It just occurred to me today that maybe I should wait till the 2006 models are released - will I be waiting a while till I get one? And how much different will the two be? I know this sort of requires insider information, but since it might only delay my purchase for a month, I have patience. Sort of.

John

 

See www.motoringfile.com for '06 info. Word has it that the only real differences are in paint color combos (addition of silver roof option, add Solar Red, Royal Gray and Space Blue, delete Electric Blue, Jet Black, Solid Gold.)Haven't seen good shots of the new colors, though.

So if you want EB, JB or SG, order NOW. If not, might as well get an early '06 vs. a late '05. Mini has begun the new model years in both September and June. This year it will probably be Sept.

 

That was all the info I was able to come across - I just figured there had to be more. I just hate this. I lied about the patience bit...

 

Don't forget the annual price increase.

 

Is it a lot?

 

I orderd an '06 MC from my dealer about a month ago. Just yesterday, got an email from them saying that '06 production had been pushed back to November, so earliest possible delivery will be about January of 2006.

 

IIRC, it's about $500, and $50 here and there on packages. Usually happens for cars delivered after Jan 1.

 

Deleting Jet Black? Really? Why???

 

It is also rumored that there may be some new wheel designs, new JCW bits available from the factory in 06, as well as some new options, including real seats. Might be worth waiting to see what is announced.

 

i know. this is terriblenews. i need to order quick!

 

what dealer told you this? i've been inline to order an 06 for the past week or so and haven't heard anything like this. plus i'd think something big like a production push back would have made motoringfile

 

There were a lot of (relatively minor) changes for 05 - relocated fog/reverse lights, smaller rearview mirror, standard radio plays MP3 discs, more HP, different gearbox ratios, availability of automatic tranny on the "S," other stuff like that I've probably forgotten. And there are BIG changes planned for 07 - a totally different car, basically. So it would make sense that there's not going to be much changed between last year and the 07s.

 

I'm going a bit further and wondering if I should wait for the 2007 PSA Aluminum block engine. It would mean I can bank a bit more cash, but it would also mean driving an old Honda for another year and a half.

 

So. Bay Mini in Torrance - I've got a phone call in to them for details.

 

Smaller rearview mirror? There were complaints about the rearview mirror being too small in the 02/03's. Did they make it bigger in 04, then smaller again in 05?

 

I know this isn't supposed to be important, but are there any MPG estimates for the 07 models yet? I get decent mileage with my MC but the car is so small it looks like it ought to get 50MPG, no sweat. That's 50MPG and good performance, not 50MPG or good performance. Maybe the new engine will improve on this?

 

Hmmm. I think, based one what I've read (regarding problems with 02 models) that I'd rather have the 06 at latest rather than an 07 - since BMW has had a few years to work on the current MINI design, refinements. (am I all wrong??)

John

 

Motor Trend (March 2005) reports an improvement of 15% in fuel efficiency (29/37 city/hwy).

Cooper to 141hp
Cooper S to 170.

If that's true, there's even less difference between the two now. Both Cooper and Cooper S will be Turbocharged instead of Supercharged (S). CVT is gone, replaced by a traditional automatic.


I always felt the entry Cooper could've used 20-30 more hp. Now, if MT is to be believed, that's going to come true in the 2007 model.

 

There probably won't be a huge difference between the '05s and the '06s. Wait if you want...or don't. As mentioned, new colors, the silver roof option, and maybe a price tweak is all that seems to be coming for '06. Now '07 is a different story.

As for me.....I'm ambivalent about reported hp increases for '07. My Cooper is plenty fast for me. The mpg figures are of more interest. This is what I'll be watching for my next MINI.......IF I can get over my '03. (I'm still ga-ga over pre-'05 Cooper styling.)

 

I probably got this wrong - my bad. oops!

Now that I think about it, I think you're right - they did make it bigger, not smaller. I thought it was with the 05s, but it may have been the 04s. (Or a mid-year thing?)

 

As small as it is, the MINI is pretty heavy. My 67 Spitfire (before the days of smog equipment, airbags, etc.) had a curb weight under 1600 pounds. The MINIs are about 1200 lbs. heavier! Small, yes; light, no.

 

I'm sure glad I got mine when I did.!!!:smile:

 

Me, too! I love my all-Jet Black MCS!!!!!


Clover

 

Would rather skip the first year of a new model... Let the bugs get worked out by someone else.... something to think about. The last year of an old model will usually have the most refinement and be trouble free.

 

a month I'd wait, but that's the only reason. There will always be something someone liked/disliked about past year builds and if you're waiting for that year that mostly nothing goes wrong then you might want to wait another 5 or six years. Maybe by then they will build the perfect car. Not saying that "is" your reason...buuuuutttt............................... ...