MINI Cooper

alf3

I believe that the new MINI will be covered by the standard BMW maintenance plan, included in the cost of the car.....4 years, 50k warranty, and either 36 or 48 months no-cost maintenance. The warranty just ran out on my 96 318ti, and I do not find the servicing costs to be overwhelming....

rickrover

I've owned a bunch of BMW's and put a lot of miles on a couple of them - 160k miles on an 83 320i and 140k on an 86 325is, both still ran great when I sold them and never needed a major repair. They were not that expensive to maintain at all, even after the 100k mark. BMW parts are not as expensive as Honda or VW - no kidding. I am a preventative maintenance fanatic, if you take good care of a BMW it will last a long time with few worries.

div2

The vast majority of the "experts" on BMW maintenance and repair costs haven't even sat in a BMW. Their source is usually a cousin's sister-in-law's boss who knew someone who had a friend who owned a BMW.

eman5

Heard about it on NPR this morning.

Hope they work all the bugs out before they arrive in the United States...

silver_bullet

Add my vote to the list of people who "know better". I've owned six BMWs, only one of them purchased new. I've done virtually all the maintenance on them myself, because I enjoy working on machinery as well engineered as these cars are. If you avoid the dealer, and do some research, you'll find sources for genuine and OEM parts that are very reasonable - and yes, even cheaper than parts for Honda, VW, et al. On the other hand, someone who runs to the dealer for every little problem will get eaten alive...

alf3

Impacted about 500 MINIs previously delivered to customers, as well as others still in the pipeline. Apparently has something to do with static electricity and the fuel filler neck. More details at www.MINI2.com.

silver_bullet

After reading the articles in AutoWeek and Automobile magazines, I decided to add my name to the "waiting list" for a Cooper (not the Cooper S - too much silliness for me). There are currently no dealers in my state (TX) thanks to the ongoing litigation between BMW and their dealers, so I'll be travelling to Memphis when the time comes. Hope to plan a nice drive home, staying off the interstates as much as possible.

div2

Back in the early 90's I had a 1988 M6 as well as a 1984 T-Bird Turbo work beater. The Ford parts were almost always more expensive than the BMW equivalent. Go figure...

silver_bullet

"My" dealer (Roadshow BMW/MINI in Memphis) has not started taking deposits yet, although they plan on having a purchase agreement of some sort ready by next month, at which time a good faith deposit will be required. I was told that actual detailed orders will not be written until the first of the year, at which time I assume pricing for the cars and options will be available. Has anyone heard anything to the contrary from their dealer contact?

alf3

I provided my dealer with a $500 deposit back in mid June....I am something like #13 on their list.

rickrover

I'm 17 on the waiting list at Downtown Mini in Orlando - gave them a $1,000 deposit last January before they were a confirmed Mini dealer. This is Fields BMW - I got on the list on the second day of them taking deposits and came in at 17 - my salesman was off on the first day of the list. I noticed that Flow BMW in Winston-Salem N.C. is also going to be a Mini dealer - Flow and Fields are excellent dealers. I'm waiting for a Cooper S - I talked to Fields yesterday - the Mini contact said he expects the S to be available from the beginning in the U.S.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

silver_bullet

My contact at Roadshow also said that the Cooper S should arrive at the same time the Cooper shows up, but she guessed I would receive "my" special ordered Cooper a bit sooner, because the higher demand for the "S" will result in tighter supplies at first. Who knows - it is all speculation at this point. It is going to be a looong seven months, but I think the wait will be worth it - having said that, I'm glad Roadshow hasn't required a deposit up to this point. I think it is a bit much for a car dealer to use your money for over a year... or have they not cashed the checks?

rickrover

My deposit check was cashed - it's fully refundable, but not earning any interest. They should be contacting us to order our Mini's before March. When I've ordered a BMW it takes a couple of months for the car to show up at the dealership. Hopefully we'll be ordering our Mini's in January for March delivery - call me the eternal optimist.

silver_bullet

I went to the main MINI website and clicked on the "U.K." site, just to see what kind of options and pricing are in place. It looks like we are getting a much better selection of models and colors (the Brits can only choose from the MINI One and the Cooper, and have only four color choices for the Cooper). It also appears that many of the good things that are supposed to come standard on U.S. Coopers are options in the U.K. Based on the prices I'm seeing for a decently equipped U.K. spec Cooper, it looks like "our" cars may be fairly priced, as well.

smchale

Any idea what demographic BMW is trying to reach with the new MINI?

silver_bullet

Seriously, I think the new MINI is going to be a "category buster" just like the original one was. You are going to find all sorts of folks in MINIs. I don't think you are going to see too many people abandoning their SUVs for MINIs, but anyone with an open mind and a zest for driving will be a potential MINI customer.

rickrover

I agree with Silver Bullet - I think you'll see everyone from movie stars to college kids in them. I'll bet most U.S. Mini's will be second or third cars. I plan on using my S for my once a month autocross weekends and as a fun little in-town runabout. My Mini will be replacing an 83 911SC Porsche I used for the same purpose. I plan to bump the horsepower to around 200 and maybe modify the suspension a little with coilovers - if it's even necessary, can't wait to see how it handles out of the box with 17" wheels and sport suspension.. 200 HP should be really easy to achieve in the Cooper S. An under pully for the supercharger, ECU upgrade and maybe low restriction intake should do the trick. I'm hoping Dinan has the upgrades like they do for current BMW's - no impact on the warranty as long as the dealer installs the performance upgrades. I plan to go light on the options - I want my S with Xenon's, sport seats, sport suspension, 17" wheels, maybe leather and not much else. As for color, I'm leaning toward all silver exterior and gray or charcoal interior.

How are you guys going to order your Mini's???

silver_bullet

I'm going for a little more balance in my car - I've always had more fun in cars that balance available power with low weight and nimble handling, so I'm going for a Cooper and not a Cooper S. You and I are thinking exactly the same re: options - I'd like the sport suspension, sport seats, and xenon lights, but no sunroof or any of the other doodads. A good friend of mine has a 1967 Cooper S that is BRG with a white roof, so that is what I will probably select for my Mini -- keep it simple and classic is my goal.

rickrover

That will be one nice Cooper - 115 HP will be quite entertaining in this car. The only current car I could possibly compare it to for HP difference between models would be the GTI - 2.0 with 115 HP and 1.8t with 150 (or 180 for 2002). The 2.0 Golf is an entertaining car, but no comparison to the 1.8t version. If the Cooper wasn't comming out I'd probably end up with a 1.8t GTI and do all sorts of upgrades to it. An autocross friend of mine was going to wait to replace his 97 VR6 GTI with a Cooper S, couldn't wait, got a wild hair and just purchased a 2001 VR6 GTI - I tried to talk him out of it - or to wait for the 2002 201HP six speed VR6 GTI. I think he'll be really sorry when I get my Cooper S. CAN'T WAIT!

silver_bullet

Funny you should mention the GTI. I had one of the first 1983 GTIs in Houston (came off the first truckload in October 1982), and I still remember how much fun that little car was. I test drove a 2002 1.8T GTI last weekend, and while it is a nice car, and the 180HP engine is a blast, it left me kind of cold. I think it is still too heavy and too refined to push my "fun" button. Your Cooper S should be a kick... maybe I'll cheat and put an "S" badge on the back of my Cooper to show solidarity

silver_bullet

Check out the current issue of Bimmer magazine for a nice write-up of the Mini Cooper - good photos, too. The comments of the tester were uniformly positive, and much praise was given to the chassis design and over-the-road behavior, as well as the high quality feel of the car. I agree with the writer - the Mini isn't retro in the same way that the New Beetle or PT Cruiser is, because it is a purpose built car enginerred from top to bottom to redefine what a small car can and should be.

rickrover

I'm going to Barnes and Noble tonight to get a Bimmer - I really like that magazine. I'm collecting quite a library of Mini articles in a variety of magazines. I just received a Maisto metal 1:18 scale Mini Cooper model from the Mini website - the Mini store is open. Also got a few Mini lapel pins and a mousepad. The model is red and white with opening hood, trunk, doors and a stunning level of detail right down to underhood decals, just increadable. I was very impressed with the Mini store - top notch in every respect.

If you think the 1.8T GTI is a pig you should try a VR6 GLX GTI like my freinds 2001, leather, auto climate control etc, etc, it is an absolute hog - he'll be singing the blues when my Cooper S is here in a few months - CAN"T WAIT!!!

silver_bullet

I assume there are no North American spec cars running around right now, but has anyone seen photos of a Mini that appears to be a U.S. spec car? The August 2001 issue of Car & Driver has a Mini preview, and shows a gold and black Mini with the typical U.S. mandated front and rear side markers integrated into the wheelarch flares, and they look kind of tacky. I'm concerned that U.S. cars are going to have bumpers that protrude more than the ones we've seen on Euro-spec cars. This happened when Ford brought the Focus ZX3 to this country - the Euro cars are much sleeker looking. On a small car like the Mini, protruding bumpers are going to have a dramatic effect on the appearance, and not in a good way. The side markers could be eliminated, I'm guessing, by ordering the Euro- spec pieces of the fender flares - I never had a problem ordering Euro-spec parts for my grey market BMW, so hopefully the same will be true of the Mini...

silver_bullet

Another thought - I've seen three different wheel designs in the various magazines, but I wonder which one is the 16" wheel coming to the U.S. as part of the sport suspension package? Anyone know? I've seen the 17" interpretation of the classic Minilite wheel, and it looks too big and cartoonish for my tastes. The five-spoke wheel in the August 2001 Car & Driver is kind of plain, and doesn't suit the car IMO. What I would LOVE is a set of 16" Panasport wheels or real Minilites!

rickrover

I thought 17" would be standard with the sport suspension. What I'd like to know is if the Mini uses the same bolt pattern as a BMW 3 series - I bet it does. I'm going to have to see the various wheels in person before I make up my mind. Definately going with a 17" of some sort either factory or aftermarket.

I'll have to look up that Car and Driver article I didn't notice the side markers. It would be a shame if the U.S. spec Mini is significantly different than what we've seen in the magazines.

silver_bullet

The current E46 3 series has five-bolt hubs, and the Mini appears to have four-bolt hubs, so it doesn't look like they will interchange. I'd also guess the offset is very different, since most FWD cars run quite a bit of positive offset compared with RWD cars. I'd guess the final decision on equipment for our Minis is a ways off, but I've read one or two articles that say 15" wheels are standard, 16" wheels come with the sport suspension option, and 17" wheels are optional (but may come standard on the Cooper S with an even stiffer sport suspension).

rickrover

Those 15" painted wheels are ooogly. My Mini model has 5 spoke wheels that appear to be 17" that may be acceptable.
This may be the first car I've owned in a long time that I won't have to tweak the suspension. I like to add at least performance springs (ususally Eibach)that lower it an inch or so, shocks (Bilstein) and a swaybar or two depending on what I'm working on. As stiff as the Mini structure is I doubt it'll need a strut tower brace either. About the only thing I may need to do is put sticky Z rated tires on it.

qbrozen

Yes, I do believe I read that the S gets 17".

rickrover

Is anyone's Mini Dealer being built yet? My dealer has leased space in a trendy downtown area for a "Mini boutique". They are in the process of remodeling it now.

silver_bullet

Interesting article, but I wonder what language it originally appeared in? I'm not concerned about assembly quality issues, despite the Mini's British birthplace. U.K. manufacturing facilities that embrace the newest methods seem to turn out superior goods - I've owned two of the "new breed" of Triumph motorcycles, and the assembly quality and finish of these machines was first-rate. Quite a difference from the dark days (literally) of Joe Lucas and British Leyland...

rickrover

I don't have a problem with owning a British built vehicle. I owned an old Range Rover for 8+ years and 170k miles that was one of my all-time favorite vehicles. I was very apprehensive about buying the Rover initially but took a chance - it turned out to be rock solid dependable the entire time I owned it. It occaisonally had minor issues but it never stranded me, I loved that old beast. I sold it when I moved from the snow belt to the sun belt, otherwise I'd still be driving it. The Mini will be the best built car in it's class.

silver_bullet

For those who haven't visited in awhile, the color selection at the miniusa web site has been updated: 14 colors now, with different names than before, and a few colors (like "dark silver") that are only offered on the Cooper S. Looks like my first pick (BRG) is still being offered on both models. The sample car also sports the five-spoke alloy wheel... wonder if this is the 16" wheel?

rickrover

The wheels on the sample color car look to be 16's. The dark silver Mini in the intro appears to have 17's. I'm still leaning toward the pure silver - top and all. Thats a nice memorial window that pops up with the US flag painted on the top of a Mini.

silver_bullet

I got a call from "my" dealer, giving me a bit of an update on the delivery schedule. The latest word they've gotten indicates a delay in the release of the Cooper S, possibly until June or July 2002. The Cooper may also be delayed slightly, possibly until the end of March or early April. The car itself isn't the problem; rather, the legal and contractural issues with the dealerships seem to be the cause of the delay. It still appears that the end of the year is when a car order will be formally accepted for build. Still looking forward to a BRG beastie

rickrover

Thanks for the update - I haven't heard from my dealer lately. Can't wait to order mine.

periwon

BMW was showing the Mini prototype at the Petit LeMans yesterday, so I was able to get a good look. I think they did a wonderful job. I love the way they did the leather seats, and both inside and out, it was just perfect. Also on display was the new M3, which was just about ignored, while there was always a crowd around the Mini.

rickrover

I read awhile back that BMW would start touring the Mini around the country to the dealerships. I hope they start doing that soon - can't wait to see one in person. I missed seeing a Mini by a day on a recent business trip to Detroit. They had some sort of huge car show along Woodward avenue and had the new Mini there. I read about it on the Mini website about a week after it occured - talk about bummed. I may opt for the leather interior in my Mini, I usually go for cloth if it's available in a car - was it a two-tone leather interior?

pablo_l

I want a Mini as a second car. I put my name down on a list ages ago - I am still waiting for an update, for someone to ask me what I actually want. Seems things are off to a very slow start, or that the usual BMW dealership arrogance symbol is going to be part of the Mini experience...?

periwon

The car that was at Road Atlanta had the two tone leather interior, a combination of light tan and dark brown, in sort of a T shaped design. The seats were styled in sort of a sling design, and looked very inviting. I usually prefer cloth, too, but I'd seriously think about leather if I were getting a Mini, and they keep the same design.

periwon

The reason you aren't getting information from your dealer is probably they aren't getting any information from BMW. I worked for a Mazda dealership, and it seemed we were the last to hear about anything; the automotive press knew about things months before Mazda would give us the official word.

rickrover

This months Sport Compact Car magazine (with the Lancer Evo VII on the cover) has a test report on the New Mini. They drove it on a long road trip through Italy. They said the seats are extremely comfortable on long trips and there is plenty of room up front for 6'+ people.

orangelebaron

I was on vacation in Europe last week. Saw a few new minis on the road (and many old ones). Saw one on a pedestal in front of BMW's offices outside Zurich. I saw I glass tower about 5 stories tall full of Smart's by the highway in Nice. But most of all... I saw lot's of cool cars.... CARS THEY DON"T SELL HERE!!! We get stuck with all the boring 4-door sedans where in Europe they get the hatch and wagon versions we cannot get!

smchale

I understand the MINI engine is built by Chrysler in Brazil. Good thing or bad thing? Discuss.

silver_bullet

... is a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler, built in Brazil. I haven't seen an in-depth engineering analysis of this SOHC 1.6 liter four cylinder, so I'm willing to give BMW the benefit of the doubt until the details are available. If anyone has run across an authoritative critique of this engine, I'd love to read it.

periwon

Too true, there are lots of neat small cars available in Europe that we'll never see in the US. But we do get every freakin' Sport Futility Vehicle ever dreamed of. Ugh.

rickrover

I've read a ton of road test reports on the Mini, not one has mentioned anything negative about its engine characteristics other than it could use more power. I'm looking forward to a test of the supercharged version - or testing it out myself! I'm not concerned about this engine in the Mini - If it's good enough for BMW it's ok with me.

silver_bullet

The Cooper S is supposed to premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show -- it will be interesting to see how it differs cosmetically from the Cooper. I vaguely recall seeing photos of a prototype Cooper S that had too many scoops and such... made the car look sort of silly.

smchale

This unofficial website from the UK features a few photos of a Cooper S prototype. It looks like the car has one scoop. The website goes on to say that the car is fortunately, 'not too tarted up.'

http://www.mini2.com/news/news.php?id=53

smchale

This unofficial website from the UK features a few photos of a Cooper S prototype. It looks like the car has one scoop. The website goes on to say that the car is fortunately, 'not too tarted up.'

http://www.mini2.com/news/news.php?id=53

silver_bullet

Thanks for the link. Maybe I'm just too much of a "purist", but that scoop on the hood is too much for me. I know the supercharger probably makes it a necessity, but I'm glad I put my name down for a regular Cooper.