Just took delivery of our new '05 Chili Red MCS today and I have a few questions and observations after riding all afternoon.
1) Why did they decide to remove the clock and now put it where you can barely see it, with the mileage??
2) What happened to the self leveling headlights for '05?? I ordered the exact same car as the '03 we had and that had the self leveling xenon lamps.
3) Who on earth decided to change the functions on the Multifunction Steering Wheel?? We ordered our car 3 months ago and we were not aware that there are two steering wheels and that the 'Sport' model does not have the CD/Radio mode change buttons on it. In '03 all the Multifunction wheels had all the controls on it and now some nimrod designer decides to eliminate those function buttons on the so called 'Sport' wheel. Do these idiots every look at what they do?? How do changes like this get past everyone?
All in all the '05 seems to have eliminated some of our past gripes, such as, stumbling out of 1st gear (which, by the way, was never fixed even with V38 software), cold start issues, low power band in 2nd gear etc.
We struggled tonite even with the key where on the '03 key the 'Mini Wings' opened the car and now the wings lock the car. It took us most of the day to get used to it. Why would you change something as basic as this??

Tonite I read the fine print on the 3/36 warranty and did you know that in the list of things not covered is 'Windshield Washer Fluid'. Is that a joke or what?
Imagine the look on your face when you take a $25K car in for service and they hand you a bill for washer fluid.

Thanks,

Tom in PA

 

I have an 03 MC and in looking at the 05's I'm hard pressed to see any changes that make it more desireable than my 03. I love the chrome bumpers on my car and I fail to see the redesigned tailights as an improvement. The only thing that I suppose is a real improvement might be the Getrag 5-speed, although I have no problem with the way my Midland tranny shifts. On the S, seven more horses and changed transmission gear ratios do sound like improvements. The cosmetic changes are......just changes. Sometimes changes are made just for the sake of change, but most of the time it's to save money.

R.E.

 

I believe the base price has risen hasn't it?? I'm super happy with my 03 MC as well. Compared to what's on the market, even today, it's still a super value---having just test driven 9 different cars in the past 2 days in the $14-$32K range. Now that I'm a part of the "original" look---02-04, there is almost an "exclusive" feel to our "classic" MINI's, considering the changes that were made for 05. Not to mention, my IB being discontinued. It's refreshing to hear a less than enthusiastic response from an 05'er, though I do sympathize with the poster. I'm sure there must be more positives that he just hasn't discovered yet.

 

Personally, I don't care for the cartoonish looking 3-spoke steering wheel. The original 2-spoke sport wheel feels/looks better and the placement of the stereo controls on back of the spokes is also superior to the tiny Nintendo inspired buttons on the front of the 3-spoke. The only thing the 3 spoke has going for it is the better placement of the horn button, that's about it.


I can't believe no one has initiated a petition with MINIUSA to bring back the 2-spoke sport steering wheel. MINI is all about choice and I believe thay have made a tremendous mistake by eliminating the "classic" 2-spoke steering wheel from the options sheet.

Let's get together and press MINI to bring back the 2-spoke wheel!!!

 

While the changes made to the gearbox ratios in the '05 MCS and added 5hp are a welcome addition (But not earth shattering) I think the main attraction of the '05 MCS is the ssound of the revised exhaust.

But aside from that, to my eyes the '05 MCS looks virtually identical to the '04 MCS and I guess that is a good thing. I love my '04 MCS with 12K troublefree miles and have never felt the car lacking in the power/torque department either.


I just don't see enough justification for me to trade my perfectly reliable '04 MCS for a '05 MCS.


I think I'll wait for the all new R56 MINI Cooper S due up in about 24 months from now, with the 1.8L Turbocharged Peugeot engine.

 

I read somewhere in MINI2.com, that MINI has decided to relocate the clock to its previous location high up in the headliner by the center rearview mirror, citing complaints from '05 owners (such as yours) about losing visibility of the clock in the LCD speedo display.


I am not sure when this change will be made at the assembly line.

 

Well, I'll second his opinion of the MFSW, it's not what it used to be

other than that (well, other than the new-stupid-cupholder ) I really dig this car! The 05 xenons are a big hit IMO, I'm thrilled with Hyper Blue, the painted dash, the chrome guages, the popping exhaust, the new gear ratios, the new ponies, the new supercharger, the anthracite headliner, the orange LEDs inside,
and I've got no problem with the taillights... I just wish they'd release the fog light kit...

 

Here is a mixed user review on MINI2
http://www.mini2.com/news/news260.html

Conclusion quoted:
So I'm torn. I have a list of likes and a list of don't likes, and from an "upgrade" point of view, the only thing I'm really sold on is the new gearbox. But from a new owners point of view there's nothing changed about this car I couldn't either live with, or change without too much fuss. I like the new puddle lights, the storage cubby hole, having a lock on the glove box, the gearbox, the headlights, the new smooth grill, the new cloth / leather trim patterns, the new bumpers, the new wheels even grew on me, the power fold mirrors, the interior orange lights, but there's a lot of things I really don't like. Overall the pros (few but significant) do outweigh the cons for me (many but all quite minor), but I am still concerned for the future of the MINI. I'm worried it will become too dumbed down and diluted in an attempt to pander to as wide an audience as possible, and that special certain something could be lost. But if BMW can pay as close attention to to the overall design and vision of the MINI as they seem to be working on the driving experience, things should be fine. For me, BMWs in general drive great, but feel soulless inside, and the MINI is so much more 'special', and it should always be that way.

 

Sorry to hear you sound pretty unsatisfied with your purchase. I have found that the people who are new to MINI when they buy an 05 are generally thrilled about everything (such as myself), whereas the people who had 02-04 MINI's really despise some of the 05 changes.

I have been blown away to see the overwhelming negative response by 02-04 owners about the standard 3-spoke steering wheel. Maybe it's just because I had a really nice 3-spoke in my previous car (2000 A4) and I'm used to them, but I *far* prefer the 3-spoke to the 2-spoke. I took 3 or 4 fairly long drives in 2 different friends' MINI's with the 2-spoke and I absolutely hated the feel. The clock, also, doesn't really move me one way or another. I like the little orange 'spotlights' a lot, so I have no problem with the clock being in the mileage display. I think it would also be hard to argue that the new key is not an improvement if looked at objectively. I also love the new headlights, Hyper Blue dash, and tons of other little things that I feel they improved... So I really think a lot of 02-04 owners should look at their concerns with a grain of salt, realizing that they will be highly biased as to what is an 'improvement', since if you're really used to something, regardless of whether the new design may be better in some aspects, you're bound to see the negatives if it affects your comfort. I say to those with 02-04 who don't like the 05 - you all seem really happy and comfortable with your 02-04 models, so just keep enjoying them! Why bother upgrading, if there are so many disadvantages in your eyes? I, personally, decided to hold out for the 05's because of so many things I felt were very beneficial improvements, but that's just me.

-mike

 

Hey mike, make sure you give us a review of how your MCS stands up to your A4.

 

Will do. I loved the A4 but I am thrilled to get the MINI. I always wanted a car smaller than the A4 when I had it. My A4 was also highly modified so I'm not sure whether to take that into account when considering the review. Stock for stock, the MINI in my mind is a million times better, but the A4 has some great modification potential.

-mike

 

We have been driving around in our 2005 MCS with xenons for about a month. They self-level. Perhaps these lights do it differently than your '03?

 

I am currently an '03 owner also as I now have an '03 MCS and '05 MCS. We only upgraded our other '03 because of mileage and the little problems that kept nagging us such as the stumbling and cold start issue that just seemed to always be there even after software upgrades.
Don't get me wrong, I am always in favor of improving things and adding new features but don't screw up things in the process. The clock is a good example. The space the clock now occupies is also where the trip odometer is so now you have to push the button and toggle back and forth while you are driving. Improvement?? I don't think so.

I just noticed this morning after parking both cars side by side that the neat door pockets on both doors that were so handy to drop a phone or CD in on the '03 have been all but useless on the '05. You couldn't fit a 5 year olds hand in there. Improvement?? No, just another design blunder.

Those owners who have had the two spoke wheel will agree that the new three spoke sucks! The design is not the issue as improvements in design are always welcome, but why would you change the features.
Improvement?? No just plain stupid !

The more I compare the cars side by side in the driveway, the more I get wound up.

Tom in PA

 

Well then it sounds like you better do what's right and stop supporting MINI in all their terrible blunders. Sell that piece of ****!

-mike

 

ROFL I prefer the 3 spoke but I really don't care how many spokes there are on it.. as long as it steers.
Larry

 

I too prefer the three-spoke wheel, and am very delighted with the promised 05 changes. Sorry that some are not. I'm so thrilled about Frieda that you could rain on my parade ALL day and not get me wet! - -

 

Your going to have sooooo much fun riding the mountain roads!!!!
Larry

 

mlebeau,

You just don't get it do you........
This is my third Mini puchased in 18 months(still two in driveway) so I have seen a lot of the changes from the '03's till now. We will never be without another Mini in our family no matter what the problems.
I am just pointing out the glaring changes that owners upgrading to '05 models will find, not a newbie like yourself.
Enjoy your car. We bought all of ours from Classic Mini and they are a great dealership. We probably saw your car there on Saturday as all the new arrivals, mine and yours were on the lot.
Good Luck with the car,

Tom in PA

 

And I think your painfully picky, that's what I was pointing out.

-mike

 

point taken.........!
Enjoy your car.

Tom

 

If my biggest problems are clock location and an extra spoke in my wheel, I will be one very happy camper. Thank god I ordered the convertible, as I can use the sun angle to tell time!!!

 

I will also wait for the new 2006 R56. The changes are simply way too minor to upgrade for. Unless you are a Cooper nut (Like NAM members) the changes are
not noticeable to the average Joe.


2006 R56 Concept

 

xxx

 

Cooper4us,
I had heard that the new engine would be 1.6L, with the same hp numbers for the different MINIs that we have now, i.e., MC with 115 and MCS with 170. Of course, nothing official from MINI on any of this yet. Why are they so secretive? :smile: