MINI Cooper

nyccarguy

Maybe if you buy a Mini out of state, BMW will send a technician to your house to perform any necessary repairs...lol!

cayennered1

This free standing Mini dealerhip thing has done a number on Michigan as well.

Apparently the only frachisee in the state has encountered delays in building a new dealership. BMW will not permit the sale of Mini's at any other location so basically there will be no Minis sold in Michigan until the end of the year when the dealership is completed.

Seems like a stupid way to promote a new model. No availability in major markets like Detroit, Houston, Dallas.

Well absense makes the heart grow fonder but a lot of people will be more than happy to move on to another vehicle when it's time to shop for a new car.

alf3

OK, Silver Bullet...I am not an expert on Japanese franchises, but going back a number of years, when Nissan, Toyota, and Honda set up their separate sales channels for Infiniti / Lexus / Acura....doesn't BMW's insistence on a separate franchise for MINI mirror the Japanese arrangements years ago ??

silver_bullet

Alf3, good point about the premium Japanese nameplates and their sepaprate facilities, but the situation with MINI is a bit different... MINIs aren't likely to cannabalize sales from the BMWs on the same showroom floor. If Lexus cars sat side by side with Toyotas, people might look at an Avalon or Camry and wonder why they should pay all the extra $$ for a Lexus. Plus, some low life waiting for his Corolla to be serviced might steal all the latte from the Lexus customers Seriously, BMW dealers have already been jerked around by BMW NA in the past. First, BMW demanded single-marque dealerships, so quite a few dealers had to build new facilities or drop their second or third franchise. No more BMW/Saab/Whatever dealerships allowed. BMW NA has also slapped restrictions on who can sell their SUVs, and requires a separation of sorts for these vehicles. I guess making MINI another stand-alone brand was the straw that broke the camel's back.

kookoolooloo

They've added a "Build Your Own" link on the home page. My Cooper "should" only be $22,600.

vinceburlapp

Check out this new Japanese little thing, coming to the US in less than 2 years

http://www.thehollywoodextra.com

go to the car page.

rickrover

That thing is oooogly -

nyccarguy

lol...stealing latte from the lexus customers!

prlady1

Hi Alf3,
Your comments about MINI intrigued a reporter. Would you mind contacting me offline so we can talk about setting up an interview?
Thanks much,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
jfallon@edmunds.com

trent_fl

The waiting list might seems long, but with 20,000 MINIs manufacture each year, I think that more than enough to go around. If you're not on the list now (like me), waiting a year should clear up the situation. And for those in FL, having 8 dealers should help.

Speaking from personal experience, my Civic Si is one of 30,000 cars produced (15,000 a year for 99 and 2000). Around here in Orlando, FL, I see other Civic Si all the time. There's one at work and another one in the neighborhood.

Personally, I think BMW should invert the proportion of the Cooper S and the Cooper, ie, 80% Cooper S and 20% Cooper, or at least 60/40. With the price of both under $20k, I don't see the majority of buyers going for the Cooper.

revdrluv

I would.

mdmetz

I'd drive it too, as would most men who are more interested in performance, handling, finish quality and style than in, um, projection and compensation.

silver_bullet

The original Cooper S was a "guy car", and the new MINI will have strong guy appeal as well, IMO. I laugh every time I see a guy in some huge, over-done Dodge Ram with all the Mr. Macho Badass accessories bolted/glued on... "Mr. Overcompensate" :-)

oldmini

I drive a Mini. I'm not a "chick." Guess what? In the real world, stereotypes like that are dead.

lovefastcars

I completely agree with you. I'm going to be sixteen in a couple of months and I have a Mini Cooper S ordered from our local dealer in Kansas City (I live in Omaha). My girlfriend helped me pick it out, but it defiantly is not just a chick car.

revdrluv

That is a pretty sweet first car. Your a lucky guy.

Now don't you go out and ruin it with chrome wheels and outrageous spoilers!

nyccarguy

very sweet car for your first! Glad to hear you're getting a stick! We need more young buyers to get their first cars as stick shifts!

lovefastcars

I have yet to figure out why anyone would want an auto. Too boring for me. My dad lets me drive his MR2 Spyder on Sunday mornings. (Really fun car). My dad grew up in England and his first car was a Mini and he thought I should get one too. AND to Revdrluv, I can't imagine a Mini with a spoiler. That's a bit of a sterotype. I like the look of the Mini by itself. I can't wait till I pick it up!

revdrluv

Yeah, my first car was a very stubborn stick shift.

Imagine my dismay, I dreamed of the freedom wheels would grant me. I could go to the beach, the movies, a friends house without having to ask for a ride. I get the keys and jump in to the drivers seat. This car wasn't one of those that just stalls out. It was a worn out 87 ranger that bucked and jumped like the little kid's rodeo rides you'll find at the entrance of your local wall-mart or mall. By the time I got anywhere I was so tired of driving that I just wanted to go home. I had to learn the hard way but at least I learned. Cars are a big pain in the [non-permissible content removed].

Made me a really good driver though.

silver_bullet

... and a silly hood scoop, and different front and rear fascias, and side sills. Tacky, IMO. If I ever get in a position to buy a MINI, it will have to be a Cooper and not a Cooper S.

harlequin1971

I have had both, and I truly prefer the manuals, but, my next car will be an automatic. I owned a Honda Civic HX with CVT tranny, and it was a pleasure to drive, regardless of conditions. I can't say that with my BMW 318! (WHAT?????)

At age 16, I don't think you can appreciate the pains of draining gears in stop and go traffic, every 5 of 7 days, for 30-60 minutes each way. I am there right now, and it is pure hell, to be stuck in traffic is bad enough, but my knees, and my nerves do not appreciate the manual in a tight traffic slowdown.

For the rest of you'all. I am not a slushbox lover, but I can appreciate the inherent goodness of a slick CVT tranny, and hope the Mini CVT is not too americanized (what is with the six gear "spots"?) Drive one for a year and then make an opinion about them. I did for three, coming from a VW, Infiniti and a Saab manual shifter. The Honda was smooth and easy, no worries, ever about the tranny or what I was doing, regardless of my mental state...which at 7am on the interstate is barely passing for self-aware.

Now, if they would just go ahead and slam an auto in some of these "fun" models, I could get a little sense of peace. It has been a year since I bought my 318, and I want to go back to an auto, but only if it is good. And the CVT concept is awesome.

P.S. While the boy-stylings of the S don't bother me too much, I do find the regular Cooper looks a bit richer and less intense. If I wanted intense, I would go and buy a WRX.

lovefastcars

I see how shifting all the time in traffic could get old, but here in Omaha we don't have a lot of it and the times that I drive there is hardly anyone on the road.

PS:The car my dad drives full time is a VW Jetta TDI, what kind of milage do you get with the Honda? My dad gets about 37 mpg doing 90 mph.

revdrluv

I really don't mind rowing my own gears even in heavy stop-and-go traffic. I just get in the lane I want and when I am going down a hill I rest my leg and just coast, never hitting the gas to speed up (whats the point of speeding up when you are just going to have to stop again). The idea is to try and coast as long as you can without having to actually stop. Of course other drivers can't stand that you are leaving one (gasp... maybe two or three) car lengths between you and the car in front, but whatever.

gotenks243

I haven't had much experience driving a stick in heavy traffic yet, since I am just learning stick and my daily driver is an auto, but I don't envision it being so much of a problem that I can't take it. Then again, I do have young 17-year-old legs and knees, and like I said, not much experience, so maybe I'll change my opinion in the years to come. But for now, nothing to me can beat the fun factor of shifting it for myself.

lovefastcars ... it must be great to be getting not just a Mini for a first car but a S. I may be lucky enough to afford one with my dad's help by the time I graduate, but for now I'm stuck with a slushbox subie. Don't get me wrong, I love the handling of my car and the engine's response to my lead foot, but there's something about it that makes manual transmission cars more desirable to me...particularly ones that handle like a go-kart.

Looks like stick will live another generation and the Mini will be well received by it. Maybe my eventual kids will feel the same joy at the launch of the 3rd generation Mini.

alf3

Silver bullet....gotta ask you about that 'silly hood scoop'. BMW/MINI engineers have placed an intercooler on the very top of the engine. How else are you going to feed air to that intercooler (clearances are tight between the intercooler and the bonnet) without that functional 'silly' hood scoop ?

silver_bullet

Yes, I know, the intercooler requires a scoop (just like the dorky WRX scoop - do you see a pattern here?), but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Too bad they couldn't have put the intercooler in the nose, like Mitsubishi does on the Evo.

rickrover

I test drove a new Audi A4 CVT transmission with the 1.8t and 3.0 engines. CVT technology is made for small engines - this is a perfect solution for those that require a Cooper with an automatic. The typical sluggishnes that's associated with a small engine and automatic transmission is gone. If I lived in a large crowded city and used the Cooper for a commuter car, I'd get the CVT. I'll be taking a base Cooper with a CVT out for a test drive, just for grins. I prefer a stick in most vehicles - my GTI is a stick, my X5 is automatic.

I like the scoop on the Cooper S, especially since it's functional.

My MINI sales person is at MINI school in California - all the dealers must be there.

harlequin1971

Most of the time, I averaged around 35-38 MPG, with a drop to around 32-35 during winter months in Minnesota. The Civic was a great, though boring, companion for three years. I never really bonded with the car, and I blame it on the car's inherent lack of personality (everyone has one) and the fact that I am not into the [non-permissible content removed]-anime car effects that litter the streets...I just never could identify with my Civic. But, it did everything it was supposed to: held it's resale value, drove error free for 3.5 years, got good gas mileage, and looked good enough not to embarass.

As for the tranny, it opened my eyes, and although I do like "driving" my cars (aka using the stick) my real life situations make shifting a pain rather than pleasure.

Looking forward to the days of shift-free motoring

revka

here's some Mini Cooper news from the Birmingham Post: Mini One overtaken by speedy new Cooper (This is not a permanent link.) Happy motoring!

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

someblondeguy

I have a Cooper 'S' on order.

March 22nd is the official launch day of the Mini Cooper.

worldb

What is the price range on the mini cooper? I may by my bosses 1995 4door automatic 318I BMW. What can you tellme about this car?

silver_bullet

Go to http://www.miniusa.com and you'll find all your answers.

revka

In addition to the feedback here, you should also check out Edmunds' New Vehicle Pricing Calculator? This will give you the average cost that other people are paying in your area. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchase.

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

cowonthefarm

get a car the mini will be outdated poor me

someblondeguy

http://www.mini2.com

I go there everyday.

revka

Please return here to share any Mini news you find at those other websites.... Hope you'll also let them know about us. Thanks for your participation. ;-)

Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards

rickrover

I have a test drive scheduled tomorrow. they have around 30 MINI's in stock - one CVT and one S. I'm number 14 on the S list - I'll have my S in July. I gave them a $1k refundable deposit over a year and a half ago. None of their Coopers have the sport package. They are requiring their customers to purchase $1,500 worth of accessories - total rip IMO -

I don't see the non-S MINI being that big a deal in the next few months - I think you will be able to walk right in and buy one in the near future.

For much better info on the MINI than you'll find here, go to www.mini2.com and www.bimmer.org

bryncerdd

I confess to an age that enables me to recall clearly the earlier Cooper Mini, a precious beast of a car that humbled many more "impressive" marks in rally and autocross. If the looks are quirky in any degree, it's because designers had the courage (considering the influence of accountants and committees in the automotive boardroom, "courage" is the proper term) to depart from the norm. Let's hear it for more departures and hope the new Mini goes as well as its predecessor.

someblondeguy

Done by the Administrator of Mini2.com

http://www.mini2.com/news/news.php?id=108

someblondeguy

Let's hope they don't mind.

someblondeguy

Courtesy of Top Gear.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/motoring/topgear/654_1.shtml

novcenthusiast

(don't know if anyone may have already posted similar info)

"First of all, as many of you had already heard (now officially), the Coooper
S will not be available for sale until the month of June, expect the "month
of June" to mean "end of June". We will have one in the showroom at the end
of the month for y'all to look at though. Good news is that the production %
has been raised from 20% to 30%, so hopefully we will get a few more S's
than we first thought. "

someblondeguy

Was that an email from your dealer?

accwgn

Hi,

Saw a delivery truck pull out of the train yard with 5 MINI's on it this morning. I guess some people will get their new toy this week. Enjoy! Looks like a fine little car.

novcenthusiast

that was in an email I got from a dealer yesterday.

rickrover

I just got a call from my MINI dealer - they confirmed my position on the list (17), that I want an S and let me know that they will open at the end of the month due to construction issues with the new dealership. They will have an S to drive when they open. He said they will get 5 or 6 Cooper S a month and said I'd be among the first on the list to be able to factory order an S. I should have my S sometime in June or July I'd think. I have a MINI sales brochure too, went over on my lunch hour and picked it up at the BMW dealer. I'm thinking Electric Blue with Premium, Sport packages, HK sound system and S-lite 17" Alloys with a Lapis blue/ black leather interior for around $25k.

lovefastcars

Sounds really cool to me. By the way what dealer are you getting yours from?

gotenks243

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/53755/article.html

Interesting read...particularly the last paragraph. I was surprised to see the reviewers saying they would take the base Cooper over the Cooper S. I'm glad to hear that the dealers are going to have both models available for test drives from the start though, so we can all make up our own minds.

The reviewers seem to think they can get their base Cooper in Electric Blue if they wanted. Too bad that judging from the MINIUSA website's Build-your-own feature the Electric Blue only comes on the S.

someblondeguy

Electric Blue and Dark Silver colours are exclusive to the Cooper 'S'.

As for the reviewer not liking the Cooper S' stiffer ride:

I'm assuming the Cooper 'S' they drove was equipped with the optional 17" S-spoke rims and not the standard 16" ones. There's a BIG dirrence in ride quality between the two. Just ask many European New Mini owners. www.mini2.com

Part of the Cooper S' bonus IS the stiffer suspension. It all comes down to what you want. Cushy suspension (yet still sporty) on a Cooper, or harder suspension (great for handling) on a Cooper 'S'.

I'll have the best of both worlds on my Cooper 'S' as I will be passing on the 17" rims and will be sticking to 16" ones. I'll still have wicked handling, but not as harsh as it could be.

mcostello

Wow. I had to check these babies out in person. I was concerned about the size. I have a Focus ZX3, which is great on size. In my opinion, the Mini has the same interior space, with a noticeably smaller exterior size. A lot of the loss is behind the second seat. The luggage cover is about 18" in the Focus and _maybe_ 8" in the Mini. My favorite little feature--it has REAL rain gutters!