Hello Mini people,

I have a fully loaded 2003 Mini. I was thinking of trading Mini in for an Acura but after going there...well, once a Mini owner, always a Mini owner. It seems all cars have their share of problems, but hands down, I get more for my money with a Mini.

So I have a few questions:

What has truly improved with the newer models. I know everyone says they improve things but no details. Is the plastic better, The sound system, the window motors? Relability, and if so why? I have search but all I see is "2005 and up is a better build."

Are dealerships giving good trade in's for them? I ask because I see 2003 Mini Cooper's (standard) from 16,000 up to 21,000 Used.

What I'm hoping is to get into almost the exact car with but new - as long as the imprvoments are worth it.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Hey ToekneeC67, any thing is possible as long as you find the right MINI dealer. I traded in my 2002 MCS for 2005 and I think I got really good deal. They paid off my 02 and I didn't have to put any money down for the 05. Lower interests, lower payment and they remove my sway bar, CD changer, wheels and put it in my 05 for free.

 

ToeKnee67, if you're referring to the Cooper, the new cars have a new 5-speed tranny that seems to be far more reliable so far. The MCS has the same tranny, but improved gear ratios so that it's peppier off the line.

The door panels are marginally better, curving out so that it's easier to top load them. The design is still stupid and impractical, though.

The backs of the seats are of a higher-quality material that doesn't scratch as easily.

Most of the other changes are in a negative direction, in my opinion, but the benefit of the new 5-speed outweighed them for me.

 

Well, going to an 05 MCS after spending lots of time in an 03 I can say there are are a variety of things I appreciate, many cosmetic and subjective - little things like the lighting in the handles and puddle lights (under door that light up street), the new Xenon low beams are much improved over the prior ones (really do a better job), I prefer the black headliner, love the how the chromeline interior picks up on the interior 'waterfall' lighting, i like that i have the option to add/use the bluetooth via the MFSW, the rear fog has been very useful, and I appreciate having the advanced airbags that will turn them off in the event I have a child or dog buckled in the front seat. You also get a low windshield washer fluid light in the new 05s which may not mean much to you but was added after many complained about running out of fluid with no warning.

I feel that reliability and such is probably pretty much the same and seems to vary by car more then by year, so IMHO its largely the luck of the draw.

 

what has improved?


not the ECU, that's for sure....

 

Program!

Not the ECU itself.

v32 was the most awesome they ever came up with in my book and if they were smart they would rerelease it under a new number.

As far as the new MINIs go, I'd say the LSD is the only thing I'd change on my next MINI.

 

Wow, those are some good items (I like the low windshield fluid thing, and we are thinking of having a kid next year..so the air bag can be a big one.)

I do know the ECU software is always an issue but seems more of an issue with the MCS?

 

you know what i meant.

 

I looked at an 05 during a recent trip to the dealer and I must say that the chrome package looks great.

Sndwave, maybe you need to start something to get MINIUSA's attention. It's worked so far on cupholders, washer fluid warning and other things people disliked about the MINI enough that it has been changed to fit their needs.

Here's you something catchy. I'll join the list.

 

I went from an 03 MCS to 05 MCS as well. Overall I think the 05 is a better car. It seems tighter than my 03. I dunno if you're going MC or MCS, but the gearing on the 05 MCS makes the car as quick off the line as my 03 with 17% pulley. The available LSD will also improve traction, and make the MINI much more snow friendly. I like the extra led lighting in the door handles and the ones that shind down on the center console. They also added lights under each door panel so you can see whats on the ground when you step out at night. The xenons, although i like the old style better, seem brighter than before. The new 3 spoke steering wheel is a matter of taste. I happen to like it. The only thing I don't like is the fact that the clock is now in the speedo, but I do like the new map lights in its place.

 

Oh yeah, one other little item - I don't think the 03s had a lock on the glove box

 

The revised gear ratios and the limited slip differential are the best improvements for the 05 MCS models.

The self recharging key transmitter is a neat gee-whiz feature too.

I know that there are fans of the "old tail lights", but two backup lights are brighter than one!

Rawhyde

 

That is correct...no lock on my 03's glovebox....I believe that was new for 05? One other thing that is so odd....the 02s had a 12-volt outlet in the boot, they discontinued that for 03, then put it back in for 04...LOL! Go figure!


Clover

 

Having owned a '02, '04 and '05 MINI I can tell you that these cars got substantially better at the beginning of the 2004 model year. I had a '04 MCS which I drove for 17K miles without a single problem. My '05 is almost 5 months old and not a single issue after 3,300 miles


The great majority of improvements these cars have experienced throught the years are in places that are not even accessible to the naked eye. we can discuss all the changes that have taken place in detail but that doesn't really matter as much as the overall quality feel provided by the "sum of its parts".

Go and test drive a new '05 MC or MCS and you'll immediately feel the difference from an early build '02-'03 MINI. Is like a car made by a total different manufacturer!