MINI USA Launches the F55 Four Door Configurator
Get your internet ready, MINI USA is launching its 2015 F55 four door configurator today. But that’s not all that’s new at MINIUSA.com
Not only do we get a new F54 but we also get a revised configurator with an improved interface and more thorough listing of all options. Head over to MINIUSA.com and show off your F54 specs in the comments below.
<p>That is much better. Some of the required packages are still a little confusing but at least the system tells you when you could save money by choosing a package instead of a la carte selections.</p>
<p>Also, is it my imagination, or are there a lot fewer colors than there used to be?</p>
<p>Have just tried several times to complete a build on the new 4 door hatch on the MINIUSA configurator but can’t seem to get through any of the package selections. Could this be due to just too many people trying to do the same thing since the model just arrived on the site??</p>
<p>Interesting that so far there are only 2 previous comments here regarding the 4 door hatch now on the configurator & one of those comments was mine. Again, after several tries to build a 4 door hatch with the revised configurator interface, the site continues to lock up whenever I tried to add any packages…even some of the individual options. I dropped a note to MINIUSA re this problem about 4 hours ago, but never received a response.</p>
<p>I like the changes, and the more I see of it the more I like the F55. Thank goodness Mini isn’t going the VW route. I’d like to know how I could spec a GTI but their site is useless in its attempt to “match” me up with a car near me. Thank goodness Mini lets me build what I really want, whether I’m patient enough to order it that way or not.</p>
<p>Was able to build the F55S on my IPad after being unsuccessful on my desktop (would get locked out when choosing some packages or some options). The build is about what I was expecting re pricing with all the options I chose. Really like those new Two-Tone Roulette Spoke Wheels which seem to be specific only for the 4 door model. My bottom line for a Thunder Gray with the Sports, Wired & Wired Upgrade, & JCW Interior Packages along with other misc options including auto with paddle shifter came to just under 38K. Will be looking to place my order at my dealer later this year for an early 2015 delivery…..</p>
<p>I had some minor issues with the package customizations but it seems to work fine.
So now the question is when can I order one…</p>
<p>@spicyjcwcoupe:disqus … Stop stealing my build, sheeesh 🙂 sounds identical so I will have to just do some additional mods</p>
<p>Quite a coincidence that our builds of the F55 are very close. I also selected the Leather/cloth Diamond Carbon Black seats, Hardon Karden, Sirius radio, Alarm Sys. Also added some accessories that may likely be different from your build…the Black Jack Mirrors & Side Scuttles. They show a good match to the new Two-Tone Roulette wheels & the Thunder Gray body with black roof.</p>
<p>This will be quite a departure from my current 2012 JCW Coupe. Am looking to become more ‘practical’ in my 3rd MINI (1st was an ’08 MCS) as an all around fun but more versatile…even going from a manual to the auto/paddle shifter. After all I am 74 yrs old!!</p>
<p>Our first was ’05 Liquid Yellow and Black convertible, and an ’06 Checkmate MCS after that and onto the Coupe JCW now. I did choose side scuttles and mirror caps that are JCW so it look just a little bit like the GP so I think we are both good to order now :-)</p>
<p>You’ve had 1 more MINI than me. So we’re both planning to move from a JCW Coupe to an R55 S…maybe for the same reasons…more utilitarian yet still a small quick MINI! My 1st ’08 MCS was an all pepper white/black stripes.</p>
<p>My current ’12 JCW Coupe is the spicy orange/black roof but no stripes. Has Xenons, Nav, Sirius, Hardon Karden, etc. It’s all blacked out including the headlight/tailight rings, strip around the grill, door handles, MINI winged logos, front & back, & waistline.</p>
<p>Will you be ordering soon for the F55? Due to a local move I’m making in Jan, that’s part of the reason I’ll be waiting until late this year to place my order so as to have the new address on my registration by the time of delivery toward Jan/Feb (or later?)</p>
<p>74?. So what! I’m real close to you,70 and I’m going back to the factory F56 JCW in another year or so. I’m in a R59 roadster S-JCW with an Aisian automatic. I just hate it. I’ll be going back to the manual also. Guess my wife’ll just have to yell at me. Anyway, we all have our preferences, but I just had to give you a little grief.</p>
<p>You mentioned having a R59 roadster S-JCW with the automatic. You added that you hate it….the car or the automatic?? What’s a S-JCW?…an S that’s been partially upgraded to a JCW?</p>
<p>I enjoy my current JCW Coupe for its performance, handling, looks, etc. But it also has some negatives such as minimal/non existent rear quarter visibility that I can’t overlook any longer. You probably have similar visibility issues with your R59 when the top is up…perhaps even more so than my R58JCW.</p>
<p>Both my ’08 MCS & ’12 JCWCoupe have been manual. As I understand, the Aisian automatic has been improved on the F56/55 etc over the previous R series. That’s part of the reason, I’ll opt for the auto…but with paddle shifters when I go for the F55S later this year.</p>
<p>Shifting is quicker along with better 0-60 times with the updated Aisian than the manual & surprisingly, the mileage is also a bit better. Never thought an auto would top a manual in performance as well as mileage figures.</p>
<p>So the bottom line for me will be more versatility with the F55S than my current R58JCW in everyday use….as well as better all around visibility. As you said…we all have our preferences. For me, it’s now time to move on to this new 4 door hatch that may very likely outsell the F56 a year from now…. all due to its versatility… yet still a fun drive!</p>
<p>Yes, my car is a Roadster with the JCW aero package, as well as the interior JCW package too. As far as vie ability goes, I think that my roadster is actually better than what the coupe has. Not perfect, but I have no problems there.
I thoroughly enjoy the driving experience, other than how the transmission shifts. In Sport, it runs up the RPM too far, in regular it shifts WAY too soon. Mileage sucks. My factory JCW never got less than 27 mpg, even in the winter months which are, cold, snowy and sloppy here in Iowa. Last winter the roadster was averaging 22mpg on some occasions, it was in the teens. Highway? Not bad, usually in the 35-36 mpg range. Back to the factory JCW, never less than 37 mpg and on several occasions on vacation, we were getting over 41 mpg. That shocked me, and these were figured mathematically and thru the cars computer. Both were very close in the numbers.
The Aisin transmission needs LOTS of work in my opinion. If I really had to have an automatic transmission, I’d wait for the new ZF 9 speed. That sounds like it might be a good alternative. But for me, I like rowing the gears. Just more fun. I know that automatics, even the Aisin are faster/quicker, but I love the idea of being in control of my Mini. Just my opinion, of course, but I’m going back to manual next time, in a F 56 JCW. Hopefully</p>
<p>Bill</p>
<p>Mileage on my JCWCoupe averages around 29-30 MPG for my local mixed driving here in the Tampa area. On highway trips, about the best I got was about 36 MPG & that was if I kept it under 80. Hard to do when every other car/truck is passing me! On my previous ’08 MCS , I could get 41+ if I was light on the pedal & held it at about 75.</p>
<p>I understand the JCW segments of the F56 (& maybe F55 at the same time) will arrive US dealers in Apr/May. If I recall correctly, the ZF 9 speed probably won’t reach the F56 & other upcoming F series until ‘at least’ the 2016 or 2017 model year. I don’t want to wait that long to make my model change.</p>
<p>One last thing, no I don’t drive my cars like I stole them, but I do drive, what I call hi performance. On the road, I drive in the 65-75 range, depending on traffic and conditions. When I got that high of 43.7 mpg going to Galveston, I was following my daughter and didn’t go over 60 mph, so that would figure in that high fuel mileage, although at the time I found that mileage crazy.</p>
<p>Interesting quirks in the configurator. I couldn’t add the Fully Loaded package and select the Roulette wheels. So I added them after that fact, but it didn’t de-select the Tentacle Spoke wheels. So I end up with 2 wheel selections, and the price reflected that.</p>
<p>If I build the car without the Fully Loaded package, and instead go with the Sport and Wired packages, and add the other items I want ala carte, then I can select the Roulette wheels. Also going this route, the Dark Truffle color line – a $200 option – becomes a no-cost option. Those are just a couple of examples.</p>
<p>I ended up building an Electric Blue with Cold Weather, Sport, Wired, Wired Upgrade, and JCW Interior packages, and almost every bell and whistle except for sunroof. Now to decide on a transmission, and order time frame.</p>
<p>Is there anyone out there know whether or not the F55 will introduce a JCW model about the same time next spring (or whenever) as the F56 JCW? Or will a F55 JCW be delayed comparable to the intro gap between the F56 last spring & F55 late this year?</p>
<p>Also, any further word on the optional dealer installed exhaust & engine setup for the F56S (and F55S) adding about 15 HP, that was mentioned as becoming available on the configurator this fall. Believe it was to cost about $1600 plus labor.</p>
<p>From what I have heard, Gabe clarify for me, but I thought that it was said that both the F56 and the F 55 would be available with the factory JCW series. That’d be great for you 5-door guys. It’d be interesting to see how Mini pulls that off.</p>