On the tach in my new 02 Cooper, there is a small canadian leaf, and by it, it reads, canadian launch model 254/500. Does that mean I have a rare car? I got excited when I saw it.

 

I had a Canadian Launch edition too, I believe it was #354 or something like that. The first 500 to Canada came numbered and loaded with a bunch of extras like the heated leather sport seats, the upgraded suspension, and I forget what else. If you call the 800 MINI number they can tell you. It was also the only way to get ASC (or DSC, I get them mixed up) on an 02 Cooper. I was hoping that one day it may be worth something due to the rarity, but with mods and not all the original equipment probably not. It is nice to know that you have a "special" limited edition though and one of the first.

 

Yeah, because I have the ASC and everyone here told me that was wrong. I love the heated leather! I didnt realize there was better suspension, but now Im excited, Ill call the MINI number.

 

What is the 800 MINI number?

 

1-866-MINIUSA, most of us have it on our speed dial
Are you in Canada? (add it to your profile, so it shows in the top right corner of your posts, it helps people to know where you're from when answering questions sometimes)
There may be a different number to call if you are in Canada.
Annette

 

I thought it was 1-866-ASKMINI.

 

How the heck you guys manage to legally register these Canadian "hot" imports into the US?

Yes the "Canadian Launch" edition was made up of 500 total cars, all of them Coopers 5-speeds, 2002 model year.

Also, keep in mind that in Canada Coopers come standard with Xenon head lights and ASC+T (Traction control). In the US, ASC+T is only available as standard equipment in the Cooper S model. If you want some sort of traction control in a US spec Cooper, you have no choice to order DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) as a standalone option or as part of the Cooper sport package.

Does you car have the electric heated windshield? This is another feature that is only offered in Canada and has never been available in the US.

 

MINIUSA has no knowledge of Canadian market spec MINIs. You need to call MINI Canada directly at:

1-866-DRV-MINI

Web site: www.mini.ca

 

I cant wait to drive my Mini in the good ol' Canadian winter for the first time

 

Hey Paulo, what standard equipment your Cooper came with?

 

Mabey, What symbol is that? Probabally, It is a Canadian Launch Editon.

 

Assuming you have the manual A/C controls (3 rotary *****) you also have 4 buttons in the quadrant as follows:

A/C compressor
Rear electric defroster
Air RECIRC/FRESH
And the fourth one is either a blank or the button for the electric front heated windshield.

If you can, take a pic of the A/C controls in your Cooper and I should be able to spot it right away

 

Yikes, it is 866-ASKMINI, I did a cut and paste but somehow did the url with the phone number. I have no idea how I did that!
I knew Canada had a different number, but I can never find it on the site
Annette

 

USA:

866-ASK-MINI

Canada:

866-DRV-MINI

MINI de Mexico:

01(55)9140.2100

 

My Canadian Launch edition did not have a heated winshield or xenons.

 

How about a picture of that tach?

 

You can find pics of the Canadian Launch edition tach over at www.mini2.com

 

Here it goes....

 

And another...

 

C4, ill have to get out my 2005 brochure, but basicly my cooper came standard with, xenons low beams, a/c, automatic stability control + traction (ASC+T). etc.
I also have the Sport, and Premium package so ill need to confirm what all was included for both. (front rear fogs, double moon roof, heated seats, speed sensitive wipers, headlight washer system, heated mirrors....).

The "winter package" sounded great, but with my bad luck with windshields, i figured replacing a pane of glass with heat elements built into it would cost me an arm and a leg. So i didn't go after it.
My Mini was a corporate demo, so i didn't get to pick and choose anyway...just had to have sport and premium though

I know the packages have changed slightly for 2006. So checking out our website probably wont help much. Ill post again tonight.

 

Oops i forgot to post.
Anyway, from the Brochure, the standard features on the Canadian MC and MCS models are as follows: (most are obvious i think...)
Airbags, A/C, ASC+T, Cruise Control ,Silver high-gloss (interior), 5 Speed manual, Radio boost with CD, Rear backrests separately foldable, Remote-controlled central locking, Multi-function sport steering wheel in leather 3-spoke, Xenon headlights.

BTW, that winter package comes with: Electric front window defrost, rain sensor, auto dimming mirror and automatic headlights.

Also, we got front and rear fogs with the sport-package...not sure if that is the same everywhere

 

Thanks Paulo. Your MC has a higher content of standard equipment. Now I see why MINI Canada came up with the "Cooper Classic" version.

Here in the US, since the Cooper does not come with either Xenons,MFSW or ASC+T standard, so it makes no sense to have another separate model below the Cooper.

It seems to me Canada would have done better importing the MINI ONE than having the Cooper Classic model.

Heated windshield has never been offered here. MINUSA has never given a reason why.

 

That's interesting. I always thought the Mini Classic was in the US aswell. Im not sure of the exact reason why auto manufactors produce different version of they vehicles to different countries.
Kinda like our Acura's up here have an extra lineup of cars like the new Acura CSX which is a 'higher end' Honda Civic with a bunch of upgrades. Honda has been doing this for years. Maybe it is because the main factory is here in Ontario (not far from me), so they do this as a 'Thank You' to the Canadians?....who knows...

 

I have read in a few different places that it causes problems with the I-Pass(?) system that you guys use for your toll roads....

 

I think its got to do with market preferences, the local economy and exchange rates.

Acura (Honda) has been selling in Canada, for years, the Acura 1.7EL sedan which is a rebadged Honda Civic.