cooper S Convertible beginning with 1/2005 production onwards (Not 1/2006 as stated in the article).

Other significant additions that took place on January 2005:

• Optional factory LSD is offered for the first time ever on the MCS and MCSC equipped with manual transmissions only.

• Introduction of dual stage front airbags with seat weight sensors and automatic shutoff for unoccupied front passenger seat. (There is an “Passenger airbag” off warning light nestled in between the headliner mounted front map lights). The bottom cushions for both front seats were slightly redesign to accommodate for the weight sensors.

• Windshield washer empty reservoir orange warning light mounted at the tip of the windshield wiper control stalk.

All these changes applied to MINIs built 1/2005 and onwards.

Other changes that took place for the 2005 model year (July 2004 builds and onwards):

• 3 piece dashboard replaces previous 5 piece dashboard. Top vent assembly at the base of the windshield was redesigned and it is also a one piece assembly into the dashboard (Cars built prior to 7/04 have a “lid” at the base of the windshield)

• Digital clock moves down from front center headliner to LCD speedo readout.

• Redesigned BMW sourced 3-button fob key with separate hatch open release. Power locks were reprogrammed at the factory to accommodate for the new key. Older MINIs have a bigger Rover issue (Valeo) 2-button key.

• Bigger rearview mirror

-Available factory Homelink buttons mounted at the base of the self-dimming rearview mirror (Available with the “Convenience package”).

• Front passenger grab handle.

• Driver’s side mounted extra sunvisor

• Front headliner map lights (Replaced headliner mounted digital clock)

• Front passenger airbag is relocated to deploy from the top of the dashboard (In older MINIs with the 5 piece dashboard the front passenger airbag deploys from the actual dashboard fascia, above the glove box opening)

• The 2-spoke steering wheel is discontinued in the US market. All US bound MINIs made 7/04 and onwards have a 3 spoke sport steering wheel standard.

• Redesigned roof radio antenna. All 2005 MINIs onwards (Tintops) are satellite radio ready from factory)

• Sharkfin antenna is discontinued for MINIs equipped with factory navigation.

• For the MCS and MCSC buyers can order body match color dashboard and door card surrounds in Chili Red, Hyper Blue and Liquid Yellow. At first this was a no cost option, then after 1/2005 it became a $200 option.

• Factory stereo has a bigger power/volume knob.

• Rear fog light is offered for the first time in the US market as a $100 factory option.

• Front door card interior armrests were redesigned.

• Available anthracite headliner, first offered as a no cost option, then becoming a $200 option over standard headliner.

If I think of anything else I will post it here.

However not all running changes made in 2006 were unwelcome. Due to the JCW brakes becoming standard for the 2007 R56 MINI Cooper S, the Oxford Plant decided to start fitting the last few R53 MINI (October and November ‘06 production) with the same brakes. This effectively made the $1000+ JCW brake kit a standard feature on these last few of the R53s ever made. Not a bad way to send the model out.

What?!!! I paid extra for that option!!! 11/06 build.

Red cloth and black leather seating was also a popular choice that gave the MINI’s interior a sprinkling of color where there was rarely any before.

That’s rather Biased if I say so myself. ;)

BTW, I will be coming to Chicago next year. Can’t wait to see you.

Steve, as far as aftermarket mods go, you are usually better off removing what you can and re-installing original parts (like rear sway bars, wheels, exhaust) if you still have them as you will usually get more on the sale of those items off the car than on. Sometimes you get luckey and find a buyer who wants those exact mods on the car, but more often than not you don’t get a decent percentage of the cost of the upgraded parts, not to mention installation costs.

Since the only issue present on all model years is the door sill rust, (assuming one has a manual) has anyone checked to see if the design on the 07’s has eliminated this problem? Both of my 02’s and my 04 had this. It still irks me that MINI has treated this as a silent recall. Love the cars, hate the rust.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/1780232-post15.html

Thanks for looking out for all the future owners!