Most liked posts in thread: Next Generation MINI Spy Photos Show More Modern Interior

So far, I can't say I am impressed with the BMW-ization of the new models...

If I wanted a freaking BMW, I would have gotten one.

KEEP MINI MINI!

 

Yeah, BMW/MINI should take a page from Porsche and try to understand the desire to stay MINI....

 

A very good point indeed.. When we purchased in 1999 a new BMW, we also ponied up an extra $1,600.00 for the integrated phone, a phone that with the advent of digital signals became outdated very quickly and now resides in a box in the garage and a factory cup holder put in it's place...

When Chip Foose does one of his creations, he always keeps the then cutting edge electronics hidden because he says that, that is the first thing to become dated on an automobile...:frown5:

Give me the stuff that makes the car perform and tells me what it is doing, I'll take care of the rest with my smart phone and it's latest iteration..

 

It will get bigger and bigger(like the 3 series) then after a few generations they will introduce a smaller MINI (1 series)

 

I thought that was what the Clubbie and Countryman are for??? :confused5: It is almost like they are trying to screw up a good thing and kill the MINI brand by making it NOT a MINI anymore. BMW used to be king of tradition and brand, but it seems they are losing their way. Even their line looks like a bunch of Honda's now... Sad.

 

I'll throw some gasoline on the fire and point out that the "bigger" Mini isn't really all that much larger.

The wider/longer stance should improve handling. They also state that wieght will be reduced. That improves efficiency which IS what the Euro market is looking for. I'll reserve judgement until I actually see/drive one in person.

 

Judging by the photos, looks like there's still a lot of confusion and consternation over the audio controls. :crazy: Driver and passenger seem to be fixated on it :lol:

 

BMW's seeming answer to every question is: BIGGER. We went and looked at the new 3 series and it is positively huge, with this new long overhang over the front wheels. Looking at the spy shots of the new Mini, you can see that influence... Then read the above description and note the words, larger, wider, roomier, etc.... Not a Mini Cooper and certainly not words that should apply to a 3 series that is now the size of an old seven...ut:

PS: ...and in the mean time, Subaru and Toyota are about to release a small, light, wonderfully agile car.....

 

This is the 5 series, certainly much bigger than when it started.

 

No doubt that they are Jim....


.....and in the mean time, loyalist are getting wondering eyes.

 

I'm not even sure where to start commenting on this thread....

I traded my R56 in for an R53.... I never quite liked it as much as my R50... It didn't have that tight and stiff handling my first MINI had.

You will always have the "it's too small" crowd...... My mom drives an Expedition because she feels safe with a lot of metal around her. She refuses to drive in my "death trap". It's better that way :devil:

Anyway, I just don't see me buying another MINI in the future..... Unless I can find another nice R53.

 

The trend towards bigger seems counter-intuitive to me, but Americans will always like big cars, I suppose. It surprises me that the European market would embrace larger cars though. Isn't the modern trend smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient?

 

Time to buy spare R52/R53's. Several.

 

Well, at least that won't have changed!

 

OK, as the owner of a Clubman, which I love, I will join in reserving judgement too. Just yesterday the owner of a Coupe told me that my car is too big and that I need to downsize. :frown2: I did downsize when I bought my Clubby!
I am a bit worried though. Change is hard to accept.

 

I will have to wait for better pictures to comment on weather or not I like the new look.
I will comment on something mentioned in the article though. They are hoping/predicting that there will be some sort of phone integration/I-drive that will make the current MINI connected look like Windows 95. I like my smartphone but it's a tool with a somewhat limited life I just don't see myself owning it for 10 years. A car however hopefully will last longer than 10 years, especially an enthusiast model. My issue with "smart" dashboards, is what will they look/feel like in 10+ years? At what point will updates be no longer available? Even if everything works well in 10+ years it will likely feel very outdated. Just like the Windows 95 example. I am sure there are a few Win95 machines still out there, and they may still work well, maybe grandma just uses it to check her e-mail, but I sure would not want to have to deal with a win95 computer on a daily basis.

 

Like to see a pic like that beginning with the 2002 all the way through to this new beast..but I can't find one.:frown5:

 

If it is actually representative, I'm liking the center stack over its stock R56 predecessor but wonder if the optional Nav/Connected interface will suffer from less real estate. Can't say the same for the steering wheel, which now looks like your run-of-the-mill Ford Focus.

Those funky side mirrors are still hangin' around...

 

I hear ya Mark and can not agree more. However, I was talking with a lady at the other barn today, who is in the market for a new car and was asking about mine. The words "I really like it", "it is cute and classy", "it looks like a lot of fun" came up, followed by "it is just too small for me", "if it were bigger, I'd buy one", "I don't think anything that small can be safe", "I wish they made a bigger one".

I went into sales pitch mode, but no sale. "Maybe if it were bigger" were her last words.

Perhaps BMW is going for the "bigger" market, rather then we few loyal followers. Look how they dealt with the WRC for example.

Jim

 

Exactly.