MINI USA Shelves Plans for a Countryman Diesel?

B-Bye MINI

maybe MINI’s smarter than some ppl here will give them cred for…

i’ve not yet seen the fuel cost savings to justify payback for a more expensive diesel model, vs a small efficient gas model.

unless, you’re keeping the car for a long time…

@zm,

You might be right regarding the diesel premium payoff on a diesel R60. But we’d need the actual price to be sure.

We bought a new 4D VW TDI in 2003. The car gets 40-50mpg, it’s reliable, quiet, and has a surprising amount of room. In short, we love it. At that time, however, VW was not charging a premium, and diesel was priced much lower than Premium. There were real cost savings to be had.

A lot has changed since then. Between the price of diesel and VW’s TDI premium, any cost-of-diesel-ownership advantage when buying a new TDI has been pretty much wiped out.

I imagine MINI is acutely aware of these contributing factors. But abandoning diesel in the R60 (in the States, anyway) has to be a difficult decision given the torque advantage diesel engines have, something that would add true appeal to the R60 as a hauling vehicle.

There probably won’t be enough volume in the USA to justify certifying the engine here. That also makes upcoming plans for diesel in the X1 and next gen 1er & 3er less likely. With diesel tech making the price higher than gasoline, and price per gallon more or less the same, it takes a lot to make up the premium.

The USA will apparently be sticking with turbo fours, especially with the next gen 3er and 1er getting them in this market. I just hope BMW keeps the inline 6 in the 3er, naturally aspirated.

Jimmy Buffett said, “Indecision may, or may not, be my problem.” I belive BMW/MINI’s indecision is going to cause a problem for their future business prospects in the U.S.A. As a consumer, I am tired of being jerked around by companies that think we cannot live without their products. Give the people what they want and do it in a timely fashion or get the hell out of the market!

The timing of the delay for the Countryman and rejection of a diesel in the United States is most probably driven by the recession. I also suspect that the price premium is such that there may even be an overlap with the anticipated X1. Building a vehicle in the Eurozone then selling it at a price point to warrant sufficient sales is a tall order in North America.

A tad ironic however since BMW just announced they are bringing the 4 cylinder diesels to the US. One would assume this would likely share the motor with a proposed R60 D so economy of scale would likely be benefited.

Part of the issue though could very well be the price point that might move this car into a price point that Mini isn’t happy with, or that BMW wants to concentrate sales within its own brand for the 4 banger diesels first.

Just waiting for the reaction when we find out the 5 seat arrangement and no diesel are both noted.

If this does indeed happen, then I will probably have to say goodbye to MINI. The delay in schedule still worked for me, but the lack of a diesel will be tough for me to argue. My wife and I have agreed that our next car purchase is going to be either hybrid (BORING!!!) or a diesel and it will coincide with us having a second child on the way (thus the need for more interior room). So you’re not alone, Nathaniel.

I think BMW may assume that those who want the diesel would be willing (or can be convinced) to spring for an X1. I think many will not and killing the diesel R60 program will also kill a TON of the enthusiasm for this car. Perhaps the weakening dollar is not helping our cause here.