Well, you people (especially you, Cooper4Us) talked me into it! Or at least you got me thinking seriously about it, and then I talked myself into it. After my transmission failure at 15,000 miles, I just don't trust the Midlands 5-speed on my '03 Cooper, even though lightning probably won't strike twice and someone will probably drive it another million miles. Beyond that, it sounds like some of the interior materials have improved and people are having far fewer issues with durability. I figured I'd trade up while the used market is still excellent (for sellers, that is), and get into a new Cooper before they screw with it for the '07 model year. I drove an '05 and really loved it!

My new specs:
2005 Cooper
5-speed
Chili red / white
Exterior chrome package (I'll promptly switch out the mirror caps for white ones - bundling them with the bumpers was a lame idea)
Sunroof
Front and rear fogs
Black leatherette
Anthracite interior and headliner (I don't like playing along with this $200 headliner game, but I figure I'll make half of that back when I sell the mirror caps)
HK stereo
MFSW 3-spoke steering wheel (I'm hoping it will grow on me)
On-board computer
and finally (drumroll), NO AUTO A/C!!! I've hated it from day one, and can't wait to get back to climate control that I can actually control.

I'll add the parcel shelf with aux audio input once I get it.

So, basically I've reordered my current car, plus HK stereo and the anthracite and minus the auto A/C. I think I got it just about right the first time! To me, no other color except indi blue/white and silk green/black (R.I.P.) even comes close to looking as good as the chili red with white. I applaud all of you that are switching to drastically different specs, but darn it, I love my car (almost) just the way it is! I don't like the new steering wheel, the new door armrests, the new clock location, or the new change compartments, and I don't like the new bumper designs quite as much, but I'll live with them and perhaps even grow to love them.

It should arrive in late July or early August!

Uh, can someone tell me again where to go with my production number to track my car?

 

Wooo Hooo <clap clap> - Congrats!!!!

I too dislike some of the new changes but have no choice but to live with them and in time, I'm sure they will grow on me (except for the itty bitty clock - ackkk).

PS - Owners Lounge you silly

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS

 

Congratulations!!! I am just about to order my second one and like you am basically ordering the same as my '02 with a few adjustments. This time, no DSC and no auto A/c (like you I hate it). Oh, and no hard top

Hope your new baby comes quickly!

Paul

 

Ohhhhh, riiiiiiight! Thanks! Weren't they supposed to rename that the "Track your car here and then never come back as an owner because why would you when there's NAM lounge" ?

Good luck to you too, Paul!

 

You could have at least tried a new color combo!

Actually, I found that I like the Auto A/C in our '05 MCS much better than the Auto A/C that was in the '03 MC. I think it works better and isn't nearly as prone to trying to emulate a jet engine...

 

Great choice, CR/W rules. I hope my Midland tranny holds up cause my 03 will have to last me a long, long time.

 

Sweet

 

Chris, I knew that my never ending nagging would someday give the expected results The '05s are sweet cars all around!


Congrats on your new MC!


PS: Do I get to drive it on the weekends?

 

Chris,

I see all the original MINI owners that waited with me now getting the same bug I got. Congrats Chris and LMINI. I was really sad to get rid of Tigger my 03 MC VR/W CVT, but now COOL BLUE MEANIE has put that out of my mind. THe move from a MC CVT to a MCS Cabrio was the best. I love the new MINI and moved some of the mods from my 03. When you get you new MINI and want to enable the rear foglight just drop me an email, as returning customer and MINI friend I will ensure you are taken care of.

Dave
MINI-Rolls
minirolls@msn.com

 

Yeah, but everybody seems to be jumping to the S! Where's the love for the Cooper? Glad you're enjoying your new car - I drove a Cabrio and it was heavenly!

Hey, thanks! I'm not sure what you mean, though, by "enable the rear foglight." I ordered the rear foglight as an option, so shouldn't it be enabled? Or are you talking about an additional bulb in the main taillight housing? Or having the foglight come on with the brakes? Obviously I haven't kept up with my NAM reading with regard to the ins and outs of the '05s, so I've got some catching up to do before I start asking a bunch of newbie questions all over again!

Cheers,
Chris

 

I know you'll be thrilled with your new aquisition.

Best,

 

I'm toying with the idea of not mentioning to anyone that I'm getting a new car, and seeing if anyone notices. Only the people that are inside it with any regularity, probably! And that's pretty much no one.

Bah! Psh! <exaggerated hand gestures of frustration and dismissal> I've had enough. Enough I tell you! I want simple dials and buttons that do what they say they do.

 

Congrats, Chris!
The 2002 Crew is moving on up!!

(This is Lauren by the way...I didn't feel like signing Sam out.)

 

Great news, Chris! I love the idea of you not telling anyone to see if they notice! Bwahahahahaha!! Too funny!

So now begins that nutty wait again, eh? Sweet dreams, baby! :smile:

Clover

 

Hi Chris...congrats from another Cooper guy!!! I totally relate to your story here...I've played w/ designing a new MINI, too (who hasn't?) and I always wind up w/ basically the same exact spec (Cooper) as I presently have w/ a minor tweek here and there.

I almost traded last September but w/ Indi Blue gone and Electric Blue denied to Cooper owners in the US , I decided to keep what I have. I'm a sentimental fool. I just can't bring myself to part with those bumper strips and 4 slat grill, much less the oh so subtle (and hot ) Cooper styling..............for now anyway . Besided, I've had no tranny issues.

Anyway, have fun stirring those 5 gears (Getrag this time...nice!) and the gentle normally-aspirated roar of your awesome new Cooper!!!!! Very exciting!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats!

 

Good luck with your new MINI!

I would call 866-ASK-MINI and talk with support. Give them your Prod # and they will give you your VIN and an estimated completed production date. This will happen faster there than the owners lounge.
The owners lounge is about 4 days behind ASK MINI regarding progress.


For me, about 2 days prior to completion, I was able to find what ship my MINI will ship on.
Once you have a VIN, go to:
http://schedule.2wglobal.com/AppTracking/cargoTrack.do

Click on Auto Cargo and enter the VIN.
You may get a message stating there is no information. That will happen up to the time your MINI is received at the terminal.

My MINI is scheduled to sail today.
At least you have your old MINI to drive around until the new one arrives.
I am JONESing.

 

Sorry Chris - the brakelight mod......

 

Just found your other thread. Nice work! I'll definitely be in touch once my new car arrives!