MINI has never been a technology leader. A leader of other things, yes. At the beginning, Mini transformed the way we think about automotive space by economizing, doing more with less. Mini made lemonade from lemons when they created a fuel-efficient little thing that could be owned by the common man in a time of […] More...
Remote start: even with a manual trans? Or are you assuming that the people that want 3-pedals don't care about remote start. IMO, remote start is a stop-gap for a better electrified car where HVAC are electrically powered. MINI should just leapfrog and do it that way. I think something you really missed was the emotional value-add Bespoke-ness of configuring your own MINI. That's something no other affordable brand has been able to touch. Most brands have taken a page from Japanese streamlined manufacturing and only offer 1 or 2 big packages that are take-it-or-leave-it. As for the rest, sure sounds good.
If adds all that crap they may as well also add the BMW nameplate and remove the MINI plate because it will cost 50k easy.
Given the slope of inflation, eventually that's a realistic base price. Or are you saying you'd rather see MINI fail than keep up with the times?
Rather see them fail because they have ruined what MINI was all about from the beginning. For 50k I sure as hell would not be buying a MINI.
...and what were they "all about"? Taking a modern classic and making it HUGE in comparison, with derivational styling while compromising the original proportions, trashing the legendary space efficiency, and putting in a Mopar engine with a German transmission? Exactly how is that anything resembling authentic? You weren't around when the MINI first came out, so you don't remember how angry Mini owners were at how BMW had trashed their precious icon. Your problem is you've sorely misinterpreted MINI's ethos, and now you're bitter that MINI has done another "MINI" with the MINI. Life moves on, often with strikingly rhythmic irony. Get over it or get out of the way.
These are not essentials. Especially connectivity - just something to be hack-prone and glitch-prone. Heated steering wheels might be a nice option in some climates, but then they'll have to sell MINI-logo'd oven mitts for cars sold in southern Arizona!
Now that's just downright wrong..... New MINI owners are thrilled with the product or they wouldn't be making the purchase... https://youtu.be/o1eHKf-dMwo
I'm not the biggest fan of the "bigger MINI" but I would take it over the other 3 choices in a second. You can't get even close to having any fun in those.
How about walking before they run? A reliable car that does not live at a dealer or need engine swaps after 90,000 miles might be nice... Not trying to create negativity, but I think MINI needs to concentrate on the basics, then dress it up... Frankly selling "euro quality" with euro prices, and returning Mexican (or worse) assembled quality car made it a no go...sure the interior is nicer...IMO, so so on exterior styling... But many "basic" small car freebees at even a middle trim level are options on a MINI... Want a backup camera? Power seats? Bluetooth? Sure they are finely adding some if this stuff... But they are chasing the pack as a laggard rather than pointing the way... In 2002, the safety and handling features on a MINI were unique to the market segment.... Today...mini is the ONLY car that lacks many features in the Base level car, even though it is "premium" and sells for THOUSANDS MORE.... I UNDERSTAND MINI wants a basic lower cost car to push...but stripping content to push folks to higher trims IMO does more to devalue the brand than lift it... To sell a stripper MINI base is like selling a 4 cylindar jaguar.... sure some folks reaching for the brand will be happy, but it will be less "exclusive" and lower the average price....moving the car away from its intended market. Mini needs to decide, is it a sporty car, a luxury small car, a premium small car, etc... Right now it seems to be a bit of "all of the above" thus not really the best in any...
I'll tell you a technology I'd like to see them have - really adjustable intermittent wipers - and none of this rain sensing crap! Just give me a knob with 6 or 8 speed settings on it and let me set it to conditions....
The "Mexican" comment is asinine, especially since you have no current or relevant facts to back it up. I do agree that MINI's bad quality rep is deserved, but you don't see people blaming Oxford, do you?
More thoughts... So MINI is making the brand "pivot".... So does this mean the end of MINI as we know it?! By definition, yes.... The cars that MINI says are in it class are...er ..well...not fun, boaring, and mostly status symbols for old farts.... The MINI is often bought by folks that have money...and don't care about status symbols, and are often older folks looking for a " younger " fun car, and DON'T WANT TO BE "stuck up" or drive a car that says I have money, cause they don't care what others think.... Seems to me like it BMW is truely making MINI into a little BMW, complete with the same clients.... IMO kinda sad, but some of us have sen it coming for a bit...
Hmm... I bought a Mexican made VW...for a bit it is my ride...had hope that MINI would fix the looks of the gen3 on the " refresh " in a couple years... Vw sells the Mexican made cars in the north American market at a HUGE discount to the German made versions, with the same drivetrains, but a different "americanized" interior. It's not a slam of Mexico or it industry, but a realizion, that they are an "up and comming" industrial nation that is still improving.....
I really like the interior of the new Clubman, so I think MINI is on the right track. And whether or not the first buyers of the early cars like it or not isn't really their concern - it's whether sales continue to grow that's important, and so far they have. From their perspective they're doing everything right.......
Funny...folks have been saying that since the gen1.... Mini just never listened...... But folks that are the owners that have money in hand to buy new cars don't matter I guess... I held onto my mini for 10 years....waiting ,thinking the gen3 would be it... It's pretty good...but not quite there. When one drives by....a year later...I still go yuck.....:mad2: Still...maybe the refresh gen3 Cooper in a couple years might be right... But when the MINI costs more $$, and lacks features of others in the segment..:cryin: Hard IMO to bring the $$ to the table...when I looked at other cars at similar price points, and compared the MINI, the premium is pretty high for less convenience and utility, lower supposed reliability, and at this point, lower used values... Sure...they are becoming like BMW... Get a lease deal...let MINI take some of the risk of excessive loss of value, but I don't like leases...IMO more $$$ or risky for many folks due to mileage limits. So I bought a car to use "for now".... And you know what... The wipers work on intermittent... The arm rest works great...how many aftermarket ones have appeared for the MINI over the years? It's bigger than I wanted, but get 50 mpg on my daily commute (its a TDI)....would I preferred something smaller to carve some great back roads, yes... Sure...more of an appliance, but much less than the Korean cars around.... But it seems MINI is moving on...they want to make high content small cars...great. But looks like $50,000 designer fashion second for soccer moms with their tiny dogs is the future... Do I sincerely hope they make a fun lower cost car that's small, and reasonably fast and fun? Yes. Do I think they are going too anymore...not really...they are going premium... VW tried it 10 years ago...they are still recovering....
FWIW, N18-equipped MINIs have proven to be very reliable. No more carbon buildup issues, even on 80-90k mile Countrymen. Also, the new F5x MINIs have proper intermittent wipers. That being said, there is definitely room for features that should be options. If people will pay, what's the problem with offering them? That's what MINI is all about - the ability to you-ify the car, in addition to providing a driving experience like no other. You guys are gonna need new rocking chairs to yell from soon, your current ones are getting pretty haggard.