A Gen1 MCS Cabrio IS an R52

 

I'm guilty for not coming here more often as i used to. At some point, I got frustrated with the "new posts" page because it doesn't always show the new posts! Also, some members don't follow up with their initial complaint and leave the post "open".

Lately, I've been visiting this site more often because this is where I started in early 2015 and many members helped and supported me, so thank you for that

As for the reason why folks aren't here more often is maybe because they're busy on IG, FB or TT trying to get 10 million followers lol. I don't know.

 

destruction of internal combustion engines due to maniacal political psychosis is the reason mini's will die. That is the only reason. The company is hobbled by it and cannot update anything. They took away manual transmission for a year due to europeans drinking coolaid that the automatic's 1mpg more is godly and saving the planet. If not for the threat of 0 sales, they would have given us lithium ion cars only that hum.

 

There may be some truth in what you say here, but I think there are other factors. The take rate on manual gearboxes was dropping fast. The more stringent certification requirements add costs and did delay the new manuals, which made a bad situation worse. Finally, rather than maniacal political psychosis, I think a larger influence is MINI trying to figure out where the market is and where it's heading. It is very expensive to create a next generation car, and the number of units required to be sold at the MINI price point challenges the brand to stay relavant to the core constituency while, at the same time, trying to expand the brand's product appeal.

Those of us who view our transport as more than a mere appliance understand our desire for specialness in the cars we drive. Now that Hyundai is dumping about 300 ponies in their N Kona, which will result in a boost to the entire Kona line, every sale a Kona steals from MINI is another coffin nail.

I think there are many reasons for lower activity and fewer interesting conversations on forums like NAM. Many people would rather post silly short vids and try to out-snark each other, trying to be witty and trying to get clicks and likes. I, for one, am grateful that NAM isn't a place that encourages that, but rather still seeks to be a place for thoughtful conversation and useful information sharing among people who love and respect the MINI brand, and respect one another above all else. For some, that's not enough.

I joined NAM in 2016 and still consider myself a Noob. I was surprised and excited to join Planet MINI and felt welcomed here from Day One.

FWIW, our old Jags are seeping away as garage queens, rarely driven because the ride of choice, around town, road trip, or going out fancy, always seems to be our MINI Clubman. When our current lease ends this time next year, I really, truly hope MINI has something to offer that captures our imagination once again as much as our first two MINIs have.

 

I used to post a lot more and be involved in more conversations. My 19 JCW is my 3rd F56. Recently my Mini dealer came under the AX by BWM's new plan to kill Mini dealers that aren't part of a BMW store. This has left me with a void, I'm actually pissed at the changes from the mothership. I hate to sound like I'm ranting, thats not me.
When I switched to the Mini Brand in 2014 it was more like joining a family\community, this past 18 months has been rough on many of us with C19, working from home, home schooling our kids and changes to social gatherings. With that being said I'm going to jump back into more conversations on NAM, hopefully the void with be filled again..

 

I think MINI has simply gone too mainstream. At least for my tastes, anyway. When I bought my 2018 F56S CPO from a MINI dealer, I (of course) didn't get to choose my options. The car was there, for a good price, low miles, the color I wanted, etc. It is an automatic, which is good for my aging left knee, LOL. I have kept my 2011 R56S manual, as it is paid off, and I feel it's more of a true enthusiast/sports car. I guess it's kinda like the R53 guys hated the R56 in a way. The F got bigger and heavier than the R, just like the R56 got bigger and heavier than the R53. (I still want an R53 someday!) Then there is the quirkiness that MINI lost with the F series. I miss the center-mounted speedo, the "odd" placement of the window switches and door locks down in the center console in front of the shifter, the brake pedal that "thunks" into the stop when you release it quickly to get back on the throttle, etc. that my R56 has. The F series just became too "normal" in some respects, I think. Is the F series a better car? Maybe in terms of comfort and build quality. But to toss around on the backroads, oversteering a bit as you drift into the perfect curve, jumping back on the gas on exit, feeling every bit of that transferred through the entire car, feeling that unrefined excitement? I think the newer cars have lost that feel, sadly. I am sure the R56 lost some of that to the R53, as well, it's just been a bigger "loss" from the R56 to the F56. At least in my opinion. Also, I did replace the head on my N18 in my garage due to an overheat and compromised head gasket at around 110k miles. My fault, I think, as I possibly didn't bleed the cooling system correctly after a coolant change. Could I do this head replacement job on my F56S? Most likely not. I have never had to replace the timing chain on my N18. I bought it at 21k miles, so I assume it's still original, and now at 126k. But I could do it in my garage over a weekend, if needed. You guys know where the timing chain is on the BMW B-series engines? It's at the OTHER END of the engine! Yes, between the engine and the transmission. THAT is not a weekend-in-the-garage-at-home type of repair. I sure hope they got that timing chain, guide and tensioner deal sorted properly on these new engines. And don't even ask me how I feel about no engine oil dipstick....that's just plain nuts to me! I think if there is less activity on an enthusiast forum like this one, maybe it's because there is less for the enthusiast to actually be "enthused" about. And less that they can modify/change/repair on their own rides. Therefore, less info to exchange with other enthusiasts. My two cents only.

Rant off.

Motoring on.

 

Due to my work schedule, I post only post intermittently because I'm offline when away from home and only use my phone for passive browsing.

I agree with the all the points made herein regarding the general base size of MINI enthusiast population being much smaller than it once was which gives perspective to decreased forum traffic, but in large part I put blame on FB + YT etc because it allows people a certain ease-of-use or whatever.

NAM is like a deep ocean whereas trendy social media is like skimming the surface of a shallow twisty stream --- and I much prefer quality over quantity so not much lament any loss of rapidfire content because most of it is just ephemeral silliness anyway if gauging by the typical comments seen on other platforms.

Not to mention how lame the archival aspect is with something like FB where it is a pain to navigate older post history, so forums like this remain absolutely crucial for the research aspect and I'm hoping for a shift away from FB et al due to all the stoopid bullshidt (as well as generational change) and for forums to regain in popularity of usage.

 

The wave is gone. Just 1/2 hour ago a green F56 pulled up behind me at a stoplight. I waved (top down) and got no response.

 

I think several people have spoken about how Mini has lost aspects of it's identity and really doesn't know what it wants to be.

It's stuck between a driver's performance car and a "baby BMW" (I don't say that negatively) luxury car. I read some reviews which commented that the suspension is too stiff, but at the same point, many people (especially here) will talk about how the suspension needs a performance upgrade. Same things about the several aspects since performance and comfort are often at odds. This also is the case with size. Lots of people talk about how the F-series is too large, but at the same time, the most popular models are the larger ones. And with cars generally getting larger, it's a trend that doesn't seem to change.

So I do think there's something to be said about Mini just being lost right now (also decreased sales is a problem). But I do feel lucky that my area has a local dealership (and plenty around if that one closes for some reason).

 

Same here --- I always try to wave but rarely get the wave back.

 

I still get waves about a third of the time. Wearing bright orange driving gloves probably helps, though. The current lineup MINI has to offer does not interest me in the least. I will hold onto my R53 and R61 'forever', and when I really want to feel what a street legal go kart is, I fire up the Classic Mini. Motor On!

 

Back at ya, Oldboy

 

I would agree with this post, mostly. The R53 guys (like me) hated the R56 when it came out .. but with the introduction of the F-series, many of us have come to like the R56, and some of us even own second generation cars (I used to have an R55 JCW). We don't like them as much as our R53's, but compared to the third generation at least the second generation stayed more true to the Mini roots. I positively detest the third generation cars.

 

Hmmm. 37 replies so far.

Perhaps dormant as opposed to defunct?

Some lurk....

Cheers,

Charlie

 

37 is a good number!

 

mini was fun, now it's not as fun.

I put my money where my mouth is, bought a new toyota 86 instead of a new jcw.

Not holding my breath they will fix the issues with the next gen, until then I still have my r53 JCW

 

We've been complaining about lack of waves since at least 2003

I still wave. Hardtop owners often wave back. I get the lowest wave rate from F54 Clubmen and both R- & F-series Countrymen. Exception: The rare Paceman driver always waves back.

 

Yup, us Paceman drivers are a rare breed, but always reliable with the wave!

 

Too rare indeed, I hardly ever see any Pacemans.

I've always thought that they are way cool and would love to have one for utility purposes.

If and when I do get one I would like to convert it to Clubvan style...



...because I doubt I could ever find a real Clubvan as only 50 were sold here in USA,
mega rare birds they are!

 

Never seen a Clubvan, but if I did, I'm sure I would get a return wave!

Now I'm thinking I should've bought one for my house call practice...

 

Back in the 1960's Porsche drivers would flash headlights at one another. In those days it was mostly old doctors and professors. As Porsches became more popular among a different demographic, the light flashing stopped.

Now I want a Clubvan!! Maybe if MINI brings it back, the resurgence of the wave will follow.

 

Would help in enthusiast circles if USA had invested in keeping the MINI Challenge around.

Must admit that I'm deffo not a fan of F-series,
but they do actually look okay in Challenge spec:

 

Very popular in the UK/Italy/Germany
, racers still run the R50/R53's too...

 

Not mine above but from BaT --- I owned a flatnose Saab 900 Turbo from 1991-2018 and it was a common occurrence to flash the lights at other old Saabs, it was known as "saab blinking".

Used to see them a good bit but a rarity these days sadly as we're trapped in a bland homogenized sea of jellybean cars and brodozer trux.

 

As a new member here, I would say it’s because most of the questions I have, have been answered years ago. Had a ‘13 MCS, and now an ‘05 MCS, so that’s a lot of years of questions and answers to look at without starting a new thread. So I use the site more like a reference. I still check for new posts a few days a week, and keep an eye on the marketplace, but don’t have much to add to the conversation. Maybe like it was mentioned above, there are still a lot of lurkers.

I’m not sure how I feel about the wave. I think that there are just too many Minis on the road to warrant a wave. In the Bay Area I probably see more than 10 on every drive. I waved a handful of times at the beginning but got nada so gave up. I like the idea of parking next to another Mini if you see one. Makes you and them smile or laugh.

Obligatory thank you to NAM. I looked at this site for years before I even owned a Mini or joined. Convinced me I could own a Mini that wouldn’t blow up or cost more in repairs than the selling price :p