[danbanger]

Just wanted to say I'm new here and this is my first post. My parents just put a down payment for the new 2005 Mini Coopers. I'm so spoiled . It is soppose to be coming August/September I think? Anyone know otherwise? My mom wont let me get the color black for the car because she says since the car is already so small people wont be able to see me so I'm getting red. Anything I should know ? Thanks guys.

EDIT: Do any floormats come with the car? I know you can get some floormats for $95 but I'm just wondering if they have a "stock" floormat that comes with the car.

[racer-x]

Welcome danbanger! I remember my first post less than a month ago, now I'm HOOKED. Mom is right! you'll shoot your eye out with a black MC, or was that a Red Rider BB gun? Anyway, yes they do come with carpet floormats, as far as what you need to know, it's all right here in these forums.

[stryder]

Welcome to MINI2. If your mom is worried about the color of the car not being visible, then maybe you should get yellow, they're not known for being subtle. Personally black's rather obvious, especially in a sea of white, tan and silver, which seem to be the most common cars on the road, but I understand her concern.

Floor mats don't come with the car actually, but you can sometimes convince the dealer to throw them in free, since they're no where near $95 cost to the dealer. Often times dealer 'prep fees' include floor mats as a way of extra profit as well, so some people may be mistaken that they were inclinded. If that fails, you can buy them at a discount from other dealers, or get some aftermarket custom ones, like cocomats, all around the same price.

[racer-x]

Just looked at both my invoice papers, one for my MC and one for my MCS, and no charge anywhere for floormats. and i did not negotiate for free mats. I guess it depends on the dealer. I'll call and ask, cause now I'm wondering? stryder was right! $95.00 on a second invoice, the small one attached to the window sticker.

[danbanger]

Thanks guys, this is good to know because in a few weeks they'll send me the stuff to choose from for the '05 MC. So you are saying if they don't come with them I can buy them from a different dealer for a cheaper price?

Edit: And is the antenna something that comes standard? If it's not what do they use?

[stryder]

Quote: Originally Posted by danbanger

Thanks guys, this is good to know because in a few weeks they'll send me the stuff to choose from for the '05 MC. So you are saying if they don't come with them I can buy them from a different dealer for a cheaper price?

Edit: And is the antenna something that comes standard? If it's not what do they use?

Exactly. Specifically Classic MINI in OH sells parts at around a 20% discount, but sometimes shipping can be a pain (the floor mats are pretty heavy, and you'd only save $20, so I'm not sure if it'd work in the end, but it does for other stuff).

And what antenna? The one for the radio? There's a new antenna design for '05, that you'll see in the pictures in the news section, so you may have seen two different kinds if you're comparing pictures, but you get 1 antenna mounted on your car for the radio. If you have a specific question about which antenna, then perhaps a picture or a link is a good idea, since a few people have changed theirs from the original one.

[HVY WGHT]

MINIs are addicting, but well worth it. The most fun on four wheels.

For '05 there is one antenna which will cover the standard radio, the optional nav system and the optional satelite radio. The previous gen had a standard one for the radio (tall and black), a sharkfin one for the nav system, and then another one similar to the standard one but with a wider base for the satelite radio. All mounted in the same place on the roof. I believe when you have the nav system the antenna used to be in the right rear window for the radio and the satelite antenna/receiver mounted elsewhere. Now there'll only be one.

Totally depends on the dealer as to the floormats. I think they throw them in if you get a lot of equipment or accessories, but if you don't, they charge you. They're nice though and worth the money for the OEM look and fit.

Have fun and search everywhere for info here on MINI2 and at motoringfile.com

[markweb]

I ordered a MINI Cooper recently and the dealer called today to pin down the build specs - turns out their allocation is up for 2005, so the delivery time is shortened by 2-3 months (original estimate was 6 months). Couldn't look at the website for order codes and equipment or colors, but they had the data in their books and walked me through the choices.

I changed from a body color roof to a black hat. So now there is more of a classic MINI look. Body color remains Pepper White.

I stuck with DSC and a 5 speed. The CVT is tempting, with more of a "manual feel," but the rep said the new Getrag will be very fine and long lived, and admitted that the CVT used by the MINI doesn't have a lot of field testing yet (it is a low torque box). He said resale is not an issue, MINI drivers like stickshifts. Since I am buying, not leasing, I decided to go with a manual transmission.

I upgraded to the Harmon Kardon sound - much cheaper than aftermarket, and the cost will be returned on eventual sale.

I waffled on 2 spoke vs. 3 spoke multifunction wheel, but for 2005 3 spoke is the only option; no more two spoke.

Leatherette is now available in gray, and the salesperson thought it would look ok and reduce the "hot seat" issue with the black leatherette.

I had originally spec'd silver trim, but changed to anthracite; the sales rep recommended this, and I recollected that the silver trim models I looked at seemed busy.

I passed on the black headliner option.

I waffled on the rear spoiler, which usually comes with the sport package, but decided to keep it.

I discussed the stock wheels vs. 16 inch run flats, and decided to stick with the stock wheels and tires for comfort, and upgrade to Bridgestone 950's or something similar in 195x60x15 later. Sales rep said the 16" runflats are too hard, the 17 inch ones are hard, but I am not enamored of runflats anyway. The rep said the 15" wheels, oddly enough, preserve more of the classic original Mini "small wheel" look...which may be good.

The sales rep who confirmed my build specs was more knowledgeable than the original sales person. More of a motorhead. He said the 1.6 engine is a lot better than it's given credit for; that it might benefit from variable valve timing, but breathes well for a SOHC. He confirmed (at least his opinion) that the SOHC has more power than officially rated. He stated that new test drive models don't pull nearly as well as a broken in engine.

Oil changes (beyond the indicator light ones) will be around $65 so that is no longer something to worry about - about what Jiffy Lube charges for synthetic. The selling dealer has an express oil change lane that is open on Saturdays. Cool.

It is a drop in oil filter, not a spin on, designed for high flow rates (something about good oil pressure?).

The sales rep's personal MINI has an oil temp gauge, and he said it runs cool except on 100 degree days with hard driving.

Not much else to say until I take delivery....

[stryder]

Congrats on ordering!

Maybe I'm a bit jaded, but your sales rep sounds like he's making stuff up (big surprise for a dealer...). How did he decide the Getrag 5 speed will be very fine and long lived? Has he even driven it yet? And I like shifting my own gears but what does 'not a lot of field testing mean' There's tens of thousands of CVT MINIs running around for the past 2 or 3 years, and no real mention of any problems... Check out the CVT forum, everyone seems happy.

Finally on runflats, almost everyone (outside of your sales guy) agrees the 16" runflats have the best balance of performance and acceptable ride. And if you don't want runflats, with a cooper you should still get a spare (unless they change that for '05) so your next set of 16" tires can be non-runflats... classic minis had absolutely tiny wheels, even 15" look huge in comparision, so I'm not sure what he's talking about there.

He is correct that german horses are bigger (ie BMW's always tend to dyno with more hp then rated)

Anyway, as I said congratulations, and may your wait be short, but have a look around, and don't trust everything your dealer says, they're generally one of the least informed groups you'll meet within the MINI world.

[danbanger]

So even though on Monday (Memorial Day) he said it would be 2 weeks before I can choose the options and things for the cars that has changed and he will be calling us in a few days or since I ordered kinda late in the month that I may taker longer?

[stryder]

It may take a bit longer, it depends on when your car is supposed to be built, usually you spec your car 4-5 weeks before its built, so you may be looking at a bit later in July. I'd trust your salesguy, since he probably has the schedule, but if he doesn't call in 2 weeks (or you just feel like finding out whats up) call him back. He gets paid to deal with you being annoying, or he does when you finally buy the car.