I have tried real hard to keep my mouth shut. I really don't want to alienate any new owners that may be cool gear heads that love there mini. Besides if your just getting into the brand you don't know anything about the first or second gen cars. I love my Gen1 but I was at the dealer and they had a Gen 2 reg top I would like to have. ( side note they have a brand new JCW coup 2013 with red strips marked down $6000, I love the car but it's an auto, so not for me) Anyway here's what makes me mad, not just at BMW but the public at larg. If you don't like something why does it have to be changed to what you want? I may chock the next person that says I like the Mini but if they would just change X I would get one. Well GO GET A CAMERY. Please don't say BMW needs to sale cars I know that. They bought Mini to help with CAFE standards. I don't mind if they have different models that's great. The countryman has it place and is a fun car to drive just ask THEMODFATHER, oh wate he has a rusty R53 um maybe you should ask someone sane.:lol: But can't we have one model that they leave alone, one for the enthusiast? Don't move the window switches, don't put a bunch of crap on it and no stupid fish on the speedo! The BMW guy have one it's the 1M. When they made it they said they wanted to go back to the E30 M3. So back to the MODFATHER he is an enthusiast who need something more so now he has both. Why take away the performance model and shove a bolted car down our throats. By the way if quirky doesn't sale how did the classic mini make it so long.? Start making them agin....They would sale. No MINIs were harmed in this rant.
Because it's all about customer satisfaction. If a car rides too rough, transmits too much road feel through the steering wheel, torque steers, makes pops and burbles, or does anything else unwanted to ANYONE, it's marked on a customer satisfaction review, and it dings the brand in ratings like these: The whole automotive industry is ****ed up because of putting too much weight behind CSI, whether it be dealer CSI, service CSI, or brand CSI. And that's why all cars are slowly turning into Camrys of different shapes and sizes. God forbid someone is offended by say, a giant speedometer in the dash!
It's odd the BMW had HUGE success with the Gen 1 (5) year run with basic improvements but it had pop and burble and all the things people wanted. All they had to do was keep making the same car and correct the reliability issues like Hyndai did. The First Gen is still what made MINI a success and how they expanded so fast. It was INIQUE and what "enthusiast" wanted. Now they are killing the brand for those that took the risk on a "drivers" car in the beginning. The MINI will soon become just another small car in a huge car segment that brings nothing unique to the table but a high price.
I was chastised quite firmly by one of my friends about all the F56 negativity. He's a glass half empty kind of guy I guess. Since I don't want to make him sad by saying how I feel about the F56 I'll lie about it. Remember what I say is opposite in my bazaaro world. :crazy: OK I'll start now. Loves the F56, I want to buy one. Best looking MINI ever, why did it take MINI so long to make these much needed improvements?
The performance models from Subaru are what we think about but they are a sub-nitch. Subaru's nitch is safe, reliable, all-wheel-drive. In the '90s they tried to go mainstream with just front wheel drive. That failed. Other manufacturers have safe and reliable (Toyota) but missed the go anywhere part. Yes, I can't stand CVTs I will never have another.
Right you are. Porsche left the 911 and even gave us the Cayman. All the while selling the cr&p out the SUV and sedans. They kept what their reputation was based on.
Many owner's are very upset at what has been done by Porsche. Those are the 911 guys, much like some R53 folks I know. :wink: Back on topic: The F56 & all the wonderful things it brings to the world of MINI.
Those SUVs and sedans keep the rest of the brand afloat. Without them, we'd have lost Porsche to the automotive grim reaper a long time ago. I'd rather a Cayman. With a stick, please. Yes. That.
Those SUVs and sedans keep the rest of the brand afloat. Without them, we'd have lost Porsche to the automotive grim reaper a long time ago. Doesn't matter to me those SUV's & sedans suck. Sure glad the F56 is doing great things for MINI.
I beg to differ. They're rather fantastic choices for rich people who need winter sleds, mall crawlers, and executive family sedans, but don't want to go with a different brand. Porsche owners are pretty loyal. As long as Porsche doesn't turn the Cayman/Boxster or 911 into SUVs or eliminate them entirely, I couldn't care less about the existence of the Macan/Cayenne/Panamera. The brand has flourished since they started offering a wider vehicle lineup. Now, if only MINI would direct all of the sheeple to the Countryman instead of blandifying the core model, the Cooper.
With the new F56 & soon to be released better clubman I'm sure the Porsche folks will be changing brands soon.