For this week’s video Friday we have a four part video that goes into detail on the 2007 R56 MINI production process. It spans three plants and gives you an unparalleled look at the production of the 2007 MINI. But for those with limited time that just want to get straight to the good stuff, you can skip ahead to the “Final Assembly” videos at the bottom.
Swindon Plant (Metal Stamping)
Hams Hall (Engine Assembly)
Oxford Plant (Final Assembly)
Source: MINI Press
Please more pictures.
Cool!
I love these videos..thanks Gabe!
I hope MINI stitches them into a half hour video with music like the old one.
This is awesome! I visited the X5 and Z4 plants in SC when I was there for BMW training before I started work at MINI and it is truly amazing how this process is done! Thanks for the wonderful footage guys!
OK, Gabe. It was worth the wait!
=R=
Very nice! Love the engine coming up out of the floor bit.
This is a great insight into the factory but does not do justice to the actual amazement of being there and seeing it all happen – I went last year and it was jaw droppingly insane!!
Fun stuff. How would it be to have the job of running your hands along the body after the car comes out of the paint shop. Ooooh…nice curves….
I was one of the lucky ones 555 in the world to see My MINI built. I saw the paint booth, engine to the body, then the Brake force test.
….I think they even mig welding my Name to the frame…lol
Gabe I will have to send you my file so you can compair it.
Gabe,
Any way to download them?
Cheers,
Jack
They’re on Google Video, so you should be able to download them
SO, am I crazy or have they changed the process quite a bit? I thought with the older models no humans touched the cars until after the paint was done, now it looks like at the least there is some hand welding and assembly first. Is this part of the new IPP paint process?
Sweet videos
From Lee L:
“SO, am I crazy or have they changed the process quite a bit? I thought with the older models no humans touched the cars until after the paint was done, now it looks like at the least there is some hand welding and assembly first. Is this part of the new IPP paint process?”
Lee L,
From that footage of MINI personnel ‘touching’ the car after the paint process, I think that they are literally running their (gloved) hands over the paint to detect any imperfections on the paint surface, the same way that you may run your hand over the surface of your car after washing it to determine whether the paint surface needs to be clay barred or not. It’s part of the QC process!
I like the wing shaped applicator for pressing on the MINI badges..
Awesome videos. I hope one day to see this process in person! 🙂
I think I saw a human actually weld something.
My wife and I took the tour this passed Apirl, I saw in the last video of the orange mini coming off the line that it turned left, it means that something is not right on the mini. If everthing checks out the mini will go straight them turn right out the door.
its yellow in the last video?
Thank you for the videos.
Guys from our club (Moscow, Russia) made a trip to the Oxford plant in August, (Back to the Rootes Drive Moscow-Oxford). Unfortunately it was the month when they started to rebuild the factory for the New New MINI. I will post the link on our forum to make up for it a little.
Cheers
Definitely on my agenda for next year!
ABSOLUTELY…EXCELLENT videos…I felt as though I
was an active participant in the MINI build..!!!..NOW
..I really need to gooooo..!!!