1st Gen | R52 Convertible MF Feature Official News R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)
Before everyone gets too excited about the headline, this should be old news to most MotoringFile readers. We reported almost three months ago about the base price changes for US cars wholesaled to dealers from 1/05 on. And we've also reported on the spec changes (including a new option package) this past summer.
However, this MINIUSA press release is at the very least, a nice recap for those that might have missed the news the first time around. (From MINIUSA PR):
MINI USA announces a price adjustment effective for models wholesaled to dealers from January 1, 2005 onward. The base MSRP for the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible increases by $501. The MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Convertible base MSRP both increase by $500. With new product enhancements for the 2005 models, MINI continues to offer customers a compelling price/value combination and premium positioning.
New enhancements available for January, 2005 models onward include; a new 17″ Web-Spoke alloy wheel and performance run-flat tire package. The package is a $1,100 stand-alone option on the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Convertible, or is a $500 upgrade when the sport package chosen on the S models.
A number of new convenience items are available, including an auto dimming interior rear view mirror for $200 and rain sensing front windshield wipers with automatic on/off headlights – also for $200. These features are also packaged together with the universal garage door opener – which also remains an independent option for $200 – to create a new convenience package, available for $400.
Please refer price sheets (below) for additional changes and the latest 2005 pricing and option packages effective January 1, 2005.
<p>I have been noticing a lot of ads on Television for cars lately, where they advertise “Starting at $13,995” in big letters, and way down at the bottom of the screen in tiny letters it says “As shown $27,500.”</p>
<p>It is not the least bit unusual for options to be more than 50% of the total cost. I fear that Mini is headed in this direction. Pretty soon door handles on the inside will be a $200 option. Well, I guess my resale value just went up another notch.</p>
<p>Wow, I'm glad I saw this. Ordered my 2005 MCS last weekend, but wasn't thrilled with the S-Lites that come with the Sport Package.</p>
<p>I just called the dealer and upgraded to 17″ web-spoke option.</p>
<p>Brewer,</p>
<p>I did the same thing when I found out about this option. The web-spokes are definately better looking than the S-lites IMHO. Plus they are lighter.</p>
<p>I had a heck of a time getting them on my order at this price though. It was one of those times when the informed mini consumer knew information that the MA didn't, and it took him a long time to find out about it / or find his memo on it. He originally told me that they were going to be an extra $1200. At $500 they are a bargain.</p>
<p>They look harder to clean though.</p>
<p>Yo, don't be dissin the s-lites, y'all. They are a fabulous design and will inevitably come out the other end of the tunnel of automotive history as the quintessential wheel for the first generation new MINI. The uninspired, derivative Web spokes, on the other hand, will quickly fade into obscurity.</p>
<p>Can I retrofit this? </p>
<p>(sorry RB, one step too far I know)</p>
<p>Amazing how a $21K base MCS can easily surpass the $30K mark. Great to offer customers the options, though. While I like the S-Lites, I applaud MINI with the release of the new wheel package. I selected them on my 2005 MCS mostly because of the weight savings (22.3lb vs. 25.1lb – as I saw on mini2.com)</p>
<p>MrV,</p>
<p>Do you know specifics on the weight? My MA knew about the option and the pricing, but didn't know how much difference there is between their weights.</p>
<p>I've been looking for weight details ever since Gabe first posted the news on MotoringFile (greatest info/blog on earth!). The only definitive information I found was at <a href="http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faq</a><em>wheels</em>tyres. There's a lot of detail there, so I took it as truth and ordered the Web-Spokes. My MA said they were definitely lighter, but he had not formally seen them yet.</p>
<p>I've heard that they are 22.3lbs. Looking at the MINI2 seems to verify that (not sure where they got their info but it's typically correct). </p>
<p>Not a lightweight wheel by aftermarket definitions but just barely heavier than the lightest 17″ wheel – the 21.9 pound R99.</p>
<p>Oh and they look spectacular :)</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>I thought the lightest 17″ MINI wheels were the R91 5-spoke Bullet which way only 20.6 lbs each???</p>
<p>Oops! Thats “weigh” and not “way”. D'oh!</p>
<p>Surpass $30k? Hell you can surpass 50k if you want.</p>
<p>“While I like the S-Lites, I applaud MINI with the release of the new wheel package. I selected them on my 2005 MCS mostly because of the weight savings (22.3lb vs. 25.1lb – as I saw on mini2.com)”</p>
<p>Yes, let's all applaud Mini for releasing an imperceptibly lighter wheel that is significantly less attractive. Bravo! I'm sure you'll notice a dramatic difference in driving dynamics, greg.</p>
<p>Mike – yeah you're right. Totally forgot about those.</p>
<p>'bout time they offered a set of lightweight forged OEM wheels e.g. 16″s at ~11 lbs and 17″s at ~15 lbs (like the forged offerings from BBS and Volk). Since this is one of the first “ugrades” people generally make, MINI are missing a big opportunity here.</p>
<p>At what point is a vehicle wholesaled to the dealer? My Mini was ordered 10/8; built 12/3 and now sits at the dock for 12/16 shipping. Will I be affected?</p>
<p>fairmont, probably not! Keep your fingers crossed.</p>
<p>I read that the higher price affects cars built in 2005, not delivered in 2005 so you should be okay. My car is being delivered in January (production date 12/18)and I wasn't charged the higher price, and my MA told me it wouldn't affect my order.</p>
<p>Actually it does effect cars delivered in 2005. Any car wholesaled to dealers – meaning all cars on dealer lots at 1/1/05 – will have the price increase.</p>
<p>Now some dealers have have eaten that increase for a couple unfortunate customers but I would expect most to pass it on.</p>
<p>'Imperceptibly lighter'?<br />
Nearly 2 lbs is significant when the mass is unsprung, and especially when it's a wheel as rotational inertia is also a factor.</p>
<p>Don't forget: Porsche went to hollow spokes for a similar weight savings, BMW, Audi et al use Aluminium in their suspensions for the same reason. I'm using rotors ~ 2lbs lighter than stock and the change was night and day – more traction when braking or cornering on rough pavement and the ride is smoother to boot – as if the dampers are new.</p>
<p>I applaud MINI for finally doing something about the issue; had written them about 2.5 years ago to beg they do something as many people's impressions of the Cooper are marred by the combination of the DSSTs and the 17″s absurdly high ratio of unsprung:sprung mass. </p>
<p>anyone who's driven the 16s and 17s can tell you the extra weight takes away far more than the extra section width gives back (and that's despite the less agressive tire designs offered in the 16″ size.</p>
<p>I took delivery on Nov 20th. Wonderful car. When I ordered the car I had the price of the car on my order. You should know at the time you <em>placed the deposit down</em> how much the car was going to cost (with the exception of dealer installed options decided on later). There shouldn't be an increase of $500 at time of delivery just because it's after the 1st of Jan! You ordered before 1/05 and especially if the car was manufactured before 1/05 you pay the pre- 1/05 price! Make sense?</p>
<p>Oh, and I forgot to mention, I have S-Lites, but just “won” a set of the R91 bullets from an Ebay auction. Hendrix Mini got them off a convertible, never used. Apparently somebody wanted custom wheels on their new convertible, and I get a set of lighter wheels that you normally can't get on a hardtop. Win-Win! Now what sort of tires…Hmmmmm</p>