Its generally considered the best version they built. I spent a lot of time deliberating at xmas, the facelifts cost a lot more for a good one. Likely to end up with a higher mileage facelift one at entry prices, like I did
or I could have had a low mileage non/pre facelift. I went with the facelift because I got embroiled in the they are better. BUT, its not worth worrying too much about it. I really wanted that version, plus I had a pre facelift cooper so I knew a bit about pre facelift annoyances (albeit a cooper being vastly different to cooper s).
INTERIORS
I would say the interiors are more solid too, less rattly, plus the exhaust pops more and its slightly more fun because of this. I also like the tiny change of the door cards being further out so you can rest your arm on it, in the pre facelift you cant do this as its too close to the side no matter what your shape is. The interior is different looking, looks slightly better, smaller vents. I did prefer the clock in pre facelift but thats it.
INTERIOR TOUCHES/LIGHTS
Also something I never heard mentioned is the facelift has more interior lights and lights under the doors when you open them, seems better as the lights fade on, fade off etc. I think also there are more little touches, I wonder if the pre facelift window wipers go to intermediate when you stop if they are on constant? Maybe they do. If you do go for pre facelift Id try and get a 53 plate or 03, slight improvements. I almost bought a low mile 52 plate mind
GUIDES
There are plenty of guides about in most of these facelift vs non facelift if you do a search. However, even though they are better the non facelift ones are very good too and you are likely to get a lower mile, better condition one. For me though I got obsessed with getting facelift one as I also started to want the front xenons and I had previously owned a slightly annoying at times pre facelift cooper (but to be fair I own a cooper s now, not a cooper).
BUDGET
Ultimately, set your budget, look at the cars on offer, drive both versions and see what you feel. Both cooper s versions are great cars and for me personally it caused a lot of headaches trying to get a facelift version (£6k budget) as I didnt want to pay £6500-7000, which at dec were better models (in garages).
COLOUR
Also colour played a much larger factor when I was going for one that I expected, something to consider. Most pre facelift cooper s' (52) are power ranger blue. It actually looks very nice in person, I nearly bought one (white roof) and saw a blue and black roof one. Still, I wasnt sure myself. I really wanted black, in the end I got black and was happy with that, but it anit perfect. But what is
FAULTS (DASH)
From my experience do not buy any that have dashboard lights on and they say "we will reset" you can reset runflat by pressing button on handbrake, then drive off but if it doesnt come off its generally buggered. ABS and ASC+T lights is also fairly common, its an electrical issue, its gonna come back if reset so ignore dealer BS. Get one without the dash looking like a christmas tree. Only thing that should be on is handbrake light. Switch the ASC+T (centre console) and the light comes on, switch again it goes off. Should be OFF to drive with.
EXTRAS - ON BOARD COMPUTER
Finally, you might want one with on board computer, lots dont have them. Its an optional extra surprisingly. Its a button on the left indicator stalk (uk) and gives some good info above steering wheel like MPG, digital speed, current mpg. If you don't get one with a computer you get none of the information. Not a massive deal, but most other cars seem to have this as standard. Another point is on right indicator stalk if it red you have the alarm, if not its usually yellow which is a windscreen washer level indicator.
FACELIFT BUILDS
Bare in mind most 04 plates are not facelift models and some 54 plates are not. I've read people that have facelift interiors but its not a facelift etc. I saw a 54 plate for sale that wasnt facelift model, it had old lights. Best way to tell is if you have the interior (3 piece dash, not 5 piece, smaller vents, door cards etc) and the lights (front xenons [not on all 05, 06 in same style mind you] reverse lights in rear clusters, front grill smooth. Front grill is much nicer being the smooth surround version, small touch. Anyway july 04 is build date for facelift, seems its the only way to tell with above. A dealer cannot tell you if its facelift I have asked, only date and extras
Incidentally mine is 17th july 04. It tells you the build date on the engine on a sticker, on the right or left I forget which, but its quite big sticker and easy to find if you look when browsing car.
Hope that hasnt bored anyone too much. Just trying to help. Only came to look at a mini parts for sale! Ending up writing this :P
Feb 5th, 2012, 06:39 PM
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