Anyone hear about some sort of limited edition vehicle to replace the MC40 in 05? I know that Mini had a hard time selling all those 1000 MC40's, but after all it takes a special person to run around with big numbers on the side of their car (I know they are removeable...)


I envisioned a factory installed JCW car with special interior, but more stealthy to appeal to a more mature and less ostentatious crowd. Maybe some distinctive outside features, or badging. Mini-Max?

 

I was told the plan is to have a limited edition for each of the 3 years the Mini won the race. I don't know any details, but expect an edtion in 05 and 06.

 

O'yea cuz the MC40 is selling O-so-well.

 

If the MC40 had been a factory JCW, with a big brake kit, LSD, a stripped down interior and excess weight removed, it would have been one fantastic tribute to the MINI's Monte Carlo heritage.

However, they thought that a carbon fiber dash and some decals were enough to justify the outrageously overpriced special edition.

Give me what I described above and I would get on a wait list for it!

 

Exactly and do it for 30K they can even drop the hokey CF dash and decals.

 

Did anyone here actually buy one? If so, why?

 

and, of course, add some rally lights on a roof rack!

 

I know someone that bought a new MC40. People that spent $27K for this base MCS with sticker magnets do do because they believe the car will have some kind of collector's value in the future. Is like having an exclusive piece of jewelry with serial numbers and certificate of authenticity.


My '04 MCS looks almost like the MC40 but my car has some cool options not available to MC40 buyers and I paid $21.7K for mine, custom ordered from the factory. I have H/K, rain sensing wipers, OBC, etc not part of the MC40 package.

I agree with Yucca as the MC40 should have offered JCW kit installed from the factory, lightweight weels, Sparco seats, bigger brakes, etc.

It seems to me the MC40 was an idea slaped together at the last minute by the MINIUSA marketing folks..

 

I never really understood the MC40. They seem to be really expensive and like regular MCS with magnets (I mean like 98% the same).

Maybe this is why dealers have so many sitting on their lots? Every dealer I have talked to has at least one.
Patrick

 

Maybe we should spec out what would sell. Everyone thinks it should have the JCW kit from the factory - Red leather seats? Bigger brakes? Red interior? With the body color interiors already available, that seems easy. How about a factory roll cage - SCAA approved and red powder coated with harness attachments? with removeable side rails for racing? If it really is meant to Rallye, then how about increased ground clearance and longer travel suspension? Aluminum skid plates front and back?Maybe we need to have an official NAM Rally model?

 

I say that the MC40 is worth the $$$ if you like the option pack. The options add up to the $7k easy. But it seems that noone wants those options that way. That is why they are sitting on dealer lots. In a market where we perorder cars and wait months to have 2-3 cars on the lot for months waiting for a buyer is horrid. They suck only cuz noone wants them. I personally would love the seats.

 

Another problem with the MC40 is that you couldn't order it "a la carte" or with the available option packages like any other normal MINI. With the exception of adding the dealer installed JCW-Kit, the MC40 was pretty much a take or leave it deal.

MINI needs to more carefully consider what the next limited edition car should and should not be to avoid falling in the same hole again.


Nice try for sure, but the MC40 clearly shows that you can't have a winner by slaping a few magnets and stickers on a basic car and then jacking up the price by 30% percent, it just doesn't work that way.

 

I hear that they are designing a limited edition iPod Mini (3,000 units only).

For a mere $42,347 you get a base mini convertible with all the options, a gold layered iPod encrusted with diamondieres, with a modified hard drive capable of holding 2.8 million songs (sorry, mp3's would void warranty and are therefore not accepted).

You get a life sized blow-up doll of Snoop Dogg and 4 other Hip Hop greats of your choice to ride with you a make it seem like your with it. And your name gets put into a drawing to have Sunday brunch with Steve Jobs.

Comes complete with a bumper sticker which reads Copyright Infringement = Illegal Art.

They should go like hot cakes!

 

Methinks that the marketing geniuses at MINI had a little reality check with the MC40. Why not just ask us to fork over a $5K "buyers premium" and get it over with guys? IMO the MC40 was the California dealerships' "availability surcharge" redone by MINIUSA to the entire country. Maybe you can fool all of the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool the MINI community, we've already seen it too many times.

 

A guy on my street actually bought one.

My biggest problem with MC40 was the fact that you can't choose any options. MC40 is also probably the most common configuration of MINIs on the street today.

Lots of $$$ and no individuality. No wonder MINI has to resort to the marketplace section in the back of Car and Driver to push these cars, right next to the fake stick-on woods and sheep skin seat covers.

 

Increased ground clearance!?

How about:
-----------
- JCW engine kit
- LSD
- JCW-tuned suspension
- Short shift kit
- Limited-edition light wheels
- JCW seats
- No AC, no stereo, no sound insulation, crank windows, manual locks
- Available in an exclusive non-metallic BRG

 

you know - that actually was a consideration for the MC40!

http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/02/...yBehindTheMC40

 

I'm beginning to think that there are so many street racers buying Minis that they do not understand the nature of a Rally car. When I Gymkana raced in the 60's, there were lots of what were called "full race Mini Cooper S's" that were running. These were cars with the interior removed, lowered suspension, wide tires, increased horsepower and tight suspension. This is not a Rally car. Rally cars race mostly on unpaved dirt and rough roads, need long travel suspension and a totally different gearing. MC 40's are supposed to celebrate Rally cars, not street racers. Lights on roof racks, Roo bars, bars full of stop-watches - that is Rally stuff. They are not supposed to smoke Civics at the light, they are supposed to smoke Ford Escorts in the dirt. Yes, increased suspension travel and greater ground clearance.....

 

You mean like this?

 

Don't confuse aerodynamics and ground clearance. Fiberglass does real well when it hits the ground. Oil pans and differentials do not.

 

You are most wise and worldly, Dentist San.

 

get a grip. I speced out a car exactly like it on MINIUSA.com, and it was $1,973 less. we're talking a $1,973 markup for better quality leather, a tasty interior application, anthracite on your r90's, carbon fibre on your dash, commemorative plaques signed by p hopkirk, and stickers on your bonnet. That is not much money for a special edition MINI. Add in the fact that some crazy dealer might be willing to add that $1973 to your trade ammount, and you might find it to be an attractive deal.

and thanks for the neat photo, xalfa.

 

I know someone that owns and drives an MC 40 and likes it. Sure it costs more but he doesn't mind. Also there are very few MCS available on the lot and a few MC 40s so there is that waiting factor of 6 months to deal with.

I think if you like the MC 40 and want it then fine. If you can order your own set of options and you can wait then it's a better value. The leather in the MC 40 looks better than my Lapis Blue leather which after 18 months is starting to fall apart on the outer bolster.

 

I purchased my mc40 because my family is BIG into british cars. 1950's and 1960's. So a mini with that much more ties to british herritage fit in perfectly. Also I got mine at a discouint beign that it was 1 year since release of the mc40 and it sat in a heated garage since new.

 

my mc40 rocks. i got it because it was my best option at trade in. very worth it. hey, thanks to the market i got the car i wanted.

that said, i'm #2 (like the mc40 i saw first in stamford) on the list for the gp... not that i'm losin the mc40, mind you.