Thanks to Paul Mullett over at MINI2.COM for the photos. Enjoy!

http://www.mini2.com/news/news195.html

 

I don't like the taillights.

 

>>Thanks to Paul Mullett over at MINI2.COM for the photos. Enjoy!

Ooh I likes it! Chrome me babayy! Can't order quite yet, will be looking at the '05's when I (finally) can... With the passage of time as the product "line" works thru its life-cycle, I imagine any purists will find greater avaiability of (lovingly) used MINIs (and parts like tail lights?) if they just HAFTA have the pre-2005 "look".

Thanks Cooper4Us for posting, and L.Mini, I'm just grateful that my tail-lights will be BEHIND me whilst I motor, so I don't have to look at/think about them hehehe,
Tatt

 

I don't think it's an improvement on the original design, but it is different.

 

>>I don't think it's an improvement on the original design, but it is different.<<

My take exactly. Seems like they thought they just HAD to change SOMETHING, so they did. (shrug) I'd be ten times as excited if they added a higher-quality windshield and less scuffable interior plastic.

 

>>>>I don't think it's an improvement on the original design, but it is different.<<
>>
>>My take exactly. Seems like they thought they just HAD to change SOMETHING, so they did. (shrug) I'd be ten times as excited if they added a higher-quality windshield and less scuffable interior plastic.

The interior will also be upgraded and revised for 2005.

http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&M...resThe2005MINI

 

So the changes mainly affect the Cooper and not the S?
Also how will the interior change?

 

I'm a big fan of the '05 changes. I love the front bumper and chrome bar across the lower grill opening. :smile: I'm still a bit unsure about the new taillights but they are supposed to look great in person. Can't wait to see them. I like that the backup lights are now part of the taillight cluster and the rear fog is moved down to the bumper. This makes more sense. That looks like a new color blue to me. Maybe it's the replacement for IB?

 

Looks pretty good to me and a bit modern.
Maybe the parts will even fit a 2002-2004 MINI.
If the aerokit still works and fits then the stock front and rear bumpers from the 2005 could be used on the older MINIs. Maybe.

 

i don't think that is really the new front end. from the pic the other guy took, it looks like the 05 grill is one continuous piece. in this pic, it looks like the standard mini grill.

 

It looks good but loosing the chrome inserts makes it look like an S.

I actually love all the chrome on the Cooper, makes it look classic, I wouldn´t want to loose it

 

I like the present chrome trim, especially on my IB, but I can see where the existing bumper strips are just in the way (...talkin' Ones and Coopers here). If you really want them black or chrome, fine. But if you have to have it body color then why have it at all. Its just unecessary. This is especially noticable in the back where the bumper strip is so long and it really gets in the way of stripes. The proposed look will probably fit more people's needs, IMO.

 

>>i don't think that is really the new front end. from the pic the other guy took, it looks like the 05 grill is one continuous piece. in this pic, it looks like the standard mini grill.

Trust me, that IS the new front end.

 

I wonder if that horizontal chrome strip will get beaten to hell by road debris. At best, I think it will be tough to keep clean.