My R56 is definitely not a "well built machine" and I say that with every thread in my body. British cars have never been the epitome of reliability, but I was expecting more from a car that easily costs 30 large, and that has BMW's name on it.

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I know that a MINI, the size of the original in today's world would never sell, or even be allowed to be built due to all the safety regulations, etc... I just hope this newest incarnation is more reliable, constructed from higher quality materials, and is more comfortable over rough ruts, but still has the fling-ability that the MINI name is associated with. I wouldn't want a car any smaller than the current R56, because then it becomes an impractical, expensive, and pointless vehicle. I use my R56 as my daily driver. I need to be able to cram stuff in its boot, be comfortable driving it 250 miles at a time, and feel safe doing those things. I will say that although my car has had numerous issues, I still would buy another MINI. I hope the F56 hasn't been toned down too much though like the BMW 3 and 5 series.

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The N20 and B48 engines are basically the same engine. The B48 is just made for transverse applications. Yes, it has some different injectors, and should be slightly more efficient, but the two engines are nearly identical.

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Maybe once I see the JCW version I might warm up to it a bit.. I hope some how the front end will be better with the JCW.. But there are many other things I don't like.. I always like that giant speedo in the middle..now gone.. Plus these new taillights are WAY to huge.. But I will still test drive one..lol..

 

OK, i'm old (67) and they certainly didn't build that car for me...
Headlights too big, taillights way too big, overall car too big... and we are headed for a 5 door version!

Bigger is not necessarily better.

I love my MINI for the way it handles and because it is a joy to drive. I don't use the radio, i don't talk on the phone, i don't open my sunroof (because i don't have nor want one... ) i just love to drive. The MINI is (or was) an enthusiast's car.

Sadly MINI seems to be doing what many marques do, each new model gets bigger. The Porsche 911 is such a beautiful car in every model but i still prefer the earlier, smaller ones. The latest 911 is longer that the Aston Martin (perhaps that is their target market?).

In around 2001 Porche was in the midst of designing their Cayenne and the Porschefiles were upset. Now it's the Panamera. Maybe it is an economic necessity that is driving MINI. Keep expanding the model line...

I bought a '73 beetle new and drove it for 10 years. I loved that car then - would i want it now, of course not. But there must be some rational limit to the amount of gadgetry we "need" in our cars.

What i don't need (i do understand that some people love this stuff):
- head-up display
- dual zone control AC
- a freaking information system - we are so overloaded with information already that we can't focus on just enjoying the drive
- green mode
- visual indicators relating to driver assistance systems currently activated
- parking assist
- rear camera
- etc. blah blah blah - i'm beating a dead horse...

peace (after that rant)

 

It's a reference to post #106's joke :

 

bravo

 

Frank Stephensen who is the designer of the r50 and r53 currently says in MotoringFile that Mini has gotten away from what these cars were. Small BMW's that were not inexpensive to make. It had all the characteristics that BMW's had. He states that the new Mini's are built so that they are inexpensive. Also that the Countryman has deviated from the original intent of the Mini.

He says that "Mini has lost it". He states that the cars remained popular through the R56 through technology and it kept the car selling well, as well as appealing to families with somewhat limited runs.

He liked that the car wasn't 100% BMW.

Also it says that Mini sales were down 13% for November this year.

 

I don't think his R50 looks as good as the R56

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I think very much like you. If I wanted all that crap I would buy a cad. I want a little , sports car. I had a 59 alfa as my first car, heck it didn't even have a radio. To be honest even if it would have had a radio you would not have been able to hear it. Next came a BMW 2002, no power anything, no air, no sun roof, nothing. It too was a blast to drive, I think the problem is people in general aren't gear heads anymore. The guys I work with are mostly not capable of changing a tire. They would never buy a stick, and they think cars need to have every computer gizmo made. I like nothing better than jumping into my 32 ford roadster and driving 700 miles to Bonneville. No radio, a 57 hemi engine, a 37 La Salle trans and a 40 ford rear end. Once again not a single electronic gizmo to be found.
Nirvana
chuck

 

In the vain (hopeless) hope that MINI actually bothers to consider the feedback on enthusiast forums:

With the 2014 F hatch, you have lost me as a repeat new car buyer.

I won't buy one of them if I ever need to replace my 2003 MCS; I'll buy either a used 1st gen car or, more likely, the car that has taken the 1st gen's place: the Fiat 500 Abarth. (You almost certainly don't care and appear to want to cater to non-quirky, mainstream tastes, but I just have to register my displeasure after 10 years as a MINI owner and MINI advocate.)

I hate the larger size and styling. (I suspect that many other new cars will also get caught in ugly designs during their next upgrades due to the Euro-**** pedestrian standards.) Nonetheless, this front of this car is just UGLY. And don't give me "wait until you see it in person." The 50/53 looked great both in pictures and in person.

I could live with the ugly front end, since I have the skills to fabricate a much better looking, tighter wrapped front end from composite.

But what pushed me over the edge was your decision to remove the oil dipstick. So what that most buyers are not using it and that other manufacturers are doing this? If the average person doesn't care, why not leave it in and appease the real enthusiasts and car guys who will promote your car by word of mouth (like I have done for 10 years)? I've already been bad-mouthing the new car to my friends. (I also have heartburn with the overly complex engine valve control system. My car is fine with its simpler system...)

Are ANY of you bozos really car guys anymore? I'll bet NOT - I'll bet this dipstick deal was decided by a bunch Twitterheads and modern day corporate bureaucrats, not wrenching car enthusiasts. My gas gauge has been intermittently incorrect for 5 years. I don't like the dipstick removal both from a practical standpoint, but also see it as symbol that you guys are no longer car enthusiasts.

Flyboy2160

 

The '59 alpha was such a cool looking car. i actually drove an early 60s model that belonged to a coworker. I loved the quirky "misplaced" shifter. Oh, and the 2002, probably the first "sport sedan", still a cult following.

I grew up in the 60s when Austin Healy, MGs and Triumphs were THE sports cars. Small, nimble 2 seaters, sat low to the ground... made you feel like you were going faster than you really were.

Miata did a nice job (imo) of replicating the genre (similar to an early Lotus).

Sadly, I think manual transmissions are being phased out. The fancy automatic dual clutch, shift in milliseconds, etc. still doesn't replace the fun of going through the gears.

The new C-7 Corvette will rev match on upshifts and downshifts. WTF, no more blipping the throttle...

Love to see a pic of your roadster! - never mind - found it in your gallery - Very sweet and i'm guessing, LOUD...

Steve

 

ha ha Twitterheads... have to agree though.

To me the F56 looks like a MINI Countryman - nothing against the Countryman but we already have one of those.

And what REALLY pisses me off is that they are going to build a 4 door. That's why we have the Clubman. Why not a 4 door Corvette, or a 4 door Porsche, oh wait we already have one of those called Panamera.

I'm too old and cranky...

 

The fiat is so disappointing to drive. It's like driving a minivan. It can't touch the MINI in any aspect. I drove an abarth and I was so glad I went ahead and bought the MINI. The couple of added inches are not going to ruin the car in my book. I want a car that I can have fun in, but also cram some junk in. Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I love my base 2012 Mini. I have no options on it. The 6 speed manual with satellite radio is pure driving fun. Really, what more do you need than what comes on the base car?

 

I agree ...

My original Mini, a 1967 Austin Cooper S was stolen in August 1972. I ordered a BMW 2002 tii a month later and waited 5 months for it to arrive. Drove the 2002 tii for almost 30 years ... sold it in September 2002, 2 months after buying my R53.

Hope my R53 lasts as long as the 2002 tii

 

Thats a good build sheet, simple is good.

chuck

 

Thanks Chuck!

 

Did anyone else see the JCW "concept" release photos from today? Not so sure I like the way it looks in pictures, and after hearing what MF said about the cars looks in person, I'm hoping this baby just isn't photogenic, but a knockout in person.

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Thanks for heads up, you must mean this:
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/29...s_concept.html

I might drop the red piping overkill (will likely get toned down for production), but otherwise it looks mean and instantly recognizable.

The best part was the following bit: "A lighter kerb weight and improved aerodynamics are promised".

a

 

Yeah that "concept" but I think that's gonna be really close to the production model. Something about the fish mouth front end irks me, especially on this picture. But Motoring File said the car looks much better in person. Wish I could've been in LA when it was revealed to get a good look up close and personal.

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They claimed the cooper and cooper s trims were going to be lighter and they even said that in their press release, but they both weigh more.

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Yeah - the quantity and the size of holes on the front facia is approaching comical, though not dissimilar to the latest BMW styling trends: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...cial-pictures/

I'm not yet sold on the the cheese-grater look, but history shows that the rest of the car industry will be copying BMW styling cues in no time. At least MINI is getting a head start.

a

 

I don't mind the little added size, as long as it still drives similarly to the current car - but hopefully it's more comfy over rough pavement and less twitchy - but more agile in the twisties. I also wouldn't mind to have a little more trunk, and rear seat room, and I desperately hope the interior quality is drastically improved.

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So... You want a JCW Paceman?

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