We are mini fans, but the latest models are just a mash. Maybe they couldn't decide or were a bit 'try hard', but the result is the same - AWFUL! Bit like the AU Fords, but worse!
mbikeman1,
Oct 5, 7:03pm
i like the older ones myself but i dont mind the look of the ragtop.It looks almost sporty and with a 1600cc turbo 200HP+ its likely itl be like a rocket
Does it surprise anybody really!Never mind how the thing looks, the pricetags are the most awful bit, that latest Countryman Clubman or whatever its called thats 4 wheel drive and weights about two tonnes is up to about $70K, didn't the Mini start out as a small basic economy car!Typical bloody BMW, they have to complicate every damn thing, they are just exploiting the Mini brand now.
ginga4lyfe,
Oct 5, 8:03pm
apparently the BMW Mini was actually to be released originally as a rover 7, But some guy named it the "next Mini" and BMW decided to release it as mini, Now i dunno how much of this is true, but iv heard this several times.
fordcrzy,
Oct 5, 8:09pm
the new mini is the iphone of the motoring world. not a lot of substance, lots of other cars are better. "but man i look cool cruising down the cafe in my gucci sunglasses in my mini.i am so hip"
burwood_cycles,
Oct 6, 7:10am
To me the Mini "brand" has completely lost it with the common problem of (BMW in particular being the first one) trying to fill or create every possible niche. Orig. 2dr / convertible / coupe / countryman / 4wd (UGLY as you say) , have I missed one ! , don't bet against them currently working on a sedan / normal wagon / people mover / ute !. There is already talk of a "sub" brand with an "original-sized" mini. The sales people must have to take weekly product training lessons.
smac,
Oct 6, 7:14am
man i look cool cruising down the cafe in my gucci sunglasses in my mini.i am so hip
:P
fiatracer,
Oct 6, 7:14am
fordcrzy wrote: the new mini is the iphone of the motoring world. not a lot of substance, lots of other cars are better. [quote]
Ever driven one! I have only driven the cooper S and didn't expect much [few newer cars impress me at all] but it was a blast!If it is "not a lot of substance" then the guys behind Grassroots Motorsports magazine [THE amateur m/sports mag, from Florida] must be wrong, because they rate it as one of the top cars of all time [along with E30 BMW, MX5] for good fun/bang-for-buck.
rocker_553,
Oct 6, 10:47am
What is wrong with the original BMW Mini that they had to go and change it! This is going to end up like the Porsche Panamera, a crossover from hell that will never get respect and die an ugly death.
burwood_cycles,
Oct 6, 11:07am
Yes , it is probably the one car that should not be updated (other than safety requirements / engines etc) more than about every 8-10yrs , this would give it more "respect" towards the original also.
elect70,
Oct 6, 12:30pm
How can anything weighing that much & that size be called mini is a jokeIssagoniswill be turning in his grave
fiatracer,
Oct 6, 12:34pm
pedestrian impact laws is one reason - the 'original' BMW mini's looks went downhill with the 2nd generation car due to the need for a higher bonnet. The latest iteration [the 5 door wagon, crossover thing] is far from a "mini" but simply follows the natural product lifecycle - 20-something buys mini and loves it. 20-something reproduces and looks for suitable replacement vehicle that fits their lifestyle.
wrong2,
Oct 6, 12:38pm
but they dont look good
zero curves - bland slab sided boringness
like the suzuki swift
male_timaru,
Oct 6, 12:41pm
It's awesome - like a wee pug convertible - i like em sorry but i was brought up in Europe and like that style of small hatchback vehicle
burwood_cycles,
Oct 6, 1:46pm
You mean you like current Peugeot's too !! Sorry , they lost it also after the lovely 406 / 406 coupe. Clowns mouthed front ends now.
whqqsh,
Oct 6, 1:46pm
looks a bit too Daihatsu Copen or Suzuki Cappachino for me. but then none of them are 'real' Minis are they!
socram,
Oct 6, 1:50pm
As a Mini fan from 1959, and having had continuous Mini ownership since 1967, I have to agree with those who believe the Mini was just that, a Mini - standing really for excellent roadholding and more smiles per mile than just about any other small car ever.I do run a first generation supercharged BMW Cooper S these days, but if they wanted to do a coupe, they should have updated the Broadspeed GT. Unfortunately, to BMW, Mini is merely a brand, for those who wouldn't consider buying a BMW.
bellky,
Oct 6, 2:11pm
i like it
trogedon,
Oct 6, 4:28pm
The original Mini has been mythologized. The BMW ones are a completely different beast and should??
socram,
Oct 6, 4:46pm
Sorry Trog. Have to disagree. Having owned a string of original Coopers and a very hot Cooper S, the modern one is a lot more sophisicated but the DNA is there alright.The problem (if you want to call it that) is that whereas you could drive the originals with your foot to the floor, with the engine screaming, it was a hoot and great for the young wannabe Graham Hills.The modern one hits the legal limit so fast and is so competent, that it is impossible to drive within the legal limit and also on the car's limits.
Who would want to buy a new original Cooper now!Chances are that it would be a total sales flop.
Modern brakes and roadholding are just superb but it still feels like a Mini.It has character.
franc123,
Dec 12, 11:17pm
As much as I adore the original Mini and the way it drove, you are right, it did have to be redeveloped, sanitised, made safer and made to appeal to modern tastes, the sales figures in its last few years confirmed that.The first time I drove a modern one a few years ago I though it did deviate too far from the original concept and was a tad too large, but looking past the plastic and airbags and electrics and large wheels that are necessary these days the modern Mini was carefully engineered to capture the key elements, wheel at each corner, sharp steering, transverse engine/FWD, central instruments, the chrome surround headlights, the upright positioning of the windscreen and loads of headroom, the flick switches in the middle, the eyeball air vents and of course the tacho dead ahead of the steering wheel.As a package it works well, its all the messing about with it and adding too much weight and extras and variants that you don't need that is ruining it.
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