Unfortunately, it is true. I struggled for ages to love 2nd generation and when they finally changed the centre console from silver to black, I caved. However, the 3rd generation has SO many changes - especially things I loved - that it's hard to decide. I have to get a car by July, and might just go with something else and wait until my next car to come back to MINI. It's a shame they keep making these funky changes.

 

According to a friend of mine who test drove one he stated the following:
Pros, sports seats are AWESOME, power is good, techie gadjects are abundant.
CONs, it's not visually appealing as previous models and gokart feeling is gone. They moved the window switches and lock switches to the door as well as gas filler to the other side . The start stopmis weird but you can turn it off.

So overall it had power to spare but the feel is wrong, He is hoping the "15 JCW gets it right.

Just one mans thoughts...

 

Well I liked it a lot better in person, sure I'd love to have the JCW version instead but I know that it will be out of my price range sadly.

 

No flame wars here please. Get back in your sled with the reindeer dude.