[vwminispeedster]

Here is the reply I received from MINIUSA yesterday when inquired about the potential for the diesel to come to the USA for those of us who want to motor with better than 40-50 mpg.

"Hi Christopher, Thanks for writing MINI. I appreciate that you want to motor with lower costs and fewer emissions! I am sorry to say MINI Division currently has no plans to bring a diesel version of the MINI to the United States. However, we are looking into many new ideas for the future of MINI. Please stay in touch with us through MINIUSA.com for updates."



Maybe if us Americans email them enough they will take it seriously that we really want this oil burner and actually bring it over. Wait, was that a pig flying over there!!

[ONED]

Is it available in Canada?

[dukesantos]

I think if we keep asking them they might change their minds. The specs for the new Cooper D with the 1.6L engine appear to be able to meet the USA 45 state EPA specs. If VW and Mercedes do get new models approved for 2008-09 for all 50 states then hopefully the MINI will follow. BMW has a lot of diesel models in Europe so I'm sure they can make the MINI Cooper D appear here if they want to.

[dr61]

I made the same request to my dealer and MINIUSA. Keep up the pressure...

[ontheroadagain]

Maybe a nice grass roots kind of organization here in the USA - kind of like MINIon.org.

[mcs37]

Yeah but back to the other reply, will they be available in Canada? Hell I'm in Seattle, I'd trek across the border to pick one up.

[rooandren]

I don't remember the details, but I have read recently there are a lot of emissions type issues. VW has had to completely pull their diesel line from the US because of new restrictions.

And then there is the issue of demand. There is just no diesel market in the US. It is one thing to have an unpopular color that sells few units, it's another to have a completely different engine.

[dukesantos]

rooandren-- I don't know where you are located but you may want to reconsider your statements. The emissions issues have been resolved thanks to three recent developments: The introduction of Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel fuel, the use of self cleaning diesel particulate filters and some advanced emissions equipment often referred to as Blue Tech.
Last year VW was selling diesel Jettas and Touaregs in the USA, and most dealers still are. There are coming out with some new engines in 2008 and the model line will be increasing again. Last year they were selling diesels in all fifty states, this year in 45, next year they plan to be back at fifty.

As to general demand, more manufacturers have been coming out with diesel models here, Mercedes and Jeep last year, Honda and other Asian manufacturers have announced forthcoming diesels. BMW has plenty of diesel technology and could as well. With the price of diesel now less than that of unleaded gasoline, I would expect to see demand continue to increase.

[AprilWhine]

As for diesel demand, I sold my five year old Beetle TDI for 65% of original MSRP.

[mcs37]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine (original)

As for diesel demand, I sold my five year old Beetle TDI for 65% of original MSRP.

Demand for diesel is insane. I posted my Jetta TDI for $15,500 on CraigsList -- after having bought it for $17,500 two years earlier, and I had three e-mails within 24 hours. People want the diesel, especially if they can use biodiesel. I mentioned this in another thread but I started a petition to let BMW know that Americans want the MINI Cooper D.

I think a wonderful future would be me driving around in my MINI Cooper D running 100% biodiesel, made in America, and getting 60 mpg on the highway.

[ontheroadagain]

Quote: Originally Posted by mcs37 (original)

I think a wonderful future would be me driving around in my MINI Cooper D running 100% biodiesel, made in America, and getting 60 mpg on the highway.

Let's expand that vision to lots of us driving one of these.

Perhaps when appropriate car manufacturing laws are passed and gas prices rise to those across the pond, your dream will become our reality.

[dracmanf]

I'd be the first one in line if Mini brought the Cooper D to the USA. I owned a mercedes 300TD for 20 years and I loved the diesel. With the new bio-fuels coming on line it should make even more people converts from petrol.
I got to drive an Audi A8 diesel in SPain last november and it was a really smooth rocketship. Unbelieveable how quick off the line that car was and very quiet too.

Someone needs to start an import business of the Cooper-D to the USA. They can't be that structurally different.

[FxK]

Is anyone else smelling a conspiracy of the oil industry lobby?

What other reason could there be for legal obstacles to introducing efficient vehicles while it's apparently no problem to drive around in gas guzzling SUVs, Vans and muscle cars?

50 different legislations in 50 different states probably don't make this any easier either.

As for the Canadian question: my guess is that it's to small to be relevant. If they can't sell Diesels in the US (for whatever reasons), Canada won't get them either. If anything, the model choice in Canada is smaller than in the US.

[dr61]

Count me in for the Cooper D. My next MINI (Currently we have a 2005 MCS) will be a D if they bring them in (to California). Also make them BIODIESEL compatable please! Otherwise we may have to go with VW/Audi or other forward thinking company.

[ontheroadagain]

Are you saying that the Audi's are using or going to use biodiesel?!

[mcs37]

I think emissions should not be the only law for new cars -- I think fuel efficiency should be made a requirement. For example, by 2010 all new cars must get at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway (whatever their fuel). Of course that would kill the market for sports cars, but hell I don't really care. Once gas prices are steadily around $5/gallon, even the rich sportscar types will feel the pressure.

Good news -- 44 people have signed the petition. Bring it on!

BMW: Bring the MINI Cooper D (diesel) to the United States! Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

[Triffid]

Aren't American auto companies afraid that their big engined, uneconomical product porfolios going to become much less desirable overnight, if cars like the Dooper was introduced?
Maybe when US manufacturers have an economical mpg line-up of cars, changes will then happen (Or be allowed to happen?)
A viewpoint from a Brit..

[AprilWhine]

I'm in at #46

[FxK]

I signed too. And advertised it in the Southern Ontario MINI Club.

But then I thought about my own arguments for signing and realized, that my argument would hardly persuade BMW marketing. I'm already buying a Cooper for its fuel efficiency. So why would they have to offer another model? To compete against who? As long as offering a Cooper D doesn't win new customers for them and not offering the Cooper D doesn't make them loose potential buyers to the competition, they don't really care.

How many Americans would honestly say, "Yeah, I'd buy a Dooper, but the Cooper eats too much gas for me. I'll buy a Hybrid or a Jetta Diesel instead."

[ae804]

I'm new to the forums, but am looking to get a Cooper. Specifically it'd be nice to own one of these amazing Cooper D's. I'll sign any petition out there for bringing more Desel to America!