I think it's fine they have lots of models and all, but why do they all say "Cooper" on the back? The brand is MINI, not MINI Cooper. Cooper is the first model. The other models should be badged accordingly. Still confounds me after all these years:confused5:
But, but, they are all "Cooper's" except the JCW's. It never occurred to me not to call my Clubman a "Cooper" because it is a "Cooper." It always was. Ah, but I wasn't around for Gen 1, so I didn't know that the name was usurped from the original, which is now called the "Hardtop." When did they stop calling convertibles "Cabrio's" and start calling them convertibles? Is it so "Cabrio" doesn't sound more exotic than "Roadster?" Does it sound too VW? I think MINI should bring back the Cabrio!
I think most of us understand they have to make other models inorder to sell more cars total.. Just wish they would have left the "Cooper" alone.They may hit on something for it again in the future, we can all hope..
I have always had the same belief, MINI is the brand. Further badging designates the model and even further badging would designate an upgrade. Something I do find intresting and baffeling at the same time is there isn't a JCW edition available for the Countryman. I understand they have the ALL4 but how can you not have a JCW package available for a MINI, especially a model that is out there racing and winning, seems sac religious.
Getting a beater is a good idea to keep miles off a MINI. I did it back in 2008, and since then the MINI has only racked up about 5K miles since then. Just be aware that this option isn't without drawbacks... My MINI still doesn't have a name even though I got it in 2005, but the Honda earned the moniker of "Soul Crushing Pile of S***" in its first week of ownership. Several times a year, I get the feeling that driving is just a chore, time spent pampering/washing/detailing a car is a waste of time, effort, and money. When I get too down & out, I uncover the MINI and drive it for a weekend, then I get fired up again. Nothing makes you appreciate a cool car like driving a runaway Dempsey Dumpster for a few weeks! Rawhyde
This has been an interesting thread, both from comments on the original article as well as hearing from forum members about their preferences. I'll bet that it *is* a challenge for BMW/MINI to keep the brand "aligned" and meaningful. If you're just building one car, and continue to do so: then, not so much of a challenge. Something like Morgan ("we build ash-framed traditional British roadsters"), or Rivendell ("we build beautifully-lugged, steel frame bicycles") perhaps, although even here they have developed different models. VW had a nice long run: a round'sh 1930's design, air-cooled flat four, sold around the world for decades with continual updates of a basic design. And yes: it was difficult, for them, to get beyond that in passenger cars. The Type III Sedan/Fastback/Squareback sold decently as a "next size up", but then the Type IV (411/412 Fastback, Sedan and Wagon) was...not the answer(we had a yellow 411 2-door at our house. Gasoline aux heater. Circa 1971-1972. Peculiar). So then the Dasher, Rabbit, and water-cooled era we're seeing now. So what does the MINI brand "mean"? Small, efficient, road-hugging, snarky, white-roofed, UK-made, "fun"? Which of these can be absent, yet what's left is still a MINI? I think all the car makers struggle with this, and even with particular models. What's a Ford? What's a Mustang? If it's called a Mustang, but it's 2/3'rds former scale, and based on the Pinto, is it still a Mustang? (Most said..."no"...but they still sold a few Mustang II's). Thunderbird: whazzat? A two-seat boulevardier, an LTD in drag, a Lincoln Mark IV clone, a gussied Gran Torino, a 4-cyl turbo coupe? They ended with a two-seat boulevardier, again, finally. But still. Compare with Corvette, for example: there are Corvette clubs, with lots of members, who love their cars. These folks hang together, with all generations of Corvettes C1-C6. They're all Chevy "sports cars", to some definition of that term, two seats, V8 engines (with one rare, early exception), they rumble, and so on. What would a Thunderbird owner's club look like? 57 porthole roadsters plus late-sixties four-doors plus 1980's Fox-platform two-doors. Seriously? These aren't at all "the same", other than Ford called them a name. So to MINI. As I got interested, it was educational to read about the emnity towards BMW's brand "revival" from the classic Mini camp. Some of which still exists: if it isn't a 10-foot two-door, 10-inch-wheeled, BMC A-series powered automobile with Lucas electrics, it ain't a Mini-anything. And what of the R-progression: R50 - Gen 1 MINI R53 - Fast Gen 1 MINI (still ok?) R52 - Gen 1 Convertible ("a Mini/MINI can't be a convertible": blasphemy?) R56 - Gen 2 MINI ("it's too long / it's less nimble / it's French-, not Brazilian-engined". Okay. But it's still a MINI?) R55 - Gen 2 MINI Clubman (hmm...Mini had "wagons", must be ok...Gen 2 though) R57 - Gen 2 Convertible (see above) R58 - Coupe (still looks a lot like a Gen 2...is still a MINI? R59 - Roadster (ditto...a MINI that's trying to be a Miata or something. But it's still a MINI?) R60 - Countryman ("TILT! Four doors...too big"...still: boxy shape, design themes, MINI powertrain, contrasting roof, center speedo. Is it MINI'ish enough to still be a MINI?) I would weigh in that I don't think MINI's lost their way at all. Everything they're making seems to fit, to share attributes, even have family resemblance. Different capabilities, sure. Hopefully they'll continue to give us new flavors of the same good "stuff" as they expand their range to fit the needs / desires of more customers.
Much like the transition from the classic Mini to the MINI, losing one's way is determined not by where we all want the brand to go, it is determined by where the board of directors / parent company wants it to go. MINI seems to be doing a great job of finding its way to profitability (or greater profitability) and a larger contribution to the parent company's bottom line. That kind of growth requires expanding into new markets that couldn't have been captured by the hardtop... hence the 'vert, Coupe and Countryman. Much like the beautiful (interior) Porsche Panmera I rode in for lunch today, you can spend, scrape and claw your way to add 1% to your control of the sports car market or you can drop a new product into a different segment (luxury sedan) for the same investment and snag 3% of that market. Is a road yacht like the Panmera still true to Porsche roots? IMHO, hell no, but it rakes in a huge profit for Porsche that they can then use to invest in new design / racing / a better customer experience. As long as the Panmera isn't a money-loser, who the heck am I to say that it 'dilutes the brand' of my 911, if it allows more R&D time and a better end product on the next 911 that I've been so patiently waiting for?
OK....lets take Porsche as an example. Yes they have the big 4 door Panamera and a SUV, but they have maintained the classic 911 as a sports car. I have to say that the MINI has lost this as they have diluted the core car to a point that it has become more hipster than driver car.
Good grief, Bernie waves a fee and I agree with you....all in one day. I'm going out and buy a lottery ticket ASAP !! Lol
I've been mulling this over the past few days. I bought a Gen 2, 09 Clubman as my entry car to MINI. While I don't think that MINI has lost it's way, and I like to see MINI branch out in it's appeal and be successful, I am picking up a sense of betrayal from the 1st Gen customers. It seems to me that it runs deeper than resistance to change or snobbery over being part of an offbeat, exclusive crowd that is going mainstream. I wasn't around then and was never a car enthusiast by any means, but these little cars were turning my head on the rare occasion that one went by starting about 2004. I see the Gen 1 enthusiasts coming to a point where they would like to replace their car but don't feel that MINI is offering them a viable choice. It must be a bitter and sad thing because they were the first believers in MINI and they are the ones who took a chance and bought these cars that no one knew anything about. They took the risk, they supported the company, and they promoted the brand. Now MINI isn't listening to them or rewarding their loyalty with a new model that they can embrace like they did their Gen 1 MINI. Just my thoughts, nothing more, and quite likely off base. If there is anything valid to what I am thinking, what would satisfy those who are unhappy with MINI's current offerings? Would building the Rocketman as a serious car, dumping the concept cuteness factor, fill that niche?
Hey, thanks y'all for all the "likes." Maybe I am finally starting to get it? A few days ago I was thinking that people just don't like change. But the education that I have gotten from M/A made me know in my heart there is more to it. MINI should do a 10 year promo featuring some their first buyers and what they are driving today, preferably their original MINI with a new MINI added to their family. More importantly, MINI should have a focus group of first buyers and see what comes out of it. They know where to find you, don't they? They sure know where to find me. Or, did you drop off their radar when the last warranty ran out? Lately I am seeing dedicated enthusiasts leaving the brand. Hatred of the new models alone wouldn't cause that. Lack of a new model to fit their needs causes that. Some people just like to change it up a bit, but in others I sense sadness and a reluctance to go. So, Gen 1 loyalists and others dissatisfied with the current line up - What would you like to see? What would compel you buy a new MINI because, WOW!, you just have to have it?