Spec changes on new MINI's from May 5th

[resolve10]

Some info for people with MINI's on order, or considering placing an order. There will be some changes to the range announced next Thursday 5th May - this will affect some existing orders and any orders going forward.

My dealer is being understandably cautious about what they say, but it is sounding like manual gearboxes will not be available and certain colours will be dropped from the range.

The configurator has gone from the 'browse and buy' section of the MINI homepage, though you can still find it if you go via the model pages. There is a caveat at the top of the configurator:

We have had to make adjustments to our production programme to take into account the worldwide limited availability of semiconductor components and supply restrictions due to the war in Ukraine. It may not be possible to build and order some of the combinations of specifications displayed on the Configurator. Please contact your local MINI retailer for the latest information.

Not looking good for my JCW manual order!

[Beetnik]

I was at Stratstone in Leeds this week, buying a Mini, and the dealer told me that manual gearboxes were about to be a thing of the past.

[av185]

Received an e mail from my supplying dealer yesterday confirming my 2 Mini Cooper S 'manuels' will be landing in 2 weeks time after numerous delays and ordering them last August.

[resolve10]

I'm not completely opposed to the auto box if the dealer can honour the price of the manual, but I'm not sure if that'll be the case. They have also said the colour I've chosen (Zesty Yellow) has disappeared from the internal MINI dealer configurator, and some of the options will be configured into packs rather than individual options.

I suspect what will end up happening is privacy glass will end up packaged with an option that I really want, and I'm so against privacy glass I think that would be the dealbreaker for me.

[daydotz]

Zesty yellow has only just been offered on the Hatch that's going to be a rare thing

[resolve10]

daydotz said:

Zesty yellow has only just been offered on the Hatch that's going to be a rare thing

Yep, a couple have popped up on dealers' Instagram pages so they have definitely built some, but looks like it could be rare indeed.

Rooftop grey with Chilli Red roof and JCW stripes is my backup option.

[PT1984]

How is dropping the manual anything to do with chip shortages? If that were the case surely they’d be dropping the auto!

[Northloop]

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/consumer/mini-s...

[resolve10]

Yep looking like it's confirmed the manual is dead, but there are more changes to come which will apparently be announced on Thursday.

Also with the Mini One rumoured to be dropped, the cheapest MINI available will go from just over £17k for a One manual to £20,215 for a Cooper Auto!

[E-bmw]

PT1984 said:

How is dropping the manual anything to do with chip shortages? If that were the case surely they’d be dropping the auto!

It says semiconductor components & supply chain issues due to Ukraine, so perhaps the manual has components made in Ukraine.

[resolve10]

Yep, or it could be neither. It might just be a means of making the production line more efficient to get through the order book quicker.

[Zetec-S]

Mrs ZS has the auto in her JCW, it's not a bad box, sometimes a little slow to change down unless you're in Sport mode. There are the paddle shifters although as I don't drive it that often I don't tend to use them that much as I forget they're there

[E-bmw]

resolve10 said:

Yep, or it could be neither. It might just be a means of making the production line more efficient to get through the order book quicker.

Indeed it could be.

I have to say though, something as fundamental as that would have me cancelling my order.

You test drive a car in a spec and order on that spec, I wouldn't be happy as I fundamentally hate autos.

[resolve10]

Spec changes and price increase is now live on the configurator (link is still missing from the MINI homepage but Google 'MINI configurator' and it takes you straight there).

Eye watering price increase, my JCW spec has gone from £31,145 to £36,720, an increase of £5,575!

Options are now in packs, Premium is standard and Premium Plus is a whopping £3,350. This might differ on different models but that is how it's setup on the JCW hatchback.

Interesting tactic from MINI to get their order book under control, price people into cancelling their orders

[andrew]

the website's now a bit of a mess...

home page "From £ 17,415 " home

configurator "FROM £22,565 ON THE ROAD"

a 30% INCREASE !

Edited by andrew on Saturday 7th May 10:28

[N111BJG]

I promised SWMBO a new Mini convertible for a big birthday this year, but the colours available are so boring she has opted to keep her existing one. So that’s also helping to match supply with demand.

[resolve10]

N111BJG said:

I promised SWMBO a new Mini convertible for a big birthday this year, but the colours available are so boring she has opted to keep her existing one. So that’s also helping to match supply with demand.

She didn't fancy Chili Red, Zesty Yellow, British Racing Green or Island Blue then?!

They used to do a nice metallic teal which was unique to the convertible, that was a nice colour.

[CoolHands]

resolve10 said:

Spec changes and price increase is now live on the configurator (link is still missing from the MINI homepage but Google 'MINI configurator' and it takes you straight there).

Eye watering price increase, my JCW spec has gone from £31,145 to £36,720, an increase of £5,575!

Options are now in packs, Premium is standard and Premium Plus is a whopping £3,350. This might differ on different models but that is how it's setup on the JCW hatchback.

Interesting tactic from MINI to get their order book under control, price people into cancelling their orders

Smegging ridiculous. We’re being ripped off left right & centre for all products these days.

[resolve10]

CoolHands said:

Smegging ridiculous. We’re being ripped off left right & centre for all products these days.

I understand why though, it's inevitible new car prices were going to rise when used cars are in such high demand. For the last 18 months if you've been in a position to be patient, it's been possible to order a new car for the same price (or sometimes less) than a lightly used 12-18 month old model.

It's just frustrating that such a fundamental change to the pricing & spec options has happened when I had a deposit on an order. I could have stomached a flat 5-6% increase for the same spec car, but I've been left with two pretty unappealing choices.

A - Pay £2,000 more than my original quote for an auto (wanted manual) and lose the upgraded stereo & sunroof (but gain folding mirrors, why they're suddenly standard I have no idea)

B - Pay £5,000 more than my original quote for an auto with all my options plus head up display, park assist & rear camera, adaptive cruise & enhanced bluetooth/wireless charging, none of which I particularly want

Edited by resolve10 on Saturday 7th May 10:04

[CoolHands]

Or unpalatable as it may be, maybe option C look for a pre-reg / v. low miles car that is in the specs you want eg manual already out there?