Will a BMW E36 (95-00 M3) Motor fit in a new mini?

I'm thinking that the new mini is mostly 3 series BMW, so how hard would it be to shoe horn a real motor into it? Although I seem to remember reading that the new mini has a Mercedes Benz engine. Something about the new mini being designed when MB owned Rover or something like that. Maybe if that's the case one of the Viper "crate motors" might fit (Diamler-Chrystler don't ya know), or maybe AMG mini.

Anyway this is all stream of thought kind of thinking.

I think the new mini is one hell of a deal I just want a little more power. I'm thinking 240hp from the E36 M3 would be just right

Opinions?
Viper crate motors

 

I've been wondering the same thing. Unfortunately I suspect that unless a M3 power plant could be mounted to front-wheel drive transmission and stuffed into the engine compartment it wouldn't be likely. I too would like at least 200 hp in the COOPER S. I wonder when aftermarket chip options will become available or if they would be effective in getting a decent bump in HP over the stock 163?

In the original MINI I've seen reports of John Cooper (yes the same Cooper as in MINI COOPER) tried adding a second engine in the back seat driving the rear wheels. That would always be another, yet expensive, option.

 

Did a little digging and it looks like the motor is a Diamler/Chrysler built in Brazil. So now I'm thinking the engine from the Mecedes C230 would be the way to go. 2.3L supercharged 192 hp and 200 lb/ft but where would you find one?

 

the new MINI has a transverse engine so only a 4cyl will fit

>>Did a little digging and it looks like the motor is a Diamler/Chrysler built in Brazil. So now I'm thinking the engine from the Mecedes C230 would be the way to go. 2.3L supercharged 192 hp and 200 lb/ft but where would you find one?

 

The C230 is a I4 so a swap may not be sooo difficult.

As for ONLY a 4 cylinder will fit... check out these mini's from the 2001 Valvoline Runoffs.

I'll bet Huffaker Eng could wrangle the V10 in their mini.
2001 GT5 Valvoline Runnoff Champion
Huffaker Mini engine compartment

I guess we'll have to wait and see what the aftermarket will come up with.

 

I emailed the people at John Cooper, and they said that accessories would be available for the Cooper S in September. They stated that these parts would move the vehicle from 163 hp to 200 hp.

 

All of this sounds great. I too would like to see more ponies under the bonnet. Maybe after this first model year, the folks at Mini will bumb up the Cooper to 165 and give the Cooper S close to 200 straight from the factory. Only time will tell. I think I am going to hold out and see what happens.

All the best,
MudBone

 

It might fit if you mount it in the rear, kinda like those guys who put a big block Chevy in the back of a Civic for drag racing.

 

>>Shockmonkey, you wrote -"I'm thinking that the new mini is mostly 3 series BMW..."

The two cars share nothing in common at all i'm afraid.

 

Actually they do share the same engineering......
SW

 

For all you non-believers here is a M3 powered Mini. It races in the Belgian GT Championship against some stiff competition. The car has been profoundly altered. The engine is put in straight and it is rear wheel drive, ect, but this shows that its is possible if expense is not an issue. (This was actually a relatively small team).

M3 powered mini

Earlier Story

 

Sorry here is the real Earlier Story.

Earlier story I hope this works.

For the first link just click on the 6 cyl. Mini story.

 

there are photos of the ///M3 powered MINI in the Modded MINI gallery. It is real, but it is completely un-streetable. I cannot see that kind of power to weight being legal anywhere.