To get any kind of usable interior volume increase between the R53 and F56, you'd need a significant increase in wheelbase, of which there's been basically none. FWIW, the Clubman is a full 4" longer than the F56, even. Not nearly the same size. The Cooper is not 'big' by any means. It has a big bulbous proboscis, and that's about it.
I actually prefer the looks of the base F56 Cooper to the S - there's a tuning shop in Japan that's fitted the base bumper to an S, and it looks a LOT better.
Was just saying how some view the extra 8'' .. Years ago that was touted as BIG ( Clubman ) Now some are saying hey it's only grown 8''. and of course the Clubman is bigger then the F56, it's supposed to be, which is what I'm saying. They have other models for people who want a bigger car, leave the Cooper alone..
Lee - MINI is going to do what they think is best. Even if they are full of carp. ut: Zillion - I agree the Cooper looks better than the S.
What car that has been in production for 12+ years (or at least had multiple generations) hasn't grown in size/weight from when it first came out?
Bingo. Let's take the GTI for example... 2004 specs: 68.3" wide 164.9" long 98.9" wheelbase 2934 lb crub weight 2015 specs: 70.8" wide 168" long 103.6" wheelbase 3086 lb crub weight Very similar amount of growth over the last few generations. Also, I can't wait until Mendra sees this post...
MAybe the Classic Mini for one, which is why it's called The Classic and most of us like it.. I understand the car has to evolve but they had the opportunity to create another classic. Keep coming out with the bigger models for those that want a bigger car, and to bring in new customers..In a few more years there will be nothing small about the Cooper which is what us 1st Gen owners liked about it to start with. ( atleast one of the reasons ) In 10 years or so they'll have to come out with a MINI MINI and start the process all over again, as the current model at that time will be as big a Camaro...
The MINI has picked up twice that difference in length and then some from '06-'15 - 8'' your example of the GTI is only a hair over 3'' If the MINI had followed that growth pattern we might not be having this discussion about the growing size of it all... but at the end of the day, they are selling more cars every year which is what they're after.. Which is a good thing for them, bad for those of us who aren't willing to trade in our current MINI for a new one because we don't like the direction they are going.. No biggie, I've never bought the same make of car 2 times in a row anyway so no reason to start now..
And most of it is in the nose and rear bumper for crash test standards. Wheelbase has grown only 1.1" which is a bigger indicator of how much the MINI really hasn't grown.
but growth is growth regardless of the reason. The GTI got by without adding all that growth. Just saying.. I fully understand the MINI is not big but you have to admit it is getting bigger and at some point down the road we'll have to ask as the saying goes " At what point is the MINI not MINI" size wise... The wheel base size just means it should still somewhat handle like the 1st Gen..
The GTI got by without adding all that growth to the length because the GTI has always had an enormous front overhang and chunky bumpers. The MINI has not. Now it does.
OK, so why is it such a small percentage of Gen 1 buyers like the Gen 2 cars, and even fewer like the Gen 3 cars? What has MINI done to alienate those folks? And for you Classic buffs, there are bigger classics too - my Clubby is both longer in wheelbase and longer in body than the hatch - about 8" overall. However, the original Mini stayed the same size it's entire production life. Just sayin.....
All this talk about an extra 8"... Honestly, i wouldn't know what to do with an extra 8", but there are people out there somewhere that would probably love to give it a try.
That's just it. They left the cooper alone and came out with other models. Clubman, truck, etc. Us 1st Gen owners wish BMW had done the same thing. Each new Gen version has gotten away from what we liked about it. We don't care about the backseat, headroom, gadgets, etc...
You pretty much answered my argument right there. The GTI really hasn't changed much but yet the MINI has, and it didn't have too.