That's odd... I've read more than a few reviews and articles that indicates the current Mini engine is built in Brazil by Peugeot. :confused:

Great info. I'm back in South America...will write more when I get back. Hopefully the purchase will be soon after!

My first car was an '87 Plymouth Duster with the old wheezing 2.2l K-car four. I think it made about 95 horses in carbuerated form.

It was dog slow but it looked cool. Perfect car for a high school kid with a heavy foot :)

Hey great car!!
 

i was a bmw/mini sales man and the car is a lot of fun to drive. the convertible wasn't out when i quit, but the S version in the hard top is too much fun to drive. every aspect of the car is designed perfectly and you will never regret the purchase. handling is amazing.....perfect lady car with some boot.

I would not let my better half drive in that tin can.

Sure its cute but it's no Match against a 100 pound woman talking on the cell phone in her 5 ton SUV.

If the misses is looking for a daily driven drop top get a car that will give an SUV a better fight like a 2nd hand Audi S4 convertibel, CLK convertible,M5 Convertible,3 series Convert, 645 convertible, or that new electric hard convertible top (ala SLK) Volvo. Steer clear of Miatas, Minis, Lotus Elise etc for daily drivers. NOT SAFE
with all the morons driving Sherman tanks on the freeways.

I drove a Miata for years. Great car but in an accident that car is as good as driving in chicken of the sea tuna can. My friend has his Miata demolished by a Sequioa, had his apartmnet burned down and crashed in a bike race loosing his front teeth all in the same weekend. :eek:

The current engine is built in Brazil coowned by Chryseler and BMW . see here http://motoringfile.com/files/MCS_Powertrain.pdf

The new engine is BMW/Peugeot joint ownership see here http://motoringfile.com/2006/02/28/next-generation-mini-revealed-part-2/

JP your comments are well taken ... not everyone likes it. ;)

so who makes the engine in the new neon?
this girl I know just bought one. Nice car.