MINI2

tinfro · Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:13 PM

This past April I bought (what I think is) a 2005 Mini Cooper S. It was a (Japanese) Mini dealer demo car. The dealer advertised it as a 2005 model. I checked the VIN to see when it was built. It was built in September '05. Wouldn't that make it a 2006 model or is it truly an '05?
The reason I bring this up is because a friend and I were talking about build dates. I told him my build date and he told me my car is an '06.
If someone out there knows for sure, it would give my mind rest!
Thanks,
tinfro

cristo · Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:24 PM

Check the 10th character in your VIN. 6 = 2006, 5 = 2005.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...faq_vin_decode

tinfro · Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo (original)

Check the 10th character in your VIN. 6 = 2006, 5 = 2005.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...faq_vin_decode

I totally appreciate the help. It's a Japanese model. So instead of having a 5 or a 6, there is a 0 in the tenth character slot.

Root Ginger · Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:18 PM

The VIN should be the same globally. They all come out of the same factory anyway. It should be the digit before the T for Plant Oxford.

MINIAC · Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:41 PM

The 10th character of the VIN is NOT used universally as model year. It signifies model year in the US but is a "0" in Europe and (apparently) Japan.

September 2005 marked the start of production for US 2006 model year MINIs.

The significance of "model year" is somewhat diluted by the fact that production changes are occuring all the time, as evidenced in the Chronology of US 1st Generation MINI Changes

tinfro · Jul 3rd, 2007, 02:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original)

The VIN should be the same globally. They all come out of the same factory anyway. It should be the digit before the T for Plant Oxford.

I thought the same thing until I saw that I have a 0 where the 5 or 6 should be!? or was I misinformed again???

tinfro · Jul 3rd, 2007, 03:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

The 10th character of the VIN is NOT used universally as model year. It signifies model year in the US but is a "0" in Europe and (apparently) Japan.

September 2005 marked the start of production for US 2006 model year MINIs.

The significance of "model year" is somewhat diluted by the fact that production changes are occuring all the time, as evidenced in the Chronology of US 1st Generation MINI Changes

Since I do have a MINI Cooper S built in September '05, is it safe to say that it is a 2006 model? It was sold to me (used) as a 2005 four months ago. The only thing I would have a problem with is the fact that I only have a one year warranty instead of 2.

MINIAC · Jul 3rd, 2007, 04:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by tinfro (original)

Since I do have a MINI Cooper S built in September '05, is it safe to say that it is a 2006 model? It was sold to me (used) as a 2005 four months ago. The only thing I would have a problem with is the fact that I only have a one year warranty instead of 2.

Since the VIN has no "model year" designation maybe the dealer is able to call it a 2005 model because of the year it was built.

I don't understand what model year has to do with the warranty. If the original warranty still applies it should be based on build or original delivery date. If a used car warranty applies, it's at the dealer's discretion.

tinfro · Jul 4th, 2007, 03:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

Since the VIN has no "model year" designation maybe the dealer is able to call it a 2005 model because of the year it was built.

I don't understand what model year has to do with the warranty. If the original warranty still applies it should be based on build or original delivery date. If a used car warranty applies, it's at the dealer's discretion.

That's what I kind of figured. I guess if the MINI dealer says it is a 2005 (even though it was built 09/05) I guess I should accept that fact. Anyway, thanks to all for your valued input!

Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:13 PM	#1
tinfro MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tsukuba mirai Local Time: 01:30 PM Posts: 27 Offline	what model year do I actually have!? This past April I bought (what I think is) a 2005 Mini Cooper S. It was a (Japanese) Mini dealer demo car. The dealer advertised it as a 2005 model. I checked the VIN to see when it was built. It was built in September '05. Wouldn't that make it a 2006 model or is it truly an '05? The reason I bring this up is because a friend and I were talking about build dates. I told him my build date and he told me my car is an '06. If someone out there knows for sure, it would give my mind rest! Thanks, tinfro

Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
tinfro MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tsukuba mirai Local Time: 01:30 PM Posts: 27 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by cristo (original) Check the 10th character in your VIN. 6 = 2006, 5 = 2005. http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...faq_vin_decode I totally appreciate the help. It's a Japanese model. So instead of having a 5 or a 6, there is a 0 in the tenth character slot. Attached Thumbnails

Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Root Ginger Amiga 500 to PS3 20 Years Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Slough, Berkshire Local Time: 05:30 AM Posts: 4,673 Offline	The VIN should be the same globally. They all come out of the same factory anyway. It should be the digit before the T for Plant Oxford. It was acceptable in the 80's

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Jul 3rd, 2007, 12:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
cristo BLIKSEM (my brg/brg mc) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: york, pennsylvania Local Time: 12:30 AM Posts: 2,202 Offline	Check the 10th character in your VIN. 6 = 2006, 5 = 2005. http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...faq_vin_decode

Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 09:30 PM Posts: 8,463 Offline	The 10th character of the VIN is NOT used universally as model year. It signifies model year in the US but is a "0" in Europe and (apparently) Japan. September 2005 marked the start of production for US 2006 model year MINIs. The significance of "model year" is somewhat diluted by the fact that production changes are occuring all the time, as evidenced in the Chronology of US 1st Generation MINI Changes

Jul 3rd, 2007, 02:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
tinfro MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tsukuba mirai Local Time: 01:30 PM Posts: 27 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Root Ginger (original) The VIN should be the same globally. They all come out of the same factory anyway. It should be the digit before the T for Plant Oxford. I thought the same thing until I saw that I have a 0 where the 5 or 6 should be!? or was I misinformed again???

Jul 3rd, 2007, 03:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
tinfro MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tsukuba mirai Local Time: 01:30 PM Posts: 27 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original) The 10th character of the VIN is NOT used universally as model year. It signifies model year in the US but is a "0" in Europe and (apparently) Japan. September 2005 marked the start of production for US 2006 model year MINIs. The significance of "model year" is somewhat diluted by the fact that production changes are occuring all the time, as evidenced in the Chronology of US 1st Generation MINI Changes Since I do have a MINI Cooper S built in September '05, is it safe to say that it is a 2006 model? It was sold to me (used) as a 2005 four months ago. The only thing I would have a problem with is the fact that I only have a one year warranty instead of 2.

Jul 3rd, 2007, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
MINIAC MINI Profiler Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: City By The Bay Local Time: 09:30 PM Posts: 8,463 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by tinfro (original) Since I do have a MINI Cooper S built in September '05, is it safe to say that it is a 2006 model? It was sold to me (used) as a 2005 four months ago. The only thing I would have a problem with is the fact that I only have a one year warranty instead of 2. Since the VIN has no "model year" designation maybe the dealer is able to call it a 2005 model because of the year it was built. I don't understand what model year has to do with the warranty. If the original warranty still applies it should be based on build or original delivery date. If a used car warranty applies, it's at the dealer's discretion.

Jul 4th, 2007, 03:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
tinfro MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tsukuba mirai Local Time: 01:30 PM Posts: 27 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original) Since the VIN has no "model year" designation maybe the dealer is able to call it a 2005 model because of the year it was built. I don't understand what model year has to do with the warranty. If the original warranty still applies it should be based on build or original delivery date. If a used car warranty applies, it's at the dealer's discretion. That's what I kind of figured. I guess if the MINI dealer says it is a 2005 (even though it was built 09/05) I guess I should accept that fact. Anyway, thanks to all for your valued input!

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