I was in the grocery store today, and i was reading a magazine about the new and upcoming cars. and i stubled upon a article abotu the new mini traveler, which i already knew about. the wierd thing is that the article on top of it was abotu the mini cooper and s. i started reading it and it stated that the 08 might have chrysler engines in them, and the power will change to 140hp for the cooper, and 170hp for the s. has anyone heard anything abotu this???

 

They have Chrysler engines now and I thought they were switching to a French engine.

 

will stay with the current Tritec, and the hardtops will get the new motor. It's a multinational mutt, with Peugot in on it, BMW in on it, and some building will happen in England!

There are posts about, and one has a link to a technical whitepaper on the new motor (from 2004, but it covers most of the differences...)

Matt

 

I haven't heard anything about '08 yet except the possibility of the traveller. What magazine were you reading?

 

You might want to check out the 2007 MINI Talk area.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ysprune=&f=136

 

Everyone should remember: Engines are the one thing Americans actually know how to make well.

 

If you're saying that that means that the current engines are better because their Chryslers... Then you might be disappointed to know that they're actually made in Brazil, and not in the US...

 

yeah, and despite the Tritec's unfair rap as a "lump," that little low-tech iron block mill is holding up very well over the miles even with heavy mods--and yes altho they are made in Brazil, it's still a pre-Daimler American design. Whether it becomes as legendary as other Chrysler motors like the Slant 6 or the hemis remains to be seen, but that reliable, well-built, bulletproof little "lump" is on the right track here. Every MINI SA I've talked with about the Tritec would agree. Jimbo

 

are you being serious?

 

I'd say he's being serious. He could be referring to the small block Chevy V-8, or even the flathead Ford and the newer GM 3.8 V-6. All very reliable, lots of torque, and in the case of the Chevy V-8, probably the most popular engine ever built.

The engines in most American cars will last as long or longer than most imports. They, until recently, didn't have as much whiz-bang technology, but that's often a good thing.

 

Yep, and their pushrod designs can even get better mileage than the OHC Japanese counterparts. Take the 2006 3.5 liter Impala vs the 06 Camry V6. Better mileage, equal or better power for the Chevy.

The GM truck V8s trump foreign V8s also. People claim it's due to more displacement, but if the big engines can get equal or better mileage while making more power....who cares?

 

Best defence of iron age technology yet.
Did you know that Steel wheels last longer than fancy rubber tyres too, especially when equipped to amazing Chevrolet small block V8.

 

Self portrait?

 

Okay.. Domestic manufacturers know how to make a durable engine, but not a very efficient engine. I'm sorry, but turning off half your cylinders to save on gas does not make it necessarily an efficient design.

I feel that I need to mention the Honda B16 or B18 Vtec engines that were made for approximately 12+ years without any major modifications. This 1.6 and 1.8 liter engine made at least 160 and up to 200 for the 1.8 liter. These are/were very durable engines and very technologically advanced for their time.. originally coming out in the late 80's. This is an engine that can do 30 mpg and out-power virtually anything in it's class.

The Impala/Camry comparison is a decent comparison. I would probably give the nod to Toyota for making a longer living engine, IMHO.

.. just my $.02

 

Im sorry but I can not disagee more! American motors DO NOT last longer than the japenese.....The longevity of the motors is THE very basis by which japenese cars have the reputation that they do!

I do believe that they are as effecient and just as reliable for the first 100k but it is a RARE occasion to see 200 or 300k on an american motor

With that said......Chrysler is an exception and a chrysler designed engine is among the best in the world! I drove a 87 plymouth horizon 800 miles a week for 2 straight years ...hardly changed the oil...never failed once....that made a believer out of me!

 

Yea if you call 100,000 miles well-made! How often do you hear of an American-made car going 300+ thousand miles. Although many Japanese cars can be boring, they go forever. Many European engines are very durable as well. Each of our family's 6 Volvos have all gone well over 150,000 miles without a problem and the ones we still own are going strong... My 89 Volvo 740 made it to 220k before I sold it.

 

100,000 miles an an America car engine is nothing these days, most last well over 200,000 and many last much longer than that. Whoever told you American auto engines are worn out at 100,000 miles must be stuck 30 years ago.

I usually trade my mostly American cars off at about 150,000 to 175,000 miles just because I want a different car, but I've never traded one because of a worn out engine.

The only car I've ever worn out the engine on was an 89 Madza MPV and it gave up at about 167,000 miles.

 

There are several motors built in the USA that have quite good longevity. I personally know of a Ford 302 in a mid 80s Towncar that a business friend of mine drove overall 500,000 with only normal maint. He currently drives a 96 Towncar with over 300,000. I put 60,000 on a 89 Towncar (302) and sold it 4 years ago at 154,000 and see it on a regular basis now. Lots of local PDs and Sheriff Dept. put over 200,000 on the 4.6 Crown Vics. Also know lots fo people with high mileage 3.8 GMs. Many high mileage Turbo Regals that have never been into. I assume quite a few GM small block fans know of lots of high mileage versions. How about the 318 Chrysler motors of the past few years. While I agree that many of the foreign motors are great, own several now, US motors have their shining stars!

 

As I remember it the Mini engine was a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler (pre-Diamler). It is made in Brazil. The engine in the pt cruisers marketed outside the US run the tritec engine. The same engine found in the Cooper. The Cooper S engine is only found in the Cooper S. When Diamler bought Chrysler this brought into being a working relationship between Diamler (Mercedes) and BMW, two companies that do not like each other. As a result the contract with tritec was not renewed and the Cooper engine as well as the Cooper S were outsourced to Peugot. The Peugot engine was designed by BMW/Mini engineers.
Just an interesting note, the tritec engine is scheduled to be sold to China and used in a small four door sedan. I can't remember the name of the company but it was the name of a flower, I think.

The statement about the US building great engines is out of date. Back in the 60's the US built the best engines. In the 70's, 80's, 90's and today the technology used in "American" vs. "foriegn" cars is so intermixed no one can say for sure what is domestic technology and what is foriegn. Not to mention with the global economy the way it is your American car has parts from around the globe. Some of the systems are assembled elsewhere, shipped, futher assembled in yet another country before arriving at the final assembly facility. BMWs are made in South Carolina, with parts from Germany. The Corvette was the last "American" car, and it is now multi-national.

 

I drove many a Ford F-150 pick-up truck with their straight 6 - 4.9L motors for over 150,000 miles ( 35,000 miles annually ) without any engine failures. I also had a '87 Toyota Camry station wagon with their 4 cyl 2.0L and drove the for 230,000 miles without engine failure.

My first MCS only made it to 37,000 smiles.















But I traded it in on an '06 because the stock tires wore out.

 

Don't go to Bowlingreen Ky and tell them Corvette is a Multi-National car. While there may be technology benefits and even parts produced outside, its still an American Car, just like the new Ford GT. Everything benefits from something or someone, but to say it has no identity of its own seems toooo politcally correct.