The Cooper and the UK's One, as both are offered abroad?

I just went to the MINI UK site, and it looks the same, and seems to have the same engine. So what's the deal? Am I missing something?

 

The One is a base model. Same engine as the Cooper and Cooper S but quite a lot less horsepower. The Coopers are the upscale MINI's, more options, chrome and gadgits. The One and One Diesel are not sold in the US, not sure about what other parts of the world, outside Europe, you can find them.

 

>>The Cooper and the UK's One, as both are offered abroad?
>>
>>I just went to the MINI UK site, and it looks the same, and seems to have the same engine. So what's the deal? Am I missing something?

They are both offered abroad. The MINI ONE is a low cost gasoline powered option vehicle. It is priced around US$14K and has very little options and standard equipment in comparison to the mid -level Cooper model (basic model for North America).


The MINI ONE, for starters, has the same 1.6L 4cyl TRITEC engine as the Cooper but it is rated at 90HP. The MINI ONE makes a greater emphasis on fuel economy versus off the line performance. The diesel version of the car is known as the MINI ONE D and features a 1.4L 4cyl Toyota Diesel engine derived from the European market Yaris hatchback (A spin-off of the American Echo and both Scions). The ONE uses the same exact 5-speed Midlands Gears tranny or a choice of CVT (same as the Cooper). The Diesel model uses the 6-speed Getrag tranny found in the MCS albeit with very different gear ratios to emphasize economy and low end torque vs high RPM torque and speed as in the MCS.


The MINI ONE does not come with a tachometer, side airbags, has a cassette tape stereo (Known as the Wave radio, not sold in the US), has black front grille and can not be ordered with a contrasting roof like the Cooper or MCS, all single paint color.


The MINI ONE makes sense for the European market due to much higher fuel costs, more expensive prices and reduced power output for city driving. MINI decided against importing the ONE to the USA due to the low engine HP. People complain about 163HP stock in the MCS imagine a 90HP MINI than can be blown away by a cheapo Hyundai Accent.


If you would like to learn more about it, just go to http://www.mini2.com and check the forums and spec sheets on the MINI ONE.

 

In Europe, new MINIs has less standard factory equipment than US/Canada bound models. For example, A/C and side/curtain airbags are all optional extras in Euro market ONES, Coopers and MCSs. Basic prices are about the same or more than we pay here and our cars are so much more feature rich that what you can get in Europe with the same amount of money.

Also remember that in Europe, cars get taxed according to engine displacement so purchasing a new vehicle can get very expensive quick. If you can afford to buy a MCS in Europe with some options, pay taxes (VAT) on the vehicle, displacement taxes, gas (Around $4-$6 per US Gallon, depending on the country) plus insurance you are considered to be a well off individual. Most people can afford the ONE and Cooper models. I am typing this so you get further understanding as to why has a lower trim level offered in Europe. Under those circumstances, the MINI ONE is a reasonably priced "Economy" car that looks nice, handles nice and still won't break your wallet. However in the US, the ONE is eclipsed by many new and cheaper cars from the competition. Besides, our Cooper and MCS already come feature loaded from the factory at a very reasonable price, we don't pay tax on displacement, we don't have 17%-20% sales tax and we still enjoy the lowest fuel prices in the developed world, lower interest rates (Plus our salaries and credit habits allows to buy more car for the money).

So consider yourself very lucky to live in the good ole' USA, drive a kickass British car with more features and for much less money than people in the UK and Europe would pay.


Finally, just food for taught, a new base MCS in Mexico City retails for around US$30K.

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You know....

My lady has made mention of moving to London for a graphic arts job for some time now....

I would NEVER give up my MINI, and I'd been considering what would be better/cheaper; to have my MINI shipped over, or buy a brand new one once I got there. It seems to me like it would be financial suicide to even consider the latter...

 

>>You know....
>>
>>My lady has made mention of moving to London for a graphic arts job for some time now....
>>
>>I would NEVER give up my MINI, and I'd been considering what would be better/cheaper; to have my MINI shipped over, or buy a brand new one once I got there. It seems to me like it would be financial suicide to even consider the latter...

You could...but I am not sure how expensive it would be. US Citizens can easily import cars into the European Union.

the MINI ONE is offered with the ZF VT1 CVT gearbox and the Cabrio model will be launched shortly.

 

Well... thanks for answering the question in the mot in-depth form I could have imagined. I have no furher follow-up questions.

Very nice

 

you'd be better off buying one there. I doubt that your car is left hand drive, so you would have a nearly impossible time importing and bringing your car up to UK standard.

P

 

Oddly enough, I'm not sure that I'd buy a MINI if I lived in Britain. The Europeans get soo many cooler cars than we get over here. The new MINI is special here because its a car that emphasises style, handling, unique looks, handling, refinement, oh....and handling. That pretty much describes most of the European sport compact sector. Take a look at some of the offerings from Pugeot, Renault, Rover, MG, Seat, Fiat, etc...

Not to mention all the classic cars that are available. Hook me up with a 1962 Lotus Elan Sprint and I'm a happy camper.

 

I moved to England in 1990 and shipped over my dearly departed Ford Probe GT....with insurance it was less than a grand. The car was nationalized in Britain for the sum total of "no charge" and we enjoyed that great car on european roads for seven years.
Fast forward to now....I am moving to Paris in the fall. You bet I am bringing PKT RKT and my Audi Allroad as well.......
don't worry about the gas prices....eventually you get used to them (and to the 8 buck a quart oil as well)........