Recently we've had a few emails asking what exactly is being phased in for January 1st, 2005 for the US market. While this info has been posted several times prior I thought it might be a good idea to put it all in one place. So here's the list we've compiled that should have everything that will be available. Please keep in mind that this info is directly from MINIUSA documents so if something changes it's their fault not ours 🙂
- Limited Slip Differential for the Cooper S (option# 2TA)
- MINI Cooper S Automatic Transmission (option# 205) which comes with “Paddles” (option# 202)
- Auto Dimming Rear View MIrror (option# 431)
- Center Arm Rest – official MINI design (option# 473)
- Rain Sensor and Auto Headlights (option# 521) the current rain sensor & auto dimming mirror option will be phased out when this new option is phased in.
Also making it's debut January 1st (and available on all US MINIs) will be the “Convenience” package. It will consist of the following
- Universal Garage Door Opener (individual option# 319)
- Auto Dimming Rear View MIrror (individual option# 431)
- Rain Sensor and Auto Headlights (individual option# 521)
You can see the entire line-up for the 2005 MINIUSA options and packages below:
[2005 Individual Options]
[2005 Package Pricing]
Note that pricing has yet to be announced.
<p>Are there any pictures of the new MINI designed center armrest?</p>
<p>No pics yet.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Paddles and the LSD would have been great indeed. Ah, but alas, I've ordered my car already. </p>
<p>Can the LSD be installed after-purchase, like the S-Works?</p>
<p>Paddles and the LSD would have been great indeed. Ah, but alas, I've ordered my car already. </p>
<p>Can the LSD be installed after-purchase, like the S-Works?</p>
<p>I'm sure the LSD can be installed after purchase. Just like any other LSD.</p>
<p>It wouldn't be pretty though… typically options installed after purchase tend to be very pricey.</p>
<p>Post delivery LSD install? That would hurt your wallet significantly. It's probably about 6 hours worth of work to pull the gearbox so the LSD can be installed – based on what I have seen for the Quaife and Phantom LSD's. Figure an average of $100/hr labor plus whatever the LSD itself will run… Ouch.</p>
<p>I'd love one myself though…</p>
<p>Any specs on the MCS auto trans yet (i.e., 5-speed vs. 6-speed, etc)?</p>
<p>Here's info posted a few weeks back: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin_to_supply_mcs_auto_transmission"><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin</a><em>to</em>supply<em>mcs</em>auto_transmission</a></p>
<p>As always – try using the search when possible. Our archives are enormous and most likely will have what you're looking for.</p>
<p>Has anybody heard anything else about the frosted white sunroof?</p>
<p>Is the Auto-Dimming mirror a retrofitable option for previous minis?</p>
<p>Any word on JCW Options Gabe?
Brakes, Suspension, Etc…</p>
<p>Ditto CHRIS!</p>
<p>JCW Suspension Kit</p>
<p>plus info on the “US$500” upgraded JCW kit making it JCWv2 with ~220 HP?</p>
<p>Is this info suppose to become available in Sept. 2004 for sure? or is it like this stuff above and a Jan. 1, 2005 thing? More info sooner would be nice since I've got money burning a hole in my pocket … either going into my MCS or getting me a Yamaha 2004 R1 8)</p>
<p>Seize the moment!</p>
<p>Cheerios!</p>
<p>“plus info on the “US$500″ upgraded JCW kit making it JCWv2 with ~220 HP?”</p>
<p>Actually that'll most likely be 210 and not 220. But yes it is coming. I'd expect news on that in the next month or two.</p>
<p>Regarding the suspension, brakes, etc – look for a full catalogue (actually available at dealers in the states no less) by late fall.</p>
<p>Okay, clearly I am not knowledgeable enough about all that cars (in general) can do. So sorry for sounding dumb… But, what exactly does LSD do to a car and why would someone want it? What is the down side of my '05 MCS (arriving in Jersey around the 10th, then on its way to Chicago) not having LSD? Just curious. Thanks! :o)</p>
<p>G.</p>
<p>LSD will re-allocate torque from
one driveshaft to the other — away from a slipping or spinning wheel.
It offers much better performance than traction control,
esp accellerating out of
corners.</p>
<p>Any idea on what type of LSD MINI will
be using ? Torsen ?</p>
<p>any word if the garage door opener will be retro-fittable? (to an '03)</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>First, I would assume that it wouldn't matter if the LSD was available as a retro item. The cost of the item as well as the labor would be very significant. I expect that the cost would be in the $500-$600 range as an option. Just to install one is near $1000. There are many high quality options now, so you can get one now instead of the retro. The difference in price on the item is very small compared to the labor.</p>
<p>I am confused by two of the options Gabe. What is different about the Auto-Dimming mirror compared to the one on my '03. What is different with the rain sensing wipers than those on my '03?</p>
<p>The difference is the two options are now seperate whereas before they were a packaged, all-or-nothing deal.</p>
<p>Automatic CANNOT be ordered with the LSD
So its one or the other…</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Have you heard anything about a frosted white sunroof exterior? I've read rumors about it, and I know you can cover the sunroof with an aftermarket white decal, but it would be oh so sweet to be able to get a white roof/white sunroof from the factory…</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p>cct1 – no news on the frosted sunroof other than what was widely reported a few months ago.</p>
<p>I've also heard that there will be an available option to get a flag decal with the sunroof, where the flag would be semi-transparent, etc. Wonder if that will actually happen or not?</p>
<p>…thanks again,Gabe for the information. Man,I hate that I will have no choice but to wait until sometime in Jan. '05 to get a second MINI. Man,…life sucks…</p>
<p>Geez, I just gave up my October slot in order to get an automatic S Cabrio with LSD in January/February. Why can't you have limited slip differential with an automatic?</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe–I'm still hoping it will show up for the 1/05 specs, but I'm getting less and less optimistic.</p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the new paddleshift option for the Cooper S….Is it going to be just another boring auto?</p>
<p>Yes it will be a typical auto. There's further info on MotoringFile – I'd recommend doing a search. Here's one article:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin_to_supply_mcs_auto_transmission"><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/07/12/aisin</a><em>to</em>supply<em>mcs</em>auto_transmission</a></p>