Are BMW mini's actually small and would you have bought yours (or want one) if it were the size of the original?

I just had a reminder of how big my mini is. I'm working on my brakes in my 1950 garage. I don't really have much room to get around it on the sides. I think it's about the width of a 1950 era full size (shorter though)

What's up with cars getting bigger when gas prices and green house gasses are such a concern?
A coworker of mine just bought a new civic because it's about the size for her old accord. Another coworker was commenting He should have bought a 1 series BMW because his 3series is so much bigger then his last one...

 

If today's mini's were the same size as the original ones, I would not buy one - no way.

 

The old ones are small that's for sure.

 

Yes, MINIs really are small. My Clubman is much smaller than the old VW Golf I drove before.

 

The other month they had our boss's completely restored 1960-something Beetle. I looked inside and said "damn, my mini has more room then this."

 

The new Fiat 500 is a cool size and I would love to see MINI release something to combat that with an even more retro MINI. I hear there may be a 3 cylinder turbo motor for the S in the future with even more power than the current motor. A hot motor in a 500 size MINI would sell like crazy I think but I'm sure MINI will never go back. The Gen II MINI is the size it is now because of European pedestrian crash regulations. I'm also sure market research is another bigger reason. Yes, the "Actual Size" stickers don't mean that much anymore.

 

Yep, I just sold my '67 VW last year. The width of the back seat was good but there was no good leg room. I loved it but it had to go.

 

The Classic Mini's are very small outside, yet are deceivingly roomy on the inside. I'm 6' and have no trouble fitting inside, but I am more comfortable when I'm in my 02 MINI's. They're also much safer than the original, but that's not a fair comparison. The second generation MINI's and the new Countryman are still small compared to other car models, but are getting too big for many Mini purists.

 

If they made them any smaller, they couldn't sell them to supersized Americans...

I wish it was smaller though, so I'm really looking forward to the Fiat 500 (Abarth version...) as an alternative to my Mini.

 

Veggivet, true about the deceivingly roomy interior. Due to all of these safety regulations, there will never be a new Mini sized MINI. I live on the border with Mexico so I see a lot of Mexican cars not sold in the US. I just saw some Chevrolet that appeared to me to be the size of a Mini. Maybe there is hope!

 

Smaller cars can pass the regs too... Have you ever seen a Smart?

 

Ive driven a classic Mini, and yes, it is small.

The interior is quite roomy, given the overall dimensions of the car. It is approximately 2/3 the size of an R50/53, but it is so much lower to the ground that its startling.

 

I feel like my mini is small when Im next to other cars; my mini is very low. When Im inside, I feel like I have plenty of room. It's a great size, I'd still be interested if it were smaller

 

Relative to today's market, MINIs are small. Well, in North America, at least. Head to Europe or Asia and there are several smaller cars to choose from.

The one that gets me is the Countryman. I mean, by the way it's been attacked from some quarters, you'd think MINI is building a friggin' Suburban. But when you look at the measurements, the R60 is actually about the size of a Kia Soul.

 

No, I would not buy a MINI that were smaller than my '02. I've got a wife and three kids, frequently carrying some combination of them around, along with diaper bag or stroller. I am glad there are lots of different cars/sizes/types to choose from. My MINI is not inherently better than other vehicles because it is smaller, but I like it, it is fun, and serves its purpose well.

 

R56 is a tiny bit bigger that R53.
By today's standard R53 is very very small, so small people think its unsafe. But that's ok those are the people I don't want to drive MINIs. Not sure how much smaller MINI could have been and remain a premium car and all its mandatory and optional safety equipment.
Fiat 500 Abarth drool!!

 

i only feel smal next to a 18 wheeler

 

I would not want my MINI to be any smaller from the standpoint of how I feel inside, but I wouldn't want it any bigger on the outside as I feel I can put it just where I want in traffic and of course parking is a breeze. I have been in one of the original bubble cars, scary small and so is the new Smart. Of course my formula junior car was like crawling into a sleeping bag, no wasted space there but I was out of as soon as the race or practice was over, very cozy. The new Fiat 500? May be OK, at least the Abarth version, but I don't have the desire to live at the dealership service department, so I think not. Fit, Soul, Element, etc. no interest. Original Mini, could never get used to those itty bitty wheels, overall size, bit too small. I have owned a lot of cars from very large, Cadillac Fleetwood, Lincoln Mark IV, Buick 220 Limited, to very small, Bugeye Sprite and Lotus 7A and everything in between. Right now my MINI seems just about right!

 

If they came out with a retro the size of the originals, I'd buy one in a heartbeat! When I was in the Air Force and stationed just outside Oxford (1987-1992), I owned three different Mini's and loved the hell out of them! Very small on the outside, but surprisingly roomy on the inside. Not kidding when I say 4 adult men could fit in one. Best by far was my 1275GT, that thing ran like a raped ape! It was nothing to cruise down the M40 to London and hold a steady 100mph plus. The 1275GT looked bad *** too, riding on 12" wheels (standard was 10s).

 

Due to more intense safety regulations, they just can't build cars like they did 20 years ago. So don't compare to a car built 20 ~ 50 years ago.

I could fit in parking spaces that other people avoid.
When entering/leaving the car, i need to adjust my chair first.
Nobody rides in the back seat with me in front.
It looks tiny.



So yes, it is small.

 

Mine is the full size version

Mark

 

They are a lot like Dr. Who's TARDS. Only small on the outside. The prime objective to to move you (and a mate) with the maximum amount of enjoyment. If you want more room, buy a SUV!

Skyhawk 05 BRG/s

 

If they were to offer a "new" classic Mini, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I'll take a BRG 1275S with Minilites please.

 

Based on your past history, wouldn't you buy two in a heartbeat?

 

Actually, there does exist a company in the United Kingdom, that still builds the classic mini under an original license. These would have an immense price level, i think at least the price of a New Mini Cooper S with lots of options.
Now if only I could remember that company name..