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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
That is not really what the OP was talking about. Successive generations of any car should 'better' than predecessors due to improved technology. The issue is one of marketing approach. That 6" difference (8" if you compare 1st to 3rd gens) is on car called MINI... What if the 4th gen is another 6" and again with the 5th? At some point a MINI badge would just seem sarcastic. To some people in this thread it is arguably already there.
Prior to my R53 I had an E30 3-series BMW. Compared to current models, the E30 is relatively tiny but I do not decry those changes because (1) the BMW brand has nothing to do with being 'small' and (2) they did introduce 1- and 2-series models to fill in the 'gap.'
Is perfectly understandable that many people will prefer the newer models.
The first post...
Originally Posted by Rich B.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that each successive generation of Mini JCW's gets bigger, heavier, and more generic looking? I know the extra power in the newer JCW's is enticing, but is it enough to make someone want to give up the more aggressive styling found in the earlier generation cars?
We currently own a Gen II JCW, but the Gen I cars have always been my favorite from an all around styling and engineering standpoint. Having owned a Gen I car, I can honestly say that ownership experience was visceral.
Gen IV cars have already taken on the appearance of being more portly with less defined styling in the front and rear bumper designs than even the Gen III cars had. And what's happened to those cool looking lower rockers the JCW's used to have? Or that slick shifting 6 speed? They are gone! These were but two of the many unique attributes of the earlier generation JCW's which gave you, the driver, connection to it!
The evolving Mini design is akin to the appearance of a person getting older. They are putting on more weight, loosing muscle definition, their shoulders are getting sloped and rounded and their once trim waistline has all but disappeared. To me, the 2020 JCW looks ever more a "family car" with decals.
In closing I would like to just say one more thing: BRING BACK THAT CENTER MOUNTED SPEEDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you will find that the OP brought up all of the attributes that have been discussed here. The OP even asks the question as to whether the added power is enough to entice someone to go with a Gen III. Yes, looks and size seem to be a large part of the this first post.
But to reiterate some previous discussions, the size, except for overall length, of the MINi is almost identical between the 3 generations. The wheel base of the Gen 3 is basically the same as the Gen 2 and the added length is almost all in front of the front wheels. MINI has had to address mandated regulations which has pushed the design of the car, which is likely the reason for the added front length (crash worthiness and pedestrian injury requirements) and gone is the center speedo (mandated backup camera and need for the screen). So i would suggest these differences in size and other changes are not likely of MINI’s desires, unlike BMW’s constant, and purposeful enlargement of their cars (as you noted the 3 series is a boat compared to what it started out as). But it seems MINI is doing what they can to retain the car they started with while meeting the requirements they have to live with.
Overall styling is another story. We will all have our opinions about that and I am sure that discussion can be never ending...
That is not really what the OP was talking about. Successive generations of any car should 'better' than predecessors due to improved technology. The issue is one of marketing approach. That 6" difference (8" if you compare 1st to 3rd gens) is on car called MINI... What if the 4th gen is another 6" and again with the 5th? At some point a MINI badge would just seem sarcastic. To some people in this thread it is arguably already there.
Prior to my R53 I had an E30 3-series BMW. Compared to current models, the E30 is relatively tiny but I do not decry those changes because (1) the BMW brand has nothing to do with being 'small' and (2) they did introduce 1- and 2-series models to fill in the 'gap.'
Is perfectly understandable that many people will prefer the newer models.
My response was in response to someone who said a G3 is an ugly hatchback while their MINI was a sports car. So I brought up common sports car stats like HP, Torque, 0-60, etc. There seems to be a misconception that G3 MINIs are all little SUVs. Yes, if you are comparing a G1 Justa to a G3 Countryman, it's a huge difference. But if you are reasonably comparing one model through the years, it's not as stark of a difference as people seem to think or imply. If you look at the growth of a MCS, it was something like +3" between G1 and G2, then +4" between G2 and G3. So we're just talking about 3-4" to the total length of a car!
Everyone can have their preference; but it should just be expected to have conflicting opinions when you are insulting MINIs on a MINI forum.
Last edited by Scypio; Nov 1, 2019 at 12:43 PM.
Reason: correct weird formating
The old school 2 stroke Seagull. Noisy, smoky, leaves an oil slick, exposed spinning parts, have to hand mix oil into the gas, separate manual-wrap pull cord that can take off a finger.
New Evinrude is 4 stroke, quiet, lighter, fully-enclosed, convenient recoil start, environmentally correct in every way, safer and easier to operate.
If I pulled up at the dock for Sunday brunch using the Evinrude, nobody would give it a second glance or a second thought. If I pulled up with the Seagull, I'd draw a small crowd of Old Salts and we'd all be talking about how they don't make um like they used to.
Which is better? Which design has gone to pot? Were I in the market for a new outboard for my dinghy, the practical and easy choice would be the state-of-the-art, clean, quiet and reliable Evinrude.
But I love my Old School Seagull for all sorts of subjective reasons that I would never try to defend.
Hats off to Gen I & 2. Never try to defend. Lovin' my 2020, which is still very much a MINI to me.
