2018 LCI/Facelift Minis

[Dr Interceptor]

The test driver said:

MINI- assembled in Oxford
Engine- made in Birmingham
Panels- ALL made in Swindon
Seats - made in Grenwich
Bumper assemblies - built in Banbury
Wheels and tyres - assembled in kiddlington
Interior panels- wales

Yes MINI is owned by Germans but the Brits do have a little to do with it.

Profits - counted in Munich.

[The test driver]

Dr Interceptor said:

Profits - counted in Munich.

BMW's Website said:

MINI is part of the BMW Group. The United Kingdom is the only country where BMW Group is represented by production plants for all three premium brands - MINI, BMW and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Key facts about the BMW Group in the UK:

BMW Group contributes £1.2 billion p.a. directly to UK GDP.
Around £1.75 billion invested in UK manufacturing since 2000.
£2.4 billion p.a. of car, engine and related exports from UK.
£1.2 billion spend p.a. with UK suppliers.
Jobs: 18,000 across BMW Group UK and the UK dealer network.
BMW Group supports over 46,000 jobs in total in the UK.
More than 190 apprentices across the Group's four manufacturing sites - growing future talent.

We do alright out of it.

[daemon]

superlightr said:

I went via carwow and go 15% off a new audi if that helps. Im sure car war will show the % for a new mini

Not sure anyone is quoting for an LCI mini yet

Any broker I've checked is pre LCI prices

[daemon]

The test driver said:

Yes MINI is owned by Germans but the Brits do have a little to do with it.

I never said otherwise.

[12TS]

shoestring7 said:

After seriously considering an LCI I ended up ordering something else as I couldn't play with the options/packages on a Mini, and the Mini sales person was less than forthcoming. It was only a factor, but I had a deadline of today to place my order to beat a price rise.

As it happens, I ended up with another BMW group product, as we're offered discounts through work.

SS7

It's very poor. One of the premises of the Mini is about personalisation, and this adds a fair bit it cost to the base price (20%?). Yet they can't put this on line at the same time as they launch?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

The test driver said:

daemon said:

wlondoner said:

LOL at the comment of German flag on a BMW 1 series it's not quite the same. The MINI is an iconic British car so no surprise it would have Union jacks rear lights as standard.

The original Mini was - this is the german owned variant built on the new 1 series BMW platform, so not terribly "british".

So yes, for many it is a "surprise" that BMW have chosen to enforce Union Jacks in the tail lights.

Edited by daemon on Friday 19th January 18:23

MINI- assembled in Oxford
Engine- made in Birmingham 8
Panels- ALL made in Swindon
Seats - made in Grenwich
Bumper assemblies - built in Banbury
Wheels and tyres - assembled in kiddlington
Interior panels- wales

Yes MINI is owned by Germans but the Brits do have a little to do with it.

Also built in Holland;)

[wlondoner]

The test driver said:

daemon said:

wlondoner said:

LOL at the comment of German flag on a BMW 1 series it's not quite the same. The MINI is an iconic British car so no surprise it would have Union jacks rear lights as standard.

The original Mini was - this is the german owned variant built on the new 1 series BMW platform, so not terribly "british".

So yes, for many it is a "surprise" that BMW have chosen to enforce Union Jacks in the tail lights.

Edited by daemon on Friday 19th January 18:23

MINI- assembled in Oxford
Engine- made in Birmingham
Panels- ALL made in Swindon
Seats - made in Grenwich
Bumper assemblies - built in Banbury
Wheels and tyres - assembled in kiddlington
Interior panels- wales

Yes MINI is owned by Germans but the Brits do have a little to do with it.

Doesnt matter if the have a little to do with it
The Mini is a British car and the MINI is completely based on that and will continue to be.

[daemon]

wlondoner said:

Doesnt matter if the have a little to do with it
The Mini is a British car and the MINI is completely based on that and will continue to be.

Where you see "britishness" i see naff....

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Possibly the new Lexus lights!

[daemon]

wlondoner said:

Doesnt matter if the have a little to do with it
The Mini is a British car and the MINI is completely based on that and will continue to be.

That might be wishful thinking....

http://www.bmwblog.com/2018/01/25/report-mini-rein...

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/bmw-regroups-aga...

"It’s a long-term proposal, but the Munich grapevine insists a deal with China’s Great Wall to co-develop an all-new platform for the next generation of Mini products is in the making."

"The idea is for BMW to lead the engineering team that defines these Mini replacements, and for Great Wall to build them in China alongside its own versions."


Chinese flags in your tail lights anyone?

Edited by daemon on Friday 26th January 13:15

Edited by daemon on Friday 26th January 13:16

[shoestring7]

Ten days after the LCI launch and still no configurator.....


SS7

[Goatex]

It’s live on mini.de. Obviously won’t be able to see the UK price and spec but can see the new colours, wheels etc

[daemon]

Goatex said:

It’s live on mini.de. Obviously won’t be able to see the UK price and spec but can see the new colours, wheels etc

Thanks for that

Its good to have a play around with it in the meantime.

[amgmcqueen]

From a legal point of view, would BMW have had to ask the Queen/British government for permission to use the union jack...?

[wlondoner]

Doubt it.
The mini idea is British so she would hardly object

What's the part numbers for the new UJ lights anyone?

[alfboden]

I think I’m going to order a 5 door cooper s to replace my lease yeti. Does anyone know if ordered now for April delivery will I be able to get the 2.9% finance against an LCI?
Thanks

[sad61t]

alfboden said:

I think I’m going to order a 5 door cooper s to replace my lease yeti. Does anyone know if ordered now for April delivery will I be able to get the 2.9% finance against an LCI?
Thanks

Small print has "Applies to new vehicles ordered at participating retailers between 1st January and 31st March 2018 and registered by 30th June 2018 (subject to availability)." Definitely worth a trip to the dealer and talk the finance deal to something that suits you. Remember there's an engine refresh due end of Q3; with some people waiting for that, this LCI isn't the typical big bang update.

[daemon]

sad61t said:

Small print has "Applies to new vehicles ordered at participating retailers between 1st January and 31st March 2018 and registered by 30th June 2018 (subject to availability)." Definitely worth a trip to the dealer and talk the finance deal to something that suits you. Remember there's an engine refresh due end of Q3; with some people waiting for that, this LCI isn't the typical big bang update.

What's the engine changes due later in the year?

[GiveItSomeWellie]

daemon said:

What's the engine changes due later in the year?

Copied from MotoringFile;

MotoringFile said:

According to BMW sources, the first update will be both evolutionary and revolutionary depending on the model. For the Cooper, Cooper S and standard JCWs we’ll see an important evolution of the engine range that will include more power and torque (both increasing approximately 4%-5%) along with higher levels of efficiency will be on tap. Also of interest, we’ll also see enhanced acoustic properties (i.e. they’ll sound better), smoother operation and (this is key) a reduction in weight.

What do those percentages mean? Here’s an approximate:

Cooper: 140+
Cooper S: 195+
JCW: 240+
JCW Plus: 280+ (unconfirmed for Clubman and Countryman and likely not until 2019)

These should have been included as part of the LCI, I've heard that they weren't quite ready so will be launching them later this year.

Changing the subject a little, I still can't believe there's no configurator available for the UK market

[daemon]

GiveItSomeWellie said:

daemon said:

What's the engine changes due later in the year?

Copied from MotoringFile;

MotoringFile said:

According to BMW sources, the first update will be both evolutionary and revolutionary depending on the model. For the Cooper, Cooper S and standard JCWs we’ll see an important evolution of the engine range that will include more power and torque (both increasing approximately 4%-5%) along with higher levels of efficiency will be on tap. Also of interest, we’ll also see enhanced acoustic properties (i.e. they’ll sound better), smoother operation and (this is key) a reduction in weight.

What do those percentages mean? Here’s an approximate:

Cooper: 140+
Cooper S: 195+
JCW: 240+
JCW Plus: 280+ (unconfirmed for Clubman and Countryman and likely not until 2019)

These should have been included as part of the LCI, I've heard that they weren't quite ready so will be launching them later this year.

Changing the subject a little, I still can't believe there's no configurator available for the UK market

Cheers thanks for that.

Yes, its frankly ridiculous, particularly given the German site has had it up since last week - yet they pitch MINI as a UK centric brand