Yes, I agree that boring colors are of much higher quality and diversity these days, I especially enjoy pearl white.

But it's downright depressing that Hyundai offers more color options than MINI...

I thought the VW Spektrum program was the coolest thing ever, despite how cost prohibitive it was. Only lasted one year in the US. Just keep making greyscale Golf Rs I guess... whatever sells... -_-

 

Those are weights for the HB. The biggest selling Countryman weighs 3,300-3,600 when I Googled it.

 

My dealer has a 2020 JCW Clubman on the showroom floor. The say that with the new 300+ Hp engine and All4 drive it is crazy fast...

Nothing like a little Hp to put a smile on one’s face.

 

That might me my next (and last) Mini. Although my JCW Coupe with the ECU tune would possibly eat it up on a race course (not that I do that mind you). It's probably close to 240 HP and weighs 2600 lbs (vs 3500 for the Clubman according to the specs).

 

Ya, know, that was my original thought, too, when I first saw the F56 and then earlier this year a 2019 JCW flew into my driveway...

I think some of the frustration with MINI is their lack of marketing. There is none. They could have capitalized the racing MINIs here in the US in the IMSA series, but they didn’t. The could have pushed the uniqueness of the brand, but they didn’t. Why is it that they promote the MINI so heavily in the UK, support the MINI Challenge race series over there and not here? I think we, as the consumer, have lost out to them not promoting the car and MINI has taken to limiting offerings as a result.

I got the car I want. Is it the same as the Gen I or Gen II MINIs we have, no. No more than the Gen II is the same as the Gen I. What is not to like about the “BMW” feel to the car? Gone are the squeaks and rattles, and the bone jarring crash over bumps. MINI has always been a solid car, the Gen III seems to be even more solid with sophistication in its ride. Do I miss the idea of being able to option out the car just the way I want? Yes. But, I bought my F56 off the showroom floor and it was basically the way I wanted it. And every time I squeeze the throttle, zip around a twisty, hit the brakes I find that it is really easy to live without those little things I might have opted for.

Still grinning from ear to ear any time I drive any of our MINIs....

 

I hear you. I was this close to buying an F56 in 2014 (VO). But the car that I had hijacked from CA got snared somewhere before I put down the deposit in Tempe. Plus the JCW wasn't out yet in 2014 so I got my R58 instead. It rattles and bumps more than I'd like. I was gonna wait until the G4 cars came out but it doesn't look like that is in the plans (except for the electric which I don't want). A 300HP JCW Clubman will be just fine thank you!

 

I put up specs and weights of the 2 door MINI Cooper S hardtop (or tried to, at least). If we are comparing through generations, we should compare the same model. A Countryman/Clubman would obviously be bigger than a 2 door MINI, no matter the generation. But if you can still buy the "mini" MINI, then it shouldn't be an issue that there are options that are much larger. I do think G3 are more bubbly (which may make them look fatter), but I was surprised that they are roughly the same size and actually lighter than previous generations. Do they have more HP and Torque than previous generations? If so, then I think they do a great job at keeping the spirit of a quick, little car that's fun to drive.

 

Hopefully with the new 300+hp and some modding we can get to 350hp/375hp or higher.

 

I know of someone who stuffed 245/45x17 tires into the wheel wells of a F56 JCW. Those might be needed to get that power to the ground, even with All4....

 

Getting back around to OP's observations regarding current MINI design, today we were sitting having coffee looking out over the parking lot at the coffee place. Lot was filled with 3 Mercedes, a BMW 3 and 5 series, 2 brand new white Honda Accords, a 2019 Lexus RX, a fancy new swoopy Camry with 4 exhaust pipes, a new Volvo SUV, and Infiniti that looked like a Hondyota. While we were sitting, a fancy red late model Audi coupe pulled in. As did a Bentley GT, and, of course, a Ford F150 that probably has a MSRP over $45K.

Lots of pretty paint jobs, lots of BIG rims and tires with almost no sidewalls.

There sat our metallic melting silver over burgundy MINI Clubman, amongst all this.

Trying to be objective, which is impossible, I can say my honest observation was that the Clubman got more looks and second glances than any of the other metal out there. Not that this matters.

What matters to me is that, looking at all of those late model vehicles, representing the latest in mainstream automotive design, and knowing, in all modesty, I could crack the monthly nut on anything I saw today in that lot, I was stoked to think that my new MINI is on the ship heading to my dealer and then into my hands next month.

Enjoy your friggin' Bentley or Lexus or Audi or Mercedes, or pickumuptruck... Been there, done that.

Nothing out there like a MINI, any generation you choose, like um or not. I like um.

 

I think the difference can be noted by comparison of the G1 to the G3, both in car and owners. At the time of the G1, Owners were excited about customizing the cars with stripes, wheels, exhaust, decals, and other items. The colors, too, exhibited fun. Now, with the newer cars, I see more mundane colors, and very little customization, not even simple and non-permanent things such as stripes. I’m having trouble deciding if I want to stripe my 18 Clubman. But each time I look at it, I feel it’s missing that excitement level.

Don’t even get me started on the “wave”.

 

Hmmmm - My F56 came with stripes and there is a bundle of things in the JCW Pro line of stuff, which I have started to buy.

But to some extent, I think you are right. I blame MINI/BMW who has been making it harder to change things in these cars, which has pushed people away from being interested in modding. The Gen I was the easiest to mod, the Gen II was harder, and the Gen III they have taken even more away - even the brake fluid reservoir is hidden; no dip stick. This is true of BMWs in general. The less involve people are with the running of their cars, the less interested they will be in doing other things to them. But there is still the aftermarket stuff out there, so there are still people out there doing mods on their MINIs.

Yes, do it. Stripe that Cubby...

And my wife gets the “wave” all the time in Blue, her ‘04 Base Cooper, but I usually don’t. Although I did get a wave the other day out on the Interstate, which surprised me as we were separated by a good size median...

 

I've probably spoken about this in other threads, but I think the focus on short leases and CPO sales had killed (or at least severely hurt) the customization of MINIs. In an effort to make the cars easier to sell to the "next" driver, they seemed to limit the uniqueness of a brand new MINI. I can't spec a new MINI and make my colors "clash" with added checkboards everywhere because they want me to only lease for 3 years then sell it to another person who might not like my choices. I was surprised that there wasn't as much customization on the 2019 builder and now the 2020 builder seems to have even less customization (abet, it's not "done"). I felt like there were more options when I was spec'ing a Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.

But I don't know if it's just the direction of car "ownership" that people don't tend to keep cars long, hence there's no real reason to customize it. So I don't know if this is a MINI problem or if it's just that MINI's "personalization" isn't a desirable feature to enough people now.

I try to wave to every MINI that I see, but I haven't gotten a response yet. 10-15 years ago when my RX-8 was new and you'd see other ones, I'd wave and got a high response rate.

 

I think you are still going to see second and third owners of the later gen cars doing customization.

If an enthusiast can get into a lower-mileage MINI that has already had a big chunk of depreciation burned off from the first owner/leasee, and the car can be bought right by the second lucky buyer, they'll be tricking it out more than us lease/rinse/repeat guys who are renting our cars under warranty, not driving too hard, not driving a lot of miles, and then starting over every few years.

Thank us. We pay so you tuners can play. Sorry our cars are "bland" colors without stripes. You guys can fix that when you buy our late model, low mileage MINIs at steep discounts. My 2017 Melting Silver over Burgundy Clubman S All4 with less than 20,000 easy miles is going to the auction in a month or two. MSRP was about $42K. My dealer told me it will wholesale out for under $20K. You're welcome.

 

New Mini design looks terrible. It is starting to look like a Fiat. Gone is the distinctive look.

 

but recently released MINIs sells for the month of September shows they moved more cars this Sept then last Sept. As long as that continues sadly their designers will keep on the path their on...

 

Not seeing anything “sad” about the new design. Out of our 3 MINIs, the 2019 JCW has become the car of choice to go anywhere in.

 

When I first saw a Porsche 356 back in the day, it was love at first sight. Every body line on that car had a deep sensuous curve to it, the bonnet, the fenders, the roof, etc...it was gorgeous! Sadly, I couldn't afford one then....and still can't. I remember it stood out in a sea of other hard edged, angular cars of the period. As I look back now, that single car has had more influence on the cars I've purchased over the years than I originally thought. I just like rounded automotive designs.

So, when the new BMW/Mini debuted, it appealed to me immediately. It took me a year, but I finally convinced my wife that we needed to buy one of these curvy little cars. Yes, I was a little disappointed when the Gen II cars showed up with more muted curves than the Gen I's, but, they still had a look to them that was unique in the world of automotive design. When the Gen III's showed up I was truly disappointed in their design, as it was taking another step in the direction toward mediocrity.

Some will say that this is progress in the design, and that Mini will attract more customers into the fold by making the car more appealing to a larger audience. While this may be true, there are those of us that feel BMW/Mini has abandoned the defining shape of the car that drew us to it when first introduced back in 2001.

As of today....I don't care much for the overall "look" of the new Mini's, but that's me. Agree or disagree that's fine...we all like what we like for the million different reasons we like them. I do see more Mini's in our future so, we are staying true to the brand, however, this next one is going to be either a Gen I or Gen II car again. Happy motoring!

 

https://autoweek.com/article/rumor-m...in-report-says

MINI is adding a larger MINI model (Traveller), which is supposed to take over for the BMW I3. But of note, the next generation is expected around 2022 and looks to have a smaller base model. It's all still hearsay since the most definitive statement was "love to see the core Mini shrink again" from the head of MINI. If it doesn't happen, I'm sure he'll say "I'd love it, but the American's wouldn't".

 

Well, we can debate Old School vs. New, but, IMHO, they're all good:

 

+1

 

Yes, yes, yes....however, if I told you that you could only choose to ever own just one Mini...and only one... out of all the factory BMW Minis ever offered (and I know this is tough)....which "one" would you pick? Please limit your answer to only the year and model please. No further explanations necessary. Thank you!

PS: Just so you know, I'd choose the 2006 GP1.

 

Wow, that is a tough question...
We have one of each generation and each is a different model. And each is great in its own right...

For a variety of reasons, I would pick the 2012 MCS with the way it was originally optioned out.
My wife has made it clear that she would pick the 2019 JCW.

 

2008 R52 S, BRG, chrono package, real leather seats, cold weather pack, as many JCW options as I could get on it.

 

And there you have it!!

I will add that our new 2020, with all of 250 miles logged so far, is superior to the similarly equipped 2017 we recently turned in. And we loved that 2017 a lot.

The engine dynamics on the 2020 are noticeably better, including the improved shift algorithms and smoother idle/acceleration. Fit and finish are superb, and, overall, it's just an extremely well-sorted little car, unique in its class, especially when compared to even a swoopy 300hp Honda Civic, the Koreans, Audi, Subie...

So, given the choice, at this point in my life, I'd go with my 2020 Clubman S All4 Iconic with all the toys.

But then, were I 18 years old... whole other story. I'd be bringing a rust bucket from the early 1960's over from the UK for a full-on restoration. But, after over 65 trips around the sun, one's perspective, and one's sense of what's cool, and what one's backside can tolerate on a road trip, changes.

Isn't it grand that there are so many choices within the World of MINI?