MINI Cooper hatchbacks now better value

MINI Australia has sweetened the deal for Cooper and Cooper S hatchback buyers by adding a range of option packs that bundle popular features.

There are no changes to the just-launched MINI Convertible or the MINI Cooper Clubman wagon or Paceman and Countryman SUVs (the latter will be replaced next year).

And while the base 1.2-litre MINI One models (priced from $24,950 for the three-door and $26,050 for the five-door) also remain unchanged for now, motoring.com.au expects them to be replaced by new Ray models soon.

As for the entry-level MINI Cooper hatches, the three-door is still priced at $26,650 and the five-door remains at $27,750 (manual, plus on-road costs), but both now come standard with halogen fog lights.

Engines also remain the same, meaning a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder for the Cooper, an 85kW/270Nm 1.5-litre turbo-diesel triple for the Cooper D and a 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four for the Cooper S.

However, several options packages are aimed at "providing modern technological advancements with sharp pricing", says MINI, which now offers the following on the Cooper hatchbacks:

Multimedia Essentials package -- $1500
MINI Navigation
Radio MINI Visual Boost
Bluetooth mobile with USB audio streaming and front armrest
Reversing camera with guidance lines

16-inch 'Loop Spoke' alloy wheels -- $1500

Convenience package -- $1800 (only with Multimedia Essentials):
Comfort Access and Alarm System
Park Assist with front and rear Park Distance Control
Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function

The more powerful MINI Cooper S models, meantime, are now priced at $37,750 for the three-door (up $800) and $38,850 for the five-door (unchanged).

As standard, both Cooper S hatch models gain full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED front fog lights and a reversing camera with guide lines. Option packs for the Cooper S models include:

Convenience package -- $1800
Comfort Access and Alarm System
Park Assist with front and rear Park Distance Control
Interior and exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function

Control package -- $1500
Driver Assistant, including camera-based systems, Video Active Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, City Crash Mitigation, High Beam Assist
Tyre pressure monitoring
Adaptive LED headlights

MINI sales have been strong so far in 2016, rising more than 14 per cent to the end of May, year on year. The most popular model in the five-vehicle MINI portfolio in Australia in 2016 is the MINI hatch with 1028 vehicles finding new homes.

The second strongest seller is the MINI Clubman, beating the Countryman, 231 to 212 sales.

Like most mainstream cars, MINIs are covered by a three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. However, like its sister brand BMW, MINI adheres to a slightly different service model, called MINI Service Inclusive.

This involves a one-off advance payment of $1080 that lasts for five years or 80,000km in 'basic' or 'plus' guises, both of which provide scheduled servicing but the latter covering parts such as brake pads, wiper blades and so on.