[Evlkarl]

from Motoring File

Big news from MINI USA. The 2016 model year changes are starting to filter out and we’ve got all the details. Plenty of surprises both good and bad. Read on for the details.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2015/05...ates-include-some-major-surprises/#more-40554

 

[02fanatic]

WOW! So glad I bought a 2015! I didn't see much of anything I liked in that list except maybe going piano black over chrome on the switches. I wonder what bonehead makes these decisions?

MINI owners need to start their uproar sooner rather than later about discontinuing the sport suspension option! I bought a JCW so it doesn't matter but that's an awful decision for the MCS.

See, all the whining I've seen about harsh rides may have killed the sport suspension!??

 

[02fanatic]

The other option of eliminating the cd player may be upsetting to some...I REALLY wanted one, but the only way to get it was with Visual Boost and a 6-cd changer in the glove box (which I didn't want). I'd still prefer a plain old cd player in the dash along with the harmon kardon sound system if I had my druthers!

Can't please everyone, but eliminating the sport suspension option is a REALLY dumb move!

Oh, and eliminating the rear fog lamp option is dumb too. I specifically ordered that option. That is a time-tested option from the very old days of European sport cars, and something I believe is very desirable. Maybe that's another move by the Germans who don't think Americans appreciate such things, like the rear hatch?

 

[ljmiii]

It appears that my Blue/White/Grey F55 will be as rare as hen's teeth. My MINI is more like my old Boxster every day...

 

[BoCRon]

Guess I better call my MA today and make sure he gets our 2 MINIs into production ASAP. Between my husband and myself we have Dark Silver Dash, Fireworks Dash, Shadow grey color line, Rear fog lights and garage door openers. The article said the changes would be probably implemented in July!

Annette

 

[jabberwocky]

It appears that my Blue/White/Grey F55 will be as rare as hen's teeth. My MINI is more like my old Boxster every day...

I was thinking the same thing as I read the article. I'd really miss my sports suspension, lounge leather seats, and chrome switches.

 

[humercedes]

So looks like I lucked out because I will get the rear fog, 6dvd changer, chrome mirrors, smokers pack, garage door opener, storage compartment, the non sulev engine, and the mini wing seat tags!

Actually I'd be interested to see if the storage compartment is eliminated on ours because its so late into the production cycle...

 

[humercedes]

I was thinking the same thing as I read the article. I'd really miss my sports suspension, lounge leather seats, and chrome switches.

I didn't see where it said lounge leather seats, I think those are still available. Only the Satellite gray/truffle cloth/leather seats looked to be discontinued

 

[jabberwocky]

I didn't see where it said lounge leather seats, I think those are still available. Only the Satellite gray/truffle cloth/leather seats looked to be discontinued

I have the satellite gray lounge leather seats. I keep forgetting that they can come in black too.

 

[humercedes]

I have the satellite gray lounge leather seats. I keep forgetting that they can come in black too.

yeah, the satellite gray lounge leather seats are still available. only the cloth/leather satellite gray ones are gone (the ones that are brown and gray)

 

[Tiger]

I kind of wish I'd paid the extra 100 smackers for the rear fogs and I'm scratching my head a little about piano black window switches, but at least they aren't meddling toooo much with a good thing. The sport suspension tho... that's mind boggling.

 

[BoCRon]

Even though I didn't get sports suspension on this MINI, I can't for the life of me understand why it's going away. If I still had time for track days I'd be peeved!

Annette

 

[ljmiii]

Even though I didn't get sports suspension on this MINI, I can't for the life of me understand why it's going away.

I would guess they are trying to put distance between the MCS and JCW and forcing people to buy the higher priced JCW if they want the sport suspension. But that only really makes sense if (despite claims to the contrary) they are thinking about releasing a JCW F55 when/if the F55 sales furor quiets down.

 

[Swede]

No 8-speed automatic saved me from regrets on buying a new car now.

The removal of sport suspension option is difficult to understand

/Swede

 

[ljmiii]

I didn't see where it said lounge leather seats, I think those are still available. Only the Satellite gray/truffle cloth/leather seats looked to be discontinued

I'm not sure what this means. There are no Satellite gray/Truffle seats on the US or UK configurators. So it could be that somewhere in the world there is a country that currently can order Grey/Truffle that won't be able to in the 2016 model year. Or that Motoring File messed up and they meant the Leather/Cloth diamond grey.

Or that anything Satellite Grey or Truffle in cloth or leather will be gone. So that would be the Satellite Grey lounge, Cross Leather: Punch Dark Truffle, and perhaps Leather/Cloth diamond grey.

 

[hotrunner]

Holly Molly, nothing ever stays the same.
I thought my 2015 was the ultimate machine.
I think they are simplifying the feature and option process.
This car is becoming more and more BMWized......only thing that would
missing on the next model would be a mini BMW logo....

 

[siriuszero]

- Sport suspension option discontinued
Not surprising - many people seem to lament it no longer being offered, but a very small amount of people actually ordered their car with this. Since DDC will now be part of the Sport Package (good idea), I don't think it's that big of a deal. Seems the people that would opt for it, would either go for the JCW suspension (which will now be available as a port installed accessory) or go for a 3rd party option.

- No visual boost, now only Media & Wired Packages.
This is actually a good thing. Too many customers (and dealers) were ordering the visual boost by itself to save money than realizing this means no bluetooth audio. Now, anyone that gets Visual Boost is getting BT Audio. Simplification.

- No more Loaded Package only “Fully Loaded”.
Same as above - simplification

- Sport Package now includes Dynamic Dampers making it more of a legitimate sport option.
I think this is a great move, bringing more value to the sport package (especially since stripes are no longer part of the Sport Pack). Sporty when you want it, comfy when you don't.

- Auto-dimming exterior mirrors are now packaged with auto-dimming interior mirrors (separate power folding mirrors option has been eliminated)
Simplification again, I guess, though I wish they kept them as separate options.

- Cold weather package goes back to $750 but now has the power-fold & auto-dimming stuff with it.

- Cruise control buttons are being remapped
Unnecessary IMO, but what can you do. Old mapping (9 o'clock/center/3 o'clock): Cruise Control ON/OFF // SET // RES. New mapping: RES // ON/OFF // SET.

- Changes to window switches (from chrome to piano black)
Not sure how I feel about this...we'll see...

- Cooper will now be SULEV with the B36 engine
Performance should be the same, though if it's like the move from B48 to B46, there may be a slight difference in MPG. I don't think figures have come out yet though.

- No MINI wings tags on seats
*sadface*

- Satellite gray/truffle cloth/leather seats
Not a popular option - I can see why they killed it

- Interior surface dark silver & firework, color line shadow gray
Pity they killed firework after one year, but I don't think I've EVER seen in on a MINI... The others seem arbitrary

- 6 disc changer (yes it’s now impossible to play a CD in the F56/F55 MINI
This was apparently done because of a really low take rate. I say good! Can't keep old technologies around forever! The future is digital people! Get with the times!

- Chrome mirror caps (they’re still available as accessories)
Indifferent, but they will still be offered as port-installed accessories for anyone that still wants them

- Smokers pack
Unnecessary feature to offer

- Rear fog lamp
I know this one is controversial, but the fact of the matter is, there is a less than 3% take rate on this. US customers just don't understand why they would need/want it. Hardly any US cars have these. I'm sure it will still be offered in other countries though.

- Halogen fogs on Cooper
I'm sure this is polarizing for some people... I think the majority of customers though would prefer LEDs though.

- Universal garage door opener w/compass
WHYYYY? This was another option that not many people opted for, but why?? The compass I could care less about, but I really like not having to carry a opener in my car

- Secret storage compartment (gone due to production complexities of having it available in some parts of the world and not in others)
*SUPERSADFACE* I get the reasoning, but it's one of those cool MINI touches that make their cars so special. It still blows people's minds when I show them. At the very least I get a "that's cool" and a smile.

I'm not sure what this means. There are no Satellite gray/Truffle seats on the US or UK configurators. So it could be that somewhere in the world there is a country that currently can order Grey/Truffle that won't be able to in the 2016 model year. Or that Motoring File messed up and they meant the Leather/Cloth diamond grey.

Or that anything Satellite Grey or Truffle in cloth or leather will be gone. So that would be the Satellite Grey lounge, Cross Leather: Punch Dark Truffle, and perhaps Leather/Cloth diamond grey.

The seats that were discontinued were the leather/cloth diamond seats that were brown with plaid inlays and beige leather seating surface. I've only seen them once - not a popular option.

 

[Evlkarl]

IMHO the rear Fog Lights should be standard on all Minis just like Merc Audi etc got them. They come in handy here in Arizona during Dust Storms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vQMuwRjI6s

Yeah I know it is stupid driving in a Dust Storm btw that was not me.0

 

[Tiger]

Cant argue with that. I actually thought that I had them when I saw the car... it's one of the strangest deletes I've seen on a vehicle. The housing and lenses are all there... they just leave out the bulbs, wires and buttons. So I have these cool red... lenses... on my rear bumper ha

 

[02fanatic]

Cant argue with that. I actually thought that I had them when I saw the car... it's one of the strangest deletes I've seen on a vehicle. The housing and lenses are all there... they just leave out the bulbs, wires and buttons. So I have these cool red... lenses... on my rear bumper ha

They act as reflectors though right? I always wondered this personally. Since I "still have no MINI" I must ask!