February 9, 200719 yr Mini to Offer AWD on 2008 Models BMW will offer all-wheel-drive as an option on all of its 2008 Mini models, according to a report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport. The magazine said the system was developed for the extended-wheelbase Clubman, but would find its way into the rest of the 2008/2009 lineup. Leftlane News
February 10, 200719 yr Someone will pay for it. Will that someone be me? That depends, 2009 is the timeframe I'm thinking I will buy my next car and a Mini Clubman would be a great choice, I'll have to see if the AWD effects the handling.
February 10, 200719 yr The concept of an AWD MINI with the 1.6L pushed to around 230hp (maybe as the next JCW) is interesting, but I'm afraid it might feel more 'Subaru WRX' than 'MINI Cooper' However, what could a MINI Traveller mini-SUV be like? Or a modern-day MINI Moke?
February 10, 200719 yr i don't think AWD fits the nature of this car very well, but if some buyers want it then that's alright.
February 10, 200719 yr Too bad it most likely will be Front-wheel biased. It's pretty lame when a car sends at most 30% of its power to the rear wheels and its marketed as if it has amazing handeling all of a sudden.
February 10, 200719 yr Too bad it most likely will be Front-wheel biased. It's pretty lame when a car sends at most 30% of its power to the rear wheels and its marketed as if it has amazing handeling all of a sudden. well, considering the mini is currently FWD and already handles great... I don't see what you have to whine about.
February 13, 200719 yr The big issue will be how stout the new powertrains are. The older Brazilian powertrains were not the best. The Mini needs to stay a simple lower priced car IMHO. AWD on it is just Arch Idiot Stupid. But a Clubman would be kinda cool. Chris
February 13, 200719 yr The engines of the "old" Mini were Chrysler-derived, and we know how powerful they can become, if a little sensitive to head gaskets issues. As for All Wheel Drive? Nifty, but no thank you. "Weight is Always the Enemy"
February 15, 200719 yr The engines of the "old" Mini were Chrysler-derivedThe diesel was the Toyota Yaris' 1.4L engine.
February 15, 200719 yr I obviously wasn't talking about the diesels since, duh, Chrysler doesn't have any of their own.
February 15, 200719 yr What I never understood is why did BMW put Toy diesel in the Mini when they themself have amazing diesels.
February 18, 200719 yr What I never understood is why did BMW put Toy diesel in the Mini when they themself have amazing diesels.My belief is that size and weight (BMW's smallest diesel is the 2.0L used in the 118d and 120d) plus the conversion to FWD cost were the main reasons to go with an outsourced diesel engine. The Toyota engine is quite nice in everyday use, and after 3 years I have absolutely no complaints re the engine.
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