I asked our MA about the new '07 and he said they would be shutting down the plant to re-tool in the fall and start producing in December. They won't be taking any special/custom orders for the first few months but will be just building whatever they want and getting them shipped out to the dealers initially.

 

No it won't become a Mini Cooper T, I hope this was sarcastic. The S doesn't stand for Supercharged, in fact, not even Mini knows where the S came from on the classics. So, you'll always have your base Cooper, and upgrade Cooper S, no matter what the forced air system is.

 

This is funny, I've heard a few people mention this. For some reason, people think this is the same engine that's in the Neon or something. Close, but no cigar. People assume they're just stealing these blocks off the line and slapping them in a BMW. These were engineered for the Mini, even if they come from the Chrysler family.

 

Is that true? I thought John Cooper added it to mean "sport", same idea as the Boxster vice Boxster S or 997 vice 997S.

 

Supposedly, this is just a rumor and only a rumor. BMW can't justify an AWD version, especially in the price range they're trying to keep these Mini's in. That would bump the price of a Cooper S up $5-6K easy. Don't get me wrong, with all the skiing I do and 4WD required on snow days here in Salt Lake resorts, this would be very high on my list. But, I wouldn't hold your breath on any major talks (let alone actual production) for an AWD version. If they do come out with one, i bet it would work great on the Traveller.

 

John Cooper and another guy were discussing what to call the new version. Sport or Special.

Neither would give way to the other so it became the S.

So when the Turbocharged MCS becomes available, it will most definately not be the MCT.

 

AWD on any MINI would interfeer with the BMW One series.

I doubt that BMW wants to compete with itself. I think that although it could be very easily done, It will never happen.

Atleast from the factory. I can see racers building one offs like the Huffaker Mini from the SCCA runoffs.

 

Would love to see some racer specials like that come into play!!!

 

My MA said that the '07's will all most likely have a price hike, with the S being the highest. The base will prob go up another $500-$1000 like it has every year it has been out. The base is supposed to have the option of a 143-hp in addition to the current 115-hp, so that's obviously going to affect price.

Personally, from what I've seen so far, I don't really like the new look of the '07's - esp. the interior. That larger speedometer with the display integrated in it (non-nav) is just kinda ugly... Actually, the whole instrument panel is ugly to me from the way it looks so far. I'm just glad that I need a new car now, so I can get an '06.

 

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HMM if the MINI ONE is going up $.5K to $1K then I wonder how much the MINI Cooper will be?

I just wonder how the heck a US dealer will know how much the MINI ONE price will be especially when it is not offered here?!?!?!?!?

 

I believe by "base" the MA is (incorrectly) referring to the Cooper (non S).

 

as usual... 6 months after the 07 release, more order will be placed and more folks will be jumping on the bandwagon...

:D just admit it :D

 

Does anybody know when the dealers are taking orders for the '07 Coopers?

 

I'm sure some of them would take a deposit now, but since the car hasn't been unveiled yet, none of the dealers have any information on them that would allow you to spec a car. Also, don't expect deliveries to begin until late december / early january.

 

What? Our engine is used over in the neons in UK. It was a joint effort

 

The tritech has four valves per cylinder (1.6L 16 valve).

RallyMINI is correct. The tritech was a joint venture. Chrysler uses "their" identical looking motor in their Mexican/Europeon Neons.

Now that the MINI is switching motors, Chrysler will probably put the "MINI's" motor in the Dodge Hornet to keep sales up.

 

Indeed, Tritec is a 50%-50% joint venture of BMW and DaimlerChrysler.
I've read somewhere (in a Dutch businessmagazine) they want to stop the Tritec company.

There is a Chinese company who want to buy the whole Tritec-factory (yes, building and productionline) and build it in China. Produce the "old" Tritec-engines.

I don't know what the last news is about it.

 

I'm ok with a 500-1000 price increase because generally with a new model you get more standard features then the previous model. I wouldn't be surprised to see Xenon lights standard on the new MCS since they're standard equipment on the GTI now.
Mike

 

There is a desire by many owners of the current new MINI to not like the 07 model. Saying the engine is French helps them not like it.

Reminds me of the reaction to the new MINI by fans of the original mini.

1. Not British
2. Too big
3. Engine made in Brazil
4. Engine designed by Chrysler

etc., etc

I don't know how many fans of the original mini still dislike the new MINI, but I'd guess quite a few of them bought one.

 

To be honest I'm quite happy it's all of those things.

1) It's German instead. Even better.
2) It's still pretty damn small...
3/4) Chrysler's engines are, believe it or not, very very good. It's just everything else on a Chrysler that's crap.

But yes, I agree with you, there is a certain psychological factor to not liking the new model.

 

Northwest Mini took my money yesterday in order to get me into the Que for a 2007 built to my specs... but it will be some time before I get to finalize the details and get the VIN/build # assigned... like 4-8 months... plus another 2-4 months to build and arrive in the US. The waiting game begins.

 

I placed my deposit for a 2007 last month at East Bay MINI and should be in the first or second group of cars. From what I understand, I'll be able to spec the car in December and it should arrive sometime in February

 

hi mcarlo52~
are they still selling MSRP in East Bay MINI?
cuz i placed deposit for 06, still in waiting list until Oct to build order. Now i am thinking to switch to 07~

 

I got in line for a 2007 a couple of weeks ago and their MSRP stance is unchanged.