What components does BMW share w/ MINI?

 

does none count? since you cant go to a BMW dealers and get MINI parts.

-Josh

 

Does oil filter count as a part? Thats where I got my MINI filter =P

 

Unless your dealer is like mine (and most other ones in Canada), which is part of a BMW dealership.

If you dig around, you'll find that there are quite a few parts on the Mini with BMW logo on it, the electronic throttle is one

 

well yea MINI dealers are located in BMW dealers... but I have a BMW dealer like 1 mile from my house BUT can I order parts there.... NOOOOOO can i get service there.... NOOOOOOO i have to drive 2.5hrs away. So I just use Classic to order all my parts and they come to my door!

-Josh

 

The brake calipers say BMW on them. Not sure which BMW uses them, though.

James

 

Other than common generic stuff like light bulbs (that might fit BMWs), MINI parts are often stamped with BMW but don't fit other BMWs, MINI parts fit MINIs.

 

I call my MINI Cooper S a Bimmer Lite!

Vince

 

I think the suspension design is originated from the E46

 

The new key 05+, which is from BMW.:smile:

 

Stereo head unit, maybe? Or does the display just look like a BMW's? It's hard to imagine a BMW stereo not displaying elapsed track time.

 

I think many of the past and current BMW owners on the board will agee that the MINI carries over a lot of familiarity in terms of look and feel, materials and features. Lots of components seem very BMW. I feel sure this is quite intentional. After years in BMW's, my MCS fit like a glove from the first time I turned the key.

However, I think the parts bin is unique from BMW. In terms of shared components, I imagine the commonalities are few. But the parts suppliers are likely common across both BMW and MINI. If not, they certainly went to a lot of trouble to make it seem like that.

 

Not sure of the parts, But I motor in a MINI, not drive in a BMW

 

MINI is a brand of BMW thats why you cant get parts at a BMW dealership.
MINI is not a BMW it is owned by BMW.
Can you get dodge parts at a saturn store even though them are both gm?

 

Dodge is part of Chrysler isn't it?

 

OUUUUUUUUCH I may be wrong but it sounds like you think of your car like a BMW want-to-be ARGGGHHH........if I had wanted a BMW I would have bought one. This is no Bud Light.......if you guys think that way?????:impatient

OK ..... I'm alright now:smile:

 

Tomato, potato it's a MINI
Can't we all just MOTOR ON:impatient

 

Aside from the fact that you blew it on the saturn/dodge relationship the answer is actually yes. Everyone knows how the big 3 US auto makers share platforms, engines, tranies, etc across all of their lines. In Germany the toureg and Cayenne share 65% of their parts and are made in the same factory in Bradislava! The A4 and Passat (until the 2006 passat redesign) sat on the same platform. It is actually the norm for auto makers to share all kinds of parts across their different makes. Isn't the new 1 Series BMW about the right size??? hmmm. Anyway, the 6 speed and the steptronic transmissions seem awfully similar to what is offered in a 3 Series! I assume that there are a good deal of parts shared across the MINI and BMW makes... Just curious if anyone knows for sure what is shared.

 

From a mechanics point of view, I think MINI are more BMW than the actual old school MINI. The shape and the front wheel drive are MINI, everything else is pretty close to the BMW product line. The suspension bits are typical BMW design, the electronics (right down to the amber backlighting), the brake caliper design, the electrical connectors, the hardware fasteners are almost identical from what you would pull of a newr Bimmer.

The soul may be British, but it's heart is German. Either way, it is a great little car!

 

Parts not interchangable, however part prices and labor rates are!!!!

 

I'm going off topic, because that's hilarious

Paul

 

I betcha every single nut/screw/bolt/adhesive holding the Mini together are identical to BMW's

 

not this again....


we have had this discussion before, it's a freakin BMW.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=mini+bmw+911

 

Yep, MINI is is a brand from BMW. The reason that not all BMW dealers are MINI dealers is just a control thing - the dealers have to be awarded the MINI sales rights in an area. They then need to create a showroom, sales staff, etc exclusively for the MINI brand.

I can say that the Nav brain is shared with the BMWs, and the crappy window regulators seem to be too (I don't know for sure but they seem to be about the same quality ). Can't speak for all the parts but the transmissions are not the same in the US cars from what I've seen. Perhaps if you got your hands on a new ETK disc you could tell where the cross overs are on a part search.

 

here is a real life story that is related to the question regarding BMW/MINI.

I went into village hall last week to get vehicle stickers for my cars. I filled out the appropriate form and on the form it asked for the make of the car. Of course I wrote MINI. I then had the form to the clerk who says "you need to put the MAKE of the car in here." I tell her that I did. She says "no you just wrote MINI - that is the model of the car, not the make". I replied MINI is the make of the car. She once again says "No, I mean like Ford, Chevy, or like that". I say it is not a Ford or a Chevy - but it is a MINI - that is the make - Cooper S is the model. then she says, 'oh it is one of those MINI cooper things?" I say yes. She then says so then MINI cooper is the model of the car. I say no. MINI is the make. She says no "MINI cooper is the model. Its not like you can buy a MINI that is not a Cooper." I try to explain the different kind s of coopers and then there are different models (sort of) in europe but this goes nowhere. She then said but who makes MINI? At this point I am thinking, oh no - now if I tell her that BMW makes MINI it will just confuse her even more and she will insist I put BMW on the form. So I didn't say it. This went on for a while and she eventually with a big sigh in giving up she left the form as I had it although she seemed to only allow it because I wouldn't change my answer and this was already more work than she wanted to do for the day.