Mine says France. I was week 4 if that has anything to do with it.

 

Thanks for the info, Karl - that clears up my confusion.

 

Dave, Glangford,

Can you post a scan or photo of your window sticker? Not that I don't believe you but it would sort of drive the point home.

 

It's great that I can come on here and get the support and understanding I need, without judgment. For this future mini owner...A whiners haven...if you will.

 

I'll try, but I swear it says Japan, I went out last night and spefically checked it again before I posted.

 

What do you think happened here? Somebody typed the wrong thing into the computer when they printed the sticker? Does that sound more possible than BMW getting some engines made in Japan, keeping it a secret, only to be outed on the window sticker? I don't have a clue.

 

No offense to anyone, but I wanna see proof. (Since when did I become of fan of France?) That aside, maybe they subbed out to keep up with production.

 

Hopefully this scan will not only demonstrate that my sticker really says Japan, but more importantly, that I'm smart enough to figure out how to post a picture.

 

Keep that sticker! It'll get you an extra K at resale.

 

Looks like those craaaazzzzy guys at Plant Oxford are at it again!!!!!

 

WTG Dave07!! I could not post a pic. Glad you can!!

Well, it just means they are sourcing the engine out to multiple factories. Seems I recall something about that in some news release in a galaxy far, far, away.

 

I still think it's a misprint.

Maybe it'll be valuable like when the mint misprints a coin.

 

Does this make some of us ricers????

 

^^ LOL

 

OMG! No way LynnEl,..unless you lower your Mini, put a 10 foot tall wing on the roof, a 12 inch coffee can exaust tip, flashing lights around the license plates, flourrescent lighting emanating from the under carriage, and something fuzzy hanging from the inside rear view mirror.

HOLY POTATOES!!! Just the thought of that sends a chill down me spine. I hope Mini has a recall program available to get cars back from anyone who would disrespect their Mini like that. OY!!

 

Hmmmm. I took a closer look at mine and its even more disturbing.

 

oooh how exotic!

 

lava, that is brilliant!!!!

 

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jabip

(n) A way to mock someone without them understanding
Jabip! (Points at someone)

 

Mine says France. Thanks goodness the gearboxes weren't made there, we'd have six speeds in reverse and one forward. *rimshot*

 

I was going to write "Not Japan" but that jabip thing was something my parents used to say, just came to mind. It took about 2 minutes to fudge that in Helvetica Bold 12...

Now let me be clear - I am not suggesting that the original posted image was manipulated. Two people have said they have it and I believe them. It must have been some kind of fluke mistake because I've never heard anything about any of the engines being made in japan by Mitsu or anyone else. And even if they were, why would they ship a trickle of engines to england for the minis?

 

Where to start?
1) The survey you quote is a 2 year old UK long-term survey of UK cars. It includes many cars (and some companies) that are not available here, and omits all of the domestic cars from the US
2) Even the cars that are sold in both markets are spec'd totally differently. Cars are more dear in Europe and in the UK because of tax primarily, and thus power windows/power mirrors and A/C are the exception, not the rule. Most are sold with smaller engines, and often with a diesel powerplant. So using it as a rule for reliability only makes sense with respect to that style of specification.
3) Mitsubishi happens to have a pretty substandard reputation in this country among the Japanese imports. To the point that they almost went belly up several years ago (but who hasn't been there) I'd be willing to bet that Mitsubishi had NO hand in any MINI to date, but not because I feel any bias against Mistsubishi, but because other than your funky window sticker, noone's ever dreamed of MINIs having a Japanese heart (ok, folks stuff VTecs in classics, but that's another story)

My personal feeling is that BMW's lost its way, but is trying to get it back. That 7 series at the bottom of your link is the travesty I speak of. Even the new 7 series will suffer tremendous depreciation at the hand of over-sophisticated engineering that disappoints those who try to keep the cars beyond warranty.

I have great hope for the Prince. If I didn't, I wouldn't have made it my second new car in 22 years of driving.

Finally I'd like to put in a kind word for PSA. In France PSA is like combining GM and Ford. While that may not provide many of you with a sense of pride, France has a very long proud tradition of selling primarily domestic cars even though it's bordered by other great car manufacturing countries. Other makes are available there but the French persist at refining automotive technology and style. They also happen to be on the leading edge of fuel economy. I for one, am pleased that BMW combined efforts with Peugeot/Citroen to build a better mousetrap.

 

My sticker is just like Dave's. It says Japan. Not sure why. I'll shoot off an email to my MA and ask.

 

I have enough fuzzy things in my fridge, none of which I would be too keen about hanging from my mirror.