MINI Q&A: The Runner Up Questions Answered
A couple weeks back we invited you to submit questions to MINI USA Product Manager VInnie Kung. And while we got some great questions we also had quite a few that had been answered either previously on the site by MF staff or by Vinnie himself in our previous Q&A. For the second group we thought we’d take it upon ourselves to give you the answers straightaway and save the rest for Vinnie himself. Look for Vinnie’s answers next week. Until then, here are ours for the questions that didn’t quite make the cut…
Question: Will the new MINI Connected feature in any way have the potential to be retrofitted to R56 models? If not, will the upcoming Nav update have a similar map interface as the MINI Connected, or any similarities to the MINI Connected system?
MF: There is absolutely no way save for completely replacing the computer control unit in the car to retrofit the updated Navigation system or MINI Connect. How much does a computer control system cost? If you have to ask, you don’t want to know.
Question: When will we get clean diesel engines?
MF: We’ve detailed the answer to this question many times over the years. The quick answer is there are no plans for MINI’s just released BMW derived diesel. Instead look for equally (if not more efficiency) petrol 3 cylinder engines in the next MINI range debuting in 2013.
Question: Will the 2011 mini jcw have the valvetronic system??? how can there be an issue of CO2 emissions, when in 2006 the mini jcw GP already had it… thanks
MF: No the 2011 JCW does not have Valvetronic. However neither did the GP.
Question: Will there be a Justa Cooper Coupe?
MF: That is TBD and will likely depend on the market. The better question is, will the US market have one. So far the answer appears to be no.
Question: Will you bring back the real LSD for the MCS or any other model in the future? The optional LSD was big part of the reason I got my 2007 MCS. It shows that MINI has real performance in minded people in charge. I’m sorry but I just don’t think the electronic differental locks can deliver the feel that I so enjoy from my LSD equipped car.
MF: Believe it or not Vinnie and MINI USA feels your pain. However it’s difficult for MINI AG (that’s MINI Corporate in Munich) to justify having a LSD when the take rate is only 4% in the US. And on top of that the eDiff is arguably better on the track. (this still doesn’t change the fact that we at MF truly miss the LSD)
Question: I really wanted a Camden edition but some of the new features such as Mini connected are enticing. Will White silver be among the new colors for standard use on an S
MF: Yes. We’ve details colors on MF several times over the last two weeks. Try using the search tool or look in the 2011 LCI section for more info
Question: These might also qualify as stupid, but: With MINI/BMW’s decision to build the new city car from carbon fiber, could we see more CF options for MINI owners like a CF roof, hatch, bonnet, etc…?
MF: Not stupid. Our guess is that making CF add-ons for MINIs is pretty low on the priority list for the new plant. They’ll have their hands full making entire carbon fiber monoquoces
Question: I still really want pull handles (straps) for the interior door handles a la certain Porsche variants. Is there any way that we could see more simple, non costly ideas like this that will further differentiate MINI’s from other mass production vehicles?
MF: Great idea, we love them to. We’ll plant the seed at MTTS.
Question: One thing that I had to do with my R53 is install limo tint on the sunroofs to cut down on the sunlight. Any chance MINI would offer darker tinting? Also an optional solid screen for the sunroofs instead of one that allows light in would be nice.
MF: We’ve already reported that the tint will be going from 10% to 30% for the 2011 model year.
Question: How about a nice bright white, instead of the dirty pepper color?
MF: You mean like White Silver that’s been offered for the past 3 years or a pure white? The R60 Countryman has a non-metallic white similar to Alpine White from BMW. We love it. We suspect you would to. However there are no plans to move it to the R5X range.
<p>Looking forward to the Vinnie answers. I had the chance to speak with Vinnie at MTTS to get a few of them down that I asked. Vinnie is a really nice guy (have to say all the people I met at MTTS blew me away with their enthusiasm, humor and generally awesome nice people)and I look forward to seeing his answers.</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe</p>
<p>Gabe: Very nicely done, as usual for you on these questions and answers. This probably isn’t the place for this, and I probably know the answer, but the 2011 pricing, any ideas on when they will be published?</p>
<p>I ordered my BRG ll Green JCW last week, without the pricing. I’m assuming that there will be little to no price increase. I do have a deny car in my offer for protection, just in case the increase is obscene. I just wanted to say as well, I really appreciate all that you do in your thoughts, and ideas on MiniUSA cars, options. A big thank you.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. It will be good to hear even more next week.</p>
<p>I second hemisedan’s question and developments on when mini connect/mission control can be ordered for US?</p>
p>@hemisedan</p
<p>Your dealer should have pricing as of yesterday so give them a call. Everyone should be pleasantly surprised by the new pricing. The increases are minor across the board.</p>
<p>MINI Connect should be available for December production. I can’t wait.</p>
<p>Can’t vouch for their reliability (haven’t heard back from local dealer yet), but someone on NAM has posted base US prices on all 2011 models. <a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/3115310-post79.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/3115310-post79.html</a></p>
<p>Any updated date when the 2011 configurator will be on-line? thx!</p>
<p>It’s a lot more fun obsessing ON the 2011 configurator than obsessing ABOUT the configurator. Please turn it on, MINIUSA!</p>
<p>Someone here says they know the pricing. (Just wondering if they know more about the options you can add and how much they are) <a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2007/193296-2011-ordering-4.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2007/193296-2011-ordering-4.html</a></p>
<p>Can anyone confirm this?</p>
<p>Well, the wait seems to be over, except for the release of the options. It’d be nice to see those. I suppose the 2011 configuration won’t be out until next week. My guy here doesn’t have the information yet. Probably his boss wants them to keep selling the 2010’s rather than making all their phone calls to 2011 customers.</p>
<p>I know that most think that the pricing increases are negligiible, mine went up only $550, but still considering the sales decline of the Mini, was this necessary? And the $700 increase in the MCS, plus options changes might help the dealers get rid of the remaining 2010 stock.</p>
<p>Guess now I just have to wait for November delievery.</p>
<p>Just went to the dealership yesterday. All options have pricing info, just couldn’t get leather/cloth seats in black (only toffee and rooster available). I got the pricing info with me. Just ask your dealer for it. I use the <a href="http://www.mini.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.mini.co.uk</a> site for configuration, if I want to see how the car will look like, for now.</p>
<p>Exactly. Why the 2011 JCW does not have Valvetronic? It seems absurd</p>
<p>Too costly given the number produced and sold (at this time). We’ve already detailed is in previous stories.</p>
<p>Thanks Gabe, sorry. But do you really think that? A reason for precisely the opposite: reducing consumption and increasing power means more sales and therefore increased production. In my case I am very close to buy a JCW, but this news makes me rethink what I</p>
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<p>Thanks Gabe, sorry. But do you really think that?</p>
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<p>I’ve had four separate people within MINI tell me that (in so many words) from all parts of the company. JCW sales are half what was projected and it’s very difficult to get any further investment (in the program) past the accountants.</p>
<p>But we may eventually see <em>something</em>.</p>
<p>Gabe: That kind of thinking by a company makes no sense at all. Maybe if they’d have included the JCW Aero in the USA version that sales might have been more interesting for them. Or, maybe had the suspension up to the rest of the car, or even if they would have offered said suspension at the factory, rather than having, almost the same price as the cost of the suspension in getting it put on. Or, that they priced the JCW about $2K more than it should have, with the equipment that it had. And, when they came out with the WC 50, they saw how fast that those sold, and that car was equipped the way the JCW should have been equipped. (even though $40k for a Mini seems obsurd to me)</p>
<p>Even with all that, I still have one on order for this year. But it seemed rediculous to me to have to go aftermarket in the suspension, just to get that to the level that it should come with. And speaking about the Valvetronic, beings as they are putting it on the regular line, just what WOULD it have cost, per car, to put this on? My thinking is that, beings as the JCW has been a dismall failure in their eyes, and that they have either, lots of built JCW engines, or parts to build those engines, they need to get rid of those. Anyway Gabe, primarily just venting. I know that I’m going to love my little guy, and beings that not many are being sold, in my area there is only one JCW, mine will be quite rare.</p>
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<p>That kind of thinking by a company makes no sense at all. Maybe if they’d have included the JCW Aero in the USA version that sales might have been more interesting for them.</p>
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<p>We’ve been talking about this exact topic for the better part of two and a half years. We’ve written two opinion pieces on how to save/fix JCW. It’s been done to death on MF frankly.</p>
<p>Yes the two biggest issues are visual differentiation and lack of unique or aggressive suspension. I won’t re-hash it all here… look <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/01/07/jcw-re-imagined-our-take-on-the-factory-jcw/" rel="nofollow">here</a> and <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2010/07/01/how-to-save-jcw/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.</p>
<p>And then make sure to read our reviews on the JCW Hatch and Convertible.</p>
<p>There can be installed a JCW Engine kit in a Valvetronic MCS? Which would be the result?</p>
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<p>There can be installed a JCW Engine kit in a Valvetronic MCS? Which would be the result?</p>
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<p>No. We’ll have more on that soon.</p>
<p>Thank you again Gabe. You do an excellent work, I wait eagerly for your innovations. The information of JCW comes in dropper, enclosed the sellers complain about being alone in what concerns the JCW. MINI, conscious or unconsciously, difficultly will be able to cover his expectations of JCW’s sales.</p>
<p>“I’ve had four separate people within MINI tell me that (in so many words) from all parts of the company. JCW sales are half what was projected and it’s very difficult to get any further investment (in the program) past the accountants.”</p>
<p>Well that is interesting news and sadly actually not fully unexpected. What would be more interesting is if these four people realize the reasons for this lackluster sales that have been well documented here previously.</p>
<p>I think everyone realizes the issue. Unfortunately solving it is quite complex – or more so than it should be.</p>
<p>I don’t pretend to even begin to understand the complexity that goes on behind the scenes. It just would be sad to see the sub-brand to have a questionable future due to this.</p>
<p>I would love to think with a resource as great at Motoringfile that it should not have been a mystery what the performance enthusiast were asking for. I did hear during MTTS that there is some talk about retiring JCW (John Cooper Works) and just calling it Works. I wondered if this was going to be an overhaul of the sub-brand. I still think it would be a mistake for MINI to not cater to the performance fans as there are literally huge numbers of aftermarket tuners that are capitalizing on MINI’s short comings.</p>
<p>Are Vinnie’s answers coming this week now lol, 🙂 thanks gabe.</p>
<p>“Look for Vinnie’s answers next week.”
When are you posting these?</p>