Just wonder if stepping into the dealership to buy a 2004 grants one a trouble free car that's had all the "bugs" worked out from previous years.
They always say never buy the first year of any new model.
Both my brother and friend bought first year NEONS.My friend's Canadian made car never had trouble for over 160,000k mi.My brothers Mexican made NEON blew the head gasket at 55k.Go figure...

 

Since v.36 is just released now and since 2004 MINIs have been sold for a few months now I'd suspect that anyone that has already got a 2004 MINI probably doesn't have v.36 installed. If your MINI is doing OK and doesn't have any problems like the stumble or yo-yo then just leave your software version alone. If symptoms of surging, stalling or hesitation occur then see your dealership.

Are 2004 MINIs fixed and stumble or yo-yo free? Probably not a 100% although from the posts it seems that the earlier models had more trouble. My MCS is 2003 and hasn't had any problems. Test drive some 2004 MC and MCS and check it out for yourself.

Stumble threads:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=15781

and
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=16788

 

I'm still not totally sure what the stumble is, I have had the RPM's drop from 1000 down to 500-600 on takeoff a few times on my Oct 03 build 2004 but I have just put that down to poor clutch management on my part. I do seem to have a little of the yo-yo, at around 1800-1900 RPM's, I do have a surge on medium acceleration or deceleration at parking lot speeds in 2nd gear. Not too bad but a little surprising the first couple of times.

 

Zero stumble on my '04 MCS (9/2003 build) with 2,300+ miles.