As we promised a few days back, MINI USA official taken the wraps off it’s completely redesigned website. Front and center with this redesign is the updated 2007 configurator featuring the R56 and a host of changes to the existing R52 convertible line-up.
But enough reading, let’s configure:
[ MINI USA.com ]
They’re quoting 191 lb/ft of torque as the standard figure and not just a brief overboost. Sweet!
Weeeeeee!!! It’s the old configurator, only better! (I was afraid it was gonna be like the one in the UK site)
Thank you MINIUSA!!!!!
Rich.
This is better than Christmas.
I like it a lot! No pop ups!
OK, I just noticed they reduced the “full” maintenance to 3 yrs / 36K miles. Is that new? Also, it’s too bad most of the options I want aren’t available until 3/07. Also noticing several small nit-picks but overall this thing rocks!
Looking good! I like the fact that the Aero Kit can be factory installed.
I was hoping the JCW mods would be made to work on this version, but they still don’t update the master vehicle model. Darn!
Oh man, the non-JCW body kit is awful-looking.
Can we file bugs/Feature requests here? Will miniusa read this?
-After making a new config can’t export to PDF or some other easily printable format for bringing to the dealer 😀
-I tried the email a config option, emailed it to myself and when I click the link I get a 404 error on the miniusa site.
Anyone see the Aero kit under section three thumbnail? It’s not selectable, but it’s different than the JCW kit. I think it looks better.
Yay, it works great in Opera!
That was my #1 complaint about the old site.
hmm… Lightning Blue looks similar to the color on the GP… perhaps it is just my monitor.
The new site is excellent. I’m amazed at how much better the US configurator is in comparison to the European sites.
no brg color line? 🙁
I think the ‘classic’ combo with BRG is the wood/Cream Color line isn’t it?
For $159 you can emphasize your fake scoop with some chrome! 😉
First config of MINI S is a little over $30K. I wish the colors were truer. I like the Lightning Blue as seen on my monitor, but it’s probably a darker blue. I will see my M. A. soon to see the real colors. Except for the confusion over the trueness of the colors, this is an improvement over the old site.
$550 for a multifunction leather sport wheel??? Classical BMW Rip-off.
Todd has hinted he thought a set of slotted and drilled rotors were coming. But he said as a option for the 02-06 MINIs. hehe oh well. I love some of the options including the R108 wheels.
Wow, I need to upgrade my home computer. I’m sure the Flash looks pretty smooth on a better machine.
OK, am I going to have to be the first one to say I can’t build a MINI I like..? 🙁
I really want to like this car because I don’t know when they’ll change it next and my current MCS is already 4 years old, but I really can’t get to liking that new interior. I hope it will look better in person.
The configurator itself is good, if a little slow (but their servers are probably getting hammered), but I’m really disappointed that I can’t make a car that makes me want to buy it like I did when I configured my current car…
Looks like the EPA mileage values are not finalized yet. It’s still TBD on the site.
Also the 0-60 time of 6.7s isn’t bad. And bmw is notorious for understating performance values. That means 6.5s or less probably won’t be hard to attain.
Nice job, and it is still the ne plus ultra of configurators. I’m having fun with it for the rest of the evening!
BCNU
Rob in Dago
I’ve waiting 3 months to order my new mini, but now I guess I’ll have to do it without GPS :(. WHY!!!! WHY!!!
The site is great, we have something the Europeans and the rest of the world wished they had. I am going to spend hours at work coming up with the perfect Mini but BRG with tan leather is the way to go.
>Todd has hinted he thought a set of slotted and drilled rotors were coming. But he said as a option for the 02-06 MINIs. hehe oh well.
Yes they should be compatible with the R50/R52/R53.
I love this. Those R108 wheels are sweet!
it was fun configuring something NEW….it was the same anticipated feeling when I first configured my current MINI 5 months ago. I configured the same specs of my ’06 to the ’07. By comparison, the ’07 would have cost me 3k more than what I paid for on my ’06.
Site looks much better and functions much smoother than the previous version … they should have let the web developers redo the actual car … hehe.
Anyway, what’s with the “lowered” stance on both the MC and MCS in the config … they actually made them look good. Is that the new reality of the real world one, or is this just the way it looks on the web?
OK, I know some of that stuff isn’t available until 3/07, but can’t they let us configure it now? I can’t configure my ideal MINI at the moment, so it’s almost pointless. Lightning Blue looks wrong, too much like Cool Blue. Astro Black still doesn’t look right, no hint of blue at all.
I think Beamland did a wonderful job with the new site. Much snappier for me, navigation a little more simpler too. I hope there are new easter eggs to be found!
I quickly configured an 07… $34k and that’s without any JCW kit yet! Still not sure if I like the new one till I see it but I know I can’t afford it even if I do!
I’ve always wanted contrasting viper stripes and now they are a factory option..roof too!
James,
I agree. I wish even if the options aren’t available until 3/07, it would be nice to actually allow us to put them on.
Plus, I really want to see the hypersport Aero kit on the car to compare it to the JCW one. If I have to save additional money for the JCW to get the one I want, that shifts my whole budget around. Grumble grumble…
Gabe, any word on if/when those March 07 options will be made available?
Interesting, all of the ridicule of the non-functional MCS hood scoop may be unfounded. Miniusa webpage: Facts, Features & Specs; Performance & Efficiency; Hood Scoop Air-Intake details states “Like any performance vehicle worth its metal, the MINI Cooper S features an air-intake scoop in the bonnet that, besides looking bad-ass, helps provide ample airflow to the powerful turbocharged engine. Helping everything stay perfectly cool for optimum performance.”
Real MINIs have real hood scoops
<blockquote>Real MINIs have real hood scoops</blockquote>
Er, my classic doesn’t, and you can’t get much more real Mini than that. 😉
I wonder if they’ll add a (costless) “remove hood scoop” option to the price list, though. It’s just plain silly.
Interesting now with the Cabrio there is a Sirius option. But only a 1 year versus a lifetime for the R56. So Cabrio lovers are being punished….
I checked out the new US configurator last night and the colors looked wrong. For example, the lightning blue looks completely different than the lightning blue on the European sites (almost a pastel purple compared to a medium to dark blue). Also, the Redwood Red seats look odd. Hopefully MINI will fix this, as the colors and appearance of the seats are deceiving.
I’m with GadgetGav. Hopefully once we start seeing these options in person, I will change my mind. The colors on screen just don’t look right. The interior choices seem either too dark or too flashy. The closest thing to Indi Blue with Lapis Blue leather is the Laser Blue with Pacific Blue Cloth/Leather w/ ColorLine. It’s nice but not as deep and true blue. 🙂 I told my wife she doesn’t need to worry about me ordering a new MINI this year. She smiled.
Nothing was said in the configuration about the interior lighting that changes colors. That is not something I really care to pay extra for but I was wandering if it will be an option here in the US &/or will it be included in one of the packages? Also I am really interested in the alarm system. When will it be available and for how much?
Is the site down? All I get is a bare-bones outline of Mini info.
Here’s the thing everyone needs to remember. This was originally planned for a December launch. The fact that it was moved up a month would indicate that they’ve had to make some concessions and will be improving the site in the weeks and months ahead.
Or in other words… be happy it’s a month early 🙂
Now that you can compare and visualize the old vs new on the same site (Cabrio vs R56) you can really see how much more bloated the new model looks. It may be a better performer but it has really lost a lot of its “MINIness” in the translation. Also $550 for cruise control? Give me a break…..
You just gotta love the option for robotic heated side mirrors. Was this a rumored option?
>You just gotta love the option for robotic heated side mirrors. Was this a rumored option?
It was confirmed as a US option on this site earlier in the year. It’s been available outside the US for years.
While a bunch of options (Hyper Sport, NAV, etc.) are known to not be available before 03/07, does anybody know when the new iPod adapter will make its debut? All it says on MINIUSA is “coming soon…”
I’m scheduled for a Feb build, and I’d rather not have to retrofit….
It’s fantastic seeing the new Wheels, Roof options (red stripes!), and upholstery. They all look great, and it’s nice to be able to compare.
Very cool! A Pepper White MCS looks great, also liking the Sparkling based on UK photos. My MCS build is the same as before $26000. Now just waiting for the ’09 50th Anniversary Model. Till then Pepe MC will keep me entertained.
Agree, MFSW price is crazy.
I am pleased that you can get the upgraded audio system for $550 without getting the whole $1400 HD radio / satellite options…
Wow. I LOVE what they’ve done with the site. It’s more simple, but in a good way, and they’ve done new and fresh things with the look of the brand – like spinning the color box and exploding the car. The site has a real sense of visual depth and dimension that it never had before. Where the old site was fairly flat and static, this one moves and transitions with a lot of energy. Very cool!
The configurator is also great – always was – and I’m happy to see that they’ve mostly just evolved it. There are SO many options. It reinvigorates my hatred for most of the new interior, but I’ll get over it. I hope they bring the silver roof back at some point. That’s one of my favorite things about my MCS.
This is a great configurator!
I don’t understand why Germany (or Europe) gets a rather crappy one in comparision. Or why MINI does have different configurators at all…
Anyway, makes me want to configure just another car, very well done.
Any thoughts as to why choosing the “powerfold” heated mirrors forces you to delete the cold weather package that consists of heated seats and heated washer fluid nozzles?
Because the mirrors are heated too. So, if you remove one of the items from the package it is no longer a package. That is why we love MINI a la carte.
I would say that it is a great evolution of the site just like the car is (except the headlights and interior)
But the configurator makes no mention of mirrors as part of the current cold weather package. Typo?
<strong>The MCS Bonnet Scoop is Real!</strong>
<a href="http://miniusa.com/404.html#/learn/FACTS_FEATURES_SPECS/Pricing_Full_Equipment_List-s" rel="nofollow ugc">http://miniusa.com/404.html#/learn/FACTS_FEATURES_SPECS/Pricing_Full_Equipment_List-s</a>
“Like any performance vehicle worth its metal, the MINI Cooper S features an air-intake scoop in the bonnet that, besides looking bad-ass, helps provide ample airflow to the powerful turbocharged engine. Helping everything stay perfectly cool for optimum performance.â€ÂÂ
Gabe,
Is this true about the Scoop ? Is it real like Mini claims ?
Wohoo! The two spoke steering wheels are back — but not for multi-function though… aannhh.
There is also an option for white rear turn signals… anyone knows what color the standard u.s. spec rear turn signal is? I know Euro specs are orange, but a lot of car makers these days are going for red turn signals for u.s. versions — which I always thought was stupid — cause that’s the same color as the brake lights. These days, around where I live, people already don’t (or don’t know how to) use their turn signals any more — making their color red probably would confuse them even more…
I actually like the new interior and exterior. The black/red leather/cloth seats will be great with a red or black car(please bring back REAL black for ’08 MCSC!)The 10 speaker high fi will be an improvement over HK. I wonder if the JCW seats will be offered in color combos too.
I’m a bit confused as to what the “hyper sport” suspension will be. The “sport” button on the S must not be the only performance option for handling. Will the “HS” suspension replave the JCW suspension or will there be more upgrades dowm the road? Any details on what “HS” entails? They mentioned thicker sway bars (19″,22″?). Is this bad news for the aftermarket?
Anyone know if there is a difference between the $140 “Chrome exterior mirrors” available in the Accessories/exterior styling section and the $150 “Chrome mirror caps” available as a choice when you are in the “Paint it” phase??
Getting pricey. I had a 2003 Cooper (not an S) – don’t ask why I sold it, but long story short, I essentially owned it for nearly free for a year and a half due to stellar resale. Toying with the idea of an ’07 ‘S’, but I’m over $25K with cloth seats. If I equip an ’07 the same way as my ’03, it’s roughly $2500 higher. I wonder if the value equation still holds…
I found a “mistake” if you go into the audio section in Step 4. And you slide the selection over so you can pick the HD radio. Watch the Sirus picture.
Can’t build anything. Just get the websites “404 error, page not found.” I am a bit bummed, as I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day I could build my new MINI. I love my 05, but am thinking about a new one.
the only thing that sucks is that u cannot see the john cooper works body kit on the car if you pick the option
Where’s the Oxygen Blue for the Cooper?