Time to replace wife's 2005 MCS which was totaled by a driver failing to keep a car in their lane. Fortunately spouse is OK. It seems a bit tough to find an exact match, option wise, to her electric blue baby. But I'm zeroing in on a couple of possibilities, one is a 2004 the other 2005.

We've had no real problems with the 2005, seemingly fewer than what might appear normal based on forum chatters. So my question, assuming otherwise the same equipment, sports, premium, cold weather packages, any reason to favor one year over the other? Any differences in what these packages included between years? So far it appears the 2004s didn't have the 3 spoke steering wheel our 2005 has.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

2006 would be the best, however the 2005 is definitely the better year over 2004 a lot of changes my favorite being the gear ratios. Here's the info: http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/02/...mini_revealed/

05 had LSD as option that alone would make me go with it. Check to see if the original owner popped for the LSD.

Random thoughts: I think the two- to three-spoke steering wheel change was a mid-year thing sometime in the 2004 model year. If you want LSD, then you definitely should be looking at a 2005 as this was the first year it was offered, but only as an option and most didn't have it, so finding a LSD car is going to limit your choices. (While the cars with LSD do hook up better, they also torque steer more - some who have owned both like the non-LSD cars better for a daily driver.) The 2005's are geared shorter and because of this, are a bit faster, but turn more RPM at cruise and get slightly worse highway mileage - depends on what tradeoff you desire. CR's data, last time I looked, actually showed the 2004 to have a (very) slightly better repair record.

Except for the desire to have LSD, nothing would be a deal-breaker if I was shopping. I'd go for the best car in the best condition, either year. And why not look at 2006's too? I'm a firm believer that the wider the net you can cast without being terribly picky about details, the more chance you'll find the better condition car with a cleaner ownership history. And in a Mini, condition and history are everything.

- Mark

Some of the early models didn't have the digital speedo integrated into the tach. All 2005's should have that programmed in. That could be a deal breaker if you're used to it...I wouldn't want to always glance to the center stack to see my speed.

Yea. I never look at my center speedo so it's something to consider.

Thanks for all the feedback so far. The crunched one we're replacing was a very early 2005, no LSD but just about every other option. And importantly, electric Blue with white roof...that sports package and sunroof are mandatory for my better half!

Anyone know if the auto dimming rearview mirror can be added to either year if not fitted with it? that is an option wife has really become fond of.

I know it can be added to a 2005. Ours had the basic rear view mirror when we bought it. I found an auto dimming one with home link. Took about 10 min to install. Twist, unplug, plug new one in, and twist the new one back in place. All wires are there, and it was a great upgrade. My wife was used to the auto dimming and home link in our 02 grand cherokee. Now if I could just get rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights in the mini...that would make her day!

That change occurred very early - all 2004s and later (perhaps even 2003s) have it.

- Mark

Whoa whoa, you can hook a autodimming rearview mirror with homelink to a mini cooper with a standard rearview mirror?? Point me in the right direction. I own a 2005 R53 with a standard rearview mirror that i wanted to swap.

my $.02:

For reference - My early build (Sept of 03) 2004 S has the digital speed display available in the tach - standard equipment
I'm pretty sure the 3 spoke wheel became available a little bit into calendar year 2004 ~ but I prefer the 2 spoke ... and the pre-projector beam headlight look.
Strongly agree with the suggestion to go for the best car in the best condition, either year. And look to at the 2006.
Gearing preference would depend on the conditions one is going to drive - a little more acceleration vs. a little less hi-way revs.

I'd look at 2006 but that flavor doesn't appear in electric blue! Going to look at a fairly low mileage 2004 tomorrow. It doesn't have heated seats so it might not pass the approval test. Suspect retro fitting a set of heated seats & switches is not a drop in ????

Can be done, however if you get snow in your area I strongly suggest you get a mini with the cold weather package. Especially for the heated door handles.

Heated door handles! I really shouldn't spoil the better half that much her 1960 Mini & whatever MINI we get to replace the 2005 MCS already got the garage locked up!

Actually, you can get heated seats installed. check out the link I have below. I just purchased a 05 mini and it had everything I wanted except for heated seats! However, the dealer told me about this place which made me seal the deal on my mini. It will run about $700-$800 installed. The process is done by a local upholerstry dealer. They will also put the activation buttons where the factory heated buttons would sit. I've set up a appointment to have it done and will post later. Once you enter your info in the website below, it will point out the local dealers in your area. http://www.checkcorp.com/seat-heater/seat-heater.asp

Waited for one to come up on ebay, I just made sure it was from a 2005. Very easy, there is a thread on here with instructions. If you find one, do buy it now if you can. They don't last long on ebay.

So our cars are prewired for the homelink rear view mirror? Or was it a whole rewiring thing?

Was all prewired. Simple plug and play. It was even cold out when I did it. Hardest part was waiting for one to come up on ebay. 10 min install.

Did you remove your rearview mirror to check and see if a wiring plug was there before replacing with the homelink?

No, every thing I read said it was prewired...so I just went for. It. The standard mirror is actually plugged in for the antenna for the remote entry. Connection is the sme. Basically all the auto dimming home link mirror needs is power, which the connection has.

Sweet bro! The search for a homelink mirror starts now!

I've had an '05 MCS in Elect Blue, an '06 factory JCW, and now an '04 Elect Blue MCS. Not enough difference between the '05 and '04 to make the model year a deal breaker for me, even though the '05 has better gearing and 5 more hp. Will you really notice it? Probably not. Unless there are some options you want only available on the '05 or '06, let condition and miles be your guide. My '04 is nearly perfect and only has 40k on the clock.

I suspect as long as I come up with a 04 or 05 in electric blue with white roof and all the desired options in equal condition to the one we had, that will be fine. The trick is finding one!

Just got home from a trip to NC where I test drove a 2004 with only 38K on the clock. It had sports pkg, sunroof and xenons but was missing other stuff. Really didn't matter though, car was a bit disappointing. Only 1 oil change in 2 years, quite a roaring noise from front end (maybe tires which were nearly worn out Kumho) faded emblems and paint on upper areas, hazed over headlights etc. The search continues...