Hi Everyone,
Great website you guys have here and I have learned a lot. I have a question for you and I'm not sure it should be in this forum but I will ask anyway. Please feel free to move this thread to another forum if needed.

I am just about to buy my first Mini. I am looking between a 2004 cooper with 8,900 miles or a 2005 copper with 18,000 miles. I know both have the warranty still in effect but I was wondering if there is a difference in the warranty from the 2004 model to the 2005 model?

Also any other opinions would be great. Other than the mile and year difference the cars look the same and have the same features and cost about the same.

Thanks for any help!

 

The warrantys are both 4years/50,000. Are we talking MINI Coopers or Mini Coopers S?

 

Thanks for your reply. We are talking just the Cooper model, not the S

 

Hmm well i don't know much about the 05/06 Coopers, But heres what i do know, the clock is in a different place. The highlights are alittle different. Sorry i can't be of more help.

 

If these two MCs are as similar as you say they are, vestanpance, I would go with the newer of the two. 18K miles is still not a lot for a car that is essentially two years old. I'd prefer the later model because it would likely have fewer glitches than the 3-year old model.

Anyway... welcome to the board and when you do make a decision and take the leap to the MINI world, give us some pics and specs !!

 

I agree, I would go with the '05.

BUT, pick the one you like That's the most important thing!

 

Thanks for all your help! It's really needed. Now the real debate, one is pepper white and one is Silver

 

Silver. But it really comes down to which color you like more.

 

Well that's no debate! PW!

Of course...I may be a little biased...

 

Um, PW would be the obvious choice!
Seriously, go for the '05.
Annette

 

Going to test drive the 05 in 30 mins. Wish me luck.

 

Hope you are able to join the club soon! I'd go for the 05 regardless of the color (unless I didn't like the color at all but PW and silver are both fairly neutral colors)

 

Looking forward to hearing about the test drive (and purchase hopefully)...and to echo sentiments previously expressed, Pepper White is, of course, the obvious choice for color!

 

Sorry that the previous advise was incorrect. As everyone knows, silver is the only choice.

Seriously, either car should be great. You didn't mention price. If they were priced the same, I would personally go with the '05. If the "04 were much cheaper (more than $2K) that's what I would go with.

 

Ditto on the '05, only b/c it's a year newer (possibly). I have an '04 and a friend of mine has an '03, but they are only a few months apart on the build date.

The warranty is based on the in-service date (I believe) and don't forget, you get 3 years/36,000 mile free maintenance on either one of them.

Good luck on your decision, either way, you'll love the car.

PS - please don't listen to the PW (Pepper White) crowd... everyone knows Chili Red (CR) Coopers are the fastest!!!

 

So I did my test drive of the PW one yesterday. What a fun car to drive! I like it a lot. I did find out that the PW (05) has vinyl seats and the silver one (04) has leather seats. I'm not sure how much a difference that will make, but I am going to drive the silver one this weekend since it is not in my hometown. great fun cars!

 

Chili Red also has the lowest drag resistance...

 

The only difference in the seats is that the leather has adjustable lumbar supports while the cloth do not. If U have a sketchy lower back, go for the leather.

 

You're hooked. Of course, we all knew you would be.

Leatherette isn't a bad material for the interior. Not as soft as the real stuff, but close enough, IMO. Easy to take care of also and probably wears a little better than leather. I've had several cars with nice leather and they've all shown signs of wear when they were about four years old. Matter of personal preference, of course.

Good luck with the silver MINI. I'm sure you'll love it just as much, maybe more.

Keep us updated on your decision process !

 

My back is fine so that should not be a problem. They both have heated seats which is very nice because I live in the midwest where it snows

 

Ohhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh ... I'll never buy another car without heated seats. They're number one on my list of "must have" luxury options! Must be getting old.

 

Vestanpance,

Good luck. Whatever you choose will be right for you. If you can't make up your mind, buy them both.

Also keep in mind, if you are like many of us, you will be making your own changes (mods). This is something that we do, can't explain.

On another note, my MCS has leather seats and this is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. I live north of San Francisco and driving to Las Vegas (AMVIV) is a piece of cake. 9 hours and I am still comfortable.

By the way, JET BLACK is truely the fastest and BEST color.

Cheers and keep the rubber side down.

 

So this is the big weekend. I think I may buy my mini I am leaning towards the PW 05 model. Now it has some small paint scrtaches (one on the hood about a 1/4 of an inch long, and one on the back passenger side panel that looks like a rock hit it). how hard or what is the best way to remedy these? Not that they would hold me back, but when you get a new car (well new to me) you want it perfect you know?

Thanks again

 

Vestan... Sorry to go off-topic, but your screen name indicates you are familiar with Dr. Nightmare and the incredible PWEI*... I'm a PWEI-ophile from the old days. Congrats on your decision to get MINI-fied!

Admittedly weak attempt to get back on-topic: MINIs and the Poppies are both fine examples of Brit-cultural exports. Once you get yer new MINI, I recommend a Poppies playlist including at least the following tunes: Karmadrome, X Y & Zee, and Def Con One.

_Dave_

* for the unenlightened masses: PWEI = Pop WILL Eat Itself (Unspoilt By Progress), a unique and important UK musical group active during the late 80's and early 90's... Big in Europe, but not so much in the US. They opened for Nine Inch Nails during the Downward Spiral tour in the US, whil e NIN opened for them everywhere else! They disbanded shortly afterward, and have recently re-formed as VileEvils.

 

Ahh you found me out. Your talking to the USA Board Mod for pweination (i know I know so famous ) Yes PWEI is the best band ever and yes there will be a lot of them played in whatever Mini I go with. I was thinking about doing a custom PWEI graphic for the roof if there is anywhere in Ohio that makes and installs them. Me and the boys are good friends so I'll tell them they have another fan in the states (not many of us)

now about how to fix those paint chips?............