Would you be upset with a BMW Logo??
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Mine came with a BMW license plate frame (BMW of Mt. View). The TPMS parts I got for my second wheels are straight-up BMW parts. MINIs are accepted in BMW Club Racing, which accepts only BMWs.
While MINI has a unique identity, as the owner of four BMWs over the years, I see a lot of BMW in my R56. That was a major factor in my purchase.
While MINI has a unique identity, as the owner of four BMWs over the years, I see a lot of BMW in my R56. That was a major factor in my purchase.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC/Northern VA
Funny isn't it? 
I'm not berating your choice of vehicle, so don't do so to mine. I'm getting 75+MPG, and the car is suiting my 700-800 mile a week drives alot better than the 22-25mpg the MINI was.
As far as my BMW wings go, I believe I had Cooperflags make them for me. They were like $35 dollars shipped.
I had ALOT of comments on them wherever I went. I went to quite a few euro shows with my car, and I got the most positive comments form those guys.
If I were to do it again, I would make sure to heat up the vinyl before putting it on, or doing the soap and water method, as it was hard to get the wrinkles out of a convex badge covered with a flat piece of vinyl.
I'm not berating your choice of vehicle, so don't do so to mine. I'm getting 75+MPG, and the car is suiting my 700-800 mile a week drives alot better than the 22-25mpg the MINI was.
As far as my BMW wings go, I believe I had Cooperflags make them for me. They were like $35 dollars shipped.
I had ALOT of comments on them wherever I went. I went to quite a few euro shows with my car, and I got the most positive comments form those guys.
If I were to do it again, I would make sure to heat up the vinyl before putting it on, or doing the soap and water method, as it was hard to get the wrinkles out of a convex badge covered with a flat piece of vinyl.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC/Northern VA
I think the BMW Mini with the wings looks pretty sweet.
BMW is all about good performing cars.
If it was Saturn Mini on some wings...than we have a problem.
BMW is all about good performing cars.
If it was Saturn Mini on some wings...than we have a problem.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,639
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
I would hate it. I almost didn't buy the car in the first place because a POS company like BMW made it.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,639
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, Ca.
Mine came with a BMW license plate frame (BMW of Mt. View). The TPMS parts I got for my second wheels are straight-up BMW parts. MINIs are accepted in BMW Club Racing, which accepts only BMWs.
While MINI has a unique identity, as the owner of four BMWs over the years, I see a lot of BMW in my R56. That was a major factor in my purchase.
While MINI has a unique identity, as the owner of four BMWs over the years, I see a lot of BMW in my R56. That was a major factor in my purchase.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, Illinois
I guess I'm a bit of a purist. I think the Mini should remain a Mini.
Lets turn it an other way; Do you think Jag, Volvo, Austin Martin, and Land Rover owners would appreciate having their cars re-labeled FORD?
Lets turn it an other way; Do you think Jag, Volvo, Austin Martin, and Land Rover owners would appreciate having their cars re-labeled FORD?
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC/Northern VA
Its just the nature of the beast today.
Ford did make a mistake when it start making Jags look like a Ford Taurus.
I don't think BMW would do harm to Cooper. In fact I think it upgrade the quality of mini that is now parallel to the nostalgia of mini...i.e. the 2007 models.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC/Northern VA
BMW is a higher end model than Cooper not the other way around. Jags and Austin martin are higher end models than actual ford type cars.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
If BMW were to have used their logo from the start in 2001. I would be driving a BMW Cooper. I bought the car because of what the car is. Not the logo. 
That said. I do believe the logo does get people to look or not look. Those that don't like BMW wouldn't have looked at the MINI in the first place if it were labeled a BMW. The same can be said if it were a Kia or Chevy. Even if the car were the same I most likely would have never gone to check it out. So the logo does have impact. It got me to the dealership.
That said. I do believe the logo does get people to look or not look. Those that don't like BMW wouldn't have looked at the MINI in the first place if it were labeled a BMW. The same can be said if it were a Kia or Chevy. Even if the car were the same I most likely would have never gone to check it out. So the logo does have impact. It got me to the dealership.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad, CA
Way too late for that dontcha think? BMC has been "gone" for a long long time.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Saugus, CA
I wasn't berating you're choice of vehicle. Sorry if I came off that way. I guess the difference in the styling between the two is what had me wondering. Glad to hear the mpg's suit you better.
Last edited by SteelersFan; Oct 24, 2007 at 08:52 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: NYC!!
Anyways... Keep them seperate. When I want a BMW thats what I'll buy.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Would I be upset? No. Desiring this change? No.
FWIW, I was in Munich in '01, and I remember the entire side of one of the BMW buildings plastered with a giant announcement of the "new" MINI. BMW DOES indeed love the little guy!
FWIW, I was in Munich in '01, and I remember the entire side of one of the BMW buildings plastered with a giant announcement of the "new" MINI. BMW DOES indeed love the little guy!
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
I was looking for a comfortable, semi-affordable 4 cylinder, 4 seater convertible that was good on gas mileage. There are not very many of these left anymore....my options were the MINI, a VW Beetle, or the PT Cruiser....at least the decision was easy. If the car had a BMW logo on it, though, I don't know that it would have been in my price range.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
You're lucky. I have to drive a long way to get to a S & S! I remember them fondly from my years in St. Louis...
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Umm, My PT Cruiser gets 22 MPG on the best of days. It's horrible. 
My first car was a 1981 Mercury Capri; a 'clone' to the Mustang, but supposedly nicer. It was hideous (the hatchback & FWD years ) but very dependable.My 2 cents: having only owned American cars before my MINI I've noticed that while the MINI is probably the nicest car I've ever had what with the styling and performance etc; it also has the most annoying little quality issues that I've NEVER had to deal with on a new American car.
1. Sunroof sliders which open on their own
2. Gas cap surround does not stay on the car
3. Paint is super thin and already chipped on edges of the boot door.
I'm just praying that the problems remain only cosmetic and there are no similar issues with the engine or transmission or suspension. . .
I also wonder a BMW badged MINI would have these issues.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
If BMW were to have used their logo from the start in 2001. I would be driving a BMW Cooper. I bought the car because of what the car is. Not the logo.
That said. I do believe the logo does get people to look or not look. Those that don't like BMW wouldn't have looked at the MINI in the first place if it were labeled a BMW. The same can be said if it were a Kia or Chevy. Even if the car were the same I most likely would have never gone to check it out. So the logo does have impact. It got me to the dealership.
That said. I do believe the logo does get people to look or not look. Those that don't like BMW wouldn't have looked at the MINI in the first place if it were labeled a BMW. The same can be said if it were a Kia or Chevy. Even if the car were the same I most likely would have never gone to check it out. So the logo does have impact. It got me to the dealership.
).
, the car will throw a CEL... 
