Leaked: MINI gets larger sticker for 2010
2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
The fine folks over at MotoringFile say that the pricing on their favorite little cars will grow in 2010. A combination of higher shipping costs and more standard equipment (including runflat tires), results in a base price bump of $300 to $400 on every MINI model across the board.
The cheapest MINI, the R56 Cooper, now starts at $19,500 – $300 more than the '09 model. On the other end of the range, the R57 John Cooper Works MINI convertible also gets a $300 bump and starts at $34,700 before options. In between lies the R55 Clubman series, which carries a matching $300 bump to $21,150 to start and maxes out in JCW guise at $31,700.
MotoringFile has a list of other changes you'll see when ordering our new MINI, including Interchange Yellow replacing Mellow Yellow, fabric on the back of sport seats and some exterior colors available only with certain packages. The memos also make even more official BMW's decision to completely drop the limited slip differential option due to low interest.
[Source: MotoringFile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shiftright 4:37PM (9/04/2009)
I'm a big fan of the Mini, but $35k to start for any Mini is crack pipe territory, and unfortunately reinforces its image as a fashion accessory, as good as it is. There are a lot of serious cars you can buy for that kind of cash. Bring on the Abarth 500!
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click.kas 5:21AM (9/05/2009)
its not just the price , this one is lookin uglier as well, bring on the coupe for 30k that will sell .
http://www.indianautotalk.com
hoyaCS08 4:49PM (9/04/2009)
Removal of LSD and installation of run-flats? I guess this is no longer a car for enthusiasts to take to the track for some fun. Shame.
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Jim Dubois 4:51PM (9/04/2009)
Can this mini cabrio really carry four adults??? How? Its so damn tiny
Just give me a 2010 Mazda Miata MX-5 with folding hard top for $25-27K. I sat in one the other day while my Mazda3 was in for service and it felt really nice. Great fit and finish and quality of materials but I did sit very low compared to my Mazda3.
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Zoran 5:01PM (9/04/2009)
The most overprices car in the USA got overpriced even more ...
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JMills 5:02PM (9/04/2009)
The Cooper S's always had runflats, so that's not quite right. But the deletion of the LSD is just dumb, I would imagine they are going to offer the electronic version that BMW uses in the 135i & new JCW MINIs. They have made the MINI constantly softer over the years, I guess to broaden :) it's appeal. Oh well. As for the price increases, $300 is hardly a big deal.
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evilspoons 5:05PM (9/04/2009)
WTF? Dropping the limited slip diff?
I almost bought a MINI and every single one I priced out pretty much HAD to have the LSD.
How the hell are you supposed to drive a 200+ horsepower lightweight FWD car without simply turning one tire into smoke constantly? Using ABS is NOT the answer! Bah.
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Purplewon 5:14PM (9/04/2009)
They probably dropped the LSD option because a lot of people ALMOST bought a mini with it, but very few actually dropped the cash.
EXP Jawa 8:20PM (9/04/2009)
Well, for those that care about such things, the aftermarket still offers both Quaife and Torsen diffs for the car. At least there's some hope, even if it means even more cost to buy and install it...
evilspoons 2:02PM (9/05/2009)
Well, it's not that I bought a MINI and didn't get a LSD, I didn't buy a MINI at all because I ended up getting a used Volvo S60R. Had I bought a MINI (which lots of people were doing at the time; there were literally no new MINIs in stock at my local dealer) it would've had LSD.
MajorGeek 5:08PM (9/04/2009)
Love the Clubman S I bought this week and 3-400 dollars bump would not stop me, it's not a unreasonable bump. Frankly, as I mentioned here yesterday, the build quality rivals many other cars I have driven and the fun factor is unique. Something about a Mini brings a smile to your face. Not an old Mini guy, never even considered one before, so I have no previous knowledge to compare to. I guess it is like Harley Davidson adding fuel injection, ABS brakes and even liquid cooling to their bikes. Everyone complained, then sales skyrocketed.
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xtasi 5:47PM (9/04/2009)
it's sad, at this point in time LSD should be standard on all cars. Using the brakes to control wheelspin will wear out your breaks much faster.
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Dana 6:13PM (9/04/2009)
Considering the build quality a reason to own one just goes to show how delusional owners of these cars are. A $15k accent with a sporty package has a finer build quality. A sub subcompact thats over $20k is just a fashion accessory for snobs with more money than brains.
If bmw could build these here(and considering the build quality they could) and slash $5k off the price top to bottom then it would be a good buy.
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txdesign 6:54PM (9/04/2009)
A Hyundai Accent, are you serious? I am going to assume you have never driven a Mini, don't care about design, performance (what are you doing on this website?) and (wait for it) resale value. Take a look at used Hyundai prices vs. the Mini and try your "more money than brains" concept again.
Rich 6:54PM (9/04/2009)
Funny you should mention the Accent. We should also point out that the typical countermarch loom is very well assembled; similarly your average stove pipe hat. They too are pointless for driving.
rmb74 7:36PM (9/04/2009)
I would rather ride a bike full time then drive an Accent. Thankfully, I don't have to because I own a MINI.
Rich 6:51PM (9/04/2009)
When I had the readies to buy a Cooper back in 2001, I bought something else because of the stupid waiting list. The LSD was top of my option list.
Oh well. I was ready: BMW and the lazy, sloppy UK assembly plant wasn't.
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txdesign 10:37AM (9/05/2009)
No, actually BMW is smarter than US car manufacturers who flood the market any time they have a hit on their hands (re: PT Cruiser) and wonder why 2 years later the sales fall into the cellar (watch the Camaro). Keeping a tight supply keeps sale prices and resale prices high, plus it builds a desirable brand image.
Rich 7:21PM (9/04/2009)
Meanwhile, I bought a Honda.
antrow 8:10PM (9/04/2009)
We had a 2010 Mini Conv on order and cancelled it to by a 2009 that was on the lot to save the price increase and not have to wait. Plus we got some money off which is not usual. for 30K we got a very well equipped conv that gets great gas milage and is very stylish. The feel of the car is much more upscale then I would have expected.
I think they are priced well for what you get.
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