R56 MINI USA delays engine upgrade until fall 2010

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Mar 16, 2010 | 04:28 AM

#26

mastawyrm

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From: HSV, AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by minipuma

But is it a "new engine", or is it the "old engine" with its teething problems addressed with some tweaks?

I'd say it's the latter which is another reason to want it over the slight power increase, slight efficiency increase, and resale ability of the 'old' engine.

Mar 16, 2010 | 04:47 AM

#27

minipuma

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mastawyrm

I'd say it's the latter which is another reason to want it over the slight power increase, slight efficiency increase, and resale ability of the 'old' engine.

That has been my thinking as well.

Mar 16, 2010 | 05:10 AM

#28

autopc25

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nickminir56

While 7hp up is nice, it's not night and day difference. And with Mini, new engine usually comes with some "teething" problems.

The US cars might have a slight advantage because the rest of the world, as of March 2010, will be driving the upgraded engine. The upgraded engines will be in service for 6-7 months longer then the US market so hopefully Mini can work out any teething problems, if there are any, before the US production. In a sense the rest of the world will be field testing the upgraded engine for the US market. On the other hand 6-7 months is not a lot of time to put many miles on any car in any market so problems might not surface in that time frame. Hopefully there will not be any problems.

I agree about the HP increase. A better burning, cleaner engine would be nice.

Mar 16, 2010 | 05:21 AM

#29

rhawth99

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From: Central NJ

The upgraded engines are supposed to be 10% more efficient which I find to be a big deal. Seven hp is just icing on the cake.

Mar 16, 2010 | 05:41 AM

#30

autopc25

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It looks like the updated engine will only be in production for about 2 years. Mini is introducing a totally new R56 replacement with a new engine (3-cylinder!) designed by BMW in late 2012.

So do people like me who are on the fence wait 6 more months for the upgraded engine, updated interior, and redesigned front bumper or do I wait another 2.5 years for the totally new R56 replacement and 3 cylinder engine? The waiting never ends.

I know one thing from personal experience. The first year model for any car company is a bad idea. There might be some Japanese exceptions but not many.

Personally I am placing my order this week.

http://www.motoringfile.com/

Apr 2, 2010 | 12:53 AM

#31

10Zero

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From: Littleton CO

Here's probably the biggest reason for the "redesigned" engines for both EU standards and newest EPA standards...and probably the reason you'll be seeing 3-poppers in a few years... (2-7 more ponies? Probably in theory, and more than likely closer to 2 when they actually roll out, if that).

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress...1!OpenDocument

Apr 2, 2010 | 01:35 AM

#32

mastawyrm

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From: HSV, AL

I hate the EPA, someone needs to send them back to Jr. High so they can relearn the concept of diminishing returns and mathematical limits.

Apr 2, 2010 | 03:08 AM

#33

slap

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mastawyrm

I hate the EPA, someone needs to send them back to Jr. High so they can relearn the concept of diminishing returns and mathematical limits.

Blame congress and the president. They are the ones who passed the laws for the new regulations - the EPA is just carrying out those laws.

Of course, those laws help MINI - they are a part of BMW, and help to raise the corporate average fuel economy for BMW. So even if MINI's sales drop off, BMW will have an incentive to keep selling them here to balance out the lower mpg/high profit cars like the 7 series in the US.

Apr 2, 2010 | 08:28 AM

#34

MLPearson79

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From: Terre Haute, IN

This thread is teetering on dangerous ground. Please review NAM Site Guidelines regarding political discussions.

Apr 2, 2010 | 08:38 AM

#35

mastawyrm

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From: HSV, AL

Sorry about that.

Back on topic. Even though I know the new engine isn't supposed to be here til the '11 model, I'm still going to look at mine and hope when it shows up in the next few weeks. Any idea what I could look for to confirm which it is?

Apr 2, 2010 | 06:22 PM

#36

PatM

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Joined: Nov 2008

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From: Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herleman

You have to believe that Mini is not going to do anything that would impede the sales of the existing inventory. Have you guys been to a big-city Mini dealer lately? They all have a BUNCH of cars sitting there doing nothing and the salesforce is going hungry. I'm really worried about the future of the marque given the number of unsold units that are sitting around. One of the local dealers still has unsold 09 models on his lot. Yet the dealer still wants full sticker for the product (probably based on his cost -- in spite of the advertising, no one really sells a car at a loss). Further support of the worry comes from the 1.9% financing thing that is being advertised widely.

All is not well in Minidom folks.

Don't know if I buy that. The Mini dealers in our area have very few cars on the lot. In fact the inventory is the lowest I have seen it. Last year was the year with a lot of inventory on the lots. I think most folks in my neighborhood factory order their cars.