I've just found out some interesting/disappointing news about the options available for the Canadian market 2009 Clubman.

-MFSW is now standard on clubman

-Automatic climate control is now standard on clubman

-Convenience package includes media connect(unclear if media connect is still available as a standalone option)

-Piano Black trim is no longer available as a standalone option, but instead is part of a 'style package' which inlcudes piano black trim+chrome line

-Standard interior trim is now 'fine white silver'

-Heated seats are no longer available as a standalone option(), rather they must be ordered in conjunction with the sunroof.

Personally, I have no use for a sunroof-my current car has one, and I never use it-And I don't like the idea of a large, heavy piece of glass stuck on the roof of what is supposed to be a relatively light, fun car..

However, I consider heated seats almost a necessity, since in wintertime we see temperatures of -40. I dislike the sunroof more than I like heated seats, though. So it looks like I won't have heated seats in my Clubman. My salesman is baffled, as he often orders cars with heated seats but no sunroof, and also thinks that the large glass sunroof has no place in the MINI.


I think I might write a letter.

 

Whats the MSRP on the 09 Clubman's?

 

Wow. I hope these changes are mistakes on the configurator. They sound terrible.

 

My dealer got an e-mail detailing these changes from MINI Canada. So they aren't accidental. Mistakes, maybe :D
Though I don't mind auto climate control+MFSW as standard. It's the sunroof+heated seats thing that really gets me.

As for MSRP, as far as I know it's the same as '08, haven't been told anything to the contrary.

 

I just saw the heated seats listed as a $450 option on the mini.ca configurator.

 

Yeah.... those two options certainly don't go together. It's like wearing navy blue pants with a black shirt (not that I know anything about fashion.... 'cuz I don't)

 

The configurator on the website is not at 2009 yet.

It just doesn't make sense!

 

I've found out a couple of new things;

SIRIUS sat. radio is now a factory option
the anthracite roofliner is now available on all models(used to be only available as part of the sport pkg on the S).
Am waiting to hear if MINI will allow heated seats as special order.

 

What about ordering the car in the US and bringing it into Canada ?

 

I considered that, but BMW/Mini Canada has made the process more arduous and expensive than it's worth for me. Plus i'd probably have to wait longer-my car is scheduled for production in the first week of September.

 

Found out pricing on some of the new options today..
The convenience pkg(media connect, auto wipers/headlights, auto dimming mirror) is $750, the 'style' package (chrome line int./ext. & piano black interior bits) is $450, and the anthracite headliner is $180

 

I also have a Canadian Clubman in September production. Here's what I've recently heard:

- 2009 base price remains the same as 2008
- Sport Package has deleted the Sport Button, but the price drops down to $990.

I wanted heated seats, but I didn't want the sunroof (or the expense)...so no heated seats. At least cruise control is standard!

I also heard that the dealers now have the 2009 pricing, and it was suppose to be officially released September 18th (yesterday), but I don't see anything new on the website...just 2008 pricing.

 

Does the S-Clubman still have the Sport button?

 

Dealers do have the information, since that's where my info is from. I phoned my dealer today. And my car is in production next week..

 

That's just nasty news that they are bundling heated seats with the dreaded sunroof. It's disappointing that less choice is being offered.
Some of the other packaging is a little suspect as well - what if you like piano black but not chrome? Or vice versa? What about brushed alloy? Is that gone?
If it's the same on the coupes, I guess no heated seats for me, which I really like for our long winters. May just get the standard leatherette seats and some Wet Okole seat covers to add some interior color and provide a little insulation for the cold months.
And auto climate control if you want media connect? Arrgh...

 

The new pricing and standard features brings my 09 build to a final price before destination and taxes to $1000 less than 08. Great as it offsets the $1000 ecoauto rebate for an 08. It is a shame about the bundling, but I'm sure it's based on buying trends. That said, not offering heated seats as a stand alone is just idiotic.

I'm curious. Can you get 15" without run flats in Canada for 09?

 

If my memory serves me right, I think it still does have the Sport button.

BMW Canada won't tell Transport Canada what modifications are required for 2008-2009 models, making it (somewhat) difficult to import a new US spec BMW/MINI. Unfortunately, you have to have BMW Canada perform the 'necessary modifications', which I'm sure would be priced in accordance with the MSRP of the Canadian version.

See below (from Registry of Motor Vehicles - Canada):

2002 TO 2009 All models (See note 1) See explanations section

Note 1: BMW Canada informed Transport Canada that ALL modifications MUST be performed (and documented) by an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer and must be completed before a recall clearance letter can be issued by BMW Group Canada. Please contact an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer for information regarding the exact nature and costs of modifications required. The modifications vary by model and may be expensive. The possible modifications may include: daytime running lights, electronic speedometer labels.

 

Step 1: Vehicle Inspection and Modifications to Daytime Running Lights Vehicles built for the U.S. market comply with the safety and emissions standards for the United States which has different regulations relating to daytime running lights. Therefore, the necessary modifications must be completed by an authorized BMW/MINI Retailer in Canada as they have been provided the exact modifications necessary to meet Transport Canada’s requirements.

Recently, both BMW Group Canada and Transport Canada have discovered compliance issues with the activation of daytime running lights for U.S. specification vehicles. Daytime Running Lights are a Federal Government regulatory requirement. In order to comply with Transport Canada CMVSS 108, daytime running lights must be activated properly and permanently to be in compliance with the law. The activation varies from simple programming to having an instrument cluster or other components replaced. The daytime running lights have to be on at all times and there should be no ability for the vehicle user to turn them off at will while the vehicle is being driven. The only exception under the explicit compliance conditions is when the vehicle is not being driven. Canadian specification vehicles are built with a kilometer only instrument cluster, which is written into the Vehicle Order that determines how all control units fitted to a vehicle interact. In certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is the “fingerprint” of the vehicle and must be replaced to ensure compliance. The cost of these modifications may range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the year and model of your BMW/MINI. Please ask your BMW/MINI Retailer for an estimate.

Step 2: Recall Clearance Letter

Your local BMW/MINI Retailer in Canada will conduct a visual inspection of the vehicle to ensure all VIN plates are intact and obtain a Car Fax report to check the vehicle's history. The Retailer will check the recall history and complete any recalls that are required. BMW Group Canada will enter the VIN into our database and validate the warranty where applicable. BMW Group Canada will only issue an official recall clearance letter once this process has been completed and documented by an authorized Canadian BMW/MINI Retailer. Please note the approximate timeframe for obtaining the Recall Clearance Letter is 7-10 business days and there is an administrative fee of $500 plus applicable taxes for this process.

** Please note that all US BMW and MINI Vehicles are admissible into Canada and do not require a Letter of admissibility at border crossing.**

 

Heated seats should be standard for canadian market for a car in mid to high $20 k, if you ask me. We are already paying way more for an identical car up here than US market with the dollar being the same value and no free scheduled maintenance either. Talking about getting screwed.

 

Apparently MINI dealers in Canada tried to get MINI Canada to give free scheduled maintenance, but they said no. Dumb. That's $1000 over 3 years. I think it's a damn shame.

 

2009 configurator now up on Mini.ca site.

As already said, many of the packages don't make sense...Whatever happened to the build a Mini exaclty the way you want it concept?