Bring the MINI Cooper Diesel to the US

Sections: Efficiency | MF Feature | Sales May 30th, 2007 418 Comments

For all you US based diesel fans, here’s your chance to be heard. Everyone by now knows my interests in alternative fuel vehicles. Most of the diesel posts are mine, and I’m always leaving comments, even in the posts I make! Not to mention all of the posts I have made on my motoring blog concerning alternative fuel vehicles.

While the thought of a hybrid is exciting to me, and many of you I’m sure, what are our choices? Nothing that we can really get excited about. Not to mention the cost of replacing the batteries about 3-5 years. Not something I would really look forward to.

We also know that BMW has a diesel engine ready to come to the US in the form of the X5 in ’08 (and possibly a diesel powered 5 series in ’09). If they are bringing it here, it must be ready to pass smog inspection in the toughest air-quality standard states, including California.

And now MINI has that brand new diesel Cooper. Increased fuel economy (approximately 60MPG on the US cycle), cleaner burning (the cleanest burning car they make) and lots of cool technology. Plus, as much torque as an R56 MCS at 2,000 RPM makes this car look very attractive.

But there currently aren’t any plans for MINI to bring this car to North America. We can speculate on the why, but that’s not terribly productive. Instead, I say we get together and try to convince MINI to bring the diesel powered MINI to North America.

To that end, we present you, the fine Motoringfile reader, with the following questions.

Would you seriously purchase a diesel powered MINI?

If your answer is no, would $5+ a gallon change your mind?

What would you expect to pay as a premium for the Cooper D over the standard Cooper?
How would driving a diesel benefit you?

You know what to do. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the spam filters to make sure all of the comments get through.

Written By: DB

David Moore

I would absolutely jump on the waiting list for the cooper D to replace my 2005 Mini.
Michael

Yes, I would love to buy one. I personal built a VW Diesel power Suzuki Samurai just to get better mileage in something that I actually wanted to drive (not an silly looking egg shaped shybrid car). If Cooper built if for me you can bet I would get one and I know many others out here in the US that would love to own a fun, performance built coupe with a diesel motor. So when are we getting it already?
mikey5

I,m fairly excited with the MINI D as for all the same reason previously posted BUT Subaru allwheel drive diesel being released, also very good M.P.G. will be a serious concideration maybe U.S. 2010
Desi B.

Would you seriously purchase a diesel powered MINI? If your answer is no, would $5+ a gallon change your mind? What would you expect to pay as a premium for the Cooper D over the standard Cooper? How would driving a diesel benefit you?
Desi B.

Would you seriously purchase a diesel powered MINI? If your answer is no, would $5+ a gallon change your mind? What would you expect to pay as a premium for the Cooper D over the standard Cooper? How would driving a diesel benefit you?
Desi B.
1. - Absolutely – Ultimately, I will buy the first diesel powered small car imported to the U.S., be it a Mini, VW, or something else…(But I would prefer the Mini!!!!). I say ‘imported’ because we all know the U.S. manufacturers will never give us one…
2. I would say $1,200-$2,400 more (though I agree with others that it shouldn’t cost that much more – and they would sell every one made if it was the same price as a gas engine model)
3. It benefits everyone for multiple reasons (as listed above)
http://minicooperdiesel Islander

Mini cooper diesel is a no brainer. The car is awesome and coupled with a high torque diesel it will be a blast. My primary reason for a diesel is it’s fuel economy and simple and proven technology. I just hate to buy petroleum as most of what we burn in the U.S. comes from places where they hate us. The less of the stuff I have to buy the better. Coupled with biodiesel, some 60 MPG and a fun car to drive would make my day. BMW, please bring it over here.
http://MotoringFile John Roll

Bring the diesel Clubman to USA please. We would buy 2 of them. The Clubman D was hinted at long time ago and it is past due to enter our market. We are waiting BMW–listen up!!
christi

Please bring us the Mini D, I will get in line to purchase one.
snead hearn

I will buy one when they are introduced in the US. I’d pay an extra $1,000 for it. My current diesel is getting old and tired but I still find benefits in driving it.
jevs

Yes, I am tired of driving this Honda insight. I am thinking of going back to a TDI Jetta. At least it can climb a hill without shifting into third and I barley get into the low 50′s with this thing. I could hit 48 with the Jetta and have room for the family. A mini diesel would be even better!
Kevin Cook

Yes I would buy the diesel. I can’t wait for the clubman Diesel. Please get this car over here ASAP. Why is there a delay.
David Lewis

I will be purchasing a new car in 2010, I sure would like it to be a Mini-D!!
Dave

Yes I would buy a mini diesel! I am even looking into what it would take to convert a gas mini to diesel. I’m still in the early phases of looking at the possiblity, I figure if I could get a drive train out of a diesel mini from the EU it could be done. But if it were availble in the USA I figure 1500-2000 over gas would be a fair mark up over gas models. The price of diesel here in NY has just gone over 4.05 per gallon which is more than 93 octane by an avg of .30 per gallon which is obsene if you ask me.
Ronald

What do we need to do,to get BMW to bring the MINI COPPER D to the US
Rthompson1898

If we can import allmost everything we buy,use,wear etc…from China…Then why not save on fuel cost , then we can spend the good old American Dollar on something we WANT …i.e COOPER D.
Hemisedan

Being a owner of the 2011 JCW, I’m not in the market right now. But, if Mini could come here with two lines of Diesels. One the conventional D, then a high performance JCW D, I’d most definately consider it. Price for gas doesn’t figure in for me, as I’ve been a diesel fan for years. Cost over the gas burning S or JCW? not over $1500. The benefit of diesel vs. gas? Cleaner running, stronger engine and lots of torque. The diesel is most definately needed in the Countryman All4.
Addaxx4

I would get in line to get a Mini diesel !!! The vw diesel is a great car (I’ve owned them) but lack fun my mini is fun!, now put it all together for us yanks BMW!!

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