Yes, the spoiler goiter is the single most offensive piece of design-work the folks at MINI have ever mustered. The rump goiter is a close second. The thing is, I believe that the basic bulbous shape of the car is a solution to mandated crash safety standards. Maybe that couldn't be helped. As far as I can tell, the goiter is just design wimsy: finishing out those 15 pieces of flair. If that's the case, it's some clumsy-assed output from the design lab. We need a grass roots goiterectomy. In the mean time, here's how the springs turned out. Before: And the after, after it got sunny here in Philadelphia: edit: it's always sunny in Philadelphia.
Stance looks plain idiotic... Lowered looks great, it's really needed on the newer MINIs, especially with the bigger wheel arches. Really makes a big difference in Eric's pics. As for the overhang--other cars have managed to keep the wheels on the corners without increasing overhang and comply with the euro ped laws; it's doable, the MINI team for whatever reason hasn't done it. It may change the shape of the car significantly to get there, but that would be better than constantly adding on to the current platform's front dimensions to do it. If you really want to get an idea of how bad the F56 overhang is, take a picture of one with the front wheel fully turned. It's almost comical.
For those of us dinosaurs who drive on real roads some ground clearance is great. I like the lowered look, but won't sacrifice the drive-ability. Just my .02....
Chuck I agree with ground clearance issues. Lowering one from .5" to 1.5" seems to be the best compromise from wheel gap to ground clearance.
Ugh. I'll pass. It looks like a retro MINI bumper on top, and a futuristic Honda bumper on the bottom. Doesn't work for me. One or the other...Actually just one. Simplify the lower bumper considerably and done.
DuelL AG looks like Fast and the Furious crap. If I see it I am going to point and laugh because it looks even worse then what BMW came up with.
For the record, I'm not Dave. I will point and laugh too. I just hope I don't wet myself laughing so hard, gonna be 50 this year so it could happen....
Finally saw one up close at San Diego Mini last week. They had the S with the JCW package. Was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad as been told. Interior is now just very modern like, has to be if they are going to be in any competition with the stuff from Europe and Asia, shoot even the new American stuff is super modern inside. Seats are very nice. Pulled off the plastic cover just to see the engine....ah ok....same ole same ole. Mini has to make this car like this if it's going to be a viable option to the consumer. Now that being said, with a sticker of $45,000+, it would never ever be an option in my plans. Can't imagine what a true JCW is going to cost? To many cars at this price point that seem better. The new Ford Focus RS, 345 hp, all wheel drive comes to mind. Now, the 4door Mini......I almost thru up in my mouth :crazy:
Everybody take note... For probably the first time in my life, I actually have to agree with Jimini. The looks of the F-series are coming around to being acceptable in my head. I can look past the longer sheetmetal in the front but the bumpers on the S models is whats killing it. There is no use to have the lower grill protrude from the front like a happy pit bull, and the mail slot sized hood scoop should have never been added. It serves no purpose, and only detracts from the look. The giant safety bar in the grill Is better to look at to me than the sucker lips and complaint department drop box, at least there might be some way to delete or blend that in. I am actually kinda looking forward to seeing what they do with the facelift in a couple years... Maybe all the complaining about the way these parts of the car look by all of us who have been around MINIs since the R53 was in the showrooms will pay off... Doubt it but it could happen.