MINI Clubman UK & (Estimated) US Pricing
MINI UK has officially released pricing on the 2008 Clubman:
– MINI Cooper Clubman: £14,235
– MINI Cooper D Clubman: £15,400
– MINI Cooper S Clubman: £17,210
These prices are around an £1,210 increase over comparable coupe MINIs in the UK. Now before all you yanks start pulling out your currency converters remember that BMW never prices cars based solely on currency conversions. If that were the case a US MCS would start close to $30k.
Instead US Clubman buyers can expect the both the Cooper and Cooper S models to come in around $2000 more than the coupe version. We expect US pricing to be close to the following:
– MINI Cooper Clubman: $20,000 (est.)
– MINI Cooper S Clubman: $23,000 (est.)
Look for a MINI One Clubman model and a dealer installed Clubman JCW kit (for the “S” version) to both be available in 2008.
Will the Clubman Cooper and Cooper S have any addtional standard equipment over the coupe?
I read where the price difference in those countries that use the Euro will be about 1600EUR, so that would put it in the $2100USD range.
Remember those prices reflect VAT. Value added tax adds substantially to all prices in Europe.
So in Canada we would be looking at $50,000…just kidding but that brings me to this question:
Why are our prices so much more than the States when our dollar is now at par? A Cooper S for $21K sounds alot more reasonable than $30k plus.
rusty. because the US market is larger and manufacturers can more afford to have their margins squeezed and be profitable on volume in the US vs. smaller markets.
i think the more important question is why the US isn’t going to see a Clubman D.
matt. thanks for the info –
Is the D still a possiblity for Canada? Since we didn’t get the Mitsubishi EVO, seems only fair.
It’s also competition. All cars in Canada are more expensive than in the US, so MINI can charge more and still be attractive. Real question is, why don’t you just buy in the US and drive it home?
Hey, Gabe, how new is that logo? The chevrons look sweet.
Sneaky devil.
Chad – I believe there are duty charges unless the vehicle is over 15 years old. I also heard through the interweb that you can purchase a new car but it must remain in the States for 6 months before it can come across the border.
I have some friends who do that, but with the Hungarian market. They buy used cars in the US, drive them for a few months, then send them by container to Hungary. The cars are then sold as used, so they have lower taxes, and because the cars were cheaper in the US relative to the exchange rate, they can make several thousand dollars per car they sell.
Mmm, so if this were true, you could pass up on getting navigation on a Cooper and get a Cooper Clubman with the money instead…
Or pass on the nav and get the JCW kit. Either way, makes the nav seem really expensive when you look at what else that money can get you.
Another reason the MINI costs more in Canada is that there are many features that are standard on Canadian MINIs that are an option on US models, for example Xenon headlights. If you outfit a MINI on the US configurator with all the things that are standard here in Canada, the price is closer. I suspect that this is done because Canada is a smaller market, so this way MINI can send fewer variations to Canada. Also, a car purchased in the US will not have warranty in Canada, so buying in the US is not always a great idea. Before our dollar gained in strength, cars were a lot cheaper here, but now the pendulun has swung in the other direction.
>how new is that logo?
About 24hrs 😉
Decent pricing, I must say.
Audi A3 2.0T – MSRP $25,340. Sounds like that will be less than a JCW Clubman. Sorry, but if I needed a real rear seat and wagon configuration for hauling, the Audi might have to win that one. It is a porky little blighter, though.
agreed – if you need a true wagon this isn’t your car. Personally I’d go for a nice CPO 3 series wagon a/sport and manual over the A3. Oh wait… <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bridger/sets/72157594149372768/detail/" rel="nofollow">I did</a> 😉
A used 2006 325ix would be a good call. I would not call the A3 a “true” wagon, though. More of an extended hatch, like the Clubman and Mazda 3. The bimmer is a solid notch larger. Once you go there, you’d have to look seriously at the Legacy GT wagon, and when you do, the price of the Bavarian option seems a bit inflated.
looked at the A3 myself … really tight car.
I love the Clubman, but if I would have to really think with my head 🙂 its really geared for more cargo rather than people hauling. I know MINI is not marketing it towards couples with small kids but it would be great for it (or not) …
The more I think about it, and I love the car … not sure it really has many advantages over the coupe.
>A used 2006 325ix would be a good call.
Ack – an AWD BMW? That’s like buying a FWD Audi 🙂
> The bimmer is a solid notch larger. Once you go there, you’d have to look seriously at the Legacy GT wagon, and when you do, the price of the Bavarian option seems a bit inflated.
Having driven the two back to back – it’s no comparison if you’re looking for a true drivers car. I really like the Legacy wagon but for the enthusiast used to cars like BMW, the steering feel and weight is ponderous at best. And the chassis and suspension tuning lack the composure the E46 w/sport package has. Then there’s the weight issue – a RWD E46 wagon is quite a bit lighter than the Legacy. And considering Suburu isn’t importing them to the US anymore, you’d be stuck with what’s already out there (granted that pales in comparison to finding a used E46 Touring with a manual).
BTW an AWD 3.2 A3 is a <em>couple hundred</em> pounds more than the E46 wagon. And speaking of weight, that’s another thing the Clubman has going for it. It’s a good 500lbs lighter than a four-door GTI or Golf.
Werd, Gabe. Werd. Luckily I do not need to face this wagon dilemma. I’m sticking with my tweaked R53 Works for quite a while. Once I figured out I could fit all my windsurf gear inside it (board too) I found inner peace.
I don’t need no stinking Clubman.
<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1110/528368823_6bf65bf84a.jpg" title="MINI Clubman" rel="nofollow">Picture 1</a>
<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1130/528368897_d65ef3c5b2.jpg" title="MINI Clubman" rel="nofollow">Picture 2</a>
<a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/528368951_413386edcd.jpg" title="MINI Clubman" rel="nofollow">Picture 3</a>
Right Nuvolari…… Can’t fit any human beings and all those boards are bound to become projectiles in an accident….
Sure, you need to stinkin’ Clubman….
Correction: one board, one human being. Gear is wedged in so tight it is not going anywhere. Three years and counting with this set up.
Thanks, Nigel, but I think I’m good.
How about the new Subaru WRX wagon, roomy, better maintenance records and price tag than Audi, most of all one fun car to drive (added bonus roof racks for all those toys)!