The US Checkmate Special Options Package

Sections: MF Feature | Uncategorized Jul 13th, 2005 41 Comments

MINI has recently introduced three special edition models for 2006; the Seven, the Park Lane, and the Checkmate. As expected, MINIUSA has decided not to offer these special editions for the US market. Instead, as we reported last May, the US will get bits and pieces of the special editions in the form of a special options package and a few a la carte options. The majority of these new options will be seen in the new Checkmate special option packages for both the Cooper and the Cooper S. Essentially these packages are the US spec Sport packages with upgraded wheels and trim (inside and out). Here’s the specifics:

mini

Cooper Checkmate Package:
DSC
Sport leather steering wheel
16″ bridge spoke (performance tires)
rear spoiler

roof & mirror cap in black
black bonnet stripes
black checkmate logos
-or-
roof & mirror caps in silver
silver bonnet stripes
silver checkmate logos

sport seats
checkmate dash
front fog lamps
white indicators
checkmate cloth/leather

Cooper S Checkmate Package
DSC
Sport leather steering wheel
17″ flame spoke (performance tires)

roof & mirror cap in black
black bonnet stripes
black checkmate logos
-or-
roof & mirror caps in silver
silver bonnet stripes
silver checkmate logos

checkmate dash
front fog lamps
xenon headlights
white indicators
checkmate cloth/leather

mini

Like the special editions for the rest of the world, the US Checkmate package will include the Space Blue interior trim, dark blue/cloth seats, and exterior stickers. It will also include that exclusive grey and dark blue leather sport steering wheel.

As mentioned above, the US market will receive a few other bits and pieces from the new special editions. For starters it looks as if the US will be getting both the MINI Seven and Park Lane dashboard designs. You can check both dashboards out at the international MINI website (but remember – we won’t get anything but the dash!): [ MINI Park Lane ] [ MINI Seven ]

mini

MINIUSA will also be offering one other key Park Lane option – the Panther Black “English Leather” seats (front and back). MINIUSA will apparently make the seats available as an option across the entire range. It will be a premium seat and most likely priced accordingly.

We should see further official 2006 model year info along with US pricing soon.

Written By: Gabe

mataku

wow.. the park lane seats are coming. one question… retrofit?
Mini2Go

Maybe the “English Leather” seats will have to suffice as a poor, but at least distinguished-looking, substitute in the absence of OEM Recaros…..
cct1

Gabe, do you know if you’ll be able to add options to the packages, or will it be like the MCS40, where nothing else could be added on?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Gabe, do you know if you’ll be able to add options to the packages, or will it be like the MCS40, where nothing else could be added on?

MINIUSA is going with a “special options” package (rather than a special edition car) specifically to allow for the ability to option the car exactly how you choose. A lesson they learned from the MC40.
Vaper

Do we know if the available bonnet stripes will be like those shown on the special editions?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Do we know if the available bonnet stripes will be like those shown on the special editions?

Yes.
RB

I wonder if maybe some of the reasons we aren’t getting the full sweep of cars has to do with the Euro vs $ or maybe the 40th Edition car didn’t sell as well as it did in Europe or both?
JFW

Gabe, Will the Park Lane seats be an option on the S? I’ve heard they will only be available on the Cooper.
https://secure.mawebcenters.com/wc/sd_websites/spirit2/ O(=^=)O Capn

Space Blue? I didn’t see in the article.
http://www.ururk.com/gallery.asp John

–>We should see further official 2006 model year info along with US pricing soon.
Z4MINI

“or maybe the 40th Edition car didn’t sell as well as it did in Europe or both”

There was no 40th anniversary edition in Europe. Only Australia and the US made up special editions for MC40.
Ralph

“For starters it looks as if the US will be getting both the MINI Seven and Park Lane dashboard designs. You can check both dashboards out at the international MINI website (but remember – we won’t get anything but the dash!”

Why does Mini continue to snub the US Market? I can see them not bringing most of the Seven-One items to the US, but to only offer the seats and dash of the Park Lane, why?

Why not the Rims? Mini continues of offer some of the worst looking rims for the MC (non S) and when they have a chance to bring a set of very good looking Rims it seems they choose not to. Instead it seems (if I read it correctly) they are going to bring the “horseshoe” rims to the US, the ugliest things I’ve seen.

What about the Royal Gray? That’s a great looking color. I’m not a big fan of the Checkmate, but again it’s about choices.

I’m slowly gettng feed up with Mini. Eliminatioin of choices (steering wheel, 8 spoke Rim, bumber inserts, color eliminations, etc), snubbing the US market by not offering the ’06 limited editions as a whole, raising prices where soon it won’t be an afforable car unless you get a basic no option model.

At this time I don’t see myself being a repeat customer.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe
We’ll have more info in the coming days on other offerings. However just because specific things aren’t mentioned here doesn’t mean they won’t be coming for 2006. For instance the new 15″ wheels found on the Seven will be available as an option for the US. We’ll have more info in the coming days.

Also in reponse to your other points:
- The bumper inserts cannot be offered since the design was changed for ’05.
- Colors are always added and deleted… it’s the way of the automotive world and especially BMW.
Finally MINI has done an extraordinary job of keeping prices low despite the extremely weak dollar vs the UK Pound and the Euro. If you want evidence of that just take a look at the starting price for a Cooper S in the UK.
scotteast

The English Leather seats look awesome. Even at a “premium” price, I think I have to have those.
RB

At the ATM, last year, in Holland I took out $100,00… when we got home we were billed for $135.00. So I would say they have been very fair pricing wise.
http://www.ururk.com/gallery.asp John

Hmmm, seems y comment was clipped. Gabe – you don’t know when we’ll be seeing the revised prices, do you (before August?)? I’m got a MINI on order, but if I get a chance to see the SB/S before my MINI arrives, I may just cancel my order – depending on price, of course!

Thanks!
JFW

Any idea how soon the 2006 U.S. pricing will be available?
Brendan

That checkmate edition is sweet. Gives me some time to save up some cash. hahah. I love the color combination. Dark blue/silver. Also the interior is really cool.
revwillie

what are the “checkmate logos”?

I love everything about the checkmate except for the checkered flag graphics behind the front wheels.
James K

The Cooper S Checkmate Package includes the rear spoiler? Isn’t that still standard on the Cooper S?
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

The Cooper S Checkmate Package includes the rear spoiler? Isn’t that still standard on the Cooper S?

That was a typo.
cct1

I just wish the options were available seperately, rather than as a package. I’d like to do Space Blue with a white roof, without those checker graphics, on the side, or those bonnet stripes, which just don’t do it for me…. Astro Black (Now that Jet black is gone) with a silver roof would be nice too, but I doubt we’ll see the silver roof on the “old” colors. Here’s to wishful thinking!
Seth L

If only the wheels and stripes/roof were available in white.

Can’t wait for the 2006 options.
Seth L

Oh, and anyone know the weight of the flame spokes?
Mark Pierce

Just a quick point, the Seven, Park Lane, and Checkmate are not limited or special editions, in the UK they are just additional models and will be available untill the end of the current generation MINI.

Also every photo of the new Recarro seats makes me hate them more and more. They look awfull!!! I think the US should count themselves lucky not to be lumbered with them!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

I just wish the options were available seperately, rather than as a package. I’d like to do Space Blue with a white roof, without those checker graphics, on the side, or those bonnet stripes, which just don’t do it for me…. Astro Black (Now that Jet black is gone) with a silver roof would be nice too, but I doubt we’ll see the silver roof on the “old” colors. Here’s to wishful thinking!

Please keep in mind that this is a special options package. That means that it can be ordered with any color and any other options available with the MINI. On the other hand Space Blue is like any other color and can be ordered with any options. In fact SB specifically can be ordered on any car and will be available across the range.
Rollin

Ralph – The way I read it the Park Lane rims will be available as under the Cooper package 16″ bridge spoke are listed.

Gabe – Do you know if the silver roof/mirror caps will be available with any color or only in these packages?

Also, “For instance the new 15″ wheels found on the Seven will be available as an option for the US.” Leaves me wondering what will be the standard 15″ rims since the holey wheels are supposedly ending. Will that be cleared up “in coming days?”
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

The holey 15″ wheels are now officially not going away in the US.

I’ll have more color info tomorrow.
Seth L

Ok, I just realized why the checkmate interior seems so familiar. It looks like my old Geo storm’s (better though).

Bang goes that then.
mataku

The holey 15″ wheels are now officially not going away in the US. I’ll have more color info tomorrow.

YES!!! I love the holeys and was hoping to get a set before they got rid of them and the price of them would increase a bit. This gives me some time to gather some holeys =)
cct1

Thanks for the clarification Gabe–I didn’t realize that the SB was offered alone. That means one of my choices will be a available–SB with a white roof/white Bonnet stripes. I wonder if the silver roof will be a stand alone option for the other colors, as someone above mentioned, or will only be available as part of the checkmate package; if so, it’ll be a tough choice between SB/W or Astro Black/Silver…
?

Gabe: “I’ll have more color info tomorrow.”

Well, where is it?
cct1

geesh, that’s a bit harsh–I’m anxiously awaiting that info too, but let’s be realistic…I’ll bet Gabe is doing something stupid, like driving, getting groceries, working, spending time with his family, you know, frivolous things like that…

Motoringfile consistently has the latest Mini news first–I doubt you’ll see it anywhere else sooner; be patient, if not today, I’m sure it’ll be posted soon.
?

That is true, cct1. Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound harsh. But today is tomorrow, isn’t it? :) Gabe, what exactly are you doing? Just kidding.
http://www.worldtraveltips.net James

So, to confirm my understanding, the 2006 models will only offer bonnet stripes in the manner seen in these three new models, right? In other words, the 2005 models with the two separate stripes are gone, and the only bonnet stripe option is the single “u-shaped” stripe?

Interesting. Either way, this is my year for a mini! :)

Gabe, thanks for keeping us all in the loop on these things! James…
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Off-topic:

geesh, that’s a bit harsh–I’m anxiously awaiting that info too, but let’s be realistic…I’ll bet Gabe is doing something stupid, like driving, getting groceries, working, spending time with his family, you know, frivolous things like that…

Hey thanks for getting my back cct1 :) Yes I had this nasty thing to take care of today called my day job ;-) You may notice there’s rarely a post from 8:30 am CST until late in the evening. This is what I like to call my life ;-) Believe it or not I really don’t devote that much time to this site other than to scan comments every so often (thankfully I’m not the only one doing that) and blast out a story now and again. Actually 90% of stories (or leads) on MF come from readers or other contributors. It just so happens that I had (and still have) several significant stories I had planned on releasing this week and I frankly couldn’t get to them all at once due to my schedule. So yes I had planned on getting that color story done today but just ran out of time lastnight.

But no worries… I know what it’s like to be anxious about info like this… ;-)
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

In other words, the 2005 models with the two separate stripes are gone, and the only bonnet stripe option is the single “u-shaped” stripe?

No. MINI will offer both stripes.
Ralph

“Also in reponse to your other points:

The bumper inserts cannot be offered since the design was changed for ’05.

Colors are always added and deleted… it’s the way of the automotive world and especially BMW.

Finally MINI has done an extraordinary job of keeping prices low despite the extremely weak dollar vs the UK Pound and the Euro. If you want evidence of that just take a look at the starting price for a Cooper S in the UK.”

=======================================

Gabe, I do understand that MINI changed the design of the bumper which according to MINI did not allow the use of bumper inserts. My questions is why change the desgin? Here in the SF Bay Area I would say 75% of the pre 2005 MINI’s purchased, people choose either the Chrome or black bumper inserts.

Next, I mentioned color elimination because so many people have posted here that they didn’t like the elimination of certain color choices. For me what I don’t care for is that MINI kept certain colors for the MCS only. MINI should offer all colors for either the MC or MCS regardless.

On price, yes the US Dollar is doing very poor against the Pound and only slightly better against the Euro, but MINI own promos in 03,04,& 05 is that its an very affordable car that handles great and doesn’t guzzle gas. If they keep raising prices of options or special packages they will limit or eliminate a sizable group of potential buyers. And while I enjoy the MINI, a base MINI without options would not be enjoyable.

Finally on another note from a previous post, As I’ve written before, “It’s about choices”. In the May issue of the UK magazine “GoMINI” the editor and some lucky readers got to visit the MINI factory.

Here is what she wrote: “What struck me the most about the visit was just how varied all the cars coming along the line were.” “Mini prides itself on the huge range of options available and on the fact that no two cars have to be the same.”

If this is true why does MINIUSA limit options or eliminate options in the US (ie. steering wheel, rims, etc)and give the rest of the world those options?

I know I harp on the Rims and Steering wheel but it’s kind of a sore spot for me. As she said “no two cars have to be the same”, that’s all I ask: Choices.

Gabe, Thanks for having such a great site. I enjoy it loads better then MINI2.com.

Your site is very clean, organized and structured. The others are so jumbled.

I enjoy this site alot.
Beecher

you americans are lucky! You get all sorts of options. Here in canada, i cant get a sun roof unless i spend 1950 bucks for it, and thats on top of the 2300 i have to spend to get the next model up! And i dont even want most of the stuff you have to get with that 2300 (mostly the ASC+T), dont like such things. I might buy a classic (as the base is called up here) cause it the only way to not get that stuff on the car. The only option on that one is heated seats tho, which i wouldnt get. Right now im looking into ordering a car from the states so ican get it exactly the way i want it.

-Beecher
Beecher

that 1950 is basically the same as your premium package, only with out the on board computer, and with out the automatic climate control.

-Beecher
glassintrepid

In that thrid picture, has anyone else noticed that funky looking stereo?

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