http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/05/...cing-released/

 

This one caught my eye: "Vehicles equipped with Comfort Access (322) will be required to take Alarm System (302)."

I was already thinking I wouldn't order Comfort Access on my next MINI since you don't have to put the fob in the dash in the F56. This just makes it even less attractive.

 

I ordered comfort access and I think it's a waste of money. My Lexus has a similar system but without a button and us much moe user friendly by simply grabbing the handle. Seems silly to push a button on the handle and then grab the handle. Might as well just use the key fob. Now they want you to pony up more for an alarm! Stupid BMW.

 

looking at some of those I'm glad I ordered a '14 and didn't wait

 

On the flip side though, it's annoying to have to dig the key out of your pocket, just to unlock it before putting it right back in your pocket. Maybe if the key wasn't so comically large it wouldn't be such an annoyance.

 

Great, like I needed more complications on deciding what to do lol. If I get an F56, I need to get in on a 2014 then since otherwise I'm looking at a $1500-2000 increase with the options I was considering! Damn you MINI!!!

Anyone know what the latest date to order for it to be a 2014? I'll ask my MA today, maybe she knows...

Oh and to add, this is a REALLY dumb idea since all their advertising has been around MSRP starting under $20k! Now they are over that price point, and with all these silly addition requirements (especially the one to get either screen), it'll turn many off. I think the days of a decently equipped MINI under $22k are over :(

 

There is no real reason to wait now except if another color becomes available. Structurally and functionally the car is the same. You may get more at trade in for a 2015 but nowhere near the extra amount you are paying upfront for next years model, especially the increase for all the options that they are making you buy. I'm happy my order is in and I didn't wait.

 

My order would have already been submitted YESTERDAY, if not for the stupid H/K back-log issue. Car alarms are pointless, and annoying. I very deliberately did not tick that box!

Hope I get in on the 2014 build.

 

LOL, I ordered last Sunday (5/25), but was told the order wouldn't get submitted until 6/2. But I've got the fully loaded package, and a black roof (i.e. not body color), so maybe my order's going to be held up. But, actually, for me, it the 2015 orders are just around the corner, I would more than likely be interested in waiting. I'll call my MA today or tomorrow to see what the scoop is.

It's really hard to see what the real effect on the price would be 2014 to 2015 without pricing out the exact order. Sure it looks like maybe a MC went up $500, but I was thinking about the storage option for $250, so that would make it really only up $250. And it sounds like some of the packages are staying the same price with more included, so it could even be a wash. But, I do agree that I don't need any stinking alarm.

 

The biggest issue I see is that you are now required to add the rear camera/park assist if you want Connected! Just ridiculous! It's an additional $1000. So minimum to get Connected would be $1750 for the Media Package or $2750 for the Wired Package. The stock radio looks like a grinning muppet.

Also, since the comfort access now requires the alarm, I'm not sure if them adding comfort access to the Premium Package (with no increase in package cost) would also require you to add the alarm for $500 - hence an increase overall if so.

Get a 2014 if you are on the fence. The 2015 is significantly more due to those requirements if you want Connected.

 

Agreed. Glad mine's on the water.

 

Weren't alarms pretty much standard on most cars? Seems to me our 2007 Civic and 2010 VW CC had them standard. If so, another nickel & dime-ing on the F56.

 

Absolutely not. I refuse to pay 1k for features I don't want just to get the ones I DO want. This could be a deal breaker for me. I'll be waiting to see the details, and what other colors are available. None of the colors available now really *thrill* me. It's too bad, I was planning on making an order probably in late march or early april for early summer delivery.

 

I placed an order in early April with a fully loaded package and contrasting roof. They told me it would not go into production until July. Now there is a price increase with production in July for 2015! The dealer told me I would have to submit the order by omitting the HK and contrasting roof to get the 2014. Otherwise, I would have go reconfigure for a 2015!! So now I have to pay more!! It seems to me that the "delays" look fishy! All I ask is that they honor the price with my options!

 

It looks to me like the base price went up $500 but Auto Climate and Rain Sensor will be standard. The Auto-climate option on the 2014 is $500. So I don't have a problem with that.

I think what they are saying about the comfort access and the Alarm system is related to the stand alone Comfort Access option (322) needs to come with the Alarm system. But they have also added Comfort Access ($250) and Storage Package ($250) to the Premium Package and not changed the cost. So if you order the PP it does not look like you need to get the Alarm package.

Edit: Ok I just realized that the Auto Climate and Rain Sensor was part of the PP. So they have just moved these out of the PP and added it to the base car, but moved the Comfort Access and Storage Package into the PP and didn't change the price... because it is a wash. This assume the H/K is back in the PP. So if you order the PP you are still getting the same dollar value of options, plus the base car has $500+ of options built in for $500... a wash.

Now the requirement for cars with the video screen to also take the rear-view cam and the PDC is bothersome. I can only guess that this has something to do with the rear-view cam being mandatory (forget which year) but honestly, who needs PDC in a car this small? I hope the price of this drops dramatically because forcing buyers to take a $1,000 option is ridiculous. This is a major problem. These options are not worth $1,000 and we do not want them.

"New Requirements – for F5X vehicles only

Vehicles equipped with Comfort Access (322) will be required to take Alarm System (302). Both options are optimal for cold weather climates & city dwellers.

Vehicles with either screen (8.8” via 7L5 or 6.5” via 6FP) will be required to take Rear-view Camera (3AG) and Park Distance Control (507) as well.
Premium Package change

In order to up the premium factor of the Premium Package, MINI has added Comfort Access for F5X & R6X, as well as Storage Pack to F5X. Pricing remains unchanged."

 

I can confirm from my dealer that if you add the Premium Package for MY2015, you WILL be required to ALSO add the $500 alarm!! Such BS if this is really true.

So if you add Connected and the Premium Package, you pay about $1500 MORE than an equally equipped 2014. Absolute BS and pretty sure I'm not getting an F56 unless it's a 2014. Hoping to god the 2013's I'm going to test drive work out.

New options for 2015 include:

Roof rails ($250) will be added with limited availability through September production, MINI Yours Interior Style Fiber Alloy (a striped hounds tooth alloy finish - $350) is added and MINI Yours Vanity Spoke 2-tone 17" alloys wheels ($1500/Cooper S; $2000/Cooper).

November production will see the addition of the following options:
JCW Exterior Pack
MINI Yours Steering Wheel
Rear carrier Prep
Electric Blue (B86) paint (likely the launch color for the F55)

 

If this is the case I agree this is really stupid. We were going to wait to order in July for MY 2015 production but this changes everything. However we want the black roof and H/K so we seem to be between the proverbial a rock and a hard spot.

 

What's a Mini Yours steering wheel? Any details known?

 

I am on a hold pattern, waiting for the f56 jcw. Happy that I'm not in a hurry.

 

Well, it shall be interesting to see what happens with mu build. Agreed on a price on Sunday 5/25 and put down a $1000 deposit, but told order couldn't be submitted until 6/2. I didn't ask why, one week to me was "who cares".

Reading all of this, I stopped by today after work to look at cars and make sure I had options and selections the way I wanted. I asked MA about issues with H/K causing delays -- was told "that's old news, i.e. an issue last month, we're beyond that", Asked why my order was delayed to 6/2, told it was because of black roof. Asked if MY2015 orders start in July, was told "the cars just came out, MY2015 for F56 MC and MCS won't be until Nov at the earliest".

Didn't protest or debate -- no point. I'll find out next week if order is in.

And while I dislike CA more and more every day, the way an order works here is my deposit is fully refundable and I'm not obligated to take the car when it comes. So I guess if MY2015 starts before my car comes in, I can price out my build and decide whether to stay with 2014 or go with 2015. Of course if I do refuse the car, the dealer may be reluctant to give me the $1000 off MSRP received with fairly easy negotiation, more or less asked and received.

 

This is the part that bothers me as well. While I want the nav and screen, I have NO desire for the Rear View or PDC. I emailed my MA yesterday to see where my order stands. Hopefully this works as out this would be a deal breaker for me. $1000 for options I'll never use.... silly.

 

I think the back-up camera is mandatory for 2017, so I'll bet that a car w/o one will take a big hit in resale value then.

I wonder if the PDC capability will enable a car to have the blind spot monitoring system w/ a software update.

 

I think it's May of 2018 so most MY 2017 would likely have them as standard. That said, I'm happy to take that potential hit for resale as I don't think that would be a big issue for most.

While I understand that some feel differently, the back-up camera is a "nice to have" function in my book. For $150-200 (what the government estimated the additional costs would be), I'd be fine with adding it in. For $1000.... you've gotta be kidding me.

 

Oh... almost forgot. MA was non-committal on the impact these changes will have on my build. He will be putting in the order next week and indicated that he wouldn't know for sure until it went in the system. I hope for no significant impact as I don't want to deal with making a tough decision, but we'll see.

That said, it sounds like all orders going in the system starting next week will be for MY 2015 (at least for the F56).

 

Pretty much the same situation I'm in. The dealership is urging me to nix the H/K system, but a cacophony of users here is urging me to stand-firm and wait for the H/K system ... or be sorry. I'm inclined to trust the voices here, although a part of me just wants to get the damned order in, as long as the stock system is not a total P.O.S.. It does still have the two floor-mounted subwoofers. ???

According to MA, that's the only reason why my F56 order was denied. Contrasting roofs are no longer an issue, at least not my black one, at the moment, or so I've been told. Still on the fence about it. I've written MINI USA HQ directly to get the skinny on the H/K delay and an ETA for when it will become available again. In the meantime, my MA is going to try to add it back to my order as a separate à la carte item, apart from my Fully-Loaded Package (again, as suggested here). I'm still waiting to see if she was successful at that. I should know by tomorrow.