I am considering one and don't want to get a car and next i know it's redesigned.

Please advise.
current model out since 2007.

thanks!

 

I read somewhere, but cant find it now during a quick google that 2014 was the year. If the last redesign is any indication, and I think it is, the new design will use the same vocabulary and wot look markedly different from the ones available now.

 

thanks! 2014 is good time for me to enjoy and then move on. :-)
thank you. I see you have a mini on order.

Can you PM me how much off msrp you got off?

 

According to MotoringFile, the next generation will debut at the MINI United event in the summer of next year and will be released for the 2013 model year.

 

I'm expecting a new hardtop new September. The last years of an old design tend to be more reliable than the first year of a new one.

 

That's one reason why I'm ordering a 2012 MCS at this time....before the new model come in. Otherwise if I waited until I really need a new one, then I may get a model that still has glitches (minor ones probably though). I prefer a model with as few glitches as possible.

 

exactly!!!

 

2013 should be the re-design so this current model year is the last of the R56. As Voyager and Dancer pointed out the first year of a design is usually hampered with issues. Consumer Reports and others recommend you skip the first year of a re-design.

 

I hope they don't keep getting larger.

 

Is the R56 bigger than the R53? Or are you talking about the Countryman?

 

The R56 is larger then the R53. Looking at concepts the cars are getting bigger.

 

That's what I don't get. They have a giant Mini for people who need a giant Mini. Or who think the small one is too small. So why the need to grow the small one too? Especially since the whole point -- or part of the point -- of BMW wanting to build the Mini was they needed to market something smaller than their 3 series, without messing with the 3 series brand. If the Mini grows until it's the same size as the 3 series, what then? An even larger 3 (or 1) I suppose.

But then might as well ask why the Civic no longer fits in a compact parking space. If you like big cars, you get hundreds of choices. If you like small cars, you get maybe 3, and that number dwindles every year. I can't wait to see how much bigger the next Fiat 500 gets...

 

I completely agree Dennis. I want a R53 size newer car. Like a shoe with gobs of power and high mpg. If I want a large vehicle I'll go elsewhere.

 

I think the R56 became bloated to meet new laws on pedestrian safety.

 

Yes, BMW keeps referring to more stringent crash and pedestrian laws in the EU, but the Fiat 500 is sold in the same markets since 2007 and it hasn't had to grow. Both get two stars for pedestrian safety and five for adults. Clearly you can meet the regulations with a smaller car, and there has to be some other reason why they decided to get larger.

 

The R56 is 3" longer than the R53 (although slightly lower weight). The 2013 will be a major change, including a 3 cylinder engine for the Cooper.

 

supposedly this is it

 

That's pure speculation by an automotive website (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/), and a very sloppy photoshop. How do you open the rear hatch with the taillight in the way?

 

That looks like the concept Paceman butt shooped on there. Which is funny because I'm fairly sure that part of it was going to be changed for the final design.

 

All cars get bigger through the years. I think it's mostly because auto buyers always want "a little more". A little more legroom, a little more headroom, a little more power, a little more braking, a little more cup-holders, a little more safety, and on and on. Since the manufacturers are in the business of selling cars, they add a little more here and a little more there. After a little while, your little tiny compact car is suddenly a full-size car!

Check a current Civic against a 70s-vintage Accord. Guess which one is bigger? (The 70s-vintage Civic was even smaller!)

Long ago, VW introduced the Golf (AKA the Rabbit in the US). Over the years, it grew and grew. So they introduced the Polo to fill the small car niche. The Polo grew as well, so they eventually introduced the Lupo to fill the small car niche. Meanwhile, the Golf has grown to (at least) a mid-size car. And I hear rumors that VW will be introducing another car soon to fill the small car niche that the Lupo no longer fits into.

The more things change...

 

While we're on this topic, I stumbled across some scary news. (Well, it worries me because I hope it doesn't influence the appearance). BMW is considering "streamlining" production of the Countryman and Clubman. In other words, the Countryman could wind up sharing some parts with the other car, even the barn doors. I just hope it doesn't affect how the Clubman looks. I'm glad there are MINIs to suit every taste and opinion but I just don't like the Countryman. And a bit of irony here, the original Clubman WAS called the Countryman for a short time. Try looking in Wikipedia. They even had the barn doors.

 

Okay... as long as Mini introduces something to fill the small car niche left behind by the ever-larger Mini. But what to call it?

 

How do you open the bonnet with the headlights in the way?

 

I would definitely stay away from a new model with a new engine.

 

The MINI MINI???