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I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show, and loved just about everything about it except for the huge speedo/radio in the dash. I still love my Chrono Pack and hate that you can't get that at all on the new ones. Otherwise, I find so little different about them, what's no to love? Any physical changes in appearance to the outside are minimal at best.
-Keith
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2005 Mini Cooper - Black/White 5-speed
2007 Subaru Forester XT - 2008 Mustang GT - 1990 Mazda Miata
I agree. I saw them at the San Jose Auto Show and the exterior changes are very minor IMO. The interior changes were more drastic but I liked them much better in person than from what I'd seen in photos.
I like some of the changes, but I still perfer the R53. Mostly to the interior.
The exterior when examined, looks mostly to be "production cheapified." far less complex curvature of the bonnet....no wraparound glass at the C pillar, closure joints at the hood etc...(all have been discussed before)
I was in London a little while ago and saw the new MINI in person... the exterior is definitely not as sharp as the "old" "new" MINI. But I really LOVE the new interior. To me it looks a lot less cheap and more thought out. It is more BMW like. The radio and A/C are no longer just a stack of components, everything is integrated nicely together.
My wife and I just got back from the Washington, DC auto show and we had mixed feelings about the 2007 MINI. It's still a huge crowd pleaser - I couldn't believe how many people were stopping at the MINI display.
Gotta admit though - while the exterior looks great the instrument panel leaves me cold. The only way I can describe the difference is our 2006 console looks like it took its design from an aircraft cockpit - everything fits, everything has a purpose, from an engineering perspective it's elegant. The new console, while functional, has an "art deco" feel to it.
That being said - it's still a MINI and I'm sure those who buy the new version will be as passionate about their rides as we are about ours. And to that all I can say is WELCOME.
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"Greeley" - Old English for grey meadow
2006 MCSa, DS/B, blk leather, blk bonnet stripes
I don't like the new speedo, the new console, the front, the back, the aero sides, the lack of curving glass on the rear sides...
I guess I just love mine too much to change. As Lotsie said, I'm sure 07 owners who've not had the pleasure of experiencing our generation will love theirs to death. Hopefully not literally.
Still haven't had a chance to see the R56 in person, but I'm looking forward to it. Re the interior, I really love the chrono pack as has already been mentioned, so that's a tick against the new model. Also, the new radio seems like it will be impossible to mod later (admitedly not a top concern for BMW/MINI, but higher up the scale for enthusiasts). I like a lot of the exterior, even the new Aero kit, but have to admit that the overall design element I like least so far on the new model is the headlights - they seam a little too insect like for me.
I'm sure the new version will grow on me (even the MKV Jetta has grown on me, something I thought would never happen), but for now I'm happy I went with the 06 model for my first MINI.
06 DS/B MCS, #2, LSD, HK, Anthracite, Chrono, Dinan stage 1 suspension, camber plates, STB, CAI, Stage III software, JCW Wheel
