I've heard that the 02 thru 06 Minis were relatively costly to manufacture and that one objective on the next model was to make it less expensive to produce. If that is so, what made them expensive and what are they changing to bring the costs down?

Fow what it is worth, here is one quote about it, taken from Edmunds:

"BMW spared no expense when it developed the current Cooper and rumors persist that the Mini is more expensive to produce than the 3 Series. The new car needs to be cheaper to build and it will be interesting to see how the Munich boffins solve this particular conundrum without diminishing its quality."

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=109278

 

Bein sexy doesnt come cheap. Im sexy, my car is sexy, so Im payin like 2x right now

 

Love was removed from the list of options on the '02-'06 models and made standard.

 

 

We're a helpfull group, aren't we?

 

Wait, how would making love standard vs an option make the new Mini cheaper? Must be some kinda love substitute

 

For the 2007 models, they will be replacing the expensive true love with ordinary cheap lust. They know that nobody can tell the difference between the two from a first impression.

 

I think it has to do with the materials used in the MINI, contrary to what some of the other members say. BMW uses premium materials in their cars. Instead of looking at the finance sheet like what GM does and says "make it as cheap as possible" BMW looks into making a well made car, that makes you want to come back.

But thats just me.

Medic

 

Leaving the headlights out of the hood and not having the rear-side glass curve around the rear pillar are two things the immediately come to mind

 

come on... someone must know some answers for eVal...

okay, i'll take a guess... the engine was made in Brazil for '06 model (and I'm assuming earlier models). I imagine that adds to the price. They will now be making them in England (I think).

also, perhaps the initial cost of design, tooling, building/retrofitting the factory, etc. added to cost. similar to how new drugs are so expensive because of all the research costs.

 

This has me laughing until it hurts!

 

Will probably be a lot of little things, like the elimination of the glove box vent switch. Obviously, for any meaningful savings in the cost to manufacture, they will have to look at where the parts come from. I presume the new Peugot engine is built in France so no savings there...,, The real temptation would be to source electronics and plastics from China. Would be a disaster but other companies (IBM for instance) are doing it without much consideration given to reliability.

 

I totally agree! My wife is Chinese, and she is totally unreliable.

 

Some of the electronic parts are already made in China. The wiper stalk that came with my alarm kit was made there.

 

that was funny!

 

My current wife is Peruvian and reliable most of the time, but not really technologically advanced. Still, she is a huge improvement over my Russian eX-wife who was very reliable ---predictable--- in her ability to spoil any otherwise meaningful occassion. She did, however, have an incredible supercharger. The whine was mind-blowing!

 

Actually, from the recent articles in the world automotive media, it has been written that the engines will be built in England.

Really? I don't find this funny at all.

 

By "more expensive" they mean less profit per car, I assume. I would chalk that up to the foreign parts (engine) and I wouldn't be surprised if labo(u)r costs in England are very high.

 

 

This thread is pure gold.

 

My wife thought it was hillarious.

 

Ther real question is what is going to happen to all the aftermarket vedors who have spent time and money developing products for a car that's been discontinued, and have cut BMW out of the loop, show of hands for a conspiracy therory?

 

Car manufactures change designs all the time. Why would that kill the aftermarket world? Also, remember that the convertible S is still using the same supercharged engine until MINI/BMW redesigns it. More opportunities still exsist for the aftermarket players. At least thats how I see it...

 

They'll simply make products for the new cars. What do you mean by "cut BMW out of the loop?"

 

LMAO. Maybe even 'plust' as akin to 'pleather'?

ROTFLMAO

To the original question:
Why are they more expensive?
Seriously: You don't get 1 million combinations without adding some cost.
In the nature of this thread: The rework from the sodding Brits is horrendous! The Lucas exorcism costs alone broke Lotus.

How are they making them cheaper:
Seriously: As mentioned, delete wraparound windows. Not sure how leaving the headlights out of the bonnet (hood?! heresy! ) would reduce cost, other than cheaper hydraulic lifters. It would seem fitment would be a nightmare.
In the nature of this thread: Lipstick on the grill, and shoes from PayLess?