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For those who would rather not wade through the flash site that is MINI.com here are some of the changes the MINI will see for the 2005 model year. While most have been discussed for quite awhile at MotoringFile (and specifically this article) there are a number of surprises. We'll try to just skim over what we've already heard about and focus more on the new additions.
MINI changes for the 2005 model year:
- One and Cooper now with a Getrag 5-speed with shorter gearing for quicker accelerations. (as discussed previously)
- The Cooper S retains the 6-speed but with shorter gearing for quicker accelerations.
- Cooper S now with a revised supercharger, revised exhaust system, and new ECU – 170hp and 220 Nm of torque. (as discussed previously)
- New Octogon Cloth, Dragon Cloth, and Octogon Cloth/Leather seating
- New 15″, 16″ wheels optional across the range. (as discussed previously)
- In-dash CD player with MP3 CD playback. (rumored for last year – finally see light of day in 2005)
- Powerfold side mirrors – available in Japan for 2004 finally make their way elsewhere. (possibly not for the US?)
- Interior color trim (matching the exterior of the car but only available for four colors – different from the MCS to the MC)
- New colors: Cool Blue, Hot Orange (both Cabrio only), Black Eye Purple, Astro Black (deep blueish black) and Hyper Blue (MCS only). Electric Blue will now be available across the range. Indie Blue and possibly even Pepper White will go away
- New map lights, door opener lamps and exit/entry lamps under the door casings (first seen with the intro of the convertible
- Chrome line interior (as discussed previously)
- Optional Anthracite Headliner (dark grey)
- Standard One and Cooper seats now with larger side bolster.
- New key (as discussed previously)
- Rod antenna standard – carries both satellite, telephone and radio functions. This means that there is no more shark fin.
- New front and rear lighting and facia (as discussed and seen many many times previously)
- Larger interior rear mirror. (as discussed previously)
- Extra sun visor integrated into the drivers side. (as discussed previously)
- Clock moves from the headliner just next to the mileage read-out.
- Larger rear cupholder. (as discussed previously)
- New storage areas under the toggles and e-brake. (as discussed previously)
<p>I just talked to Julie at Classic Mini of Ohio and these changes will take effect July 1st for other countries not including the US. No info on the US changes. Here is the MINI link showing all the changes. <a href="http://www.mini.com/COM/en/themini/model_refreshing/index.jsp" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini.com/COM/en/themini/model_refreshing/index.jsp</a></p>
<p>2 Thumbs Up! They kept the good things and solved many of the inconveniences, and I was always hoping for a body colored dash. Any idea if those 4 dash colors will be avalible on different body colors, say a DS body with a Chili Red dash?</p>
<p>Am i right to assume that the MCS will have the same fabric choices as current because its not listed for the MCS on the mini site?</p>
<p>FYI that link is also the main link (first line) of the story.</p>
<p>Gabe, good to see the ur site is back up</p>
<p>I don't know if it's tragic, ironic, or just plain sad that MINIUSA is the LAST entity to announce these changes….whenever they choose to do so. All of these 2005 changes are listed for the rest of the world, but MINIUSA has been silent not only to potential buyers, but also to its US Dealers to date about 2005 MINIS, when they'll be available, price increases, etc. </p>
<p>Maybe they should spend more time informing their dealers rather than writing dime store novels to include with car enthusiasts and mens health magazines. </p>
<p>It really hurts when the buying public learns more than the dealers are allowed to know.</p>
<p>Sorry about the outage, Josh. I'll be making some changes to the site so that this particular problem doesn't happen again.</p>
<p>From my understanding you cannot mix and match dash and exterior colors. So if you have a chili red MINI you can either get a chili red interior dash or all the usual option of silver, anthracite or alloy patina in the MCS.</p>
<p>I can't imagine US cars will be produced in a vacuum. They will roll down the same assembly line (there's only one) and receive the same changes. The spec maybe slightly different but most of the changes will affect US cars. So based on this schedule deliveries should start in early August in the US.</p>
<p>Thanks Josh – good to have it back up :)</p>
<p>I agree Gabe. But it would be nice if MINIUSA had the same information timeline as the rest of the world……don't you think? Or does MINI.com not represent the interests of MINIUSA?</p>
<p>I completely agree Charlie. The spec that MINI.com has may not be what the US gets. It's an issue there's no doubt about it. I can't tell you how many people at dealerships and even at MINI corporate have told me that this site is where they hear most of their information in regards to new models and additions. </p>
<p>In fact if I told you who has said that to me you'd be absolutely stunned.</p>
<p>Do the initials J.P. ring a bell?</p>
<p>LOL – not quite! I probably shouldn't say anymore :)</p>
<p>Any pics of the new
ingress/egress grab handles
mentioned here on April 23 ?</p>
<p>The new chronograph gauges look
better than was previously
posted back around Feb.</p>
<p>Wish mini.com would provide
pics I could link to.</p>
<p>Hummm… I'll take the increase in power, the fold down mirrors, and the MP3 CD player. I'll take a big 'no thanks' for the Japanese Script cloth seats… (ugh, what's next, MINI R Type?)</p>
<p>i like the third visor and the map lights! any ideas on a retrofit?! :)</p>
<p>I want those headlights! somebody needs to figure out a retrofit kit for them for my now classic MKI 2002.</p>
<p>almost enough to get me to trade in. pepper white, Cooper S, with more power and shorter gearing, possible new mirrors and the new key. too bad i'd get hosed.</p>
<p>FWIW, more than a couple US dealer's sites say things like “coming soon”, e.g.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.minitowson.com/index.asp" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.minitowson.com/index.asp</a></p>
<p>Makes me think the US cars are indeed on the same schedule as everyone else. That black eye purple is pretty okay looking, but the name?</p>
<p>The goofiest thing on the MINI…the original “sun”visor and now the new one!…R</p>
<p>Does anyone know if the new antenna will work with Sirius satellite radio? I don't believe Europe has Sat radio so it may not.</p>
<p>anybody know what the new ratios in the Getrag 5-speed are?</p>
<p>Also, could we <em>please</em> have a higer-ratio overdrive for better hwy mileage?</p>
<p>Oh man I want that extra sunvisor. I will be interested to see if it's retrofittable :-)</p>
<p>I'm guessing that the new antenna IS compatible with Sirius. It says it's satellite radio compatible, and Sirius is the BMW/MINI partner so I'd think it's a pretty safe bet…</p>
<p>What's the deal with the new black? Is it darker, lighter what? It seems weird that of all the colors to tinker with, that they would choose black…</p>
<p>maybe the new black is like BMW carbon black, which is a really cool black/purple color…</p>
<p>Any word on the if the US CVT Coopers will at last get the paddle shifters that the Rest of the world has had for over a year?</p>
<p>The German online configurator already shows pictures of the MY05 updates when going for an MCS.</p>
<p>You have to look closely but the interior shots already feature the new passenger door handle and front map reading lamps as well as the new head lights.</p>
<p>There is no preview of the discontinued indi blue any more.</p>
<p>The UK configuator should be up as well. No word on when MINIUSA will update their flash site.</p>