Hi Donkey,
I think it's only the method used by the salesman to cease your intention of changing the new model. I don't believe the price of new
MCS can be increased 36/7K higher in view of the strong US currency coming and the trendy of Mini becomes weaker than b4. Also, it's lesser competed for the Mini if the selling price is marked up highly. Maybe u return your present order to your salesman with some surcharges for reselling to the others and make the new order for the new model, s/he would like to do so. In fact, the new Mini has been launching for more than 2 years. Btw, the BMW salesmen always treat it as pork bones and don't spend lots of times on selling.
Cheers,
Herman