I've been reading up on the '07 Mini's "Prince Engine". As you may know, it is a joint effort between BMW and PSA (Peugeot/Citroen). What you may not have noticed is that the Country of Origin for this engine is Japan. Huh? What happened to Germany, France, or the UK? According to my vehicle sticker, the engine comes from Japan. I suspect it was built by Mitsubishi, since PSA had a previous relationship with them -- but I have been unable to confirm it.

Also in case you missed it, the Prince Engine engine won first place in their category for innovation in 2007, beating the Prius hybrid. See below.

"In the 1.4-1.8-litre category, the trophy was awarded jointly to BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen for the 1.6-litre turbo engine in the new MINI Cooper S and Peugeot 207."

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre

1. BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (Cooper S, Peugeot 207) 267

2. Toyota Hybrid 1.5-litre (Prius) 251

3. Audi 1.8-litre Turbo FSI (A3) 82

The Mini engine has the following notable innovations:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/12/...ange_in_detail

• Fully variable valve drive
• Flow-controlled oil pump
• Single-belt drive of all ancillary units
• Individual ignition coils
• Composite camshafts
• Weight-optimised roller-type drag arms
• Cylinder head produced by lost-foam casting

The following new concepts and solutions have also been implemented in the project:

• Direct gasoline injection for extra power and performance
• Twin-scroll exhaust gas turbocharger
• On-demand water pump
• Poly-V-belt with built-in tensioner
• Lightweight concept (including an aluminium crankcase, intake manifold and cylinder head cover made of a special plastic material)

 

You need to have a second look at the window sticker. Country of origin for the engine is France - The auto transmission comes from Japan.

 

My sticker also says the engine came from France, and the standard transmission from Germany.

 

Mine, too. I'm surprised the engine isn't upside down. Wait, it's not put in in France.

 

*entire "Coupe Talk (2007+)" forum goes temporarily quiet as everyone checks out the sticker for their engine's place of origin.*

 

I didn't need to check. When the MA handed me the window sticker, I said, "Did they have to print that so large???"

 

Well I don't have my MINI yet, but that's what I've seen on all the stickers at the dealer, too. (not that I've been hanging around the dealer endlessly obsessing over all the pretty MINIs during the dealership's off-hours because I'm going stark raving mad waiting for my R56 Cooper which should be here TODAY!!!!)

 

When I picked up my MINI, there was a guy in the lot, wearing one of those plaid beenies, walking around, talking to every customer picking up cars. The MA told me he has been there ever since he ordered his. I assume/hope she meant he came there all the time, not that he took up residence in the lot. But, when I came home, I double-checked a Skuzzy post to make sure he hadn't moved to VA.

 

LMAO

I'll prolly look at mine now once I get it ordered and delivered.

 

Say "Hi" to Ernestine for me gokartride! And here's hoping your OB Mini arrives today!!

 

Will do and thanks! I'm coping...sorta.

 

I know how you feel. And you are not coping. You are on the edge of exploding. The pressure has numbed your head. You have no idea what the heck is going on. Your mind is on auto-pilot for most things and oblivious to other things (what? who? Oh,..my Wife,..yes,..I have one of those..)

Trust me,.been there. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Just dunt(tm) mistake it for a stroke and you will be a-ok.

EDIT: Your Wife does not come from Oxford. Trust me on this. That mistake can lead to some interesting conversations.

 

So.....what explains Dave 07's sticker????

 

OMG...you are right!!! I really don't believe I have a wife!!!!

So is it normal to seriously consider going on a clandestine nighttime excursion to the dealership to actually get a peek at my car??? I'd use my night-vision goggles, of course.

Sorry to go OT...frail condition here.

 

Its obvious that the auto and manual trannys are from Japan (Aisin) & Germany (Getrag), respectively.

 

dyslexia?

 

That's interesting. Most folks seem to have an engine w/ a country of origin of France. I've got a MC R56 (non-S) with a 6spd stick. The engine is from Japan and the tranny is Getrag from Germany. The build date was March '07.

Any other owners out there with a Japanese engine?

 

I thought the Hamms factory in England was producing the engines for the R56. I thought I had read that there are three plants that make up the complex and one of the plants is the engine assembly plant. So confused.

 

Just checked my sticker. The country of origin for the engine is Japan and the transmission is Germany. Which is fine with me.

Congrats to Gokartride. A long wait I know. The best part is yet to come!!

 

Engines for MINI are subassembled in France and sent with block and head paired, but not assembled, to Britain. Here MINI employees final assemble them. This was explained in MC2 magazine's article on R56 plant assembly.

 

Where is this sticker?

 

I have a feeling if the sticker says the engine was made in Japan, someone was hitting the sauce at your VPC.

 

That about sums it up Skuzzy! Funny I just read that same article today on motoringfile, The new turbo engine is one of the main deciding factors in my buying this car, I'm truly impressed with the design. I want my car...I NEED my car!...HURRY UP AND GET HERE!!!!

 

It's just part of the 12 steps to Mini ownership. That post is floundering around in this forum somewhere.

You are handling your whine better than most. I like the balance between whine and cheese you have discovered.

 

The sticker was mounted to a door window -- not sure which one.

It still doesn't make any sense. Maybe some engines are built in FR and shipped to UK in matched sets (block and heads), but that doesn't explain the Japanese country of origin. Also, the fact that some stickers say FR and others Japan, indicates a difference. I guess I'm glad mine came from Japan (see below). Country Of Origin markings are generally a reliable measure of content - my experience. They have to be accurate for tax purposes and legal reasons. I'd bet some engines have final assembly in UK is for Value Added Tax purposes.

Why care? When first considering the '07 Mini, I looked into the reputation of B.M.Troubleyou and PSA. I stumbled across the article: http://www.whatcar.co.uk/news-specia...350&EL=3142806

Mitsubishi is the 7th most reliable car company, followed by Peugeot (16), BMW (17), and finally Citroen (24th) -- out of 30 companies. Mini isn't listed individually.

Pardon me for writing this, but the new '07 Mini with a new engine coming out of the bottom half of the reliability pack, got my attention. I know, these are composite measures and we Mini owners deserve special consideration. I may have to retire my NG handle after this post.