I will first introduce myself. My name is Kirk. I currently drive a 99 Mustang GT and the gas bill is getting a bit much because for some reason (maybe it's my lead foot) my car gets about 14 MPG even though most of my commute is highway. Before the mustang I owned and loved a 1987 Honda CRX Si. It was the most fun in a car I ever had, even at a rated flywheel HP of 92. I have often sought a car that would give me that "go-kart" feel, but in a newer package. I discovered the mini a few weeks ago. Where was I?!!?! Test drove a 03 today. I can't wait to own one!

Now, to the question. I am more than likely going to be purchasing a 2003-2006 Mini S in the next few weeks. My wife is in the Air Force and there is a chance that we are going to be moving to Germany in the next 6 months. I am curious to know if there are any major performance differences between the German and US models of the MCS. I'm sure there must be some differences due to emissions and such but I do not know. The Air Force will ship my mini to Germany if we go but I don't wanna buy too soon if I can get the same thing with x more HP.. until I know if we are actually going or not..

Thanks all!

Kirk

 

Welcome Kirk!
Can't say for sure, but I'm not aware of any additional power on the Euro spec MINIs. We have a few folks from Germany on the board, they should be able to tell you that, and the relative costs.
MINI is a great fun car, and a fine follow on to the CRX (I've got an '85.) Funny, but while it's about the same size, the MINI is 800lbs(!) heavier. The extra 60+ horses takes care of that though.

 

welcome to NAM!

from what I know... I think that you are better with an 05-06 with the better gear ratios (quicker) as for the actual differences... well maybe some one else can also jump in and help...

Good luck with your search and keep us posted on the progress

 

Welcome ! Are you heading to Ramstein or Spangdahlem AB ? Or someplace else that's Top Secret maybe ??

I spent two tours in Germany, the last ending in 1999. If things haven't changed since then, you may face some issues if you attempt to bring your German spec MINI back to the States when you return. For instance, when I was stationed over there, a German spec'd vehicle's windshield did not meet US requirements and you had to have it replaced.

For definitive answers, contact your wife's sponsor and ask for the info. I'm sure he/she can get it for you rather easily. Or maybe one of our board members currently stationed over there will jump in and answer.

Good luck, thank your wife for serving for us, and, again... welcome to the board.

 

you may want to register on MINI2.com also..that's the Euro boards...

 

My wife just brought back from Munich the current (i.e. model year 2007) MINI brochure. If you have a specific question I will try to answer, or fax you the appropriate pages.

 

There is no performance difference between US and Euro spec MINIs. If you wait until you get to Germany to purchase, you can get a US spec MINI at the Military discount. Of course it will be a 2007 or later model

A Euro spec MINI will be a pain in the butt to get back to the States.

 

Just off the top of my head, differences between US and EU spec are... speed limiter (none on EU models), side markers in arches (None on EU models) and the Parcel tray on most EU models (not 100% sure on which ones).
If you're considering a 2007 model, wait until you get there and get a US Spec model from BMW Military Sales (You save some $$$) Also, getting an EU Spec car while there is great... until it comes time to PCS and then it's a PITA You're not able to convert it to US Spec unless you spend alot of $$$ and even then it's not gauranteed that it'll work. Then, if you use a VAT form to avoid the 19% Mwst you can save $$$ (OK, Euros) but you have to sell it before you PCS. Unless you sell to someone who's authorized to use the VAT form, they'll have to pay the 19% on the fair market value which can make it hard to sell.

Hope that helps

 

Euro an US spec cars are pretty much the same, this is not like the old days when the European spec cars had gobs more power than the ones they sent us to comply with our regulations. As someone else mentioned, look for an '05/'06 to get 5 more hp and better gear ratios. Unless you want the "world's largest headache" don't even think of buying a Euro spec car and trying to ship it back to the US when your tour is over. (A friend of mine dissasembled a BMW R90S and shipped it home as household goods, but that's another story) Besides, with the poor USD to Euro exchange rate you probably won't save any money.

 

If you're serious about buying one and buying one soon, do it. No, there's nothing exotically different about German-spec'd cars -- shoot, even the parcel shelf can be added, if you know the part numbers. Parts are not an issue, either - part numbers are universal.

Hey, drillslinger -- what's the speed limiter suppose to be set at? I've got my US spec'd '06 in Germany now, and have not run into anything close to that (though I really haven't been too far above 210 kmh).

Should you wait, on the chance that you'd be able ot buy an 07 once you got here? Only if you're really, really patient, and only if you're really, really sure you're headed this way. Life's too short to skip out on dessert -- the "need" for a Mini is often too strong to be ignored. Besides, order-to-delivery time for all those aftermarket pieces will be much less if you start to mod your new Mini while in the States.

You are going to change it up, right? Borla exhaust, 17% pulley, CAI and the like?

 

Wow, thanks for the replies guys.

After I posted I started to think it would probably be much easier to buy one here and ship it to Germany if I go as well as ship it back to the states when we are done there. If we go we will be stationed at Ramstein.

At this point I am trying to stick pre-07. Most of that has to do with physical appeal but that debate is for the many other threads on the subject

I really appreciate the responses and I will keep you all updated. I will surely have pics when I bring my baby home. I just need to find her...

Thanks again!

Kirk

 

Most if not all are cosmetic other than the speedlimiter and that can be "fixed". (Tail lights is one of the biggies that the Germans love. They have to have the yellow turn blinker where teh 06 ones are red. )

The speed limiter kicks in at 135 MPH on US models and a simple flash with MTH software (a slight fee for that) can remove that. If the military will ship it for you, buying in the US is a good idea. You may also want to pickup a set of winter tires while you are there (New German laws apply to us military folks). Winters are a must and if you are caught (or have an accident) with substandard tires, you can and will get a ticket as well as the repair bills. Dont skimp on tires....

Other than that, you should be in good shape. There are a lot of us that roam Germany in our "US Spec" MINIs. We'll be glad to fix you up right.

 

Personally, I would wait until you get over to Germany to buy one. The military discount is a great thing, plus its a tax free vehicle until you come back, but then you are paying taxes on a used vehicle, so less money. I think I have a price sheet around here from the 2007's, I`ll take a peek around for you.