OK i was just at the Mini dealership test driving a 05 MCS, and i notice they changed the taillights on the 05. They now have red turn signals and tiny little reverse lights on each side. What is up with that? Now this may seem strange but i notice details like this and i prefer the 02-04 style taillights, with the amber turnsignals and the reverse light in the bottom where the "rear fog light" is on the 05. Anyone have any input on this? Is there a way to retro fit the 02-04 taillight setup to a 05? I mean i dont think something small would keep me from buying a 05 but WTF? It looked so much more like a British car with amber turn signals and the little single reverse light at bottom. Am i stupid for being such a pain about such a small detail? Discuss.

 

No, you're not stupid. Details matter. Unfortunately, my guess is that many more such quirky details on the first gen new Mini will disappear over time. The one that will really kill me when it goes...? The bonnet latch location under the passenger side of the dash. I freaking love that.

 

I remember hearing something about why the reverse light had to be moved. Something about keeping it at the "same height" as the rest of the lights. Can't say for certain, but I believe there are regulations concerning this.

 

The changed rear lights were to accomdate laws in some states concerning the back up lights. It been rather extensively discussed @ Motoring File.

You can bet the passenger latch will disppear. Most reports on the second genreation mini state that the hood will be a conventiaonal design. The change is to accomodate cost savings as the current hood is one of the most complex shapes and largest panels in automotive manufacturing, and to accomodate incoming European laws on minimum hood heights. The passenger latch accomodates a second latch on the "large" clamshell mini hood. A conventional hood would presumabley only have a center latch as on most cars.

Personally I think the 04 mini will be the future classic as its the most reliable year of the first batch. 05 is the start of the trend we will see to 07 when the next gerenation is introduced. Loss of the supercharger (even for a turbo) and loss of the S hood scoop are the bits I'll regret seeing pass into history.

Mind you that AWD gretag is pretty cool evolution!

 

Can someone tell me (or direct me to a list of) what's been changed from 04 to 05? I know there are a few extra hp and ft-lbs, the steering wheel got an extra spoke and there are some changes to the interior dash panels and cockpit lighting. All this seems really, really minor to me.

What else has been changed? (I haven't had a chance to look at the two side-by-side.) All I see is on the outside is the change to the taillights/foglights and the kind of silly/cool thing they did with the Xenons.

I mean, there have been changes all along, right? I know they changed the exhaust hangers in 04. Maybe 04 was the "start of the trend..."?

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/02/..._mini_revealed and many other articles on Motoring file and in mini@ and NAM

Previous to 05 I'd say the changes were to address teething problems- like the coolant bottle and windscreen. O5 seems to start the cosemetic changes - lights and also the first mechanical changes with the gear box on the MC, and the changed engine tuning on the MCS. Still the same car but bigger changes than the previous ones.

Plus mine's a Feb /04 MCS and is almost perfect

 

Well i dont mind as much the reverse lights in there new position but i want my amber turnsignals back!

 

If you get an 05 I will take you taillights and give you my 04s for them. :D


Alex

 

Is it possible to switch them? I mean having the reverse lights in them and all. That is the only problem i can see between the two as far as swaping. I would have to move mine down to the bumper and you would have to move yours up to the taillights

 

You'll have to do some fancy wiring.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/...t_retrofit_kit

Courtesy of Gabe at motoringfile.com...