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The physical plant at Mini of Louisville has been sold to the Subaru dealership and they are meeting with the staff this week. I am waiting to hear from my salesperson and friend the fate of my #1 spot on their list for the GP3. A trip to Cincinnati to see about ordering one from them. What a revolting development!
Yes, it does, I am waiting to hear from my salesman at the dealership and see if he has any information from the owner about what is happening with the dealership. The next closest mini dealership is in Cincinnati which is about 85 miles from here and see what they have going on with their GP customers and where I would stand with them. It is a tough time for mini dealers right now in the US and I might be able to snag one elsewhere. I would go with Flo, but it is just a bit too far to be practical. I will search to see what I can glean from reviews about the Cincy dealership.
Dan, I wonder if it would help if you contacted MINI USA about your GP order? There has to be some way of protecting your order date with the Louisville MINI dealer. You know any business can fail...maybe your dealer isn’t up to the task of competing in that market. Doesn’t mean MINI is failing everywhere!
For a slight fee I could place an order for you at one of our two MINI dealers near us! lol! Of course I’m kidding, but your situation just sucks and I feel bad for you!
I chatted with the E receptionist at Cincy Mini and told her of my situation and left my email with her, but I have not received a reply yet. I may just try with Flow Mini. I like them and have interacted with them some in the past when I was running in the area which is quite often actually. Thanks for your suggestions and support. If it doesn't work out I may just get a C8 vette, they will be available shortly. However, my experiences with them, Corvette, is the early purchasers seem to be test drivers for them to work out the bugs! I really want the GP though even with it's $$$$!
I remember when the C3 Corvette came out. Yup, the first year of that edition was problematic. Some things don’t change...
Although, my 2007 MINI Cooper S had its teething pains, like an ice block in the intake manifold that MINI “couldn’t” figure out, until the next winter after I had my problem when several thousand MINIs across the NE showed up at dealers with that problem. No manufacturer is immune to these types of problems with a new edition of a car model.
I remember when the C3 Corvette came out. Yup, the first year of that edition was problematic. Some things don’t change...
Although, my 2007 MINI Cooper S had its teething pains, like an ice block in the intake manifold that MINI “couldn’t” figure out, until the next winter after I had my problem when several thousand MINIs across the NE showed up at dealers with that problem. No manufacturer is immune to these types of problems with a new edition of a car model.
Hope things work out for getting that GP3.
My C7 stingray was flawless and I had no issues with it even though it was an early one. The Z06 has been a different story, but I love it too! But, the F56 JCW has been flawless and is my all time favorite fun mobile. I really want the Z version of it.
The rear bumper is different and the rear pro valance, next to the exhaust, too. The fog lamps are further apart. With those two vertical supports showing, is the rear bumper closer to the body?
I think the styling that evolved into the GP2 made the Gen II MINI into a sharp looking car, with a bit of edginess to it.. I can’t say the same for what I see here, especially those panels around each of the wheels. Maybe I am too old school. I like an “edgy” look to a car, but some “edgy” looks good; others not so good. I think MINI is missing the mark here. There is nothing there that would have me running out to buy one piece or another to put on my JCW. Now, I am sure the GP2 sold a lot of its parts to Gen II JCW owners...
Now, I do really like the meatball tires and wheels it has....
Was it designed for the US market? Not. It was designed for the European MINI and MINI PRO series. Check out the number of races they have. Bunch. LAP motorsports team may benefit (2 cars) or a few with SCCA autocross but that is about it in the US. I doubt that they had the US aftermarket in mind, just look at the LCI tail lights. The US market is an after thought. How can you get wider tires with slightly larger wheel well flares? Not.
If it was truly aimed at the US market it would have 3 rows of seating for 8 or 9 people and be able to tow a trailer with 2 horses in it...
Now that would be a sight!
I asked my dealer about the car and they said 300-ish Hp, which is the same as has been put out here. Also, I believe there is a difference in what he call “brake HP” and SAE Net Hp that we use here, and I thought their number was higher for the same engine.
I do wonder about the weight he states - 1100 kg which is ~2400 lbs. Where are they going to pull 400+ lbs out of a JCW? Removing the rear seat and putting CF front buckets isn’t that much.
The 335hp and 1100kg rumor seems to have started by a user on pistonheads.
The german forums have multiple users with internal bmw connections that have been stating 306hp for months. There has been zero info or even rumors on the german forums as far as curb weight.
Also here is a great closeup of the new front bumper.
Last edited by charrigan; Apr 29, 2019 at 07:16 AM.
I just preordered one from a bigger dealer in the Midwest. Said I was first on their list, we will see if i can actually get one. But could end up being to much $$$
I just preordered one from a bigger dealer in the Midwest. Said I was first on their list, we will see if i can actually get one. But could end up being to much $$$
x2 m35i has a base of $46k and the "iconic" trim F56 JCW starts at $39k. I think people should brace for a mid $40k GP3.
Last edited by charrigan; Apr 29, 2019 at 12:26 PM.
