Whats the differences between Euro spec and US spec minis? Thanks

 

But there are some of us with this "verbotten" part

 

the euro spec cars appear to get amber turn signals
and the two spoke steering wheel is available.

 

Some differences:

* Available heated windshield (Sold in Canada but not in the US)
* Speedo calibrated in Km/h
* On MINIs built after July 2004, the rear taillights have amber turn indicators (Unlike the all red color taillights in US/Canada spec MINIs)
* In Canada, Xenons and ASC+T are standard in the Cooper and Cooper S
* European, Mexican, venezuelan, Chilean, Asian/Japan market MINIs do not have the side marker lights on the wheel arches
* 2-spoke steering wheel still available in overseas markets
* European models generally have less standard equipment than US spec versions. For example A/C and side/curtain airbags are optional in European spec MINIs.
* Power retractable exterior wing mirrors (Standard on Japan market MINIs)
* Cloth seat patterns in some trim levels are different
* Available gas powered (90HP) MINI ONE model and Diesel Powered (1.4L Toyota diesel engine) MINI ONE "D".
* Headlight bulbs and aiming are usually different specially on right hand drive market MINIs.
* High beams indicator located in center speedo (US spec cars has the high beam indicator in the tach)
* Digital readouts are calibrated in metric for exterior temperature, gas mileage, etc.
* Interesting tid bit: Australian market MINIs are not available with the center mounted speedo. Local laws require the speedo be always in front of the driver's line of sight. Result? The speedo is mounted over the steering wheel and the HUGE tach is mounted in the center!

The MINI is truly a global car!

That's all I can think for now.

More info at MINI's international website: www.mini.com

 

How do you get that? I'd love to put my iPod in something like that...

 

As I posted in another thread ...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&postcount=22

 

I bought a Euro Parcel shelf from classic the same time I picked up my car and installed it that same day. But that is a full shelf rather then just a little cubby hole. Is that a new version or old version? Or is the Euro parcel shelf not actually in the euro cars?

I have the same one as seen here
http://www.detroittuned.com/products...20050318012400

 

Early Euro MINIs did not have a glovebox, but rather a parcel shelf on both the driver and passenger sides. The knee bolster with cubby hole came into being when they started fitting gloveboxes on Euro MINIs.

 

US specs get those ugly, obnoxious warning labels on sunvisors
But thank god for NAM, we can easily find how to remove them

I also think you can start the car without depressing the clutch on Euro specs.

 

That is neat about the austrailians having a HUGE center tach... Anyone have any pics? I found one once, but i thought someone had just done it thierself.

 

I'd like to see a pic of the Aussi huge center tach if anyone has one to post.

Also, what controls the Canadian heated windshield? As often as ours break and need replacement, heated glass might be easy to fit if there's a workable way to integrate its operation into the car.

And, the motorized Japan-market mirrors could make for a cool addition. Anyone know if a retrofit is available in the US?

 

I think I found one.

 

Heheehe.... That is cool! I want one! Besides, engine speed is much more inportant that mph.

 

I'm getting a MCSC/DS pretty soon and I think that center tach would look really cool. I think I'll look into getting one. I have a pal down under that might be able to score one for me. Hopefully it will fit with no problems..............

 

Other differences, although I'm not sure if they are specifically Euro, or other parts of the world:

* Power folding mirrors (http://www.motoringfile.com/2003/09/...FoldingMirrors)
* On board camera system (http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/..._camera_system)

 

it doesnt matter what the centre unit is e.g. speedo ,tach, chrono, or sat nav
this unit is the IKU and is the central hub where all the different comms busses join,
so if you change the central IKU it must be programmed by your dealer,
you will also need to change the unit above the steering column and have it programmed,
just thought id let you know these units are around 650 euro fitted,

 

UK cars come with rear fogs as standard equipment

 

My 03 MC does not have this feature, but I thing there is an electric heater that warms the defrost air, it turns off once the coolant reaches normal operating temp.

 

Heated windshield is optional in the Canadian Market. The button is located in the same pod as the other HVAC controls whether you have the 3 manual rotary switch setup or the automatic climate control.

 

Yup, have seen it on MINIs at the dealer.

 

Thanks for the info - I've been thinking about it, and I think I would rather have the tachometer directly above the steering wheel, as it would be an easier read from that location. I could also spend the $650 on a pulley or some other go fast parts.

 

So is that what the blank useless button on the AC controlls is? Learn something new every day!

 

UK/Japan/AUS models are RHD and the rest are LHD

Sorry, nobody mentioned it yet, figure somebody had to say it!

 

Back when only Euro brochures were available there were several interesting features listed. I don't know if they ever made it into Euro-spec MINI's. Can anyone confirm that these features exist or existed (or were they Euro-vapor-ware)?

As per the MINI ACCESSORIES. brochure - Printed in Germany 05/2002:

Mobile phones
"The MINI package for mobile phones contains a hands-free device, telephone console, charger, and convenience function with radio mute. Suitable mobile phones manufactured by Motorola, Nokia, Siemens or Ericsson are available at your nearest MINI dealer."

Aerials
"The powerful reception window aerial is fitted on the wind-screen, level with the rear-view mirror. Alternatively, a roof aerial is available"

The window aerial was very out of the way stealthy... would have been great.

Hands-free kit
"Allows simultaneous driving and mobile phone use. The hands-free device is available for all the mobile phones stated. The microphone is coordinated with the model of phone in use. Includes automatic radio mute function."

Parked-car ventilation/Auxiliary heater
"The parked-car ventilation system allows you to look forward to a comfortable atmosphere when you get in on warm summer days. The system replaces the stuffy inside air with cool outside air before you set off. The auxiliary heater preheats the engine's coolant circuit to reduce wear and increase fuel economy. This can be programmed using the preset timer and can be switched on and off by remote control from a distance of up to 600 metres. With the Thermo Call system, it can be activated from anywhere by landline or mobile phone"

 

The block heater I had installed warms the coolant, so the car blows slightly warm air at start-up But I have to plug it in.

That pre-heater would not be such a great thing in cold weather, as you want all the cranking power the battery has to start the car.

I like the roof aerial, gives me a place to fly my flag:smile: