We've all heard it before – the 2004 MINI is the best yet. But what exactly does that mean? A recent three day stint in a brand new Cooper gave me some fresh insight into this.
Going from a very early 2002 MINI to a brand new 2004 MINI is fairly eye-opening. First and foremost the rattles were simply nonexistent. Granted I would consider my 2002 a well built car with few rattles considering the miles and the rough Chicago roads. However when you get into a MINI and drive those same roads in complete silence you start to realize that this car has really evolved.
Speaking with employees at the plant seems to confirm this. MINI has been making little unadvertised changes to the entire car throughout it's production cycle in an effort to reduce rattles and in general produce a better product. There have been quite a few small changes that were made to improve the overall owner experience. Consider that the recent cars feature a revised shift knob that has the stitching reversed and a smoother metal lip all to create a more comfortable feel.
Another example is that the heat shield was recently altered to eliminate a faint rattle sound that seemed to be coming from deep within the dash. They found that as the car heated up the shield expanded and began to vibrate very slightly. This created what sounded like a small rattle during some acceleration. A slight angle change to the curve of the heat shield has since cured this issue.
It all helps to make an owner of an early MINI feel both pride and a touch of jealousy.
<p>Readers – compare and contrast with the recent “paranoia” over the “cheap MINI” article ;)</p>
<p>One important thing to note is that the word “cheap” is not as derogatory in UK as in America. I remember comments a few times early on my arrival on these shores, that something was not “cheap” but “inexpensive” …</p>
<p>Ian your right. I know it's hard for MINI enthusiasts to do but we must trust BMW with the MINI. After all they (along with former Rover employees) are the ones that gave us the new MINI in the first place. </p>
<p>Off topic a bit but another word I've noticed that Americans have trouble with that Brits don't seem to wince at… “scheme”</p>
<p>When you have somthing to loose its easy to be worried about it . . And MINI owners have a great car that holds its value wonderfully . . . Thats a lot to loose.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.MINIDryvr.Textamerica.com</a>
-new pictures often.</p>
<p>Having read many scary stories about rattles, stumble, yo-yo, etc. prior to the arrival of my MCS in March I have to admit that I've been quite pleasantly surprised at the build quality of the car to this point. Now I just have to lose the runflats!</p>
<p>As the current owner of both, a 2002 Cooper CVT and a 2004 MCS, I find myself in complete agreement with your comments. While the '02 has been solid, the '04 is simply much better…is bank vault solid! Having both cars side to side, I have seen the “improvements” in very unsuspected areas of the car but those changes have made all the difference in the world. The windows in my '02 used to rattle when I opened both front doors (Fixed via an update TB fix), but in the '04 the doors open and close with a solid 'thunk' feel and the windows don't rattle in thier channels.</p>
<p>It is pretty cool to be able to own a first year sample and a second year production car back to back. I am actually proud to own both because they are both special in their very own ways.</p>
<p>I have been extremely impressed with my 2004. Everything (doors, controls, etc.) feels like it belongs on a more expensive car. Also, bumps seem to do nothing to disturb the structure of the car. It is controlled and quiet. We'll see how it wears in over time…</p>
<p>Regarding the revised heat shield, are dealers aware of this? I have the rattling even after a whole new set of shifter cables were installed and adjusted…</p>
<p>I also agree that the MINI is an excellently built “cheap” car, but I too wonder what will happen after too many Boston potholes. The car feels much looser now than it did when I picked it up 6 months ago. It's starting to rattle in places that my 3 year old VW still doesn't. Time will tell…</p>
<p>'Guess I need to get an '05 also to compare to my '03 then, huh?</p>
<p>Gee, this is my 4th Mini in 30+ years and I do not get real excited about mini-scule changes in year to year. I look at the overall car and its “fun” value to drive. All the little quirks make it endearing! Why drive a boring car with no soul?</p>
<p>We have a 2002 Cooper that was deliver the fourth day the dealership was open and it now has 34000 miles of Bay Area road wear. It has develop some rattles and creaks. We just bought a 2004 MCS and it is so solid, they almost don't feel like the same car. I do have the 17″s-lites with run flats on teh Cooper whereas the MCS has the 16″ standard rims. I think they provide a better ride with the MCS suspension. The S-Lites are too heavy for the Cooper. Amazing difference between the two cars. I love both.</p>
<p>Way off topic (and absolutely nothing personal), but this thread is a great illustration of an Internet grammatical epidemic that needs to end: loose vs. lose. I see this everywhere! Probably more than any single other error (aside from typical punctuation mistakes).</p>
<p>Incorrect: “I hate to loose money from depreciation.”</p>
<p>Correct: “I hate to lose money from depreciation.”</p>
<p>Correct: “I was sad to lose the new car feel. After 50,000 miles, everything is loose and rattles.”</p>
<p>I even see this one in respected news articles (do they even proof online news stories anymore?). Maybe we can stomp out this nasty little problem one post at a time. Starting here. ;)</p>
<p>I feel better now. This is a car that deserves good grammar after all. Carry on. :)</p>
<p>Don't forget the “it's” vs. “its” usage, too….it seems as if it's the most common one out there!</p>
<p>A big red pen for Chris. Or do you want red pin?</p>
<p>or how bout (insert air quotes) read pen or read pin?</p>
<p>Yep, it'sits, you'reyour, etc. are always trouble spots, but you see those everywhere, online and off. The loseloose thing I've only noticed online. I think it's something people actually pick up online.</p>
<p>Sid: I'll take the read pen. Oh, and it's 'bout, not bout. Unless you're having a bout of the flu. Or a bout of badgrammaritis. Heh. ;)</p>
<p>We're rolling now. Sorry, back to the Mini…</p>
<p>Oops, lost my symbols on my last post (it's-its, you're-your). Shouldn't have used HTML-related symbols…</p>
<p>P.S. I'm not insane and responding to my own posts. Chris post #1 and Chris post #2 = two different Chris's. But we'll both take a red pen. Oh, and how do you write the multiple of Chris? Was that right? Wow, I'm running at the mouth now. Sorry…</p>
<p>Chris – if you see anything in the articles let us know! Our red pen isn't as active as it should be sometimes :)</p>
<p>Am I right or this is a spelling lesson? C’mon ppl, talk about ur cars….anyways, not all of us r from us and not that English is our mother tongue
p.s. Have I made any mistakes? :p </p>
<p>Back to a subject, I have MCS '04 and I'm already jealous on the new entirior that I have seen on the cabrio. As well…LED back light, ql</p>
<p>right….us is USA :)</p>
<p>I finally ordered a 05 MSC last weekend. It's going to be my first Mini and my first new car. I'm very excited!! Motoringfile has helped me a lot make the right choices and picking of options.</p>
<p>What I like most about the new model are the added optiones like: fold-in exterior mirrors, auto-dim interior mirror, black headlining, light packages, MP3 CD-player, the new key etc.</p>
<p>I'm based in Germany and the car is expected for late August / early September. I'll let you know how the ride feels once it's here….</p>
<p>Thanks Philip – congrats on the MINI! </p>
<p>BTW I think that black headliner is going to be a very popular option.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>I read Motoring File daily. It is engagingly informative, aesthetically sophisticated, lots of fun and my favorite MINI site by a wide margin. Basically, it's very cool.</p>
<p>Your reply to Chis in this thread:</p>
<p>“Chris – if you see anything in the articles let us know! Our red pen isn't as active as it should be sometimes:)” </p>
<p>prompts me to make a small point, which I trust you will take as constructive criticism.
Motoring File is generally written to a high standard. However, I have to agree with Chris that “it's and “its” are often misused.</p>
<p>“It’s” is always and only the contraction of “it is”. The possessive form of “it, on the other hand, is always and only spelled “its”. To keep this straight for myself, I think of a sentence:</p>
<p>“It's (it is) time to take the dog for its (possessive) walk”.</p>
<p>A great little reference for this and all other points of usage is Strunk and White's witty “The Elements of Style”. It's a classic.</p>
<p>Thank you again for sharing so generously your infectious passion for all things MINI.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Stephan McKeown</p>
<p>Stephan – your right we certainly make our fair share of grammatical errors in the rush to get news out and you've pointed out one of the more frequent ones. </p>
<p>As a designer by trade I don't have as keen an eye as I sometimes should. Matt is often the one to point out mistakes to me a couple minutes after an article as been posted. Of course this is after I've proofed it myself (obviously with a varying degree of success).</p>
<p>If you or anyone else see anything, no matter how small, please feel welcome to let us know. You can do this via the email on this post or via the contact link at the top of every page.</p>
<p>thanks again,
gabe</p>
<p>Regarding spelling and grammar: I am not a native speaker of english myself, but when it comes to other boards in other languages, it is actually horrible with all the orthography there.</p>
<p>The MINI: I think, as I read the brochure text, the backlights will be “LED style”, rather than real LEDs. And Philip: the auto dim mirror has been there since the beginning of the (new) MINI…</p>
<p>I'm selling my '91 cherokee and looking to get a new car when I move to CA in the coming months. If I get the job I want, I'm looking at an hour's commute each way along the ocean. Right now the Mini Cooper S (MCS?) is at the top of my list, why not make the commute enjoyable?</p>
<p>My question to you experts/ owners is what options should I get, and how should I go about ordering my car? Do I have to wait for a 2005 at this point? Should I wait? Can dealers exchange inventory? Anyone with an opinion or relevant advice, I could use some input. </p>
<p>Armed with your replies, I will contact a dealer out there. Thanks.</p>
<p>The factory switches over to the 2005 model in two weeks so if you order now that's what you'll get. If you find a car on the lot now however, it will be a 2004. </p>
<p>Based on feedback I've heard I'd recommend ordering your MINI (if you go that route) before you move to California as tyhe wait there seems extra long. For instance Chicago has three dealers with no waiting and all selling at MSRP or lower for cars on the lot.</p>