R50/53 how do you tell what year a MINI is quickly?

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Jul 7, 2005 | 10:38 AM

#26

mbabischkin

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 4,406

Likes: 0

From: Northeast Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by polmear

Now I don't know if this was a custom job (I certainly wouldn't have PAID to have this done), but there's an '05 (methinks) in the parking lot @ work, it's grill has the cheesy, honeycomb plastic, with no slats whatsoever. That was the BIG clue to me. I like the 3-slat look, and if this is a change, I'm seriously bummed.

If it's an '05 you can easily tell by looking at the back of the car... On the 05's the backup lamp is in the tail lamp cluster. In the rear bumper there will either be a red lamp or a black plastic insert. On pre-05's the backup lamp is in the rear bumper.

Jul 7, 2005 | 11:12 AM

#27

rkw

OVERDRIVE

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 8,233

Likes: 128

From: San Francisco

What year did the ridges disappear from the chrome trim around the grill?

Jul 7, 2005 | 02:27 PM

#28

MINIAC

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 2,319

Likes: 94

From: Tsunami Zone

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOCLWNS

I don't think anyone's mentioned this yet:

- '02 model years have the rubber pedal covers.

Many '02 owners have upgraded to OEM alloy pedals

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...q_alloy_pedals

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkw

What year did the ridges disappear from the chrome trim around the grill?

July 2004 builds ... "# Grill (3-slats with smooth surround)"

Jul 7, 2005 | 03:04 PM

#29

camelpilot

Banned

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,848

Likes: 1

From: City of Angels, Cali

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkw

What year did the ridges disappear from the chrome trim around the grill?

2005 Model Year Coopers I believe.

Jul 9, 2005 | 12:54 PM

#30

GBMINI

6th Gear

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 3,433

Likes: 1

From: Gloucester, MA, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIAC

Chronology of MINI Changes

Excellent work, MINIAC ... will this become part of the MINI2 FAQ? I would love to link to it from GBMINI.net ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by polmear

there's an '05 (methinks) in the parking lot @ work, it's grill has the cheesy, honeycomb plastic, with no slats whatsoever. That was the BIG clue to me. I like the 3-slat look, and if this is a change, I'm seriously bummed.

That is the aero kit grill - not standard from the factory.

Jul 11, 2005 | 02:32 PM

#31

camelpilot

Banned

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,848

Likes: 1

From: City of Angels, Cali

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIAC

Pardon the format as this site doesn't support some of the vB Code available on MINI2 ...

Click highlighted text for Press Release, News Article, FAQ or DIY

$ = MSRP set or changed

+ = feature or option available
- = feature or option no longer available
# = feature or option changed

03/2002 = Launch of Cooper and Cooper S:

$ 16,300 for Cooper

$ 19,300 for Cooper S
# Front Suspension (eliminate "Pull Left" problem)

04/2002 = Beginning of ordering per customer specifications (June builds)

09/2002 = Start of production for 2003 model:

$ 16,425 for Cooper

$ 19,425 for Cooper S
+ Alarm System Pre-wiring
+ Interior Surface Anthracite
+ Interior Surface Silver (now available for Cooper S)
+ Satellite-Ready / Aux-Ready Radio
+ Second Remote Key
- Boot Power Outlet

10/2002 = Changes for 2003 model:

+ Manual Boot Release

12/2002 = Changes for 2003 model:

+ Alloy Pedals (Cooper S)

+ Harman Kardon Sound System
# Sport Steering Wheel (perforated leather wrap and thumb grips)

01/2003 = Changes for 2003 model:

# Power Steering Fan (no longer shares electrical circuit with radiator fan)

03/2003 = Changes for 2003 model:

# Body Colors:

+ Solid Gold

- Silk Green

04/2003 = Sirius Satellite Radio available (dealer install)

05/2003 = Changes for 2003 model:

# Shock Absorbers (oil viscosity and valve structure)

06/2003 = JCW Kit available (dealer install)

09/2003 = Start of production for 2004 model:

$ 16,449 for Cooper

$ 19,449 for Cooper S

$ Options:

+50 for CVT

+50 for Leather Upholstery
+50 for Premium Package
+50 for Sport Package

+ Boot Power Outlet

# Body Colors:

- Velvet Red

+ Pepper White (now available for Cooper S)

# On Board Computer (instantaneous fuel consumption feature added)

# Seat Upholstery:

+ Cordoba Beige Soft Leather (now available for Sport Seats)

# Tachometer Digital Display (speed readout added)

10/2003 = Rear Fog Lights available (dealer install)

10/2003 = Changes for 2004 model:

# Power Steering Fan (protection grill added)

12/2003 = Changes for 2004 model:

+ Rear Fog Lights

# Sport Steering Wheel (3-spoke instead of 2-spoke)

01/2004 = Changes for 2004 model:

$ 19,899 for Cooper S

# Exhaust Hangers (parallel versus perpendicular for Cooper S)

04/2004 = Limited production model available:

$ 27,000 for Cooper S MC40

07/2004 = Start of production for 2005 model:

$ 20,950 for Cooper Convertible

$ 24,400 for Cooper S Convertible

$ Options:

+20 for Metallic Paint

+50 for Premium Package
+50 for Sport Package

+ Anthracite Headliner

+ Chrome Line Exterior
+ Chrome Line Interior
+ Chrome Mirror Caps
+ Chrono Gauge Pack
+ Interior Surface Body Color (except Cooper Hardtop)
+ Universal Garage Door Opener
- Rear Fog Lights

# Body Colors:

+ Astro Black (Cooper)

- Cosmos Black
+ Cool Blue (Convertible)
+ Hyper Blue (Cooper S)
- Indi Blue
+ Hot Orange (Convertible)
+ Black-Eye Purple (Purple Haze)

# Bumpers (front and rear for Cooper)

# Clock (switchable time / odometer display on speedometer)
# Dash (3-piece replaces 5-piece)
# Engine Power (+7 hp / +7 lb/ft for Cooper S)
# Exhaust Sound (burble on deceleration for Cooper S)
# Grill (3-slats with smooth surround)
# Headlights and Taillights
# Manual Transmission (Getrag replaces Midland Gears for Cooper)
# Manual Transmission Gearing (better acceleration)

# Seat Upholstery:

- Panther Black Kaleido Cloth

- Tartan Red Kaleido Cloth
+ Panther Black Octagon Cloth (Cooper Standard Seats)
+ Grey Space Cloth (now available for Cooper Sport Seats)
+ Tartan Red Octagon Cloth+Leather (Hardtop Sport Seats)
+ Blue/Orange Sunrise Cloth+Leather (Convertible Sport Seats)
- Panther Black Profile Leather
- Emerald Green Natural Leather
+ Dark Blue Gravity Leather (Convertible Sports Seats)
+ Grey Leatherette

09/2004 = Changes for 2005 model:

- Anthracite Headliner

10/2004 = Changes for 2005 model:

+ Rear Fog Light

11/2004 = Upgraded JCW Kit available (dealer install)

01/2005 = Changes for 2005 model:

$ 16,950 for Cooper

$ 21,450 for Cooper Convertible
$ 20,400 for Cooper S
$ 24,900 for Cooper S Convertible

$ Options:

+30 for Chrome Mirrors

+50 for Chrono Gauge Pack
+10 for Fog Lights
+30 for Sport Seats

+ Anthracite Headliner

+ Auto Headlights
+ Automatic Transmission (Cooper S)
+ Convenience Package
+ Limited Slip Differential (Cooper S manual transmission)

# Body Colors:

+ Hyper Blue (now available for Cooper)

03/2005 = Changes for 2005 model:

+ Armrest

Here are some more additions to this sweet list!! I think. Unless I missed them.

For 2005
- Automatic a/c module changed. No longer has off button, and they changed the buttons slightly, and also the round dial grip is different, and also has different matt texture, that looks like rubber and not plastic.
- Added coin tray below the handbrake.
- Added new headunit that plays mp3's. Headunit also has bigger ****, with different style grip.
- Added driver side, side sun visor. Added passenger side "God Save Me" grip.