Err, I have a feeling this question was already asked, so sorry!
I'm currently on a wait list (Copper S) at Long Beach MINI (California) and was wondering if there are any grumblings as to when the 2004 MINI's are scheduled for release?
Cheers

 

I was wondering the very same thing..I'm ready to order but may wait to see whats new

 

Josh

I’m curious about this as well. I’m set to order my MC on Monday, but I hate the thought that by the time it is delivered many company’s 2004 models will be out. And I really hate the thought that a guy that orders his Mini a month or two after me will have higher resale value than me, because it is labeled a ’04.

Any insight on what changes are in store for the 2004 models?

 

I placed my order for an MCS last month and I may not see it until 2004! How does that work?

 

Well, I'm not sure what the current wait time for the S is, but people that have been ordering the past few days have been reporting July devivery dates for the Regular MC.

Anyone have info on the 2004 Mini line? Does the '04 designation coincide with your build date? What will the date need to be? October 1? Later?

Any thoughts on the value of waiting for a couple of months versus ordering now?

 

Call 866-ASK-MINI you will get the Official MINIUSA/BMW party line on when the 2004's will come out.

 

Just Called:

September 1st will be the first day of the 2004 model year, according to the Rep I just spoke with.

Is that the party line?

 

they start building next years models the sept before. so sept 1st they will start building 2004s.. but you probably wont get it until october or november.

 

I currently have a 2004 MCS on order. I placed the order at the end of January and the car is scheduled for a September build date and October '03 delivery. So this is essentially a 9 month wait for the new car, which works wonders for me. September 1st, marks the new production year, at the MINI Oxford, UK plant so the last 2003 MINI will be built on August 31st, 2003.

New pricing and spec changes for the 2004 model year will not be available until the month of August. However, don't expect any sort of big changes by waiting to get a 2004 MINI. My reasoning for the long wait until October is mostly timing, financials and the fact that the 2004 model year cars should feature even better build quality and some of their current issues should hopefully be fully ironed by then.

If you have enough patience and can afford to wait another 6 months, I would recommend to wait for a 2004 model instead.

 

I just put my order in for my mcs 4/19/03 and was told it should be in by the end of September. It looks like I should be getting an 04_________________
ly/b MCS ordered 4/19/03 arrival expected September 2003

 

Silly question, but why are people ordering cars when dealers have them available on the lot for immediate delivery?

 

>>Silly question, but why are people ordering cars when dealers have them available on the lot for immediate delivery?


Because the beauty of the MINI lies in the ability to custom order the car the exact way you like it. Unless I want a new MINI right away, I don't like to buy a "pre-spec" car and be stuck with options or colors I don't need or want.

Our first Cooper CVT we custom ordered and waited for it 2 months. Right now I am in a 9 month waiting period to get my 2004 MCS the exact way I like it. Also the timing of the waiting works perfect for me as I don't want to get the car right away and much prefer to take delivery by October. I am also selling my other car ('01 Chevy Impala LS) so I still need plenty of time to sell it on my own.


For some people taking a pre-spec car works wonders, for me that takes away the excitment and anticipation in waiting for your car to arrive at the dealer.

 

a dum question
if i place an order for 2004 model, r they will be able to tell me how much it will be? or i have to wait until august to see how much they will rip me off.

 

>>a dum question
>>if i place an order for 2004 model, r they will be able to tell me how much it will be? or i have to wait until august to see how much they will rip me off.


They will prepare the order based on a 2003 model year spec and a 2003 model year price list.

They will submit the order as a 2004 for a September '03 build date, but unfortunately, you will not be able to know the exact price of the car until the 2004 pricing lists are released from MINIUSA in August.

It is a catch 22, otherwise you have to wait several more months to get into the waiting list (if you want a mcs).

 

one more question
can i order a 03 model after sept, or it has to be a 04 model. the new price will effect on the 04 or all the cars produce after sept?
I'm a little bit confused.

 

>>one more question
>>can i order a 03 model after sept, or it has to be a 04 model. the new price will effect on the 04 or all the cars produce after sept?
>>I'm a little bit confused.
>>
>>

Has to be on '04 model after Sept. If you want an '03 model you need to either buy off the lot or IF and that's a big if, the dealer has an '03 en route from the factory that they ordered on spec that fits your desires.

The new price should affect '04s only and will be reflected on the '04s sticker. Plus if your dealer has an '03 on the lot, they may be willing to work on the price with you since they will have '04s inbound and will want to move the '03s out as quickly as possible.

As far as a Sept delivery of an '04, its a crapshoot. If you have an early Sept build date (not later than the 10th) and you live on the East Coast you may just barely get an '04 by the end of September. My car was a Jan 10 build date and I picked it up at the dealer in Washington DC on Jan 29. If you live on the West Coast and are expecting delivery in September, the odds are pretty good that you will have an August build date and an '03 car. If you don't live in the US, who knows what your getting?

 

>>I just put my order in for my mcs 4/19/03 and was told it should be in by the end of September. It looks like I should be getting an 04_________________
>>ly/b MCS ordered 4/19/03 arrival expected September 2003

sorry my friend, looks like youll be getting a 2003... same thing happened to me last year. i got one of the last ones made for 2002 and i picked it up in sept.

 

>>>>I just put my order in for my mcs 4/19/03 and was told it should be in by the end of September. It looks like I should be getting an 04_________________
>>>>ly/b MCS ordered 4/19/03 arrival expected September 2003
>>
>>sorry my friend, looks like youll be getting a 2003... same thing happened to me last year. i got one of the last ones made for 2002 and i picked it up in sept.

I called my dealership yesterday to ask about this. I put my order in on March 9th and was told to expect delivery in September or October. The dealer was pretty certain that I would be getting a 2003. Well, if I am still living in Virginia, I can take the immediate depreciation on my car tax. In the picture, it doesn't really matter but it would be nice to have an '04.

Here's a silly follow-up convention. When they switch over do they shut production down for a week or two while they implement the changes in design etc for the upcoming model year? Or is it as simple as Friday they're making '03s they turn the calendar and they're making '04s on Monday?

Tom

 

Oh well, 2003-2004 it doesn't matter...after all its a MINI!

 

Does anyone know what, if any, price changes went into effect between the '02 an '03 model years? This may act as a good gauge for the '04s. Personally, if I was scheduled for a Sept. delivery, I'd specify that I want to wait for an '04 model. Why buy a car at full price when it's basically a year old model wise? You immediately lose resale value and, more importantly, insurance value. If you take you're week old '03 out and get into a collision, the insurance company's going to try to pay for a year old model. They don't look at rarity, or waiting lists, or much else for that matter. They operate by their value guides. This, in itself, might make up whatever price difference Mini institutes for the new ones.