Most liked posts in thread: Why all the Special Editions?

The GP doesn't count...

cause it was more than just BS marketing buzz. It was actually enhanced with power parts and the like that made it a really unique Mini. to me, the rest is totally just BS marketing crap designed to suck money out of wallets.

Really, some special colors or wheels and pre-configuring and option list isn't a limited run car. It's just an option package.

I guess it will appeal to some, but I'm not one of them...

Look at the BRG F1 whatever it's called. Only real difference there was the color! And some lables. And how much of a mark up does it make? this is the most cynical type of marketing I can think of.

The Italian ones are deconted cars, with special names to make them seem more exclusive than the decontented cars they are. I'm sure some is to create a more exclusive branding to try and justify the price difference between the Minis and the competition.

I'm guessing that the idea of "luxury compact" isn't working too well when you can get the same utility for less money from many more car companies now. While the Mini has the most competent chassis of pretty much any car in it's market segment, that's the only place it "wins" in specsmanship. If the ultimate handling doesn't matter to you, you can get more power for less, you can get more space or doors for less, heck you can even get more "cute" for less!

I really just wish that they'd do a bit to make the car better from the factory for the same or lower price.

Like make front camber adjustable to -2.5 degrees from the factory! That would help performance drivers and those that have to have "stock" stuff for the class they race in.

Just a few of my thoughts....

Matt

 

I thought these latest ones were mainly 50th anniversary celebration limited editions...

 

They aren't really models, they are limited edition MINI's. They are still going to be something like MINI Cooper _______ or MINI Cooper Clubman _______.

A lot of the older ones were just old names reused. I don't think anybody besides the people who have a knowledge of Mini's would have noticed.

Mayfair, Park Lane, Checkmate, Se7en, Sidewalk. All previous limited edition Mini's.








They add a little variety. I don't think I have EVER seen a Mini in any of these special editions, besides an original Checkmate. Pretty rare today, these cars may be just as rare once they get up around 15-20 years old.

 

That is why I am proud of my '06 BRG with a silver roof. Doubt there is more then a handful of those made OEM. Is it gonna be special in a few decades? Don't know and don't care. I would venture that the guys who were ordering 1 of 16 built 'Cudas or Yenko Camaros back in the sixty's were doing anything more then ordering the car and the options they really wanted at the time with no concern for future value.

 

A lot of those...

were just luck of the draw production numbers. Unique combinations of various factory parts. The Yenkos were different beasts completely. These were engines and option packages not available from anywhere but Yenko. They kind of made the car that they wished they could have ordered from the factory, but Chevy wouldn't build.

I'm a mustang guy so I kind of see it like the Cailfornia Special from 68. Not really a different car (sequential tail lights, rear deck spoiler, fake side scoops and some badges) and they do command a premium of 10% or so in price. But they aren' Shelbys, that had actually performace changes that you couldn't get in the factory offering with just some bolt ons, badges or decals.

Yes these are all re-issues of older "special" version, but of the Mini crop, I only see the GP with long legged value beyond some badge engineered "specials". Remember the MC40 didn't sell at all, and many had thier special decal package removed to be sold as normal cars. Sure this raises the "value" of those that were sold and still wear thier decals (if there is some yet to be determined future collectable value in 1st gen new Minis), but to me they too were just badge engineered profit engines.

Matt

 

People always want to be exclusive (especially MINI owners) and these Special/Limited editions help pander to that crowd. It is all for the mentality of "MINE-is-different-to-yours" and I don't see what is wrong with a little variety. As long as they are not asking crazy prices for cars that could easilly built otherwise then i say bring them on!

 

I look at these like the MC40....look good on paper but will sit on dealer lots. Helll, the only MC40 I saw at my local dealer was their demo....hardly a way to protect margins.

 

I think a lot of "Limited editions" are just using up parts from the option list that did not sell well.

Mark

 

seem to do before design change's ie 2006-2007 gp-2006

 

I don't think so... The Rallye and Soho packages, exclusive to Candian MINIs in 2006, gave great value for your money and combined options that were the most popular and brought in a couple exclusive colours and badging.

Also, MINI in Canada had the Earl Grey package during June and July 2009 production which gave the option of no-charge Dark Silver metallic on the Cooper (previously just a S colour), as well as Bridge spoke wheels, chrome line interior, white indicators, heated seats, side striping, and sunroof. Earl Grey package: $1700 versus Comfort package (just heated seats and sunroof): $1500. So for $200 CDN more, you had all that (the wheels tossed in there makes it a super deal). So it's great value for money too... not just parts that people don't order - at least that's how it seems with the Canadian special editions.

Special editions also give the press something good to write about MINI, which might introduce new people to the brand and create more sales. Even if they don't end up buying that special edition, it still brought them closer to the brand by reading about the car itself. Another obvious point, mentioned by others, is the value that these packages create later on... If you really want that combo, you will have to pay for it and those cars may hold a higher resale (or at least bragging rights, especially if it's a numbered one like the 2008 JCW Competition Edition convertible with only 37 made in Canada).

 

In essence you are going from Exclusive to UBER Exclusive!

 

I think I am in love...

 

Oh please please please make that roof standard on future models!!!