As said before, can be good if wanting a well optioned car, otherwise might be hard to get exactly what you want. On a plus side, only clubman still can be optioned with rear fog light

 

Configurator does not really reflect all option possibilities i think. The storage pack is no longer standard; it's a 250 dollar option now, but i don't see it on configurator. All models lose Aux-In.

2019 Classic Clubman vs 2018 model is MORE expensive because it no longer has Automatic Climate Control, Storage Pack, or Driving modes, yet it costs about the same. Also it loses the ambient lighting switch in the roof console in the classic model

2019 Signature Clubman vs 2018 model costs about the SAME option for option, maybe marginally less expensive.

2019 Iconic Clubman vs 2018 is LESS expensive option for option.

Don't really get what MINI was trying to do here, especially de-contenting the base models without reducing the price.

 

Does seem like they're trying to sway people to get vehicles with more content

 

Why don't you get it? That's EXACTLY what they were going for. Rather than the headline "MINI raised the base price" (that's as far as most people read), they can say "MINI didn't raise the base price." The second line is "... but there's less content" but again, most people don't read that far.

 

I just had a discussion with my dealer about this.

A major portion of MINI sales are off-lease and other used models (trades and auction purchases). The "unicorn cars", as the dealer called them, the one of a kind vehicles, are difficult to sell.

With the new tiered system at least most cars will have the most popular options and MINI is able to offer the better equipped cars at a better price. Our Iconic 2019 Hardtop was $3,000 less expensive than the equivalent 2018 model.

Even with the new restrictions MINI still offers more customization options than anyone else at their price points.

 

I get the unicorn car thing. And yes still some customization available, but have to move up to signature to do any of it and then you still have to pay for the package you want and are paying for an automatic even if you don't want it. Chances are your build had an auto and interior upgrades. The JCW Clubman I priced out is 2K+ more in this system

 

 

If it's got everything you want I would do that. Like you said, big discounts on the 18 cause the 19s are starting to roll in.