Paul over at MINI2 has posted some additional changes for the '04 model year that weren't on the original bulletin I first received on the 15th of July. Many of these I had heard rumors of before but never had been able to get them confirmed:

  • New key on all MINIs (not confirmed for '04)
  • Cooper not coming with leather wheel as standard (11/03, for USA) (not confirmed)
  • MP3 Compatible CD Player (not confirmed)
  • Harmon Kardon loses Radio/Cassette.
  • Indicators flash once when MINI unlocked, twice when locked.
  • Doors relock after 2 minutes if not physically opened before that time.
  • Shark Fin Antenna standard (from Andy) (not confirmed)

I had heard talk of replacing the key as far back as before the introduction of the MINI in the US in March of 02 so it will be interesting to see what they finally come up with and when they bring it out. I would imagine it might look a little more like the current BMW key.

The MP3 compatible CD player simply makes a lot of sense in this day in age as well as the loss of the cassette player for the HK option. Both these changes seem like no brainers to me.

Again these changes haven't been officially confirmed but Paul's track record with info like this is pretty good.