I am looking a buying either the 2004 or 2005. Are there any main differences I should be concerned about?

 

You can buy mine for 17K it has 70K trouble free miles. and a nice amount of mods. Adult owned, driven, but not abused.

 

I don't think there are major differences between those 2 years, but all things being equal, I think I'd go for the '05 over the '04, even if it cost a little more. I'm sure you've done research online (Consumer Reports, cars.com, etc.) and if they haven't pointed out anything, then I'd suppose they are correct.

 

The Biggest difference in the two is the trans. The gear ratios are totally different and the 05 will be faster from a stop. Definetly drive one of each year, you'll see the difference.

 

Here's a link that may shed a little more light on the subject.

 

See MotoringFile's R50/52/53 Buyer's Guide here:

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

Thanks for the link I follow motoringfile but never knew they put together this guide.

To the OP: Like motoringfile concludes, the 05-06 are the most desirable of the R53. There are quite a few differences, although depending on what's important to you, they may or may not be significant. I personally went from an 03 with 21k miles to a new 05 and I'm sure glad I did.

 

+1

different trans ratio, the option of factory LSD, plus 5 extra hp from a remap.

I have driven many many mini s's. The 05-06 feel way stouter.