Comments on: The Rumored Lightweight MCS: Part 4

By: minicoopermike

minicoopermike — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 16:00:11 +0000

I’ve been in touch with my dealer here in VA but they have no confirmation or details

By: RML

RML — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 01:20:35 +0000

I just put my name down at my dealer on the unofficial waiting list for an unofficial lightweight. :)

By: BelowRadar

BelowRadar — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 04:18:41 +0000

At least in the US, a new engine would require new crash testing. I can't see MINI doing that for a low volume, end of the run special edition.

Won't they have to crash test it anyway? I would assume with all the changes they're making i.e "lightweight glass throughout", possible cf hood, etc., that they would need new safety testing.

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 03:06:02 +0000

“Losing the rear seating altogether seems problematic, unless you’re going to drop a normally-aspirated BMW 6 in there, turning the rear wheels… My God, now that would be sweet!”

Tanya – I assume you’ve seen this?

http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewForum=y&gID=6&fID=1993

‘just checking….

By: Siddhartha

Siddhartha — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:29:07 +0000

BTW, my ’05 JCW everything MCS topped out at $34K. I paid it. I love it. It’s worth every penny. No whining from me!

By: Siddhartha

Siddhartha — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:26:57 +0000

Oh yes, and my son, who lives in Surrey, will do the same for me in the UK.

By: Siddhartha

Siddhartha — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:25:51 +0000

I agree. We’ll never see this beast on this side of the pond. However, just in case, I put in a request with my MA in Chicago today. :-)

By: KevinR

KevinR — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 21:35:06 +0000

At least in the US, a new engine would require new crash testing. I can’t see MINI doing that for a low volume, end of the run special edition.

By: BelowRadar

BelowRadar — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:57:19 +0000

I’d like to propose that they are able to acheive the 30k price and 225hp, because they are putting the new engine in it. I have absolutely no info to back this up, but it seems plausible–even likley if the price and power rumors are true. If this thing comes with JCW (or JCW+) standard the price seems suspect. Also, where are they going to get the extra 15hp from? Is JCW/BMW going to warranty -19% SC pulleys? Not likely. But, if they were to put the turbo engine in, they could raise the boost via some simple ECU tweaks; creating much more power at the fraction of the JCW costs. Keep in mind, this car is being built in low numbers at a plant that currently has no proprietary engine like the Oxford plant. If the new engine can be mated to the current tranny, what do they care? Hell, that way BMW gets 2000 paying field testers for the new drivetrain. Anyone know how far Peugot/Citroen and BMW are on the new engine? The bulged-hood-test-mule “spy” photos have been out for at least a year.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:08:27 +0000

c=Bertone will receive bodies in white from Mini's plant in Oxford, England, and complete final assembly in its plant in Grugliasco, near Turin.

So does this mean the MINIs will be painted white similar to the M3 CSL or does the above phrase imply they will come as ordered by customer from Oxford to the plant in Italy?

No. 'Body in White' is an automotive term for unfinished body ready for production.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:01:13 +0000

Brent, Did they say when? I wonder if this dealer did it on their own, I doubt there's any official delivery information.

[quote] Spoke to a motoring advisor at Classic Mini in Cleveland today. They have confirmed they are receiving 4 Lightweights. I was the third to reserve a spot.[/quote]

By: minicoopermike

minicoopermike — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:45:40 +0000

Bertone will receive bodies in white from Mini's plant in Oxford, England, and complete final assembly in its plant in Grugliasco, near Turin.

So does this mean the MINIs will be painted white similar to the M3 CSL or does the above phrase imply they will come as ordered by customer from Oxford to the plant in Italy?

By: Brent Breon

Brent Breon — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 02:22:56 +0000

Spoke to a motoring advisor at Classic Mini in Cleveland today. They have confirmed they are receiving 4 Lightweights. I was the third to reserve a spot.

By: RW

RW — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:32:14 +0000

All of you are wrong. Here's really how they are going to create the lightweight MCS :-)

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1839447&postcount=6

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=776885

By: tanya

tanya — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:16:46 +0000

I agree it would be tough to drop 400 lbs, but it could be done if they really go nuts:

-All-aluminum chassis -Aluminum block -Lightwieght exhaust -CF bonnet, roof and hatch -Lose sound insulation -Lose AC and stereo -Lightweight front seats and no rears -Lightweight wheels/tires -Misc CF bits and pieces

I'm assuming they can't replace the safety glass with plastic.

By: ggjjr

ggjjr — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:05:52 +0000

I think it is very wishful thinking that they are going to pull 400 pounds (15%) out of that car. No way. I’d say more like 150.

By: JAG

JAG — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 21:52:18 +0000

If it is priced at 30k its a go, i will buy it, but if it is more than 35k, hello Elise.

By: Mark Pierce

Mark Pierce — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 21:09:08 +0000

My local dealer in the UK is only expecting to get one these,if it comes out at all, and already has a firm deposit on it, so he isn’t even opening up awaiting list!

By: tanya

tanya — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 19:30:44 +0000

But on the other hand removing the rear seat reveals a cavity perfectly sized to safely transport your four light wheels with sticky tires for trackday and still have room in the boot for your toolbox!

Of course. But you can reveal that cavity yourself (and trim around 50 lbs) in about 30 minutes. You don't need to pay thousands to have Bertone do it for you in an irreversible way.

Losing the rear seating altogether seems problematic, unless you're going to drop a normally-aspirated BMW 6 in there, turning the rear wheels... My God, now that would be sweet!

By: RW

RW — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 19:27:53 +0000

$30,000 US is not a believable price. That amount will just get you a standard JCW Cooper S. The lightweight edition will be a JCW with lots of mods in addition. Start with the price of a JCW, add every JCW carbon fiber accessory currently available plus JCW seats, then estimate custom parts and labor for this edition, and you will get to a very hefty number.