The wait is over! Now if only that MINIUSA configurator would just launch 🙂 While this isn't not absolutely official it is completely legit. This news comes via our favorite new source, foolsdragon:
Pricing has been announced… Just posted to the internal system.
Base prices remain the same:
2005 MINI Cooper: $16,449
2005 MINI Cooper S: $19,899
2005 MINI Cooper Convertible: $20,950
2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible: $24,400
Destination and Handling for all models: $550New options:
Chrome Line Exterior: $250 (all models)
Chrome Line Interior: $200 (all models)
Chrome Mirror Caps (and chrome hinges for convertibles): $120
Universal Garage Door Opener: $200
Cockpit Chrono Pack: $250
Cloth/Leather combo interior: $800Old options with price increases:
Combo #1 Premium Package: $1,350
Combo #2 Sport Package: $1,350
Metallic Paint: $420Pricing for the MCS automatic and LSD are still TBD.
Kudos to MINIUSA for keeping prices the same despite some worthwhile improvements for 2005.
<p>I will be very curious to see how much the LSD will cost in Jan 2005.</p>
<p>If all the stories about BMW not making much profit on each MINI are true, then why didn't they raise the price considering that there is still a strong demand? Perhaps all the cost-cutting measures we've seen were enough to boost the per-car profit margin without needing to raise the price. Interesting.</p>
<p>What is even more suprising is that they didn't raise the prices even with the change in value of the dollar. The dollar has lost 20% of it's value this year. We are the second largest market behind the UK, which we may beat this year. If the profit had been so bad this year, they would have surely raised the prices. I think the fact that their largest market is effectively lowering their sales by 20% and the cost is still the same in dollars, really speaks volumes about their profit on this vehicle. My feeling is that they are probably still making a good profit on the car,whether that has been through cost cutting procedures in the car or the manufacturing of the car is unknown to us.</p>
<p>As a side note, if I were to guess for a price on the LSD it would be $550. I know this is cheaper than the Quaife stand alone unit, but this is still my guess. I am still unsure why it isn't standard. To my knowledge every front drive vehicle that is on the market with a limited slip, it comes as standard equipment.</p>
<p>As it stands MINI barely makes a profit on a base Cooper. Where it makes it's money is on the options and accessories which are generally quite popular on a car like the MINI. </p>
<p>So yes MINI makes a solid profit on most cars – especially in the US where many are ordered with thousands of dollars in optional extras.</p>
<p>Knowing this it would seem MINI is keeping the base price the same while increasing (albeit slightly) key optional extras. I think this is very fair as it keep the cost of entry lower.</p>
<p>I would guess that the base Cabrio has more profit built into the price as it's more of a luxury item.</p>
<p>Anyone know what colors the combo cloth leather package comes in for the United States? I heard red cloth and black leather – Hyper Blue would look great with blue cloth and black leather.</p>
<p>Any idea on the cost of the ZCV Convince Pack?</p>
<p>Any word yet on the auto trans on the S yet? Is it a conventional automatic or is it an SMG?</p>
<p>It appears to be a convetional 6-speed slushbox with Tiptronic feature. NO SMG or CVT for the '05 MCS Automatic.</p>
<p>Preliminary reports indicate the '05 MCS Automatic is a good drive but remember that this is a heavy, fuel/power sapping slushbox. The jury is out until the US mags get to drive it and eventually us consumers.</p>
<p>I would have much rather for MINI go with a CVT box instead of a slushbox. We shall see.</p>
<p>Yup – conventional old school auto slush box.</p>
<p>Cost of my spec. S Cabrio is….$30,000 + tax UH!</p>
<p>“”It appears to be a convetional 6-speed slushbox with Tiptronic feature. NO SMG or CVT for the '05 MCS Automatic.””</p>
<p>Where did you get this information regarding the automatic?</p>
<p>…cool,the price was actually on point for what I thought it would be for a '05 MCS,JCW Open. Plus it's still about 10 grand less than the Lotus Elise(which was a tight second for what I wanted to buy). Also,one can't beat the service by MINI for their price.</p>
<p>I agree with Gabe that BMW get it's profits from options & accessories. Good marketing!</p>
<p>I wonder if the pricing of the auto on MCS will be similar to CVT on the MC.</p>
<p>Any idea when the USA website will be updated to configure these models? thanks</p>
<p>Joe – this story posted awhile back should have all the answers for you:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/05/28/the_miniusa_2005_model_year_configurator">the MINIUSA 2005 Model Year Configurator</a></p>
<p>After a long 4 month wait, East Bay Mini in NorCal called me today to confirm my order and final options for July production and late September delivery date for MCS 05. The prices listed above are correct. No info on MCS automatic except that production is scheduled for January 05 and expected delivery time of March 05, which according to the dealer may still change. The dreaded 3-spoke as the steering wheel standard without the 2-spoke option is unfortunately confirmed by the dealer as well. Does anybody have any opinion on standard vs. automatic transmission?</p>
<p>about transmissions: I drive my 2002 Cooper everyday in Chicago, so I shift a lot. When I took my car in to be serviced this week I got a new Cooper with an automatc. It sucks. I hate it. If I had to drive it I wouldn't. A Mini with a stick is a MINI!; a Mini without a stick is a car. The only reason to drive a Mini with the the automatic CVS trasmission is if you are unwilling to learn how to drive a stick and want to “look” like you have fun.</p>
<p>Sorry, this is probably not the forum for this but is the LSD a must for the MCS? Why would I need this? Thank you.</p>
<p>It's funny that dealers have had their July production allocation since May, along with the ability to enter orders into an order bank that drops orders into production slots as soon as they're available, yet they're JUST NOW calling you to confirm your production.</p>
<p>the lady at the dealership said that it will be in the “JULY PRODUCTION”, unless she was lying…</p>
<p>“”””It's funny that dealers have had their July production allocation since May, along with the ability to enter orders into an order bank that drops orders into production slots as soon as they're available, yet they're JUST NOW calling you to confirm your production.”””</p>
<p>Mini dealers cannot take your order without the prices coming out first!!</p>
<p>Well if there's a demand…</p>
<p>Where does MINI make money? How about the charge for metallic paint in the US. At last check no extra $$$ for metallic paint in Canada. Could be the same in other countries as well. (However, this may be changing with the MY 05 production…)</p>
<p>hmm, i got the JCW 6-speed gearbox imported from england, and it has the lsd, i also have the john cooper works kit installed in my car, and they go awesome together! wow, you can still do burnouts, but there is about 50% more traction off the line making it a crisp, clean takeoff, i wouldnt go back to the regualr gearbox if i could</p>
<p>I've been contacted by my local dealer to place my order for a Cabrio. I'm debating the S. Now that the prices have been released, the MC seems more in my price line. I will be the only one in the car 75% of the time on my 33 mile commute to work. Gas mileage, insurance and longevity of the engine are important to me. I'm not a speed-shifting, burnout kinda gal…just wanting a sporty FWD convertible (trading in my '97 Miata). Any opinions as to supercharged engines having longer/shorter lives than normally aspirated?</p>
<p>“Mini dealers cannot take your order without the prices coming out first!!”</p>
<ul>
<li>they can and they do. I know many people that have had deposits down on for months now.</li>
</ul>
<p>Chris – here's a good thread for more LSD information: <a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26401&highlight=LSD">Limited Slip = limited traction?</a>.</p>
<p>does anyone know what the “Chrome Line Interior” package consists of? any pics?
thanks</p>
<p>Tony – there are lots of pics in the various cabrio galleries around the site.</p>
<p>“Mini dealers cannot take your order without the prices coming out first!!”</p>
<p>I guess I've got a whole list of upset customers, because I've been doing it for over a month now. We had no choice once we ran out of 2004 production in May.</p>
<p>For those of you who have been told July production by your MA, GET A PRODUCTION NUMBER!!! We've had them since May, for crying out loud. Call them every day, go in and stand on their desk, do whatever you've gotta do to get your production number.</p>