1st April 2008 the new MINI Cherished website will go live, improved and upgraded to help would be used MINI purchasers in their quest for the ideal ride.
According to a MINI press release, sales of used MINIs via the official MINI Cherished scheme have rocketed recently, and the revamped website is part of their response to ever increasing demand for used MINIs.
The stats speak for themselves, in February 2007 there were 518,018 searches for Cherished MINIs, February 2008 saw an increase of over 90% to 992,269 searches. Sales are also up over 25%, January 2007 saw 2178 Cherished MINIs leave dealer forecourts, and the same month in 2008 saw 2580 used MINIs purchased.
Thanks to the manufacturer-backed scheme, with every Cherished MINI coming with the following range of benefits:
Minimum 12 months MINI Warranty
Minimum 12 months MINI Emergency Service Cover across the UK and Continental Europe
Minimum 12 month MOT and MOT Cover
Full Service History
Independent vehicle history and mileage checks
Finance and Insurance available through MINI Financial Services
According to insider reports, initially posted on the MINI2 forums, the second generation MINI Convertible (internal code R57) has begun its test production at BMW Group Plant Oxford in Cowley, UK.
Every new MINI goes through several stages of production and pre-production, this merely being the first stage of “in-house” production at the facility in Oxford, where full production is expected to begin next summer. Early production cars are as much as test of the manufacturing process as of the design and build of the car itself, and is a highly sensitive and critical step on the way to full series production of the finished models.
Apparently the first new MINI Convertible to roll down the lines at the Cowley plant was a dark blue model.
This is the last time we’ll review a new first generation MINI, and the Sidewalk limited editions are a sort of “final hurrah” from MINI for the Convertible range, a special edition to see it through until it’s replaced by the second generation Convertible.
We doubt they’ve sold too many this summer in the UK though, and not because savvy buyers are holding out for the new more powerful, more economical make over that’s already happened across the rest of the range. No, it’s just been a pretty terrible summer here in Britain, and as I sit here writing this review, rain beating against the window outside, I need no further reminder of the blessed life I live, which was highlighted by a full week of unbroken good weather that coincided perfectly with our time with the MINI Convertible.
The heavens were certainly shining on us during our week with the Sidewalk, and when the sun is out and and you’re driving along, the wind in your hair, the supercharger whining ahead and the exhaust burbling away merrily behind it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want any other MINI than a Cooper S Convertible. It’s only when you get your head back out from the clouds you begin to appreciate the drawbacks and compromises the soft top MINI undoubtedly presents it’s owners.
We’ve reviewed the MINI Convertible many times before, and we really do have a soft spot for the soft top. But it has to be said, when the roof is up, it is dark, it is noisy, and while the handling is brilliant it’s all a bit wobbly compared to the steel topped siblings. So, thank goodness we had a week with the roof down.
What did we learn from our time with the Cooper S? Quite a lot actually. The seats in the Sidewalk certainly divided opinion. My mother-in-law thought they looked great, a co-worker commented they looked like, well, lets not go there, the brownish tone wasn’t a winner with everyone for sure. But to actually sit on them was far from a delight. We’ve never experienced a problem with any MINI seats, until now. Even a relatively short 80 mile round trip left us feeling quite uncomfortable, and even a little sore. Compared to the leather sports seats in our own MINI Cooper S these more “plush” seats didn’t feel right at all, and no amount of adjustment changed that.
As for the rest of the style of the Black Sidewalk? We loved it, from the wheels to the paint finish to the dash, it all fitted together well and looked stunning. The MINI Convertible certainly still proved to be a head turner, which was a real surprise considering how long this car has been about now, and a credit to the MINIs continuing appeal.
The best thing about the Convertible Cooper S though is actually driving the car. Our favourite places quickly became tree lined country lanes, underpasses, bridges and just any enclosed spaces. When entering such places, try as we might the urge to play with the throttle to induce whines, pops and burbles (and accompanying childish grin) was just too much to resist. This car is just one big giggle. Forget the pose factor, the “coolness” of the MINI brand. Hurtling around in the Cooper S Convertible is what motoring is all about. Fun!
So are the sacrifices in boot space, rearward vision, sound deadening and comfort really worth it for the thrill of the open topped open roads? Well, we’ve never been able to justify it, not when sat in the comfort of a warm home considering the pros and cons of a soft top versus a hard top MINI. But if you’re the impulsive type, and you really, really enjoy driving, the the Cooper S Convertible is a great place to spend your time on the roads, and the Sidewalk, with it’s unique trim, upholstery and wheels will no doubt appeal to many. The Cooper S version certainly provides unparalleled aural pleasure for the price. If only the seats weren’t so uncomfortable.
A member of a German MINI forum has spotted and photographed a MINI Convertible out and about in testing.
As you can see, the new MINI Convertible follows a very similar design to the outgoing Convertible model, the boot will once again be hinged at the base, although the design of the hinges will apparently be less “chunky” than the previous incarnation. The roof once more is a folding fabric top, and the rear high level brake light is still shown integrated into the rear chrome trim strip.
These shots, when combined with these earlier photographs pretty much reveal all there is to see externally of the Convertible roof when closed. Now we just need to see it from inside, and, of course, peeled back!
Following on from our report that the Tritec Engine Plant had apparently produced it’s last MINI engine and shut it doors, while waiting for any kind of official response from MINI we did a little research of our own.
It turns out that Chinese billionaire Yin Mingshan has set his sights on buying the Tritec engine plant, and moving it lock stock and barrel to China! The full story follows:
It is a plan that is as simple as it is sweeping in its sheer scale and ambition, and if anyone can do it, it must be Chinese billionaire Yin Mingshan — assuming, that is, the Brazilian government will let him.
Brazil has told us we can buy the factory, but only if we agree not to move it,
said 69-year-old Yin, the founder and chairman of Chongqing Lifan Holdings, a giant in motorcycles now hoping to make money on autos too.
The plant in question is a half-billion-dollar 50-50 joint venture between DaimlerChrysler AG and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG located in Campo Largo, southeastern Brazil, which produces 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre Tritec engines, which feature in the first generation MINI vehicles, including the still in production Convertible range.
The Brazilian Tritec Engine factory has closed it’s doors after producing their last engine for the MINI Convertible, reports Just-Auto.com (subscription required).
Tritec Motors was launched as a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler in 1996 with an investment of $484,000,000 (USD) to supply 1.4 and 1.6 litre petrol engines to both companies, and all the first generation MINI petrol engines were produced at the Brazilian plant, including those fitted to the continuing MINI Convertible model.
The Tritec power plant, while arguably relatively inefficient and heavy by standards of Today, had been highly regarded during it’s production cycle. The Supercharged derivative which powered the first generation MINI Cooper S was crowned International Engine of the Year in 2003.
So the question (already raised on the MINI2 forums) is “What about the Convertibles?!”. We’ve asked MINI, and are awaiting an official response to the supply situation, but we’re sure this has been thought through in advance.
A “Good Problem” for MINI as Cooper Diesel and special edition soft top demand beats expectations
We had a tip of from one of our sources inside MINI that there were plans afoot to increase production of the MINI Cooper Diesel and MINI Sidewalk Convertible. So a quick check with the press office at MINI, and we had confirmation that they are indeed doing better than expected (so much easier to get confirmation on this than rumours on future models, no surprise!).
MINI will be unveiling a new addition to its Convertible range at the 2007 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), when it presents the Sidewalk model for the first time on January 6 in Detroit.
MINI Convertibles have always combined great handling characteristics with the thrill of open-top motoring, but when the Sidewalk hits MINI dealers from April 2007, MINI fans will have the opportunity to get their hands on a fresh model boasting a raft of luxurious design enhancements.
Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said: “The MINI One Seven, Cooper Park Lane and Cooper S Checkmate editions of the MINI hatch have been hugely popular, with nearly 8,000 models sold in the UK in just 12 months. We are confident that Sidewalk will offer the same exclusivity and maximum value for Convertible customers. Undoubtedly it will reinforce MINI’s unique position as a premium small car.”
What’s an R56? What’s a facelift MINI? We attempt to fill in the blanks for the uninitiated.
People new to MINI2 and the MINI in general, often appear to be a little unsure over what changes and versions of MINI have been offered since it’s 2001 introduction. Those familiar with the MINI often use phrases such as facelift, R56, second generation and so on, which can be a little bewildering for others.
This is a small, visual “spotters guide” to the main changes and updates for the MINI, including all major model updates. We have not included region specific options or limited editions to try and keep this guide as clear and concise as possible. We hope you find it useful.
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