[sequence]

...our Canadian brethern are being punished by yanking EB

Still this makes no sense. We've known about the 05 colors for over a month now and if EB was exiting there'd be a lot more threads on this.

[htrout13]

OK - just got back from the dealer - we ordered their last 04 S in EB. I saw the specs for the 05's - since I didn't believe it - and it's really gone. The following is the response I received after submitting a form on mini.com's international site:

Hi Heather, thanks for writing MINI.

We appreciate your interest in MINI and I see you are interested in a 2005 model year with Electric Blue. Unfortunately, MINI is discontinuing the production of Electric Blue and it will not be offered for the 2005 model year. You may wish to contact the MINI dealer in your area to see if they have an Electric Blue MINI in their inventory. I hope this helps.

Let us know if you have any more questions. If so, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations Department at 1-866-ASK-MINI, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time.

LET'S MOTOR.
Karen Labatzky
MINI Customer Relations and Services
Representative
866-ASK-MINI (866.275.6464)

So - that's four dealers that say it's gone (and not just in the Delaware Valley); the NA paperwork that says its gone; and mini.com that says it's gone... They've even gotten rid of the Lapiz Blue leather - they're going to a darker blue...

So if you're in the US (definately) or Canada (maybe) you won't be able to order EB on any model of Cooper - cabrio or not; S or not. If you're anywhere else in the world - you're good to go and can order any model Cooper in EB.

That's all folks!

[weezgrrl]

I JUST called MINI (the toll-free number) and spoke with a customer service representative about the whole Electric Blue availability issue. He stated that Electric Blue was not mentioned in the list of CHANGES, but that, like the other colors available that weren't mentioned in the 2005 MY Changes memo, it IS at this point available on the MY 2005 MiniCooper S's. He even said that they had a presentation yesterday of the new cars/colors, and that he remembers seeing Electric Blue. I think people are misinterpreting the Dealer Memo which was published, and it available here: http://www.motoringfile.com/files/MINIhardtop2005.pdf - these list CHANGES, NOT all available colors.

[htrout13]

It's available in Europe - just not the US - and now we have conflicting askmini replies... The 05 Spec sheet that I saw didn't have it as an option - but at this point - I think we're all just going to have to wait and see - and this is an issue I wouldn't mind being wrong about...

H

[RicXX]

I think there is something wrong with this EB to be gone bit. Why would they list EB as an intirior colour (body matched) if its to be discontinued? This is one of the options for 05, so woulden't it stand to reason that EB will be avalible? At least in Canada.

[sequence]

Gadzooks this thread is getting weird---

Unless this is a last-minute decision (and I think M2 would have scooped it), Why would Mini dump EB in NA when, unlike IB, it's one of their most popular colors? The dashboard issue is another factor, and I know the dashboard colors ARE available in US after 1/05. And just because it's not mentioned in spec sheets doesn't mean it's gone.

When we see "Electric Blue is discontinued" (or similar) official word from Mini--or if it's not on the NA website(s) when updated--we will know, eh? My $$$ says it will be...

J-bo gettin real impatient to order here PH MCS Cordoba Chrome-line int

Thought: could HB eventually replace EB?

[MINIAC]

At this point I'd take everything your dealer says and everything ASK MINI says with a grain of salt.

Just wait until the MINI USA configurator is updated for the 2005 model year.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by sequence

Why would Mini dump EB in NA when, unlike IB, it's one of their most popular colors?

Actually, last time I got an official update, they sold more IB than EB, helped by it being available across the range.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by gabe

That was my impression too but MINIUSA's bulletin about the 2005 spec listed this:

For MY 05, the CooperandCooperS will have the following new exterior colors options:


• A24 – Purple Haze, replaces 862 INDI BLUE
• A25 – Astro Black, replaces 303 COSMOS BLACK
• A28 – Hyper Blue available 1/05

Note there is no reference to EB going away in the document.

I read that as being a general reference, not that they will ALL be on ALL cars. If you see what I mean.

I've got some information that's more central and that all states that EB will produced for all models and IB is, of course, gone. HB will be produced for Cooper S models only.

[htrout13]

As the one who got this tread going again (sorry!) I have been told by MY dealer that EB will be available in the US for 05 - which is the opposite of what 3 dealers and MINIUSA told me. While on the phone with my dealer they called BMW and was told that it will be available... will they make up their minds!!!!!

I agree that we should wait until the miniusa site is updated - especially with so many stories flying from so many 'reliable ' sources...

I made the deadline though... managed to squeak an 04 EB into a dealer's order yesterday - already showing in the owners lounge tracking system... figured I'd rather be safe than sorry!!!

Now here's the question - since yesterday was the order deadline for the month of June, and from now on all orders will be for 05's, why isn't miniusa updated with 05 specs? Hmmmm....
Love me!!!

[gabe]

Here's your answer: http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/05/...r_configurator

[htrout13]

ahhhh so one question answered... thanks!!!

[Rob.]

Heather,
Nothing I have read suggests EB will be discontinued. If anything, it is being put across the range in some new markets.
Which model would you rather have? A slightly cheaper 04 EB S or a slightly more expensive new 05 spec in EB. I am almost sure both will be available
I can't help thinking your dealer wanted to sell an 04 model to you, so didn't state the facts openly and left a little greyness till he had the order

[htrout13]

I thought of that as well - and I decided that with so many telling me that it was going away (even dealers that couldn't sell me an 04), I'd rather order it now than take the chance that it will still be available in the 05... you'd think the dealer would want to sell me an 05 - since it is a bit more expensive... and with additional options it would have driven the price up even more! Who knows...
Ya know?
I do hope I'm wrong and that EB is here to stay - but it's the 'what if I'm right' that made me order when I did... and a 6 wk turn around compared to a 3 month + turn around sounded pretty good!

H

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by htrout13

I do hope I'm wrong and that EB is here to stay

Nah I hope you're right... I want to be unique and exclusive... Now that they are making the S in auto BLAH... they should discontinue EB then that way we'll know that if you have a EB S its a manual!!

[Rob.]

I agree with what you've wrote there
At least you know what your getting and when you're getting it
Whatever, I'm sure you'll enjoy it