MINI Cooper Diesel in the US, redux

Sections: Efficiency | R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) Sep 19th, 2007 31 Comments

The price of gas in the US is again on the rise. With that, we starting thinking about the MINI Cooper Diesel. As much as I hate to say it, we also need to remember that this is a car we won’t be getting in the US.

Now, before you start blaming MINI or BMW (again), you should go back and read this post:

However there are some very specific and real reasons why we will not see this car without some major legislative change in several key states. The problem with diesel is tailpipe emissions, particularly smog causing NOx. Unfortunately, the MINI Cooper D does not comply with emissions regulations for all 50 states. So a very large portion of US MINI dealers could not sell it even if it were offered. This makes the federalization costs prohibitive for MINI USA to offer it in the US market.

While the MINI Cooper D has very low C02 emissions (some of the lowest out of any fuel-powered car, including most hybrids), the particulate emissions just aren’t low enough. States like California and Maine (plus about 8 others) have mandated that all passenger cars must meet the same low tail-pipe emissions, C02 and NOX, no matter what fuel they burn.

While the technology is available to scrub the particulates from the exhaust, it’s cost prohibitive for MINI to include it in cars for the US. And the demand for such a car, sadly, just isn’t there.

Of course, that shouldn’t stop you from making it known that you would like to have a MINI Cooper D in your driveway! Over ~~250~~ ~~300~~ 400 already have on this post from May 30th. Just because we aren’t getting it, doesn’t mean we can’t ask!

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[ Efficiency ] Motoringfile

Written By: DB

MINItron

There has to be a reasonable way to make it work. I want one NOW!
Crusoe

The federal law on emissions is primarily based on this: the more cargo space the vehicle has the more emissions it can emit. With big steps up for SUVs/trucks and a mountain higher for shipping trucks. It should be something like weight+cargo/mpg = emissions category. Change this and we’ll get small diesels. Without looking, I’d bet a dodge V10 diesels emits at least 6x the NOX of a MCD. Let it go folks… though the Clubman D has a chance to qualify in all 50.
Mark (Texas)

Still don’t know why they don’t do what Mercedes does – just sell the Diesel in those States where it meets the emission standards. Be a good “real-world” test for BMW/MINI on how popular this model would be in the U.S. and if it there would be a business case for working on making it legal in all States.
http://www.nemini.org PaulGraz

Still donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t know why they donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t do what Mercedes does – just sell the Diesel in those States where it meets the emission standards.

Simple economics. Mercedes sells more cars, for more money per car, than does MINI.
Chad

So then MINI shouldn’t sell any cars at all, since it sells fewer for less profit than the competition? That doesn’t hold water.
david

i’m a just a humble motoring advisor, but i have, at a minimum, 4-5 customers a month ask about a diesel. i think hydrogen powered one would be a cool one to rant about wanting too.
Evan

Mercedes certifies their diesel engine for multiple lines just as VW does, so there is definite economy of scale. This generation of MINI Diesels probably wouldn’t get here- if they plan early and work to make the lower NOx standard for the engine worldwide, maybe next gen would work. Especially if offered in all variants.

For now, it seems like at most we’ll get the stop-start and alternator-decoupling. And at least the standard cars are pretty fuel efficient.

Oh, and I would buy a MINI D in a heartbeat.
heyduard

Economies of scales… indeed, there was an article touting 200k mini have been sold in the states over the past 5 years. Very hard to bring over a niche player in a niche market. :( For comparison of market sizes, how many chevy colbalts or honda fits/jazz’s have sold in a year?

Now if Honda can bring out clean burning diesel tech without the extra tank of urea and license the tech… we might have our answer.

As it is, the r56 justaCooper kicks economy butt and the scuttlebutt is it qualifies for the 1k rebate from the feds. That being said, I sure would be interested in a Mini oil burner.
http://inomis.com iNomis

I had wondered how the standards worked. If correct this link makes me a bit happier, in that small cars should have to do less work to meet the standard. Though perhaps it’s still too much work for a small car to cost effectively do?

http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/us/ld_t2.php

“The Tier 2 regulation introduced more stringent numerical emission limits relative to the previous Tier 1 requirements, and a number of additional changes that made the standards more stringent for larger vehicles. Under the Tier 2 regulation, the same emission standards apply to all vehicle weight categories, i.e., cars, minivans, light-duty trucks, and SUVs have the same emission limit.”

“Since light-duty emission standards are expressed in grams of pollutants per mile, vehicles with large engines (such light trucks or SUVs) have to use more advanced emission control technologies than vehicles with smaller engines in order to meet the standards.”
Jack07734

Those that may want a MINI D should check out the Petrol vs Diesel test on Fifth Gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16IcNCCLaCY

Cheers, Jack
Drill

I took this pic especially for posts like this :-) (I hope it works)
nina simone

if Canada gets ‘em, maybe import one? [sans warranty, likely.]
nina simone

nice pic, Drill!

;D
MINItron

I would really flip over a H2 powered MINI. Just think of the posibilities. No matter how powerful you make the engine the only tailpipe emissions are H2O. No CO2, CO, NOx, unburned fuel! The only problem is there is NO infrastructure available. BMW already has their Hydrogen 7. They have the technology. We just need the fuel.

I previously owned a Diesel Jetta (which I traded for my first Cooper in 2003), and I loved it. It got 45MPG all day long, and was utterly trouble free. The only issue was that it clattered like a big rig. It also went like a scalded cat, especially when you considered the 95hp and the weight of the vehicle. I would stand in line in the sleet and snow to sign up for a oil burner MINI that got 60MPG, heck even 50MPG.
lavardera

If they can sell them in Canada, then why not the compliant states here in the US?
Jimny Crockett

We can beat our brains in speculation ad infinitum and never accurately discern the genuine technological culprit. The existence of a viable consumer market for diesel automobiles cannot be denied. And although it may be relatively small, it is not immune to well-conceived, growth inducing PR and advertising. The average American consumer remains ignorant and equates diesel with clattering trucks. The enlightened few having knowledge to know otherwise do not constitute a sizable enough minority to compel companies like BMW, GM, Ford, and Chrysler to venture forth and shift this paradigm of ignornace and misconception. Thus, even if the MINI D were fully 50 state compliant sales would likely fail to meet expectations sans a very strong educational PR/marketing prelude.
Jimny Crockett

For the record, please count my vote for U.S. MINI D availability. I would positively love to own one.

With the right combination of informative PR/Advertising and incubation, the MINI D would gain greater and greater market share over time and reward BMW with greater profit.
tim

Total bunk. BMW/Mini could absolutely bring a diesel over here. BMW is going to to it very soon with their cars, so is Audi, and so is Mercedes and VW. They’ve figured out how to make 50-state diesel engines.

Car makers will soon realize there IS HUGE DEMAND for high-fuel mileage vehicles. Look what happened with hybrids; sales are throught the roof. Those who don’t have diesels in the mix will be left out in the cold.

If you bring it, BUYERS WILL COME.
Jimny Crockett

Not bunk at all. Apparently there is one enthusiast who prefers to remain oblivious to reality and cannot distinguish fact from fiction. The fact is MB and VW diesel sales now account for a very small fraction of total sales. Consumers buy and large continue to think diesel and trunk. And the enlightened among us may consider themselves fully aware of the diesel advantage they fail to recognize this telling reality. It is axiomatic that knowledge is power, thus without better informing the masses diesel power may remain relegated to the back burner in the minds of consumers interminably and regrettably.
Chad

We’re not asking for a MINI that runs on Hopes and Dreams or even Hydrogen. The MINI D exists already, it’s just a matter of importing it for dealerships in states where the car meets the emissions standards. Spend $0 on marketing, just let the engine be a $1000 option (or whatever you care) and let the motoring advisors do their jobs and explain what the differences are.
MD

Unfortunately MINI USA is run by Americans, who don’t have the same priorities or views as our European neighbors…
Bob H.

Thank you for your diagnosis Dr. Crockett…
Wayne D.

Sort of ironic really, since emissions are what caused the original Mini to be withdrawn from the states and is viewed as possibly giving rise to the popularity of the VW bug.
Jimny Crockett

My pleasure Bob H. Many of us, including “Dr. Crockett,” would like to see the D available in U.S. showrooms. An avalanche of enthusiast advocacy may well help manifest our collective desire. I hope so.
Dustin in Ohio

Jimny Crockett – Interesting, but uninformed opinion. As noted in the article below, just shy of 1/4 all all VW’s sold in the US are Diesels. I was unable to find year to date figures and I note that the 22% was a monthly figure which the article mentions was the highest it has ever been in the US. However, this figure is increasing and came at a time when VW was restricting availability of its diesel prior to the introduction of its 50 state diesel.

It is clear that there will be winners and losers with fuel sipping gas engines and diesels. Mini appears to be turning its back on those customers in the US. VW and Honda (and recently Subaru, Nissan) have indicated that they will be shortly selling Diesels in the US and that Diesels will play a significant role in their long term strategy here.

I want a Mini – but that is no longer the only concern. Specially when the Mini I want – MiniUSA refuses to sell me. Despite the fact they already make it. That is a slap in the face to both Americans and our environment. I will vote with my pocket book.

Bloomberg: Volkswagen’s U.S. Diesel Sales Reached All-Time High in April

May 8 (Bloomberg) — Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest carmaker, said its U.S. sales of cars with diesel engines reached a record 22 percent last month.

“We think the numbers reflect a growing awareness of the potential fuel savings diesel-powered vehicles offer and a growing acceptance of diesel in the U.S.,” Steve Keyes, Volkswagen’s U.S. communications chief, said in an interview on May 5.

Volkswagen is betting on increased diesel sales to help return the Wolfsburg, Germany-based carmaker to profit in the U.S., where the company posted losses the last three years. Volkswagen’s overall sales in the U.S., the world’s largest automobile market, last month rose 11 percent to 20,528 vehicles, with its market share gaining to 1.4 percent from 1.2 percent.
Mark

I’d buy a mini diesel in a heartbeat. Seems like a relatively easy step for BMW to make it a little cleaner for 50 state compliance since they are doing it with bigger engines.
http://dbmini.us DB

Seems like a relatively easy step for BMW to make it a little cleaner for 50 state compliance since they are doing it with bigger engines.

Bigger engines in larger cars that have the space for the system required to scrub the NOX from the exhaust. It’s a 2 tank system I believe and you would be hard pressed to find the space in a MINI.
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John Barriskill

Come ON MINI/USA & BMW ….. Absolutely incredible.. I’ve called your customer service tel # in the states and pleaded to bring that MINI D over here. Enough already! I guess I’ll look into purchasing one in Canada and driving it down here. Here is a novel concept the X series sales are plummeting. Retool some of machinery at Spartenburg reegineer the engine insertion process for deisel and BMW would save on shipping and sea faring freight costs by producing the MINI D’s & Clubman D’s here in the South Carolina plant. Besides with soaring gas prices many American SUV and I’d even venture a few BMW SAV owners ( the X series) are looking to trade-in their gas guzzlers for the more environmentally and cost effective vehicles MINI D & Clubman D!
Bryan

duh – why not label it as a biodiesel only vehicle?
Steve

Would it really be that difficult for BMW to Federalize a “D”, considering the car is already Federalized? WTF, that makes no sense at all. I’d buy one.

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