>>also read that all new minis will use a thinner oil in the shocks to soften the ride, another negative on the JD Power questionaire were complaints that the ride was too harsh, so the head of mini USA said a thinner oil would be used, not sure how that will make the ride that much softer just from thinner oil in the shocks since the car is so stiff to start with....he also stated that they have solved the cup holder issue by giving away the small mini coffee mug to any owner that requests it...that was an easy fix...lol !

That is just the kind of thing I don't want MINI to do. If I didn't like the ride, I wouldn't have ordered the car. I wonder how different the car I buy is going to be from the car I ordered.

 

>>>>also read that all new minis will use a thinner oil in the shocks to soften the ride, another negative on the JD Power questionaire were complaints that the ride was too harsh, so the head of mini USA said a thinner oil would be used, not sure how that will make the ride that much softer just from thinner oil in the shocks since the car is so stiff to start with....he also stated that they have solved the cup holder issue by giving away the small mini coffee mug to any owner that requests it...that was an easy fix...lol !
>>
>>That is just the kind of thing I don't want MINI to do. If I didn't like the ride, I wouldn't have ordered the car. I wonder how different the car I buy is going to be from the car I ordered.

I seriously doubt most people will even notice the difference.

 

Beetle:

Maybe I've just never paid much attention to steering wheels before, maybe this type of design is really common. I don't know, it seems unnecessarily similar to me, especially for a car trying to shed the image of being just another retro-look fad.
_________________

 

>>I seriously doubt most people will even notice the difference.

I hope that's the case, because I don't want to have to fix the shocks right after I get the car.

I don't know about that new steering wheel. It would have to grow on me--like mold. The old one was fine.

 

>>
>>Beetle:
>>
>>Maybe I've just never paid much attention to steering wheels before, maybe this type of design is really common. I don't know, it seems unnecessarily similar to me, especially for a car trying to shed the image of being just another retro-look fad.
>>_________________
>>

That wheel is a monument to a lack of innovation. I would rather not have a bug wheel knock-off in my car. Are you positive that the three-spoke in the pic is the actual wheel and not a decoy? I wish MINI would leave the car alone instead of ruining it, lest I start to sound like that Pincushion guy who is considering buying a MINI even though the apparently hates the car.

 

Where are the buttons on steering wheel?

I bet the horn is now the center logo as opposed to the small buttons we have now.

Overall I don't like the look either

 

Went by JR BMW in Dallas late last week; salesperson said they'd just received an update on the 2004 model year changes and while they mentioned all the items noted in this thread, they were completely ignorant of any change to the steering wheel. Has anyone else received other feedback from dealers?

 

Paul Mullet, administrator of MINI2.com has started a similar thread.

Therein, he too mentions the 3-Spoke Steering Wheel making it into the MY04s, - beginning with December '03 builds [Paul usually confirms his data prior to posting with a MINI rep.]:

" ....
The rear fogs are coming, standard fit from December 2003. (USA).

Retrofit kit should available from MINI in Oct 2003. (USA).

New key across the range.

Rear power point (in the boot) coming back.

Orange (met) Paint. Convertible Only.

Light Blue (non met) Paint. Convertible Only.

Choice of roof colours for the convertible.

Colour coded dash and trim on convertible.

Pepper white available for the Cooper S.

Velvet Red gone.

Cordoba Beige is coming to sport seats.

Magnesium Door casings dropped for the Cooper S.

3-spoke Leather Sport Steering Wheel (from December).

Cooper not coming with leather wheel as standard (from November, USA)

MP3 Compatible CD Player.

Digital Speed readout in tach.

Tach readout now includes instantaneous fuel consumption function."

enjoy....

-s.b.

_________________
MINI: The best horse for the buck!

 

And new cupholders :smile:

New Cup Holders Coming For The MINI

The only thing we haven't seen yet from that list is the new Key. But I know that MINI has been anxious to replace the key since almost day one. In fact I had heard the new key rumor over a year ago at the introduction of the MINI to the US market.

>>Paul Mullet, administrator of MINI2.com has started a similar thread.
>>
>>Therein, he too mentions the 3-Spoke Steering Wheel making it into the MY04s, - beginning with December '03 builds [Paul usually confirms his data prior to posting with a MINI rep.]:
>>
>>" ....
>>The rear fogs are coming, standard fit from December 2003. (USA).
>>Retrofit kit should available from MINI in Oct 2003. (USA).
>>New key across the range.
>>Rear power point (in the boot) coming back.
>>Orange (met) Paint. Convertible Only.
>>Light Blue (non met) Paint. Convertible Only.
>>Choice of roof colours for the convertible.
>>Colour coded dash and trim on convertible.
>>Pepper white available for the Cooper S.
>>Velvet Red gone.
>>Cordoba Beige is coming to sport seats.
>>Magnesium Door casings dropped for the Cooper S.
>>3-spoke Leather Sport Steering Wheel (from December).
>>Cooper not coming with leather wheel as standard (from November, USA)
>>MP3 Compatible CD Player.
>>Digital Speed readout in tach.
>>Tach readout now includes instantaneous fuel consumption function."
>>enjoy....
>>
>>-s.b.
>>
>>_________________
>>MINI: The best horse for the buck!

 

>>Went by JR BMW in Dallas late last week; salesperson said they'd just received an update on the 2004 model year changes and while they mentioned all the items noted in this thread, they were completely ignorant of any change to the steering wheel. Has anyone else received other feedback from dealers?

Good.

Do the changes he confirmed include the wimpout shock oil?

 

Whoooooo Hoooooo - my Rag Top is going to be SO awesome!! Yeah yeah - I know a lot of you don't like the looks of it - but I CAN'T WAIT....
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

Donna - I posted something about this on my site in May: The MINI Cabrio-Confirmed To Dealers

In fact you may be interested in a photo in the story where you can actually see some of the new colored interior trim. Of course you can read all the newer news about the Cabrio here: The Latest on the MINI Cabrio

>> Whoooooo Hoooooo - my Rag Top is going to be SO awesome!! Yeah yeah - I know a lot of you don't like the looks of it - but I CAN'T WAIT....
>>donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

:smile: :smile:

Chow!

Donna
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

>> :smile: :smile:
>>
>>Chow!
>>
>>Donna :smile:

 

Through one of the posts somewhere associated with the 04 model I saw somehting about updated cupholders!! WOOHOO!!! Big gulp time!. Anyway, those posts lead me over to here. I've never heard of these guys, and was suprised to see their cupholders, look pretty nice. They have a handy sushi tray as well, kinda nice, me being a big sushi fan and all. Phone holder, picture holder, and some stuff for towing (seems useless to me though). Wasn't sure if I should start a new thread on it or not (didn't want to get yelled at).

 

I just read about more new changes for the 04 MINIs.

New key on all MINIs

Cooper not coming with leather wheel as standard (11/03, for USA)
.
MP3 Compatible CD Player.

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


Thanks, Gabe!
I learn something new at your place everyday!

Cheers,
BJ

_________________

"Madeline" is Due in Late November ! -- MCS Chili Red/White/Stripes, Full Aero Kit and Union Jack --

 

My two favorite changes

STD - Digital Speed Read-out in Tach will be standard (switch between Temp and Speed) (GOOD IDEA!)

550 - On Board Computer will also include an instantaneous fuel consumption function (GREAT IDEA!)

The rear fog light is also a great option, though I've heard it is really easy to "turn on" the fog light with the brake lights with a paper clip and some eletric tape...


I do not like the spoke steering wheel... I

-Ade

 

A few questions. Some of the changes for 2004 are not going to be seen until 12/03 production models, correct? What about the changes that don't have dates? Like the cd player that is MP3 compliant? I am getting a September build Cooper S, one of the first '04's. I don't care about the new steering wheel, but some of the other chagnes I do want. What do you guys think? Do you think I should get most of the changes? Thanks

 

3-spoke Leather Sport Steering Wheel (from December).

That may be the worst looking steering wheel I've ever seen...did Chris Bangle design it...lol !

 

Sooooooo, the center mounted speedo is going bye bye. I for one liked it, will this be effective in all sept builds or coincide with the steering wheel in dec...????

 

>>Sooooooo, the center mounted speedo is going bye bye. I for one liked it, will this be effective in all sept builds or coincide with the steering wheel in dec...????

That's being phased in in November. They are going to put a big red LED clock in place of it for anyone who doesn't get a nav system. I think it is incentive to get people to get nav (Get the nav, or we'll stick it to you with the world's ugliest clock). I heard that Badminiparts is going to be selling a horizon gauge to replace the digital clock but that it will be expensive. They will also have a sticker you can put over the clock that looks just like the old speedo--pegged at 100--for about $5.00.

 

>>>>Sooooooo, the center mounted speedo is going bye bye. I for one liked it, will this be effective in all sept builds or coincide with the steering wheel in dec...????
>>
>>That's being phased in in November. They are going to put a big red LED clock in place of it for anyone who doesn't get a nav system. I think it is incentive to get people to get nav (Get the nav, or we'll stick it to you with the world's ugliest clock). I heard that Badminiparts is going to be selling a horizon gauge to replace the digital clock but that it will be expensive. They will also have a sticker you can put over the clock that looks just like the old speedo--pegged at 100--for about $5.00.

wat, there is no longer any more center-mounted speedo?? or r they just having a digital readout as well

will the '03 MINIs be able to get the rear-fog lights, digital read-out, shark fin antenna, or MP3 CD?? i think we should be able to if we r willing to pay for it all...

 

>>3-spoke Leather Sport Steering Wheel (from December).
>>
>>That may be the worst looking steering wheel I've ever seen...did Chris Bangle design it...lol !

It's meant to go well with the new giant, center-mounted, red LED clock.

I wonder if the non-ugly wheel will be an option or what it would take to have the bug wheel torn off and replaced with one of the non-ugly ones.

 

Check this MINI2 thread out.

 

>>wat, there is no longer any more center-mounted speedo?? or r they just having a digital readout as well
>>
>>will the '03 MINIs be able to get the rear-fog lights, digital read-out, shark fin antenna, or MP3 CD?? i think we should be able to if we r willing to pay for it all...

The big center-mounted speedo is being replaced with a very large red LED clock, like they had in those clock radios from the early 80's. There will be two settings for brightness, and when the car is off, it will just look like a big, round, flat black surface, hence the demand for the sticker. At night, you'll still be able to tell what time it is through the sticker, and so will the people in the car behind you.