Is an EV MINI really a MINI?

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I love that Aceman concept, especially the interior materials and infotainment - but why are they farming out the new MINI EV to another company? I have never heard a good answer for that, and for those reasons I'm out.

Split development costs and lower manufacturing costs in CN. Cheaper to build a factory and supply chain. I mean it’s entirely possible that BMW opens another plant in Mexico.
 
Doesn't the Chevy Bolt count as an American small car? Or maybe not since the redesign turned it into a baby SUV? And I don't know if it's profitable.
 
Doesn't the Chevy Bolt count as an American small car? Or maybe not since the redesign turned it into a baby SUV? And I don't know if it's profitable.
UBS estimates about $7,143 loss per Bolt teardown report back in 2017. The Lake Orion, MI plant (where Bolts are made) is going to be repurposed to make the 2024/2025 GMC Silverado & Sierra EV with a $4bn investment. Overall the Bolt is going to be a loss but the R&D will be transferred over to the Ultium platform.
 
I’m not going to pay a premium price for a car that will be advertised as “British Inspired” but built in China. I’d buy an MG EV if it wanted that experience and save 10k

I love the design direction they're taking.. more open cockpit, minimalist, and absolutely loved that round screen in the Aceman and 2 door spy shots. Though I'm skeptical of it being a drivers car first, like the current MINI. That would have to be a requirement for me. It all depends on what the majority of reviewers say about it.

Being smaller is a plus. So is the better range. It could win you over. Whether it will be affordable (or worth the premium) is also anyones guess. It will be interesting to find out all these answers.
 
I love the design direction they're taking.. more open cockpit, minimalist, and absolutely loved that round screen in the Aceman and 2 door spy shots. Though I'm skeptical of it being a drivers car first, like the current MINI. That would have to be a requirement for me. It all depends on what the majority of reviewers say about it.

Being smaller is a plus. So is the better range. It could win you over. Whether it will be affordable (or worth the premium) is also anyones guess. It will be interesting to find out all these answers.
Assuming no power-conserving drop in horsepower, can the 2024 SE double the Oxford SE's range without a significant weight gain? Or will a 140-mile range be deemed acceptable for a $40K EV in 2024?
 
Or will a 140-mile range be deemed acceptable for a $40K EV in 2024?
I had the opportunity to sit in the following BEVs this weekend: Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mach-E, and VW ID.4. With the exception of the Model Y and maybe the Polestar nothing was close to the quality of the SE's interior. The F-150 Lighting was decent for a truck, but it's a truck. And my opinion of the ID.4 is it's one of the worst cars I've ever sat in, BEV or ICE. MINI's quality interior really stands out, particularly considering the SE costs so much less than those other vehicles.
 
Assuming no power-conserving drop in horsepower, can the 2024 SE double the Oxford SE's range without a significant weight gain? Or will a 140-mile range be deemed acceptable for a $40K EV in 2024?

All good questions. The next 2 door could be compromised in key areas that are important to MINI buyers. I can't wait to see what the future holds. Our current SE's may be the best.
 
All good questions. The next 2 door could be compromised in key areas that are important to MINI buyers. I can't wait to see what the future holds. Our current SE's may be the best.
It would be great if we could see the future! It would also be great if the SE range could work for my use case. One never knows about quality of a new product but at least BMW is working with an experienced partner. If the new MINI EV doesn’t provide the MINI driving experience or at least close to it, then I’ll stick with my new 2023 ICE MINI for a while longer than planned and hope for improvements. Time will tell.
 
Assuming no power-conserving drop in horsepower, can the 2024 SE double the Oxford SE's range without a significant weight gain? Or will a 140-mile range be deemed acceptable for a $40K EV in 2024?
Look at Wv I’d 3 in EU with 3 batteries options SE can’t stand a chance to be competitive.Once Wv sell them here all small EV are are dumb.
 
Since this topic has partly turned into a conversation about the car market in general as well as about EVs...

I bought my MINI SE last year with an order in August and delivery on November 6. I got MINI financing at 3.19% and paid MSRP. We are loving our MINI and I doubt I would buy a Chinese version, but that would ultimately depend on specifics, details and at least a year of shakedown. I was not shopping any other EVs, but after experiencing the MINI I would certainly buy another. But I also don't think I'd have only EVs.

Last year in August I also bought a brand new Chevy Camaro at MSRP, getting rid of my beloved 2010 Camaro that I ordered new from the factory in 2009. Over 11 months, I only drove it 2200 miles. I found myself driving the MINI way more often. Not wanting to pay for a car that was not being driven (probably close to $600 a month in lease, insurance and gas), I decided to sell it. And got what I paid for it almost exactly.

I have a deposit in on a Rivian truck, but that will be AT LEAST a year before my number comes up, and more likely 18 - 24 months. If they survive. I would probably buy a Ford Lightning if I could get one at MSRP to replace my 2002 F150. The toe dipped into the EV world has me hooked.

Rob
 
Since this topic has partly turned into a conversation about the car market in general as well as about EVs...

I bought my MINI SE last year with an order in August and delivery on November 6. I got MINI financing at 3.19% and paid MSRP. We are loving our MINI and I doubt I would buy a Chinese version, but that would ultimately depend on specifics, details and at least a year of shakedown. I was not shopping any other EVs, but after experiencing the MINI I would certainly buy another. But I also don't think I'd have only EVs.

Last year in August I also bought a brand new Chevy Camaro at MSRP, getting rid of my beloved 2010 Camaro that I ordered new from the factory in 2009. Over 11 months, I only drove it 2200 miles. I found myself driving the MINI way more often. Not wanting to pay for a car that was not being driven (probably close to $600 a month in lease, insurance and gas), I decided to sell it. And got what I paid for it almost exactly.

I have a deposit in on a Rivian truck, but that will be AT LEAST a year before my number comes up, and more likely 18 - 24 months. If they survive. I would probably buy a Ford Lightning if I could get one at MSRP to replace my 2002 F150. The toe dipped into the EV world has me hooked.

Rob
We were the same way. Got a Model Y Performance, which got me hooked. Sold the Golf R and now have the SE for daily use. Still have the 03 Cobra for nostalgia and nice weekends, but who knows how much longer it will sit in the garage ha.

Also, I'm going to assume you meant 2200 miles in 11 years (not months)?
 
We were the same way. Got a Model Y Performance, which got me hooked. Sold the Golf R and now have the SE for daily use. Still have the 03 Cobra for nostalgia and nice weekends, but who knows how much longer it will sit in the garage ha.

Also, I'm going to assume you meant 2200 miles in 11 years (not months)?

No. I see what I wrote was a little confusing. I had a 2010 Camaro bought new in 2009 and put around 136k miles on it in 12 years. I bought a 2021 Camaro last September and only drove that one 2,200 miles in 11 months before selling it. I sold the 2010 after getting the 2021. Wish I still had it...it was paid for.

Rob
 
Sorry for the clickbait thread title but I want some opinions on this. This will be my first MINI and although I don’t have all the time in the world to commit to hobbies, I’ve been thinking that it might be fun to join a local club and partake in some of this vibrant MINI culture. But I have a question, mostly for the non-virgin MINI owners out there: Is the SE accepted as part of the motoring heritage of this iconic brand, or a bit of a black sheep?

Why care what the others think and approve? Do what makes you happy and fulfilled instead of seeking approval and acceptance.

Is land Rover a real land Rover because it's owned by tata from India?

Is any redesigned reintroduced car models the real one? Who cares!

A lot of these "old school" traditionalist opinions are mostly based on nostalgia which applies to all kinds of things like architecture, fashion and cars in this case. Hence you see people putting on vintage badges on modern cars or putting accessories that are "traditional" looking on modern cars. If doing so gives those folks joy and fulfillment, then it's wonderful!

In other words, just do what you want!
 
Why care what the others think and approve? Do what makes you happy and fulfilled instead of seeking approval and acceptance.

Is land Rover a real land Rover because it's owned by tata from India?

Is any redesigned reintroduced car models the real one? Who cares!

A lot of these "old school" traditionalist opinions are mostly based on nostalgia which applies to all kinds of things like architecture, fashion and cars in this case. Hence you see people putting on vintage badges on modern cars or putting accessories that are "traditional" looking on modern cars. If doing so gives those folks joy and fulfillment, then it's wonderful!

In other words, just do what you want!
Yeah, we all know it's the 2024 J01 SE made in Zhangjiagang that won't be a real MINI. /s
 
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