2012 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 6 Speed. Pano Roof, Heated Seats, 5264 Miles on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mini previews an electric crossover to be revealed soon

In a dense press release about its upcoming design language (called "Charismatic Simplicity"), Mini provided an odd-looking but somewhat useful teaser of a new electric crossover SUV. It didn't name it, and all it said specifically about it was that it's "the concept study of a – fully electrically powered – crossover model for the premium small-car segment." That fits the description of one of two new crossovers that will be sold alongside the next-generation Countryman. The photo provides a silhouette of the crossover from the front three-quarter perspective, as well as the uncovered front fender of the same vehicle in the corner. It does have the familiar boxy Mini shape, and it seems to have some sort of roof platform fitted. The mirrors look like little rounded rectangles, which matches what we've seen in spy photos of the Countryman. That exposed fender seems to reveal the most about the crossover. The flares have a sort of trapezoidal shape, which is continued into the sheetmetal. The actual wheel openings are a little more rounded. The crisper angles also show up in the way the headlight fits to the fender. While the press release that accompanied this teaser is full of fluffy language, there are some more specific and helpful details about what we will see in this model and other new Minis. On the outside, the Union Jack taillights will remain a key feature. Inside, Mini is focusing on more sustainable materials, so it's dropping real leather and aiming to eliminate as much chrome as possible. It will also feature a circular display in the middle for infotainment, though some physical switch gear will remain. This crossover will be revealed next month. It will also showcase the new platform that Mini designed with electric powertrains in mind, unlike the current Mini Cooper SE Hardtop, which adapts a battery and motor to fit an older internal combustion car. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Judge to approve settlement of Mini CVT lawsuits

BMW has agreed to settle a number of class-action lawsuits out of court. The suits stem from drivetrain issues on the 2001 to 2006 R50 Mini Cooper - in particular, its continuously variable transmission. The transmission was known to fail, often without warning on otherwise healthy and well-maintained vehicles. This wasn't the only major issue to afflict the original BMW-era Mini models.
According to legal site Topclassactions.com, the suits alleged that BMW knowingly hid the defects in the CVT from customers while informing dealers of the issue. The first suit was filed in 2011, while four additional suits have followed. Now, BMW has reportedly settled, offering to reimburse 1,200 owners that needed repairs within eight years or 150,000 miles of their purchase. Repair prices for the transmission range from $6,000 to $9,000.
Under the agreement, BMW will also offer up to $4,100 to members of the suit that had fixes performed at a third-party shop, while owners who sold their cars at a loss due to the issues are slated to receive up to $2,000. Finally, owners who are part of the suit will be warrantied for a further eight years and 150,000 miles.

Thanks to smaller engines, vehicle dependability falls for first time in 16 years

As automakers have made engines smaller and smaller to improve fuel economy, problems in those vehicles have gotten bigger and bigger. That's the synopsis of a J.D. Power vehicle-dependability study, which found that dependability dropped for the first time in 16 years, largely because the proliferation of four-cylinder engines is causing the vehicles to be less reliable. Specifically, the number of problems per 100 vehicles (or what J.D. Power calls PP100) during the past 12 months for 2011 model-year vehicles rose six percent from the year-earlier figures for 2010 model-year cars. Singling out four-cylinder vehicles revealed about a 10-percent increase in problems during the past year. This issues largely related to engine hesitation, rough transmission shifting and lack of power, signaling the inability of vehicle makers to iron out some of the problems in their smaller engines as they strove for better fuel economy. Six- and five-cylinder engines proved far more reliable. Among car brands, BMW's Mini sub-brand came out as least reliable, with 185 problems per 100 vehicles during the past year. Toyota's Lexus badge was easily the most reliable, with just 68 problems per 100 vehicles. Coming in second place was Mercedes-Benz. The overall average was 133. Check out J.D. Power's press release below. J.D. Power Reports: Increased Engine and Transmission Problems Contribute to Decline in Vehicle Dependability for The First Time in More Than 15 Years General Motors Company Receives Eight Segment Awards, While Toyota Motor Corporation Garners Seven and Honda Motor Company Earns Six WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: o Owners of 3-year-old vehicles (2011 model year) report more problems than did owners of 3-year-old vehicles last year, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today. The study, now in its 25th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study finds that overall vehicle dependability averages 133 PP100, a 6 percent increase in problems from 126 PP100 in 2013. This marks the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased. "Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D.