do I order now or 2008?

[blackpearl]

Hi ... I'm from California so I'm not sure if this question is applicable to dealerships in the US or not.. anyway, I could use help here ... I read about the 2008 changes to the Mini, in particular,
"As of August 2007, all model variations (except Convertible) of the new MINI will have high-tech engine periphery components as standard which allow more economical fuel consumption and at the same time increase driving pleasure. Consisting of Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Gear Shift Indicator"

Per the S I am going to order...
The average fuel consumption of the MINI Cooper S as per EU test cycle is 6.2 litres per 100 kilometres (previously: 6.9 litres/100 kilometres)

To me, it's not a huge increase but something I would want to know if I were selling the car soooo.. I called up a local Mini dealership and nobody had any idea what I was talking about but said they would check. The reason I am interested is because if the changes are made by August this year, I will place my order now so that I don't have to pay the price increase in January. They are already in August production at the factory. I already have the car spec'd out but was willing to wait if the changes were not available until 2008. Anyone know the real deal here??
Graci!!!

[AprilWhine]

If you don't get a definitive answer, I would recommend gambling and waiting.

[zyo]

The factory is producing these new MINI's from week 31 build( last week of July, beginning of August), I put back my build from week 26 to a week 32 to get these features. I'm not sure when you will get them across the pond but surely there is no point in producing the new features for Europe and not the rest of the world.

[blackpearl]

Thanks April and ZYO. I can't believe Mini would make 2 different models, especially with the integrated solid state electronics involved in the changeover. Just doesn't make sense to me but here on the left side of the pond, we haven't heard a thing. You would think the Motor Advisors that sell the cars would know first, and since they haven't got a clue... well there you have it.. or don't.

[cellularcoffee]

I doubt that the US would get the new "start-stop" feature as we don't get the Diesel as well.
US environmental laws are not as strict as Europe, so MINI does not have to produce such models for US. However, if they do, I would applaud such effort.....and hopefully MINI won't use that as an excuse to raise the base price b/c the US dollars are getting weaker and weaker.

[zyo]

The price hasn't increased over hear in fact the on the road price went down slightly. Not sure of your system over there but over here we pay road tax and it is based on emmissions , the new 'greener' MINI must be in a lower bracket because the on the road price, i.e purchase, VAT,road tax, first registration cost, delivery (never understand that one, you wouldn't go and buy a pair of trousers and then be asked for the transport costs to the shop) has gone down by £25 (i think). Having said that on our configurator alot of the options have gone up by £5 or £10 so in actual fact unless you don't spec any options at all, you will still be paying slightly more.

[danb]

Quote: Originally Posted by cellularcoffee (original)

I doubt that the US would get the new "start-stop" feature as we don't get the Diesel as well.
US environmental laws are not as strict as Europe, so MINI does not have to produce such models for US. However, if they do, I would applaud such effort.....and hopefully MINI won't use that as an excuse to raise the base price b/c the US dollars are getting weaker and weaker.

Not providing the US with the diesel doesn't incur any extra manufacturing costs - producing the old model for the US and the new model for Europe along-side each other would be expensive and plain daft. The laws in Europe (afaik) are not the reason for the change, the old models had low enough emissions.

[Miss Marmite]

I ordered the 2008, getting it week 35 apparently.

[zyo]

couldn't resist the lure ehh miss Marmite, i noticed on another thread that you wanted to change from your R56 cooper? it is you i'm thinking of isn't it.
I originally ordered mine for week 26 which means I would have had it by now but after seeing the new features and the fact that there was no extra cost involved I just had to put it back, it's now week 32 , I waited 5 weeks for my first MINI, 10 weeks for the second and this one will be about 4 months including me putting the order back, i just pray i get a good one. my current MO has had a considerable amount of problems so contrary to belief it isn't just the R56 which has/had problems.

[Miss Marmite]

Yes it's me

I love my Cooper, its beautiful and I get some many nice comments about it as there arent many sparkling silvers near me, but I always thought I should have bought an S. I have had a one, and a cooper, so I dont know why I ordered another cooper really. S next, then the clubman, then maybe time to move on to another car!!

I had problems with my first MINI. so I know what its like to get a less than perfect car. They are good at rectifying problems though usually.

[zyo]

Actually I had ordered a cooper and then i kept thinking about the 's' , i saw one not long after leaving the dealers after placing my order and i came to the conclusion that i would have felt that i was compromising on what I really wanted. So about three weeks after ordering it I changed the order for a MCS, then I found out about the new features and put the order back to week 32, I may never get it at this rate

[blackpearl]

But the good thing is you're getting what you want now.. even though you hav to be patient.. which is next to impossible when buying a car. Update on my quest to find out if we get the features on Mini's in the US in August. I've now talked with 5 dealerships here and no one has a clue but they are guessing we will not see those fetures on the Mini's here this year. I'm bummed... so now I have another decision to make... rumor has it that there will be a black Mini coming back as opposed to the Astro now. Will it be in 2008? If I wait and the features aren't added and they don't change from Astro black next year, I have waited for nothing but a guaranteed price increase.. I wish I had a crystal ball.

[zyo]

You could email MINI direct and ask if the USA will get these changes soon, you may not get any joy but it's worth a try.

[blackpearl]

do you know their email address. I'll do it. Thanks

[zyo]

I have emailed customer service before now but i'm not sure if this would be the correct email address. The one I used was MINICustomerSupport@MINIfin.co.uk.
The odd thing was that i got a result using this but I don't know where i got it from but after using it I noticed that it has 'fin' on the end..does that refer to finance?
I'm sure paul mullet could supply you with the correct email address for MINI direct, or possibly answer your question straight away.