R50/53 My 2002 Vs. My 2004
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: S.F. Bay Area
My 2002 Vs. My 2004
Cheers comrades,
I rarely post here but visit regularly.
I thought I'd share the following opinions for your pleasure (or debate for some of you!) in relation to my 2002 MINI Cooper I sold on 27 December in favour of a 2004 MINI Cooper with only 11Kmi.;
In one word - BRAVO - I am amazed how much (BMW) improved the build quality within a 2yr window.
My '02 had only 44Kmi when I sold it. It gave me absolutely no problems. Yes, there were the myriad of minor recall & SIM issues to be corrected. However beyond that it never left me disappointed... EXCEPT with some build quality issues. In one word - RATTLES - the car simply felt "used" when you drove it after the first 18 months. I did have the sports packages & suspension but Good Lord! I drive like an old lady - there is no reason the doors, sun roof, dash, seats, windows, etc. should be rattling so...
Yes I did have the SIM for the center dash rattle fixed.... FOUR TIMES! But it was never really "silent" - or new rattles emerged in its place.
My "new" '04 does not have the sports packages or the sun roof or the auto climate control. In one word - BRILLIANT. I think the solid roof makes a massive difference with road noise & rattles. The stock suspension is sufficient for me and the ride is much better (Side note: IMO the car handles virtually as good). The dial A/C controls (IMO) are quieter, feel more "sturdy" and I actually feel distributes air much more efficiently.
Options on my '04 that were absent on my '02 are; GPS & Cold Weather Pkg. I find the MINI GPS very accurate albeit not as detailed as my E60's GPS. The heated seats ignite my *** in record time and I think the rain-sensing wipers are as good (maybe better) than the E60's!
Anyhoo, my 2-cents to throw in the mix!
Alright then, carry on!
Cheers for now!
I rarely post here but visit regularly.
I thought I'd share the following opinions for your pleasure (or debate for some of you!) in relation to my 2002 MINI Cooper I sold on 27 December in favour of a 2004 MINI Cooper with only 11Kmi.;
In one word - BRAVO - I am amazed how much (BMW) improved the build quality within a 2yr window.
My '02 had only 44Kmi when I sold it. It gave me absolutely no problems. Yes, there were the myriad of minor recall & SIM issues to be corrected. However beyond that it never left me disappointed... EXCEPT with some build quality issues. In one word - RATTLES - the car simply felt "used" when you drove it after the first 18 months. I did have the sports packages & suspension but Good Lord! I drive like an old lady - there is no reason the doors, sun roof, dash, seats, windows, etc. should be rattling so...
Yes I did have the SIM for the center dash rattle fixed.... FOUR TIMES! But it was never really "silent" - or new rattles emerged in its place.
My "new" '04 does not have the sports packages or the sun roof or the auto climate control. In one word - BRILLIANT. I think the solid roof makes a massive difference with road noise & rattles. The stock suspension is sufficient for me and the ride is much better (Side note: IMO the car handles virtually as good). The dial A/C controls (IMO) are quieter, feel more "sturdy" and I actually feel distributes air much more efficiently.
Options on my '04 that were absent on my '02 are; GPS & Cold Weather Pkg. I find the MINI GPS very accurate albeit not as detailed as my E60's GPS. The heated seats ignite my *** in record time and I think the rain-sensing wipers are as good (maybe better) than the E60's!
Anyhoo, my 2-cents to throw in the mix!
Alright then, carry on!
Cheers for now!
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,062
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
I went from an '03 (September '02 build) to an '05, and feel much the same way. I wasn't plagued by rattles like you were, but the '05 just feels much more solid. My only gripe is the noticeably softer suspension in the '05, which I don't like. Sounds like the jump in quality mainly happened between '03 and '04 cars.
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wildwestrider
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
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Jan 29, 2016 05:06 PM