For those wanting to see more “real world photos”, here's a good comparison of the 2004 Cooper versus the 2005 Cooper. Both cars are identically equipped except for xenons in the '04.
<p>My biggest complaint is that the front 3/4 view on the 2005 looks a bit awkward with 15″ wheels. Especially in lighter colors where the black trim on the corner is most visable.</p>
<p>A agree with the comments above. I have a 2004 without chrome and the space for the front plate bugs also. I don't put the US plate on the front and the spot for a euro plate screems to be filled. The 2005 doesn't seem to have the same issue.</p>
<p>I'm sure I must have missed this but do all Coopers now come with all chrome grill slats? Or is that just the chrome package I have heard about?</p>
<p>I prefer almost everything about the 2004, especially with chrome. The black trim doesn't flow smoothly on the 2005. I love the center crystal-white reverse light on my 2004, not the black blanking-plate or red fog on the 2005. </p>
<p>The best thing about the 2005 is the smooth grill surround. But the 2004 wins easily in my judgement.</p>
<p>I am not sure which I like better, but I bet once my '05 gets here in a couple of weeks it will be the 'o5 look and feel! (hehe, kinda think once you have your own, you like its look better)</p>
<p>RB – yes the chrome is standard on the Cooper. They went with more body color on the MCS to make it look a bit more sporty. Glad to see the chrome is now an option for the MCS.</p>
<p>yeah i dislike too some stuff about the 05 mcs, but what about the 170hp, definitely makes the difference, if you arent making the JCW, then you have a faster car, not to mention you have more storage space in it like the one under the stereo and the real cool one under de hand brake, and on the other side, both the front and the rear lights the ones equiped with xenon looks greater to me, the 3 part fascia instead of the 04 5 part goes great with me, just new interior design, so if someone takes a look they say , Hey, theres something different in this one than the others ive looked, this is the newer one!, not to mention youll beat all of the 04´s by the 7 extra HP, im definitly on the Mexican waiting list so i can get the first 05 in my country!! i could buy the 04 now but definitly going to wait 2 more months to get the 05!</p>
<p>7 hp really isn't very much more power. The real difference will be in the delivery of the power with the gear box ratio change. That's where the 05' is likely to shine. And the optional LSD too. Interior/exterior changes are very subtle. I could go either way on it except for the headlights. I don't like the laser gun look of it.</p>
<p>The cars are shipped with anything that could fall off stored inside the cars. (Plus the towing connections are used as tie-downs) Your local MINI technician then installs those parts during the Pre-Delivery Inspection.</p>
<p>The 2005 without exterior chrome looks better than the 2004 without chrome. With chrome, however, I think the 2004 is a better design.</p>
<p>My biggest complaint is that the front 3/4 view on the 2005 looks a bit awkward with 15″ wheels. Especially in lighter colors where the black trim on the corner is most visable.</p>
<p>Both like nice but I think I like the look of the 2004 better (with chrome as Matt said). Especially the rear bumper design.</p>
<p>What radical design changes! What a gross departure on MINI's part! No matter people are so opinionated over the facelift!</p>
<p><em>squint</em> <em>squint</em> I can barely tell the difference.</p>
<p>Cool. Though it isn't “real world,” I posted some comparison pictures to this thread:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25312" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25312</a></p>
<p>A agree with the comments above. I have a 2004 without chrome and the space for the front plate bugs also. I don't put the US plate on the front and the spot for a euro plate screems to be filled. The 2005 doesn't seem to have the same issue.</p>
<p>On my '02 MCS I like the smooth bumper look, but on the Cooper I like that kinda retro look better than the newer look.</p>
<p>LIKE: old grill, either headlight, new armrest, new key, old bumpers on Cooper, old tail lights, old steering wheel, new dash.</p>
<p>But really, all are nice!</p>
<p>Maybe if one didn't “Squint” one could see the diff…RB</p>
<p>I'm sure I must have missed this but do all Coopers now come with all chrome grill slats? Or is that just the chrome package I have heard about?</p>
<p>…RB</p>
<p>I like the front of the '05 and the rear of the '04. Time for a little Dr Frankenstien!</p>
<p>Any one have a similair comp. w/ MCS??</p>
<p>I prefer almost everything about the 2004, especially with chrome. The black trim doesn't flow smoothly on the 2005. I love the center crystal-white reverse light on my 2004, not the black blanking-plate or red fog on the 2005. </p>
<p>The best thing about the 2005 is the smooth grill surround. But the 2004 wins easily in my judgement.</p>
<p>I am not sure which I like better, but I bet once my '05 gets here in a couple of weeks it will be the 'o5 look and feel! (hehe, kinda think once you have your own, you like its look better)</p>
<p>RB – yes the chrome is standard on the Cooper. They went with more body color on the MCS to make it look a bit more sporty. Glad to see the chrome is now an option for the MCS.</p>
<p>I kinda have a love/hate thing with chrome. I like it on the Cooper don't on the MCS…but as in all things it's a personal affliction. </p>
<p>Just think their should be lots of choices, it makes it mo fun.</p>
<p>Just hope it doesn't get too Super Beatle-ish when I'm ready for my next MINI…RB</p>
<p>I definitely prefer the 04. To me it is just more in tune with the spirit of the classic.</p>
<p>yeah i dislike too some stuff about the 05 mcs, but what about the 170hp, definitely makes the difference, if you arent making the JCW, then you have a faster car, not to mention you have more storage space in it like the one under the stereo and the real cool one under de hand brake, and on the other side, both the front and the rear lights the ones equiped with xenon looks greater to me, the 3 part fascia instead of the 04 5 part goes great with me, just new interior design, so if someone takes a look they say , Hey, theres something different in this one than the others ive looked, this is the newer one!, not to mention youll beat all of the 04´s by the 7 extra HP, im definitly on the Mexican waiting list so i can get the first 05 in my country!! i could buy the 04 now but definitly going to wait 2 more months to get the 05!</p>
<p>Is there no cover on the '05 rear bumper's towwing connection? Several of the pictures I've seen have the hole exposed.</p>
<p>7 hp really isn't very much more power. The real difference will be in the delivery of the power with the gear box ratio change. That's where the 05' is likely to shine. And the optional LSD too. Interior/exterior changes are very subtle. I could go either way on it except for the headlights. I don't like the laser gun look of it.</p>
<p>Jason – </p>
<p>The cars are shipped with anything that could fall off stored inside the cars. (Plus the towing connections are used as tie-downs) Your local MINI technician then installs those parts during the Pre-Delivery Inspection.</p>
<p>Does it still have the same width, or the only size change was the rear view mirrors?</p>