I'm in the market for a Mini One - I want the facelift '05 model primarily because of the much more reliable Getrag gearbox ( and I like some of the updates too )
I have read the MINI2 guide on the differences but I may have misinterpreted them. I think the guide tells me that the facelift has a revised interior - and from the pictures a three spoke steering wheel to replace the original , chunky two spoke version ( which I never liked anyway) .
However I have seen a number of 2005 Ones' which have the facelifted models exterior mods but still have the old two spoke steering wheel ... see here
Search Ebay item number 181343549637 ... Sorry I cannot post URLs because I am a new member ( )
I have even seen the old 2 spoke on a 2007 One Convertible (?) here...
Search Ebay item number 281311055851
Now this really confuses me! I thought the convertibles all had the 05 facelift fittings from the very start?
As for the hatchback - yes I know some miht be old pre facelift stock sold in 2005 ... but not with facelift exteriors surely?
So to put the record straight and so I can identify true facelift 05 models BEFORE I waste time going to view them etc (sio I make sure I get the Getrag box) ....
Can anyone tell me when the 3 spoke wheel was introduced and what is a sure-fire indicator that the Mini is an updated 05 facelift model .?
Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but I looked at the ebay listing numbers you gave and find that Minis up the country are much cheaper for the same year than they are here in the west country.
One strange thing - on Ebay there are very few Mini Ones advertised in London itself (?) - That's where I am - but seem to get plentiful once you get outside the M25???
Anyway - just had a thought about my 2 spoke wheel mystery ... Is it that the One continued with 2 spokes AFTER the facelift?
I guess the facelift front and rear treatment is the best indicator of all ( though could be faked which is where the VIN check comes in )
I suppose I have to slightly rephrase my question to this...
"I want to buy a Facelifted early MINI One (July 2004 on ) to get a Getrag box - but I also want the 3 spoke wheel as standard as opposed to the old 2 spoke... has anybody any idea when , in the production run, these were introduced on the One - or where they a Cooper or Cooper S feature only ??? "
Thanks guys you may be right. I have seen a number of "Ones" now that have the 2 spoke (including the convertible) right up to 2007,,,,in fact I haven't seen one on Ebay fer instance that HAS got a 3 spoke...
As long as I get a Getrag box I don't mind really... I'l just use the exterior facelift mods and the Vin number to ensure it is a true facelift...
Thanks Subframe ... I have just remembered that when I bought my Cooper S waay back in 2003 there was an option or a 'multi function steering wheel'
I guess that the same applied to the One as well as an option for a 'sports' wheel which I guess was the 3 spoke... silly me.
Anyway now I am familiar with the different (but subtle) exterior changes of the facelift models I can now spot them from 100 yards!
Not only is the horizontal chrome trims front and rear a dead giveaway but the rear lights with a small white reversing light in the very corner look obvious now... duh!
Just throwing a plug out there for the two spoke wheel. My 2003 has one with the multifunction features controlling the stereo and speed control. Volume control and seek functions are on the back side of the wheel and operated with your fingertips. Once your fingers learn the drill I so much prefer this to my Audi and Saab's thumb buttons on the face of the wheel. And since I drive with my hands located by the two spokes a third spoke is of no real use to me anyway. When the three spoke wheel came out I was very glad I had the two spoke because of the function features. Looks are subjective so just suggesting you don't place too much of your selection criteria on spoke number.
Good luck with the search...hope you find what you want.
The facelift version is easy to spot by the tail lights. On the pre facelift models the indicators were situated in the middle of the tail light, and on the post facelift models they were situated at the top of the tail light.
With regards to the 3 spoke steering wheel, they come as part of the pepper pack on the One. I'm not sure if they are part of the Salt pack. The Chilli pack wasn't available for the One model. So look for a car with pepper pack and you'll get your 3 spoke steering wheel.
I may be wrong as I'm new to the BMW mini but the early one has the reverse light in the middle of the rear bumper, the facelift has the fog lamp there.
The rear lights are different as above.
Spend a few minutes looking at Autotrader and you'll see the differences very easily. Look at the rear of a 2003 and then a 2005.
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