MINI Canada Gets its Own Special Edition

Sections: Uncategorized Apr 26th, 2006 43 Comments

To close out the R53 Cooper S (and since they won’t be offering the GP), MINI Canada will be releasing a special edition of it’s own.

The “S.E.” will offer the following options into one high value package (pricing to be announced):

17″ Flame Spoke Wheels (same as the Checkmate Package)
Dynamic Stability Control
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Roofliner
Glass Sunroof
Auto Dimming Mirror
Heated Front Seats
Front and Rear Foglights
Rain Sensor with Auto Headlamp
Harmon Kardon Sound
POWER FOLD MIRRORS

This effectively means that the S.E. will be have the Sport & Premium Packages and H/K Sound ($4,775 Canadian) and Power fold mirrors (not previously available) all rolled into one.

Now the bad news… Apparently all Canadian Cooper S’s will be S.E.’s whether we like it or not. That means no more JCW package or Navigation. That said there are still a few options left on the table with this special edition. They are reported to be:

Cockpit Chrono Package
Auto Transmission
Space Cloth / Leatherette / English Leather
White / Black roof and mirror caps (depending on body colour)
Anthracite High-Gloss Trim
Optional 17″ S-Spoke Alloy Wheels

We’ll have more on the new Canadian special edition in the weeks ahead.

A big thanks to Albert the tip.

Written By: Gabe

http://mini.mdsbrain.com mdsbrain

Lucky! They are getting the Power Folding Mirrors :-(
benzamg

not so lucky if they can no longer customize
dr

Canada came up on the short end of the stick..It’s kind of crappy that MINI is just forcing all of its last 06′s as high spec cars to drive up profits for them….This is the first crumby thing I have seen MINI do.
GSKChicago

I wouldn’t think they are pitching the high spec cars to drive up profits per se.

Rather I am thinking they are simply trying to get rid of what little inventory they have left over that they don’t want to have to write-off.
Crazy Canuck
I’ve seen the info on this package at my MINI dealership… can still order:
- Cockpit Chrono Package
- Auto Transmission
- Space Cloth / Leatherette / English Leather
- White / Black roof and mirror caps (depending on body colour)
- Anthracite High-Gloss Trim
- Optional 17″ S-Spoke Alloy Wheels
Also, the original post forgot to mention that this S.E. now comes with *** No Charge 3 year/60,000km scheduled maintenance *** (this is new).

No word yet on the Cooper.
Aminiman
Another potential problem with this “Special Edition” package are exterior colour options. Colours will be limited to:
- Chili Red
- Dark Silver
- Hyper Blue
- Astro Black
To confirm what Crazy Canuck posted, we in Canada will no longer be able to order JCW package, LSD, NAV package, Checkmate package etc…

It’s pretty disappointing since we first got the shaft not getting the GP up here, and now MINI Canada is severely limiting the options you can get on the cars. Sure the no-charge maintenance is nice, but you’ve had that in the States all along. I’m just glad you can pick S-spokes as a no cost option. Flame Spokes… ugh.
phaedrus

I can confirm that options such as Nav and the JCW package are, as of last week, no longer available for order in Canada. Those who wish to order an MCS are limited to the S.E. package stated above.
O(=^=)OCapn

So, am I correct that if you want an S it has to be a SE? You can no longer get an Smorgasboard S just a Speced one? That sucks.
Mark (Ohio)

I love the flame spoke wheels! No heated windshield? (sorry just still jealous they have that option!)
Doug (USA)

My MA (in the USA) said that as Fall nears it will be extremely hard to get a MINI as they ramp down production. Apparently they are retooling the entire plant and during the fall and winter hardly any minis will be available. 07′s not starting production until February.
Edge

Power folding mirrors?

Can you say…

RETROFIT!

This is a good sign… I don’t care if I have to import the OEM power folding mirrors from Canada, the UK, Germany or Antartica… I WANT THEM!

Now, we just need part numbers… here’s hoping MINI Canada releases an official retrofit kit for all of the 2002-2006 MINIs (or at least 2005-2006). :D
O(=^=)OCapn

They have been avail in japan for quite some time now.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

They have been avail in japan for quite some time now.

And everywhere else in the world (except the US) since July 2004.
MrT-Man

Wasn’t the warranty previously 4 yrs / 80,000km? Or am I imaging things?
Osmodious

Don’t power folding mirrors go against everything that a MINI should stand for? (This is beside the obvious fact that a reasonably tall person can roll down the window and fold in the mirror manually, if they really have to, with hardly a lean in the seat.)
MillieTheMini
- the warranty should still be 4 years, that’s different from the scheduled maintenance, which MINI Canada will cover the first 3 years on their tab. Considering that there’s quite a bit of a time gap and km between each service period, it’s not as expensive as it sounds for MINI Canada to throw that in – but still, not having to spend CDN$600-700 is a nice bonus!
- I would think that in some circumstances, especially in Europe where many urbanites park their MINIs on the street, and the streets are very narrow, setting the car to automatically fold the mirrors in is a god-send. Even in North America, I can see where that would be a benefit (such as parking between two Hummers at a Walmart!)
Mark Smith

The next generation MINI actually starts production in December 2006 to correct you all and will be starting retail sale in February 2007.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Mark – unless something has changed in the last week, that timeline is for North American bound cars. The R56 actually starts production at the plant this September.
Aaron

The power folding mirrors would be great here in Boston too! I wonder why they, along with the parcel shelf, are not available as options in the US.

It is a little sad to hear that MINI Canada’s idea of creating a Special Edition is to actually limit choices in the spirit of Henry Ford’s infamous supposed quote: “You can paint it any color, so long as it’s black”. How much does it cost to retrofit the speedo’s to have KPH rather than MPH in the larger font size? (Not that I need to know the answer, being in the US and having already ordered my ’06 MCS earlier this month…but it might be a solution for Canadians unhappy with the options available to them).
JohnPC

Gabe, Is there any educated speculation whether something similar might happen in other markets as we come closer to the 2007 model? Thanks, John
JohnPC

Gabe, Is there any educated speculation whether something similar might happen in other markets as we come closer to the 2007 model? Thanks, John
Percy

Power Folding Mirrors? What are they and what would one do with them?
http://www.nemini.org GMINI

electricly operated wing mirrors taken to the next dimension. they fold back against the window.

with Power Folding Mirrors, you can impress other carowners. keep your mirrors out of harms way in tight parking situs. “swim” down the driveway. cut down on drag at high speeds.
http://miniblog.guapacha.com ukplyot

I’d love the power wing mirrors, with all the junk in my garage it can be a tight squeeze to get my MINI and the wife’s camry in there. Being able to fold them in would make it so much easier. Or else, if someone could persuade the wife to park on the street… lol
http://www.gbmini.net Ian C.

Power folding mirrors available from NewMINIstuff, a MotoringFile sponsor …
TrufflePig

we got the shaft on the GP because of EMISSIONS quality crap.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

we got the shaft on the GP because of EMISSIONS quality crap.

Not according to MINI of Canada.
O(=^=)OCapn

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œswimÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â down the driveway. cut down on drag at high speeds.

thats funny stuff right there.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œswimÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â down the driveway. cut down on drag at high speeds.

Amen to that. This is one of those mods I’ve seriously considered doing for awhile. There are plenty of tight spots in my ‘hood that call for a little slimming down to get through.
Mark Smith

That’s what I meant Gabe. I often forget that people that are on here are from around the world.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Is there any educated speculation whether something similar might happen in other markets as we come closer to the 2007 model?

Not that I’ve heard but I wouldn’t be surprised is some options go away as we get closer to the switch-over.
Crunchygoat

Just read the news about the dropping of the JCW upgrade kit in Canada…

Needless to say, that’s horrible. I already purchased the air filter and had begun to seriously debate getting the JCW kit fitted over the summer. I don’t understand the logic behind removing the upgrade kit, at almost 7000 dollars for the upgrade it seems like a worthwhile addition to keep available for enthusiasts.

Would it be quite easy (although a great deal more expensive) to schedule the installation at a MINI dealership in the U.S.A. and make a road trip? I am under the impression it would be worthwhile but would there be issues coming back across the border?
tony T

I dont understand the reasonning behind removing the upgrade kit – surely they will still offer the upgrade kits to ‘classic’ Mini’s after production of the ‘New’ new Mini starts….???

Anyway, lets get the ball rolling here – Only the ‘classic’ New Mini’s are real New Minis, new (New)Minis are fake and should never be allowed to be called Neew Mini’s…..

100% BMW Mini – No PSA Parts!!!!
Aminiman

Crunchygoat – the JCW kit is no longer available as a FACTORY INSTALLED option on new cars. I’m sure it’s still available as a dealer installed upgrade for existing MINIs.

Personally, I could see the power folding mirrors as an option in Europe where the streets tend to be a bit smaller. Here in Canada, sure there are some people who could use them, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.

A question: If you have to fold the mirrors in to fit a MINI in your garage, how do you get out of the car? Climb through the boot?!
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

A question: If you have to fold the mirrors in to fit a MINI in your garage, how do you get out of the car? Climb through the boot?!

Small/old garage doors. I’ve got a decent sized garage but it’s about 100 years old and the doors are not what you would call a modern size.
Peter

I hope those motors and mechanisms for the power folding mirrors are ALSO heated!
Edge

Power folding mirrors available from NewMINIstuff, a MotoringFile sponsor

Yes, power folding mirrors ARE available at NewMINIstuff… but NOT the OEM ones. I only want the OEM ones… but I still haven’t been able to locate any part numbers for them… :(
DrDiff

I also want the OEM folding mirrors. I like the exchange rate for the US/Canadian dollar better than the USD/Pound rate!
rkw

I also want the OEM folding mirrors. I like the exchange rate for the US/Canadian dollar better than the USD/Pound rate!

Except that MINI items often have a very high Canadian price to begin with. I purchased my MINI OEM rear camera (camera + switchbox) from NewMINIstuff for 385 GBP (less than $700 USD). I was previously told a Canadian MSRP price of 1355 CAD (over $1200 USD). That is a huge difference, more than 70% higher cost than the UK (after conversion).

I have an old house with narrow garage doors, and I’ve been somewhat interested in the OEM folding mirrors. Every time I’ve checked, I found that although MINI install them at the factory, there is no retrofit kit version.
Crunchygoat

Thanks for Aminiman,

I am getting my summers put on Monday so I will ask about the upgrade availability.

You have saved my wife from witnessing me mumbling incoherently under my breath for the next couple of days…

=)
http://www.miniyaletown.ca David L.

Any word on pricing? About $4,000 in packages (premium plus sport) plus pow-fold-mirros and 3 years service, for how much?

Can MINIs already ordered for June production still have JCW package added through amendments?

David (a MINI Product Advisor is kept in the dark and wants to know the scoop)
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