BMW will announce soon the next genaration mini will share parts with Fiat and Alfa Romeo to keep costs down .
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having owned alfas, you'll be able to tell the alfa parts because they'll look really good when they break.

 

Are electrical fires going to be standard?

 

Fiat and Alfa... two brand names that scream reliability.

 

Neither are worse than Peugeot or Chrysler, in my experience. My experience with Coopers that shared parts with those manufacturers has been pretty decent. Much ado about nothing.

 

Another reason why my '07 R56 is my last Mini!

 

If the parts are bulletproof, I don't care. I'd love to see all cars (even MINIs ) be more friendly from a DIY and parts-availability perspective. Still....Alpha and Fiat???

 

from the availability in parts I agree, but most of the times one of the parts involved in these deals loses (quality). Like the quality on R50, R52 and R53 with Chrysler. Personally, I like to see everything come from one single vendor.

 

I'm joking, of course. Automotive quality is LEAPs ahead of where it was with my '80s Alfas.

And the Chrysler parts in the MINIs are VERY reliable, which doesn't really fit the Chrysler stereotype.

The other ironic thing is that the Saab 9000 and the Alfa 164 shared a chassis and many common systems, yet the Saab was a very reliable car and the 164 was...not so much.

It all comes down to the assembly and the quality control at the assembly plant, and MINI is pretty good at that.


I'm not worried at all. And I'm anxious to see if the rumors that they may start to sell a few Alfas and Fiats through MINI/BMW dealerships has any legs.

 

No car company makes all the parts for thier cars anymore. Doesn't matter if it's a "single brand" or "shared platform", every one outsources.

Matt

 

I know that Matt, I was referring to sharing parts, not getting OEM parts from other companies that make them for auto builders (like Valeo, etc). Like BMW sharing it's Prince Engine with Peugeot and Citroen. The Prince Engine is Peugeot's, but each company finishes assembly in their own plants with their own parts, they just share the engine block. That I like, or like sharing a chassis like Porsche's Cayenne and VW Touareg. But having BMW / Mini install parts manufactured by other vendors, like Alfa or Fiat in this case, I do not like.

 

I loved my 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, when it ran. To be fair, I was the third owner, and it was about at the end of its life cycle. I've never driven another car that had smoother shifting. Steering was good to. The car just had a feel that has been missing from other cars.

The Motoring File article also mentioned that BMW may help re-introduce Alfas to the USA. I'd love to drive an 8C. It is one of the best looking cars I've seen in a longtime.