Breaking: MINIUSA Orders Delivery Stop on the F56 MINI Cooper
The news is light but certainly looks serious. According to multiple sources at dealers, MINIUSA has issued a delivery stop on all F56 MINI Cooper produced from Dec 2013 to Dec 2014.
Given that date range that’s obviously all F56 MINI Cooper produced for the U.S. Up until this point. While this doesn’t affect the Cooper S, this is very likely over 50% of F56 MINIs on the roads or dealer lots.
The reason is still a mystery with MINI calling it only a “Potential regulatory compliance issue”.
We’re waiting to hear back from MINI USA for more details. In the meantime if you have one of the affected Coopers you’ll likely receive communications about the issue soon.
<p>Dec 13 to Dec 14? Dec 2013 to Dec 2014?</p>
<p>Yes</p>
<p>Sounds related to the side impact issue reported previously?</p>
<p>This would be why everyone should be avoiding the first year model run! Wait for revised v2 next year I guess.</p>
<p>Issues occur with all model years. Even our 2006 MCS had common issues which prior years did not. Besides if no one bought them in the first year the dealer would not produce additional vehicles for the next year just because someone didn’t buy last years. It is only a problem if MINI does not make things right for the customer who purchased a vehicle. No matter when it was produced.</p>
<p>Can’t please everyone. Semi-free country – go ahead and buy one :)</p>
<p>I saw a Scion iQ go past the other day… how can that little thing (with short front end overhang no less!) pass safety requirements when MINI apparently can’t? I’m in disbelief!</p>
<p>They did this with some clever package and a bunch of trade-offs. The tiny engine is in the passenger side cowl basically where the glovebox is. This pushes the passenger seat back making it a three-seater (if that).</p>
<blockquote>They did this with some clever package</blockquote>
<p>Sounds like a car that I used to know. What was that car called again?</p>
<p>That point has been made by quite a few over the years about the Toyota iQ. However the results matter and it doesn’t drive in any way spirited.</p>
<p>“Sounds like a car that I used to know”</p>
<p>I suspect this will be the case with the Rocketman’s production model (if it gets a green light).</p>
<p>KLF23, you would rather…</p>
<p>Have the engine crammed into the right side of the car so the vehicle isn’t as balanced for performance driving?</p>
<p>Than a few inches of overhang?</p>
<p>Why aren’t you buying a Scion IQ then? If you want a sporty drivers car get a MINI. If you want a car with minimal overhang get that Scion IQ. Or a Smart Fortwo.</p>
<p>I think most of us here know that the unfortunate front overhang on the current MINI was dictated by safety standards. That doesn’t mean we have to like it and won’t whine about it. Here’s hoping to a better solution for the 2020 redesign.</p>
<blockquote>Why aren’t you buying a Scion IQ then?</blockquote>
<p>They don’t sell them in Australia and as Gabe said, I don’t think it would drive like a Mini. I just wish BMW could do some of that clever packaging that Mini used to be know for to make something smaller and spirited again.</p>
<p>Safety aside, the Scion iQ is also being pulled from our market after disappointing sales.</p>
<p>I hear you Captain! I sat in one at the showroom… NOT a MINI interior!</p>
<p>I love my 8-year-old R53 to death, but also had the pleasure of driving a couple Minis in the 70’s on the roads and fields of Ireland… what a fun little car that was too!</p>
<p>It seems like the regulators have it in for our MINI models…. recently there was the MPG fiasco where they made MINI adjust fuel performance downward, now this glitch. Just sayin…</p>
<p>Will keep an eye on this to see if it only effects US MINI’s. Hopefully rest of world owners can find out the issue soon.</p>
<p>Well how else would they sell the fat lipped MCS?….(ducks and darts out of room)</p>
<p>Two+ days after a full US delivery stop and not a peep from MINI? Looks like the PR department is sticking to what didn’t work during the ETA delays. “Just keep quiet and hope no one notices”.</p>