Chronology of 1st Generation MINI Changes

[MINIAC]

Rear fog lights were not first available as a factory option until December 2003.

Despite the fact that the bulbs and wiring were present in the tail light assemblies, and that rear fog lights were an option in Europe, MINI USA originally chose not to offer them.

Some owners used them as extra brake lights, while many undertook a quest to get the fog lights to operate.

A grassroots petition started in November 2002 caused MINI USA to rethink their position on as evidenced by this May 2003 Autoweek article:

Quote:

Mini will get a rear fog lamp in the not-too-distant future, says Jack Pitney, head of Mini’s U.S. operation.

Big deal?

Well, it is to 729 signers of an e-petition (petitiononline.com/MINIfogs) irked over a disabled fog lamp that dresses the Mini’s rear end.

Europe gets the working edition of the lamp, but U.S.-spec cars are lacking the switch and software to activate the light. Pitney says all U.S. Minis, new and used, will get rear fog lamps.

The "not-too-distant" future for used MINIs turned out to be the end September 2003.


A rear fog light was not a factory option on the 2005 model until November 2004.

In July 2004 the fog lights changed from one in each tail light assembly to a single one in the rear bumper position formerly occupied by the reverse light. Unfortunately, because the new fog light location was illegal in California and Oregon, MINI USA decided not to offer the rear fog light as an option.

Once again deluged by customer complaints, MINI USA obtained a waiver from California on the fog light location and made the fog light a factory option, except in Oregon. In February 2005 a bulletin was issued for retrofitting the rear fog light, but it only applied to cars built after mid October, as those built prior had no wiring harness for the light.


Associated Reading:

• How to use inoperable rear fog lamps as extra brake lights
• The Quest
• The Petition
• CA and OR Laws

Associated Images (left to right):

• Retrofit Bulletin for 2002 - 2004 model year
  • Page 1
  • Page 2 [see NOTE]
• Retrofit Bulletin for 2005 model year
  • Page1
  • Page 2

NOTE:

Switch Pack part numbers (61 31 6 917 ###) for cars with and without front fog lights have been reversed. Refer to the 2005 model year bulletin for correct part numbers.

[MINIAC]

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 12, 2006... MINI USA announces the North American Debut of the 2006 MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit (GP) at the New York International Auto Show.

This limited-production, sport tuned model comes exclusively in a two-seat configuration and offers a level of performance that makes it the most powerful MINI available from the factory. The 'GP' produces 214 horsepower and is approximately 100 pounds lighter than the standard MINI Cooper S model, allowing it to achieve a top speed of 150 mph.

The two letters "GP" in the name of this unique model stand for "Grand Prix", paying tribute to MINI's motor sport pedigree - a pedigree not only demonstrated by the Classic Mini's Monte Carlo rally wins in the 60s, but by MINI's competitive successes today, including road racing, auto cross, rally sport and even drag racing.

The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit will be limited to a production run of exactly 2,000 units worldwide. The US market will receive an exclusively limited number of only 415 of these cars which go on sale this fall with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of $31,150 including a $550 destination charge.

Under the bonnet, the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit features additional modifications to the intercooler, the supercharger and the electronic engine management system. With these modifications this model now boasts a 46 horsepower increase in engine power over that of a standard Copper S model, producing 214 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque at 4600 RPM. The low restriction twin-pipe sport exhaust, adds an impressively throaty sound, underscoring the enhanced sport-tuning of the engine.

The performance-enhanced power plant in the new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit offers even more on-road performance with acceleration times of 6.5 seconds from 0 to 62 mph. To transfer this extra power to the road, the car comes standard with a limited-slip differential, enhancing traction under acceleration. This feature not only helps to optimize traction on slippery roads, but also during spirited driving. DSC Dynamic Stability Control adds a further level of active safety on the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit.

An essential feature of the John Cooper Works GP Kit is its sport suspension and sport brakes with components carefully matched to the greater power of the engine. Even firmer springs and stronger dampers enhance the outstanding agility of the car while larger sport brakes with special composition pads add greater stopping power.

The new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit stands out with an exclusive Aerodynamics Package with deeper, more contoured front and rear air dams and side sills. The roof spoiler with its racing wing profile is a prominent feature at the rear of the roof line.

The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit also features an exclusive metallic paint scheme in Thunder Blue with the roof finished in Pure Silver. Adding exclusivity to this limited-production model, each MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP kit is sequentially numbered with a distinctive roof graphic just over the side door. The surrounds on the air scoops along the engine compartment lid and in the front air dam are also finished in Pure Silver. The exterior mirrors come in an attractive contrasting Chili Red. And white side direction indicators come standard.

The purist interior of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit exudes more than just a "touch" of motor sport. The rear seat bench was removed to help reduce the weight of the car, and is now a flat loading area. For even greater convenience, the floor can be folded up in a Z-arrangement for easy access to two additional storage boxes. An aluminum finished cargo brace bar behind the front seats helps to keep cargo secure.

The sport interior is fitted with driver and passenger sports seats that come in an exclusive GP cloth/leather upholstery combination and a special three-spoke leather sports steering wheel. The dashboard again underlines the sporting character of the car with a center mounted speedometer and the tachometer mounted on the steering column. Both displays come in Anthracite, with red needles ensuring excellent clarity and readability.

Additional weight saving measures included replacing the conventional rear control arms with ones made from aluminum. This along with modifications the body and omission of some of the sound-deadening material come together to help reduce the overall weight of the car by approximately 100 pounds compared to a MINI comparably equipped Cooper S.