Comments on: Automotive News: MINI Wagon Coming in '07

By: Ian F

Ian F — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 16:47:40 +0000

That is actually how BMW typically handles 3 series roll-outs. The hold over R50/R53s will probably have the new engine during this time period however

Yep. In the early 90's, they continued to sell the E30 convertible for a few years until the E36 version was available. As well the E36 M3 still being sold for a couple of years while the E46 was in the lot next to it.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 01:56:50 +0000

Thanks for that piece of info. I would be extremely suprised if the multilink didn’t make it. BMW should have learned their lesson with the first gen 318ti and the Z3. Reverting to something simpler is not too great…

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:35:58 +0000

Is the multilink rear truly gone for the next gen MINI? Gabe?

Most likely not. The under-sides of the prototypes I've seen seem to have a similar suspension set-up to the current car. That was just a rumor that actually started (of all places) in the Roundel. If you look hard enough on MF, you can find some of the first mentions a couple of years back ;-)

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:27:21 +0000

Is the multilink rear truly gone for the next gen MINI? Gabe?

By: fishbulb

fishbulb — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 20:18:55 +0000

A good friend of mine with two children is VERY eager to see where this wagon goes! (i have to say i am too, even though i'll be buying an 06!)

-jac

By: GMINI

GMINI — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:41:50 +0000

Order it! The supercharger is the real MINI! and the multilink rear suspension is now or NEVER AGAIN! You have no idea just how UGLY the 2007 could be!

(That's four exclaimations for one off-topic questoion.)

By: Brendan

Brendan — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 19:08:20 +0000

So… should I order a checkmate edition Cooper S? Or wait for the next-gen car? Decisions Decisions……

By: minicoopermike

minicoopermike — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:55:03 +0000

All of the MINIs are produced on the same line :-D as I witnessed last September. It didn’t matter if they were hardtop or cabrio, S or Cooper, RHD or LHD, USA or UK or Spain or wherever they were headed they rolled off the same line.

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:49:23 +0000

Will the new wing of the MINI plant be completed by then? Is it done already? I just wonder logistically how they’re going to produce two generations of the same car at the same time. Or is the new wing simply for the new car and they’ll convert the other line once they stop producing R50′s? Of course for all I know, the convertibles are on their own production line already, I haven’t been to the plant and the time-lapse video was produced pre-cabrio. That’d be interesting to know. I wouldn’t be super excited about having an engine not really designed for the car, but I’ll be optimistic and hope they had that all in mind in the design process.

Anybody know when the new engine comes out in Europe? Supposedly it was intended to debut in Europe a year before the U.S. in other Peugeot and BMW cars. Has that rolled out yet? It will be interesting to watch its reliability and performance. If nothing else, I’m thankful it’ll see service for a while before landing in the MINI – let them work the out any issues in the motor.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:39:28 +0000

No.. the ‘speedster’ (as it has been called) will probably be released around 2009.

By: Cruzin Chris

Cruzin Chris — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:36:04 +0000

A new version of the convertible will arrive at about the same time.

Could this be the two-seater version!?!?

By: O(=^=)O Capn

O(=^=)O Capn — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:09:45 +0000

I read somewhere on NAM that the new engine fit comfortabley in the current car.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:51:58 +0000

I thought the new engine was going to be a bit to tall for the current engine compartment?

That was the speculation but there has never been anything concrete in terms of info in that area.

By: david raistrick

david raistrick — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:15:11 +0000

Gabe,

I thought the new engine was going to be a bit to tall for the current engine compartment?

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 16:04:50 +0000

I find it interesting that the current R50/R53 convertibles will still be sold along the all new R56 Hatchback.

That is actually how BMW typically handles 3 series roll-outs. The hold over R50/R53s will probably have the new engine during this time period however.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 15:24:34 +0000

I find it interesting that the current R50/R53 convertibles will still be sold along the all new R56 Hatchback.