MF Exclusive: MINI USA Ups Pricing for 2010

MINI USA will be publicly announcing 2010 pricing in the coming weeks but we thought we’d give a sneak peak of what we’ll see. The combination of BMW AG charging an extra $100 for runflat tires, an increase of shipping costs (leading to a $50 jump in the destination and handling), and the $250 multi-function steering wheel, have made price increases pretty much a mandatory across the range. However the numbers vary from model to model. Here’s the breakdown (including $700 destination and handling):
– R56 Cooper: $19,500 (+ $300)
– R56 Cooper S: $23,000 (+ $400)
– R56 JCW: $29,500(+ $300)
– R55 Cooper: $21,150 (+ $300)
– R55 Cooper S: $24,750 (+ $400)
– R55 JCW: $31,700 (+ $300)
– R57 Cooper: $24,950 (+ $400)
– R57 Cooper S: $27,850 (+ $400)
– R57 JCW: $34,700 (+ $300)
There have also been a number of small changes to the options list for 2010. Most notably the limited slip differential that has been available since January 1, 2005 is being removed from the order sheets starting with March builds. The reason? There simply weren’t enough orders to justify its existence. It’s a sad realization for us at MF. We’ve always thought of it as a mandatory on the R53 (’05 and ’06 of course) and even the non-JCW R56 era models. Now with electronic aids doing similar with with less weight penalty (among other bonuses) it would seem the writing was on the wall. It’s a sad in that we were the first to break the story of LSD coming to the MINI, and now we’re telling you it’s gone (well we actually first reported this a couple of months ago). Time marches on and new technology arrives but sometimes it’s simply sad to see changes like this made. ELDC is fantastic but we’ll always miss the old school limited slip.
Other small changes:
– Seat back memory position has been eliminated. Instead it will default to a standard position.
– All models get fabric on the back of the sport seats to help with road noise and allow for a larger pocket
– Mellow Yellow is gone and has been replaced by Interchange Yellow
– Pure silver gone from R56 MCS
– Dark silver extended to MC
– Nightfire Red is now exclusive to MC Clubman
– White silver can only be had with the Camden package on the R56
– Hot Chocolate can only be had with the Mayfair on the R56
– When ordering the Camden package note that if you order the navigation, the new “mission control” feature will be eliminated.
49 Comments
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Wait, so you’re telling me, when you let people out of the back seats you now need to reset your seat angle manually? Or is this for how far back the seat bottom slides?</p>
<p>And when is the latest you think an order can be put in for an 09 with LSD? Sure ELSD sounds great and all, but I maybe want a LSD.</p>
<p>Basically, I want to be able to choose LSD or ELSD, I don’t NEED the milti-function steering wheel, and the seat thing sounds annoying (unless I’m misunderstanding this).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Wait, so you’re telling me, when you let people out of the back seats you now need to reset your seat angle manually?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>That is my understanding. Yes it sounds a bit more annoying but then again I haven’t had any experience with it yet.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>And when is the latest you think an order can be put in for an 09 with LSD? Sure ELSD sounds great and all, but I maybe want a LSD.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I believe the cut off is September production for an ’09. However the cut-off for LSD is February production.</p>
<p>Great, so basically, with the seat position change I’m hosed already. Hmm, I need to ask my MA what the deal is with the new seats. (Watch it be just for the standard seats, while Sports Seats / Lounge Leather still have memory. Not faulting your intel!)</p>
<p>Progress is progress, but how much lighter is the ELSD than the real LSD?</p>
<p>Great, now maybe I’m going to wait for a 2011 refreshed R55.</p>
<p>Any word on whether a mechanical LSD will be an option for the Broadspeed/Coupe’? MINI, please please keep this option (or make it standard) for this car! I really do not want a “limited slip” that uses the brakes to improve traction.</p>
<blockquote><p>Any word on whether a mechanical LSD will be an option for the Broadspeed/Coupe’? MINI, please please keep this option (or make it standard) for this car! I really do not want a “limited slip” that uses the brakes to improve traction.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Once it’s gone from the factory it’s gone from all models.</p>
<p>I second that Micah, the ELDC has some bonuses but also has a few drawbacks. I also will always trust a mechanical system over a purely electronic solution.</p>
<p>The demise of the LSD begs several questions:</p>
<ol>
<li>What percentage of cars were ordered with one?</li>
<li>Why does the typical MINI owner not feel the need for one?</li>
<li>Are said owners even aware of what it is, or its benefits?</li>
<li>Why not make it standard on the S and JCW? Or, at least the JCW?</li>
<li>Is this arguably another salvo in the march to make MINI mainstream?</li>
</ol>
<p>As some would lay at the feet of the Crossman</p>
<p>Still no re-designed interior, dash and center stack??</p>
<p>I sure hope these price increases are well worth the update come 2010 because if not I’m going to be doing a lot of heckling to get down the prices of an 09 model from the lot.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-268011" rel="nofollow">C4</a>:</p>
<p>That’s coming on the refresh in the spring/summer… so we’d probably see it in the 2011 model.</p>
<blockquote>I’m going to be doing a lot of heckling to get down the prices of an 09 model from the lot.</blockquote>
<p>heckling will not help….try haggling!</p>
<p>According to MSN autos, the coupe will be $36,000. Who is going to pay that much for a MINI?</p>
<p>Re: seats. the base/bottom will still have a memory. The seatback will return to a default “comfortable” position. Until we see one first hand, that’s all we have. So if the seat was leaning back before you let someone in, it will have to be reset once the seat is put back.</p>
<p>Re: LSD. The take rate was too low for it to be cost effect. It was never available on the JCW model, reportedly because it caused torque steer instead of reducing it. EDLC (electronic differential lock control) has been standard since their release in 09. And the DTC is a lot of fun for performance drivers.</p>
<p>Re: MFSW. (personally, a must have on any car I own) Take rate was 94% so it was not cost effective to have the basic steering wheel in production.</p>
<p>I dunno… heckling might work in this economy.</p>
<p>So my car is getting rarer and rarer… Lightning Blue, LSD, no multifunction steering wheel, seat memory…. apparently, I built one unpopular MINI, hahaha.</p>
<p>anyone have experince with ELSD? I have an 02 MCS that I do occasional autox and track days with and not having LSD really is a negative. I’m really looking forward to the Coupe and for sure would have gotten it with LSD.</p>
<p>Jim</p>
<blockquote>Why does the typical MINI owner not feel the need for [LSD]?</blockquote>
<p>Typical MINI owner is a street driver who does not push hard enough on turns to experience wheel spin.</p>
<p>I wonder if you will be able to get a black roof and mirrors (or chrome mirrors) with the Camden. I’d like to see how that would look.</p>
<p>Why does the typical MINI owner not feel the need for [LSD]?</p>
<p>Also remember that they are selling more Automatics (since the R55?) and LSD is not an option with that transmission.</p>
<p>way past time to ditch the runflat tires</p>
<p>they raise the prices, when, clearly, there are cars sitting on lots. in recent times, mini is surviving bringing new models out at a high rate. to me, they are fooling the buyers about the “mini thing”. i just sold my ’08 mcs and bought an audi a4. actually similar mpg( 32 vs 26) and a tremendously, greater automobile. the mini, with all of its flaws, is going to get killed by fiat and ford( when they finally bring their smaller euro models). compassionate mini owners will put up with all the quirks and lack of dependability, but the general population will say a big” NO”.
sincerely, don</p>
<p>Boo! No white silver available anymore? I’m not impressed anymore. I guess I’ll have to go with either light or dark silver and black roof.</p>
<p>And a mechanical LSD would have been preferred, but I won’t be racing my future R56, so I guess an ELSD won’t be too terrible. As long as it helps getting out of snowbanks in the winter like the mechanical version would!</p>
<p>Finally, two words: Harman/Kardon! I’m very happy with this!</p>
<p>Bastards!</p>
<p>I think its time to start a writing campaign or something to bring back the LSD. We were able to convince MINI once to bring back Anthracite headliner, now it time to convince them we want a REAL LSD back!</p>
<p>Don Compton likes his “better” Audi so much that he still surfs that MINI boards…</p>
<p>First, car prices go up pretty much every year. In this case they are going up $300 or $400 but include as standard a MFSW that used to be a $250 option. I don’t think the extra $50 or $100 is going to ruin anyone’s day. If so, buy a used Mini and save thousands in depreciation.</p>
<p>As for people not ordering limited-slip differentials, it was a $500 option that I bet most people don’t understand, and if they couldn’t understand it they almost certainly didn’t need it. Face it, most Minis are not bought by autocrossers and canyon carvers. ‘twould be nice if Mini could cater to those customers who are enthusiasts, though.</p>
<p>Gabe,I know that run-flats are becoming optional in the UK, but do they remain standard in the US?</p>
<p>Again, MINI is pushing me to another car company for my next car…</p>
<p>My question is how have the prices risen since launch, and is it in line with other cars?</p>
<p>The usual price increase is around 2% year to year for most brands, with this they are well below that considering there is added equipment in the MFSW. People just don’t understand that if in option does not sell it is tough to keep it for cost reasons. In the end the high take rate of the MFSW makes it cheaper for them based on volume so it makes sense to offer it as standard.</p>
<p>The take rate gives them what people REALLY want, enthusiasts are only a small percentage of buyers and I bet that many “enthusiasts” don’t even have the LSD…. basically they just gave the aftermarket some business- a few hundred LSDs a year.</p>
<p>-M</p>
<p>26 MPG is similar to 32? Really on what planet? Also, I am not sure that I would use audi as a benchmark for dependability.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-268152" rel="nofollow">rkw</a>: Yes they are standard in the US… Thus they are part of the reason the base price has increased.</p>
<p>Btw the take rate for the LSD was jaw dropping in it’s low numbers. Many dealer sold less than 5-6 a year according to our info.</p>
<p>Btw is anyone else continuously amazed at the complaining that some MINI owners seem to do?</p>
<p>What the….No pure silver? Now how is my next car going to look when it does not match my trailer? Guess I will just have to build a new trailer.</p>
<p>Well, I’m certainly not complaining! I’m never going to get rid of my LSD, MFSW, Non-Sunroof, Seat-memory, equipped ’07 DS MCS!!!</p>
<p>Now that the cold start issue seems to be in the bag, I’ve got nothing more to bother me but the odd squeak and rattle. Just got the new Continental DW tires to replace the worn runflats and I couldn’t be happier ;)</p>
<p>If this relatively small increase is enough to change your mind about buying a MINI, I would suggest you weren’t serious about buying to begin with.</p>
<p>These are really low number increases, but that’s still a problem when you look at what is available out there for the same money.</p>
<p>And I think the era of the mechancal limited slip is going away. More and more cars are using electronicly controlled differential systems because they can do things that mechanicals just can’t. Look at the Lancer MR and the new Porsches… They’re offering something they call “torque vectoring” that really, really works well to be faster through the corners via predictive torque distribution as opposed to the reactive torque distribution on mechanical system.</p>
<p>On my 02, it was so early that there was no LDS (no JCW option either!) so I didn’t get it with that one. For my wife’s clubman, we went with a real stripper of a car (08 at $22,650)and we skipped it there too. If I were to get an S today, I honsetly don’t know if I’d prefere the eDiff or the mechanical… I could live with either I’m sure….</p>
<p>So Mini had an option that wasn’t selling well at all, with a replacement technology that would keep at least some of the mechanical purchasers happy. Don’t blame Mini for killing the LSD… Blame the buyers of the cars that didn’t order it. And FWIW, the price from Mini was GREAT for a LSD… Mine was about $1200 plus installation!</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>“Btw is anyone else continuously amazed at the complaining that some MINI owners seem to do?”</p>
<p>The thing is, Mini owners complain about Mini’s decisions about other cars it makes. We love the cars we have!</p>
<p>So, just to see by the current price list on MINIUSA. I configured a comparable R56 S that has the same options as my current 05 R53. I know these are not the updated prices but just to get an idea of price increase in the last four years from when I ordered my car.
Price difference comes in at $3,300 + 400 for this price increase.
However, lets look at what I am getting along with that 3.7k</p>
<p>A new more efficient engine. Giving back every time I stop at the pump.
Because my current car has all 4 packages when I add the convenience package I also get the comfort access, along with bluetooth and ipod adapter.
I also get to drive a new car that has the full warrantee from the dealer.
I don’t feel the price increase is out of line for the past 4 years.</p>
<p>That said I will probably wait for the Coupe concept to come to market. That will more than likely increase the price drastically. Because my 05 had no aero kit, NAV, or JCW bits.</p>
<p>My 08 R52 has LSD; I live in Wisconsin; and I never had trouble in the snow. LSD was fantastic.
I agree with Ron Myers”…another salvo to make MINI mainstream.”
The 07 and forward are like baby BMWs, and not MINIs – Way too refined, and too BMWified.
Remember, our cars are now designed in “The Fatherland”, and not in England! They just build them in England because BMW has a factory there. BMW will build them in other regions when they can do it more on the cheap.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Please explain to all the “mainstream” neigh sayers, ELSD will extend adoption of LSD in one form or another, because now you can get it on EVERY MODEL! An S or Cooper, and manual or automatic.</p>
<p>Yes yes, I know I said the word “automatic” because there are some people out there who don’t know how to row their own, can’t for some reason or another, or live in cities with too much traffic for it to be fun.</p>
<p>Time to design around run-flats. Expensive up-front and wallet-killers to replace. Plus, I know of at least one R52 driver who couldn’t stand driving on them but didn’t want to risk driving without a spare…. so he sold his MINI for a car that I dare not mention as comparable.</p>
<p>Most of the announced changes are not surprising. It seems silly to claim that BMW is trying to “mainstream” the MINI when the take rate for LSDs clearly shows that — if not wanting LSD is “mainstream” — consumers have already “mainstreamed” the car.</p>
<p>(although I say that as someone who wishes he had an LSD in his R52… and is still saving up for the Quaife)</p>
<p>I was just about to order a Mellow Yellow S. Anywhere I can preview the Interchance Yellow..?</p>