[btsave]

Title says it all, I have a 2003 Chilli Red MCS, with combo 1& 2, leather interior & 6 disc CD unit and only 15000 miles.

I decided since the resale values are so high now, I should trade it in for a similiar 2004 MCS.

My contact at FTL mini asked if I wanted to wait a couple of months longer & get the for the 2005 model... I REALLY would like some commentary on this.

As an aside, there is nothing wrong with the 2003, condition is excellent but since for about 6k more I can get a new one,,, I figured, why not. Anyone else do this recently? What type of trade-in values did you get? Edmunds.com shows about 21k trade in values.

Thanks!
Bart in FL
btsave@sysmatrix.net

[CooperS4us]

Is Crystal your MA over at Lauderdale MINI? She is fantastic!


Anyway, it is up to you. The MCS will not see radical changes come 2005, with the exception of the addition of an automatic transmission model during January 2005 (Or thereabouts). There is a new keyfob coming out, probably new colors, a few changes (But mostly invisible) to the dashboard, etc.

The bulk of the 2005 changes affect mostly the regular Cooper model.

If you want to get more acquinted with what's in store for 2005, go to www.motoringfile.com


I have a 2004 MCS I bought from Crystal six and a half months ago and the car has been absolutely flawless in 6,800+ miles. I have a September 2003 build, one of the very first 2004 built and delivered by Lauderdale MINI.


I don't think you can't go wrong either way. The 2004 MCS is extremely reliable and solid. The rule of thumb for you would be to check out the list of changes for 2005...if any of those are truly important to you and if you can wait, then order a 2005 for late September delivery. On the other hand if you can live without the coming '05 changes, then trade in now your '03 MCS for a '04 MCS and enjoy the ride with no much wait in between.

Mechanically, there are no changes announced for the '05 MCS. All enhacements are mostly cosmetics.


Also, have you considered a 2005 MCS convertible?

Best of luck!

[btsave]

Bought the 2003 from Bonnie a year & a half ago, but Crystal was involved... they are both great to work with! I'm not a "profit center" for the sales staff, so Bonnie is more appropriate for me . I reviewed the article & nothing really seemed important to me there. I guess my concern was with resale when I trade this one back in 2005.... bts

[stryder]

The resale value of your car will probably drop a shade when the '05s come out, however the '05s will have higher value themselves, it depends on what you really want to do with the next car I suppose, if you keep trading in every year or so, its a bit like gambling with the new models.

Besides the exterior changes, there really won't be any major S changes for '05, but I'm waiting for one because of the higher resale value, and bug fixes especially. I'm really looking forward to a less squeaky dash in particular.

[ScottyB]

07 is where the big changes will come in, so to be honest - if you have an MCS now, that you are happy with, why change it? Why risk the gamble of having problems with another one? (ala, god forbid the yo-yo).

Wait 2 years to see the turbocharged 180hp S. That may be worth changing for IMO

[Pennypincher]

I bought a 2003 Cooper (not the S) in March of '03 because I didn't want to wait the 18 months I was told the "S" would take to get here. When it came in, I ordered an "S" and it came in October, really a wait of only about 5 months. The new car has it all over the old one, which I loved, not only because of the added engine performance, but it also didn't have the stumble that I thought I'd just have to live with if I wanted to drive a MINI. It also handles better, and in my opinion, looks better too! I didn't get the Sport package in the new one, because although everyone else seems to love those spoked 17" wheels, they've never looked right to me. I like the standard 16" Y-spokes much better, they're lighter, and the ride is softer. I loved my first MINI. I REALLY love this new "S" and so does my wife! I can't get it away from her, dangit! I paid just under 20K (US) for mine, and when I traded it in 7 months later, I got about 16K for it. Not too bad I don't think! MINI of Peabody (Massachiusetts) is my dealer. Ask for Brig!

[SLEEPY_NOKKIE]

when does the 05' built take place? I have MCS build date in July .. is it still 04 or 05 model

[stryder]

No one's sure about the '05s yet, because MINI hasn't announced them. '03s and '04s started as of sept 1st builds. The rumors are saying '05s will start the same time, but they might be august. July seems very unlikely to be an '05. You might want to push your order date a bit if you want an '05.