MINI USA Announces 2017 Pricing: More Tech, Less Features & a Slight Price Increase
MINI USA is making changes for 2017 in an effort to keep prices low while increasing standard levels of technology ahead of the 2018 refresh. The effect of this is that MINI is increases pricing only slightly:
F56 Two Door Hardtop
– Cooper – $20,950 (+250)
– Cooper S – $24,400 (+300)
– JCW – $30,900 (+300)
F55 Four Door Hardtop
– Cooper – $21,700 (+250)
– Cooper S – $25,400 (+300)
Is it the right mix of features for the right price? Read on and sound off in the comments.
Additions to Standard Features
The most notable addition to the standard feature set is the 6.5″ Visual Boost Screen. Already standard on the new Clubman and Convertible, the F55 and F56 will join the newest MINIs in offering the 6.5″ high resolution screen and MINI Connected free.
Enhanced Bluetooth and Audio Streaming are also on tap as standard features across the range. This previously optional equipment allows for streaming, cover art display and full interactivity with music apps. It also includes an integration of full functionality with your device of choice. Based on our experiences with it, this is a hugely welcome addition as a standard feature. It allows you full control of your playlists and cover art. It’s just a shame that MINI couldn’t have made it free earlier.
The other big addition is the center armrest which, now also standard across the MINI range. The arm rest comes with two storage compartments and is full adjustable. While we at MF have railed MINI’s previous attempts at armrests (and the idea of them in general), we have to begrudgingly give our support for this one. It’s well designed with plenty of storage (and importantly) gets out your way when needed.
Subtractions to the Standard Features
So MINI has added some very popular options as standard features. But as part of an effort to keep the MSRP unchanged they’ve taken away a few things that used to be free.
For the Cooper model this starts with the driving modes which is now part of the sport package. This means that you’ll need to opt for the Sport package in order to select Sport, Normal and Green modes.
Across all models MINI has moved the “MINI Excitement Lighting” (that name…) to the premium package. This includes headlight and door handle welcome lightning as well as the multicolor lightning for the center console and footwells.
New Wheels
MINI is introducing two new wheels to the line-up for 2017 in addition to these changes. The MINI Yours “Masterpiece” 18″ wheels come finished with a burnished finish similar to the Vanity Spoke wheels currently offered (but in a slightly darker color). With the MINI Seven Edition there’s also a new 17″ wheel that is called (you guessed it) the MINI Seven two-tone wheel.
What all this Means
It means that MINI USA product managers are working hard to keep prices low. In our conversations with MINI USA around this topic previously, there’s enormous pressure on keeping the base MSRP as low as possible to get people into the brand. To the point that (given all the BMW technology on the cars) you have to wonder what the profit margin is on a option-less Cooper.
This is especially true in years where MINI isn’t offering a substantial refresh to its existing range. In many ways this holding the line on pricing is setting the stage for the 2018 model year refresh which will include an optional dual clutch transmission, a full facelift and multiple technology upgrades. We’ll have more on that soon.
<p>And let me guess – the Sport package will still not be available with All Season tires?</p>
<p>And yes I know dedicated snow tires are always better than All-Seasons, but if you don’t have the money or room for a second set of tires and/or wheels and don’t live in a climate where you get more than a 4 or 5 inches of snow a year – the All-Seasons make better sense than dedicated snows…</p>
<p>Well….it’s about time. Let’s be honest the base radio without the screen was dumb. In a modern car if a screen is offered it should be standard so that you don’t otherwise have some strange place holder thing in that space when the screen isn’t there. And Bluetooth, I mean how hasn’t it been standard?!? I added a bluetooth to my R56 that had an aux port for $25, can it really cost much more for the manufacturer, its on the cheapest cars nowadays so if MINI can’t do it something is wrong.</p>
<p>So what’s next? 2018 is coming quickly and I’m excited for this LCI. Some styling fixes, some updated tech (that’s a bit overdue (Carplay and Android Auto I’m looking at you)). I’m not excited for a dual clutch, I prefer a real pedal operated one myself, but to compete against GTI they need it.</p>
<p>Of course I don’t think the B48 will get the power bump I think it deserves. I’m not sure it needs it but on paper it would help sales I bet and what they are getting out of 2 liters just seems like not enough, the ecosystem of 2 liter motors seems to all make more. Alas, I wait and see. What I think I want won’t exist (F55 JCW), but with more power std on an S model it might sway me (I can dream).</p>
<p>That Armrest is a literal pain. I also don’t like the idea of having to get sports seats (I for one don’t find them comfortable), via. the sports package, in order to get the selectable driving modes.</p>
<p>When does this change take effect?</p>
<p>Quite a few “real” auto reviews (I write real because Gabe made a comment on WRR a while back that most auto/car reviews are “just journalists looking for a gig”) have noted that the armrest; even in the up position, presents an issue (elbow contacting/hitting back/bottom of arm rest).</p>
<p>I found that out myself when I test drove F56 early last year. Didn’t like it plus I had not need for armrest. With it down (even at different down positions) using the idrive type controller does cause a person’s hand/wrist to have to be in an awkward angle.</p>
<p>Selectable drive modes need to remain standard feature. Other cars at same price point as a MINI have drive modes as standard. Makes no sense to have it available only in a pkg, especially the Green/Eco mode. Nothing “sporty” about Green.</p>
<p>Next said most. Just more than you’d expect.</p>
<p>About time on the Bluetooth streaming, I know a lot of folks where upset to find out they could make calls but not do much else. I had to buy the lowest media pack with Navigation to get it in my F56, not upset as much as it added about 2000 to the price of the car. I mean when I was looking for a truck a few years ago, I could get BT streaming in their lowest models without having to pay extra. Glad Mini has finally got the memo.</p>
<p>Meh. Where is CarPlay? Or Android Auto for the non-iPhone types. Yet another example how MINI and the BMW Ph.d’s are perpetually working hard to keep MINI just BEHIND the curve while never catching up to the competition.</p>
<p>A few things to point out; MINI is doing the “one hand giveth; the other hand taketh away” play. The $300 price increase (Cooper S) is really a 60% discount off the visual boost (50% discount for Cooper) but by losing the Excitement Lighting and requiring person to buy premium package, it’s really a price increase in the long run.</p>
<p>Also, IMO MINI is making the visual boost standard not because they are “giving” something as standard but because MINI will be required to include a backup camera by the 2018 model year. So they are just setting up for requirement ahead of time.</p>
<p>Regarding the MINI Excitement Lighting, having the multicolor lightning for the center console is something MINI touted in all their advert and videos on how wonderful and cool it is. While it’s not a driving/handling feature, it is nice to have as standard.</p>
<p>Headlight & door handle welcome lightning and footwells multi lighting should remain standard especially welcome lighting. Good to have at night in dark areas. Plus this now non-standard item should not be part of premium package. PP has items that I do not want or have to pay for.</p>
<p>Making the “Normal Sport and Green” modes on the Cooper as a non-standard feature and having to get the Sport package, WT? Sports Pkg includes item I would not want, i.e. Dynamic Damper Control.</p>
<p>MINI might as well re-name the Cooper as the Cooper One in the US. I see this as a watering down of the Cooper. That feature needs to stay standard. Buyers of a Cooper I suspect want a “Green/Eco” mode, especially since other car makers have an eco mode at same price point as standard.</p>
<p>It sure seems MINI wants to get buyers to get the Cooper S over the Cooper.</p>
<p>I would rather have had MINI remove the dual zone auto climate control as standard (make it an a la carte option). I can adjust climate manually.</p>
<p>In the overall larger view, the price increases are actually much more, as buyers will have to get package(s) to get current standard items.</p>
<p>Seems like MINI/BMW are nickel and dime future buyers. They seem to be following other Car Mfgs by reducing a la carte items and requiring buyers to get packages for options. Too bad.</p>
<p>Dealership profit on a base cooper is well under $1000. No idea what MINIUSA profit is.</p>