Is an EV MINI really a MINI?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Aquavir
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 148
  • Views Views 15K
Puppethead said:
In the North American world of SUVs and (some) huge sedans, the MINI Hardtop is a rare offering. The SE is every bit a MINI Hardtop, being more of a MINI than just about any other MINI model. And the new one is supposed to be smaller, but we’ll see. The new one is already being treated as an “other” vehicle because it’s not from Oxford.
Click to expand...
I’m not really following what cars from China are reaching USA market as EVs? Zero Tariffs 25% and dealers resist to sell EVs ,price in around $ 40000 for small car as 2 door Mini Cooper SE no rebate this car will dye fast on USA field Just Mini fanatics can keep car alive but not so many to sell here with profit.
 
chrunck said:
Say what now? My R60 was AWD and a manual. Did they change that for the F60?
Click to expand...

Really! Then I believe it was indeed the F60. That's one of my personal pedjudices.. I always believed an auto MINI is a travesty. OTOH, the single speed EV is the natural evolution of the direct powertrain control that a manual offers.
 
Rexsio said:
I’m not really following what cars from China are reaching USA market as EVs?
Click to expand...
I meant MINI offers cars that are unusual for the North American market. It's too soon to see what happens with the new model(s), but at least MINI is willing to move towards smaller instead of bigger, at least with one model in their lineup. But like Honda and Fiat and other auto makers, maybe MINI won't bother bringing some of their most appealing (at least to people like me) vehicles to North America.
 
Puppethead said:
I meant MINI offers cars that are unusual for the North American market. It's too soon to see what happens with the new model(s), but at least MINI is willing to move towards smaller instead of bigger, at least with one model in their lineup. But like Honda and Fiat and other auto makers, maybe MINI won't bother bringing some of their most appealing (at least to people like me) vehicles to North America.
Click to expand...
Mini Cooper SE should build a cabriolet SE and 2doors SE only to make a profit with existing platform I wander why they going for bigger Vehicle a different manufacture s going to take them over with big EVs and a price for small car could be a factor and for many people a range of SE is sufficient and appeal of 60 years design as iconic car .Hondas Fiats Kia’s are not so good looking as SE and prices for those cars will be in high $ 40000 ties .All BMW designs are so expensive for average people. My SE for $22500 is the best
 
For the OP, I joined my upstate SC group last year, and fairly quickly figured out that all of their driving outings involved hundreds of miles into the blue ridge mountains nearby. So I never went on a group event because of range and lack of good charging networks in the mountainous areas of NC and SC.
 
Adding another data point for the OP's question: I joined the Kansas City MINI Enthusiasts club shortly after taking delivery of my SE (which is my first MINI and my first EV).

I have not personally experienced any snobbery or judgment, and members own pretty much the whole range of classic Austin Minis up through the latest generation of BMW MINIs, including R60 and F60 Countryman. In fact, the number of SEs in the group is slowly rising; I think there are at least four now.

Group drives here have varied in distance and charger availability, so I often do some research before committing. That said, I have successfully participated in a handful of group drives, and they were all great!
 
Texas22Step said:
When I read your post, I didn't know what the "/s" (sarcasm) stood for, but I "liked" it anyway and still do. I am not sure if any Chinese made MINI SE will make it to the US market and/or shores.
Click to expand...
It seems unthinkable that MINI dealerships would be left out of the rush to electrification, but you may be right.

Obviously, BMW is moving electric MINI production to China to reduce the cost of manufacturing. However, the US import tariff of 10% for British-built cars will soar to 27.5% for the Chinese-built cars. InsideEVs reported that MINI will be asking dealers to accept a cut in their trade (profit) margin from 6% to 3% to slightly reduce the impact of the greater import tariff, but I doubt that will fly. Before the IRA became law, many MINI dealers were already larding on "market adjustment" fees to the prices of MINI Cooper SEs.

And WTF with MINI themselves charging such exhorbitant interest rates for SE loan-payment plans?

Sales of cars--not just cars named "MINI"--are dwindling on this continent obsessed with giant SUVs and trucks with hoods too high to see the road or small pedestrians. Even if the 2024 MINI Cooper SE is quicker, lighter, and able to go 250 miles on a charge, I'm sure MINI knows there will be very few takers if it costs $40K or more to drive one.
 
insightman said:
And WTF with MINI themselves charging such exhorbitant interest rates for SE loan-payment plans?
Click to expand...

I thought the same, my 2019 Mini was financed through BMW Financial, interest rate was 2.99% at the time. As my SE was getting closer to arrival, the Mini website stated over 6%. My credit is in the 800's and the best they could do was 5%. I did get 3% through my credit union so I went with them. Why is the SE rate so high?
 
MarkSasaki said:
I thought the same, my 2019 Mini was financed through BMW Financial, interest rate was 2.99% at the time. As my SE was getting closer to arrival, the Mini website stated over 6%. My credit is in the 800's and the best they could do was 5%. I did get 3% through my credit union so I went with them. Why is the SE rate so high?
Click to expand...

My exchange on this with my MA:

IMG_2560.webp



Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
MarkSasaki said:
I thought the same, my 2019 Mini was financed through BMW Financial, interest rate was 2.99% at the time. As my SE was getting closer to arrival, the Mini website stated over 6%. My credit is in the 800's and the best they could do was 5%. I did get 3% through my credit union so I went with them. Why is the SE rate so high?
Click to expand...
Your $7,500 tax credit is supposed to help pay for the interest. 5% on $40,000 (for easy math) for 36 months is roughly $3,150 for BMW Financial. If the dealer decided to do $43,150 (above MSRP) then your 2.99% financing would be about $2,000 in interest over 36 months for a total of $5,150 (above MSRP + interest).

I'd much rather see a higher interest rate than finance/purchase above MSRP, but it also means the buyer needs to have the cash available. Financing a Signature 2.0 at $34,225 for 36 months at 5% would be a total cost of $36,927 which already exceeds the Iconic 2.0 $36,700 MSRP outright cash purchase.
 
insightman said:
Obviously, BMW is moving electric MINI production to China to reduce the cost of manufacturing.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure that’s necessarily a given. Opening manufacturing in China gives MINI access advantages in China itself, and could be a way to bring online an EV platform factory without interfering with Oxford. At some point Oxford will be retooled if MINI is going pure EV. Creating a new factory first can minimize production disruption. But who knows what MINI’s strategic plans are.
 
teslarati97 said:
Your $7,500 tax credit is supposed to help pay for the interest. 5% on $40,000 (for easy math) for 36 months is roughly $3,150 for BMW Financial. If the dealer decided to do $43,150 (above MSRP) then your 2.99% financing would be about $2,000 in interest over 36 months for a total of $5,150 (above MSRP + interest).

I'd much rather see a higher interest rate than finance/purchase above MSRP, but it also means the buyer needs to have the cash available. Financing a Signature 2.0 at $34,225 for 36 months at 5% would be a total cost of $36,927 which already exceeds the Iconic 2.0 $36,700 MSRP outright cash purchase.
Click to expand...

I went through a car broker, I have no idea how much they are paid from the dealer but overall, I paid $750.00 below MSRP for my 2023 Iconic SE. I also used the same broker for my 2019 Cooper S and my price was over $2000 below MSRP. At the time in 2018, I got a price on my own, got another price through Costco and the broker was the best deal. I would have been ok with paying MSRP for the SE but it was slightly less which is even better. There are other small benefits, I did not have to deal with the BS at the dealer with add-ons, upsells, and so on, and they deliver the car to my house. All I did on my part was pick up a check from the credit union, and write a check for downpayment. Ordering the car was just as easy, I configured the car on the Mini site, emailed the config to the broker and a few days later, I signed the vehicle inquiry report and the long wait began. I also told them I did not want any dealer add-ons.

When the car finally arrived and was ready to be released from the dealer, the broker met me at my house the same day at the time I specified and a few minutes later, my Mini pulled up driven by someone from the dealer to go over the car and provide setup help if needed. Since I already had the 2019 Iconic Cooper S, he only went over the difference in the infotainment system and they were all gone in 15 minutes. Brokers provide an excellent experience, at least the one I use.
 
Puppethead said:
At some point Oxford will be retooled if MINI is going pure EV. Creating a new factory first can minimize production disruption. But who knows what MINI’s strategic plans are.
Click to expand...
Well, there was that rumor not too long ago that BMW was thinking of selling the MINI brand and the Oxford plant to Great Wall Motors. BMW denied it, but, you know...
 
fishbert said:
Well, there was that rumor not too long ago that BMW was thinking of selling the MINI brand and the Oxford plant to Great Wall Motors. BMW denied it, but, you know...
Click to expand...

BMW needed Mini to offset the emissions from the rest of their cars otherwise they pay “fines” for pollution on every vehicle they sell.
The same reason Porsche, Audi and Bentley need VW and it’s sister Seat, Skoda brands.
With the switch to electric BMW do not *need* Mini. Whether they want to keep it is another question…
 
teslarati97 said:
Well the full Electric Countryman (and iX1) should be ready from Plant Leipzig (Germany) in 2023.
Click to expand...
This fact gives me some small hope that maybe BMW could ship the parts and assemble the SE in Germany to at least avoid the China tariff. Or do the same with Oxford.

Then, maybe do the same with Mexico to get part of the tax credit, if demand from previously mentioned strategies shows promise.

Maybe the SE is not a big seller is the US, but it IS a huge untapped market since not many comparable cars exist here. The little 2 door is just so cool. It could start to take off if enough people catch on.

I'm allowed to dream..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top