[ABG]

Quote: Originally Posted by pappillon (original)

Some people will find something to moan about even when they hear exciting, good news....

I've only heard great things about the CooperD from anyone who's driven it, and this fuel economy makes it an even more desirable MINI If the whole range can benefit from these fantastic modifications, that's very cool!

Even if BMW raise the prices a little, the money a driver saves in fuel during the first year will no doubt make up for it

I agree - well done to BMW. Nice to see they are making a real environmental effort with new technology and improvements. That should make those who claimed they were all about cost cutting and corporate greed rethink their views.

[envy]

Good Good

45 MPG for the Cooper S

Though i do feel sorry for the current 'orders' , as they wont benefit from these additions

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by ABG (original)

I agree - well done to BMW. Nice to see they are making a real environmental effort with new technology and improvements. That should make those who claimed they were all about cost cutting and corporate greed rethink their views.

These are the fruits of making it more of a BMW product, the technology will be much easier to share with the MINI and it's bigger relatives, which can only be a good thing really.

[wiggis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

These are the fruits of making it more of a BMW product, the technology will be much easier to share with the MINI and it's bigger relatives, which can only be a good thing really.

Do you suppose the new R57 (assuming that's what the new new new MINI will be called) owners will make 'my car is better than your car' posts about the R56 cars, as per the R53/R56 debates? Endless threads about whether an engine which stops and starts in traffic is better than one that stays running, etc etc.

[Impulsive]

I'm happy about this news. Question is ... can I get one of these 'S's in Canada this autumn or is this only for Europe?

[rentagas]

I assume ths is build dates in August-Aug 1st?.
Which "build week?"
Any news on the inevitable price increase?.
Does the bluetooth car kit stay the same price?
Or is the price, the price of the existing bluetooth kit plus the cost of the ipod kit (ie £1000 or so)?

Obviously this makes the mini cooper d the most economical and (joint) least polluting internal combustion car officially imported ino the UK which is cool

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by rentagas (original)

Obviously this makes the mini cooper d the most economical and (joint) least polluting internal combustion car officially imported ino the UK which is cool

Imported into the UK?!

[minimad17]

will they be changing anything else to it? will it be congestion charge exempt?

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I'm not criticising the car, or any of the changes, but who writes this stuff?:

"The MINI symbolises self-confidence with a design which is as fascinating as it is likeable. It embodies an awareness of quality at absolute premium level and combines all-round appeal with a level of environmental awareness which has now been further increased."

"An additional visual highlight within the varied equipment program is provided by......"

Doesn't anyone edit these ramblings before they leave MINI Press?

[CC07ERS]

Typical BMW shafted evrybody who got an early model .Can you imagine the faults fixes for the facelift stop start @ traffic lights . The mind boggles.

[Robot Features]

Recipe for disaster!

I must admit i'm a bit of a greeny at heart and i do my bit for the environment, and i was happy to see the new fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures for the R56. However, this is a little far fetched! Dont know about you guys... but i'm not too keen on the fact that a turbo performance engine will turn off on idle. I have intentions on buying the JCW when released. I'd rather one that stays on than off. If i wanted a Greeny vehicle i would buy a Prius or a standard cooper with these features.

I'm actually quite happy that i've just ordered the current, and not the newy. But each into their own i guess.

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by CC07ERS (original)

Typical BMW shafted evrybody who got an early model .

Brake Energy Regeneration? So it will basicly not spin the alternator except under braking and have a higher tech battery? I would be suprised if that actually tranlates to a measurable HP gain. Fuel efficiency? Maybe. But not by much.

Auto Stop Start Function? Sounds strange and annoying to me. But hey, it’ll cut down on people complaining about the DFI ticking!

Gear Shift Indicator? I drive a manual transmission car. Isn’t it kind of obvios what gear your in, either by feel or just looking and the shifter? I can do without.

So far I don’t see any of this making the ‘07 S models obsolete just yet… two of the three changes I would NOT WANT, while the third is debatable. A subtle fuel efficiency jump aside, I think this is the first bit of news where I can say I'm glad I bought an '07 versus waiting 'till later.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Didn't VW try this "auto stop start" function in the 1980's and then quietly drop it from production cars not long afterwards?

Tigger.

[FergusM]

Can only see it giving better mpg if you do a lot of start / stopping....

...personally I hardly stop if at all on my daily trip to work...so think it would make very little difference in mpg. Besides which, I only do 5k miles a year so benefit limited and to be honest I did not buy a MCS for the mpg Now if they'd increased the bhp I'd have been ******ed...

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Imported into the UK?!

Of course the smart diesel is more economical/environmentally friendly but is not officially imported into the UK. Clearly the MINI is not imported -only bits of it!

Several manufacturers have tried similar technology including citroen using similar engines (the C2 and C3 "stop start"-) and vw.

Citroen- C1 C2 C3 small green mean machines - Natural Choices

Obviously BMW wouldn't launch a product that was not ready for market would they?

It's not like they would launch a convertible with a roof that had to be replaced several times before they got it right now would they?

Still I'm keen to buy a cooper D with this stuff, the question is should I buy an early model or not?

[Amo]

I never even considered buying a Mini before I saw the (original) Dooper specs. I was impressed by 35 quid tax and 60 odd mpg then. Now they've lowered emissions even more (and I may get a few more mpg), how can I not order one?! (Thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it - never mind its the best car I've ever driven!)

[CC07ERS]

I wonder if the price goes up when the spec changers?

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Amo (original)

I never even considered buying a Mini before I saw the (original) Dooper specs. I was impressed by 35 quid tax and 60 odd mpg then. Now they've lowered emissions even more (and I may get a few more mpg), how can I not order one?! (Thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it - never mind its the best car I've ever driven!)

100% tax deductable in the first year for self employed
£35 road tax
60-70mpg
600 mile range
Same emissions as a Prius barge
0-62 in less than 10 seconds
30-50mph and 50-70mph times that are comparable to many "performance" petrol cars
London congestion charge exempt from 2008/9

.....................and a green halo

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by CC07ERS (original)

I wonder if the price goes up when the spec changers?

Not if? How much? This is BMW we're talking about

[Paul]

I think the point is that the stop-start system is not brand new, it's already used on BMWs, as is the Brake Energy Regeneration system, and both seem to have been very well received from what I have read.

The engine doesn't stop-start until it's warm enough to do so effectively, and you can switch it off if you wish. Plus, as others have pointed out, it's not unique to BMW to do this sort of thing, and it's not some scary black art to be worried about.