MINI2

3rdpillar · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:08 PM

Having driven the Cooper S at the weekend , abiet briefly, I have changed my mind and now am looking for a Cooper S and not a Cooper. But it has to be at the right price and with the right Spec.

I see alot abouts these forums consirning "facelifts". Would someone please tell me how to recognise a facelift MCS and what the facelift includes. Interior Exterior and engine.

Thank you

David

Olly. · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:10 PM

Heres a MINI2 news article that explains it all very well - http://www.mini2.com/article405-the-...e-to-mini.html

3rdpillar · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:12 PM

this could be what i was looking for....thank you.
oohh so excited, i get to play for an hour on my own in MCS at dealers on Saturday..... maybe keep the chequebook at home, so I can make a decision without my head up the exhaust pipe!

minisoopercooper · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:16 PM

Are you meaning the facelift R53 against the pre facelift R53? Or R53 against R56?

If it's the 1st the easiest things to spot are the rear light clusters and the 3 piece dash as opposed to the 5 piece in the pre 05 cars.

Olly. · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original)

this could be what i was looking for....thank you.
oohh so excited, i get to play for an hour on my own in MCS at dealers on Saturday..... maybe keep the chequebook at home, so I can make a decision without my head up the exhaust pipe!

Impulse buys are the best, enjoy

Rakey · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:23 PM

Also worth noting the improvements between the pre-facelift car and the facelifted ones

Such as prefacelift Coopers have the troublesome Midlands gear box, the facelifted models have the Getrag box which is more reliable but not as smooth.

The MCS facelifted model has better gear ratios, and the option to have LSD came in on the facelifted model which is a great option to have

Facelifted models generally cost a little more, but they also hold this value too compared to a pre-facelifted car

OneDriver · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:35 PM

Be careful, as many enthusiasts such as myself facelift the cars themselves partly... check actual build dates to be sure.
Mines got the updated rear lights, bumpers, grill surround etc... so is a bit misleading - I've seen others with the same, especially the grill surround as many prefer the smoother face-lifted look.

thepharcyde · Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:58 PM

Don't do it, I impulsed boughts and sold mine after 6 months, I should have held onto my Focus for longer, I am picking up a BM 330sport on saturday.

3rdpillar · Jan 24th, 2007, 09:05 AM

Thank you so far for your thoughts. It is clear from trawling round the dealerships that there are knowledgeable salespeople, muppets and very professional salespeople.

It is their prime directive to secure as much as they can for the cars on their forecout, to this end they have a few "tricks" to maximize the price. Simplest of which is valeting the car to make it look cared for and in immaculate condition.

From reading these forums, prices on tradeins have plummeted, but this not not yet reflected in cherished mini prices. Cherished minis are a good deal, BUT the law of supply and demand must work to the benefit of the buyer in a flooded market.

The chequebook will stay at home, but i will make this clear. I am not prepared to buy a car 2nd hand, over 2 years old, to have it depreciate like a stone the minuite it leaves the showroom.

I expect a new car to depreciate, MINI has traditionally held its value, to this end I feel that a better option maybe to spec a new R56 for march / april delivery. I will pay for the previlage of being a parent to a new born, but it comes with its own pleasures and this is what you pay for in depreciation.

Few weeks ago this was so simple, I was going to buy a very nice looking june 06 cooper... then I realized that a R56 cooper would be roughly thew same cost ( given a few options i could care less about ).

Then I stepped into an S, and oh boy it changed!!

All part of the Adventure!!!

CC07ERS · Jan 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM

usually there are scars behind the ears lol i couldnt resist it

3rdpillar · Jan 24th, 2007, 09:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by cco7ers (original)

usually there are scars behind the ears lol i couldnt resist it

I wont bore you with the how i "was" going to start this tread, but needless to say it was too funny to take seriously. And I am serious about my future pleasure.

Richard Crofts · Jan 24th, 2007, 10:10 AM

Facelifts will have 04-current issue plates. Anything with 51-04 plate could be pre-facelift. On the S the facelift is more difficult to spot than on the Coopers and ONE. The facelift happened in July ? 2004 and all MINI have a build date printed on a sticker on the drivers side wing under the bonnet. If you go to see a 04 car just have a sufty at that to ensure it is a post July 04 plated car and not a pre facelift 04. Anything from 54 onwards is defo a facelift. On the S there is not a huge difference. Some changes to the type of xenon headlight used and soem bits here and there...the major facelift changes occured to the ONE and Cooper really, including a totally different gearbox.

R

rhardaker · Jan 24th, 2007, 01:08 PM

Easiest way to spot is from back. If the central bumper light is white it's a reversing light and a pre-facelift. If it's red it's a foglight and a facelift model - applies to all models.

3rdpillar · Jan 24th, 2007, 06:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by rhardaker (original)

Easiest way to spot is from back. If the central bumper light is white it's a reversing light and a pre-facelift. If it's red it's a foglight and a facelift model - applies to all models.

excellent

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:08 PM	#1
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 524 Offline	How to recognise a facelift? Having driven the Cooper S at the weekend , abiet briefly, I have changed my mind and now am looking for a Cooper S and not a Cooper. But it has to be at the right price and with the right Spec. I see alot abouts these forums consirning "facelifts". Would someone please tell me how to recognise a facelift MCS and what the facelift includes. Interior Exterior and engine. Thank you David

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
minisoopercooper Some have THICK skins!!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 20,405 Online	Are you meaning the facelift R53 against the pre facelift R53? Or R53 against R56? If it's the 1st the easiest things to spot are the rear light clusters and the 3 piece dash as opposed to the 5 piece in the pre 05 cars. ↑↑↑ - Click me for the event of the year. - ↑↑↑

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rakey Four Candles? My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Hardware Shop Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 50,823 Offline	Also worth noting the improvements between the pre-facelift car and the facelifted ones Such as prefacelift Coopers have the troublesome Midlands gear box, the facelifted models have the Getrag box which is more reliable but not as smooth. The MCS facelifted model has better gear ratios, and the option to have LSD came in on the facelifted model which is a great option to have Facelifted models generally cost a little more, but they also hold this value too compared to a pre-facelifted car The only problem I have is knowing which one to drive?

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Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Olly. Overboosting..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 3,492 Offline	Heres a MINI2 news article that explains it all very well - http://www.mini2.com/article405-the-...e-to-mini.html

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 524 Offline	this could be what i was looking for....thank you. oohh so excited, i get to play for an hour on my own in MCS at dealers on Saturday..... maybe keep the chequebook at home, so I can make a decision without my head up the exhaust pipe!

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olly. Overboosting..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 3,492 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by 3rdpillar (original) this could be what i was looking for....thank you. oohh so excited, i get to play for an hour on my own in MCS at dealers on Saturday..... maybe keep the chequebook at home, so I can make a decision without my head up the exhaust pipe! Impulse buys are the best, enjoy

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
OneDriver It's only a one... Honest Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bristol & Cheshire Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 177 Offline	Be careful, as many enthusiasts such as myself facelift the cars themselves partly... check actual build dates to be sure. Mines got the updated rear lights, bumpers, grill surround etc... so is a bit misleading - I've seen others with the same, especially the grill surround as many prefer the smoother face-lifted look.

Jan 23rd, 2007, 04:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
thepharcyde MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2006 Local Time: 07:12 AM Posts: 44 Offline	Don't do it, I impulsed boughts and sold mine after 6 months, I should have held onto my Focus for longer, I am picking up a BM 330sport on saturday.

Jan 24th, 2007, 09:05 AM	#9 (permalink)
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 524 Offline	Thank you so far for your thoughts. It is clear from trawling round the dealerships that there are knowledgeable salespeople, muppets and very professional salespeople. It is their prime directive to secure as much as they can for the cars on their forecout, to this end they have a few "tricks" to maximize the price. Simplest of which is valeting the car to make it look cared for and in immaculate condition. From reading these forums, prices on tradeins have plummeted, but this not not yet reflected in cherished mini prices. Cherished minis are a good deal, BUT the law of supply and demand must work to the benefit of the buyer in a flooded market. The chequebook will stay at home, but i will make this clear. I am not prepared to buy a car 2nd hand, over 2 years old, to have it depreciate like a stone the minuite it leaves the showroom. I expect a new car to depreciate, MINI has traditionally held its value, to this end I feel that a better option maybe to spec a new R56 for march / april delivery. I will pay for the previlage of being a parent to a new born, but it comes with its own pleasures and this is what you pay for in depreciation. Few weeks ago this was so simple, I was going to buy a very nice looking june 06 cooper... then I realized that a R56 cooper would be roughly thew same cost ( given a few options i could care less about ). Then I stepped into an S, and oh boy it changed!! All part of the Adventure!!!

Jan 24th, 2007, 09:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
CC07ERS TYPE R GT VTEC POWERED My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Type R GT Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 2,746 Offline	usually there are scars behind the ears lol i couldnt resist it

Jan 24th, 2007, 09:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 524 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by cco7ers (original) usually there are scars behind the ears lol i couldnt resist it I wont bore you with the how i "was" going to start this tread, but needless to say it was too funny to take seriously. And I am serious about my future pleasure.

Jan 24th, 2007, 10:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
Richard Crofts THE STICK Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Worcestershire WR15 Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 3,095 Offline	Facelifts will have 04-current issue plates. Anything with 51-04 plate could be pre-facelift. On the S the facelift is more difficult to spot than on the Coopers and ONE. The facelift happened in July ? 2004 and all MINI have a build date printed on a sticker on the drivers side wing under the bonnet. If you go to see a 04 car just have a sufty at that to ensure it is a post July 04 plated car and not a pre facelift 04. Anything from 54 onwards is defo a facelift. On the S there is not a huge difference. Some changes to the type of xenon headlight used and soem bits here and there...the major facelift changes occured to the ONE and Cooper really, including a totally different gearbox. R

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Jan 24th, 2007, 01:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
rhardaker Big Grin... Join Date: May 2003 Location: West Yorkshire Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 382 Offline	Easiest way to spot is from back. If the central bumper light is white it's a reversing light and a pre-facelift. If it's red it's a foglight and a facelift model - applies to all models.

Jan 24th, 2007, 06:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
3rdpillar MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blackburn Local Time: 08:12 AM Posts: 524 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by rhardaker (original) Easiest way to spot is from back. If the central bumper light is white it's a reversing light and a pre-facelift. If it's red it's a foglight and a facelift model - applies to all models. excellent