I'm not sure whether or not it's just in my head since I don't own one of these cars, but my cousin does and I've been driving it quite a bit lately. Yesterday I went to the dealership to check out the prices of some stuff and they had a few new MINIs sitting around.

Honestly, to me it looks like it's so much bigger than the 1st generation. Also, the hood scoop on the new S is fake? What the ****? This is not a Mustang.

Something tells me that it's all a result of the idiotic new pedestrian safetly laws that are destined to destroy every car design from now until the end of the automobile (which I hope will never come).

Has anybody else noticed this?

 

You must be new here. . . . . . . .

 

Try doing a thread search & you will find that the topic has been broached a wee bit

 

Damn.

 

Heard the same crap about seat belts, air bags, pollution controls, bumpers that actually do something, LATCH, padded dash, transverse engines, halogen lights, side marker lights, side impact protection, collapsable sterring wheels, etc., etc. .......... Yep, it's definitely the end of automobile design......

 

95% of new cars look like absolute ****. Sorry you haven't noticed.

Engineers have to comply with fuel efficiency standards (weight, aerodynamics, etc.), safety standards (bumpers, airbags, whatever), and a bunch of other things that are in direct conflict with one another, and now they have to deal with something that has to do NOTHING with the car at all, morons who don't look both ways before crossing? :impatient

 

 

Yes because your opinion is an absolute fact. Right?

 

 

Rawk, great banner!

 

Ask him:

 

Is this the man responsible for the new rules? Or another helpless designer who has to deal with lawmakers trying to keep their jobs?

 

He is Gert Hildebrand, Chief and head of MINI design since 2002. His predecessor was Frank Stephenson who was responsible for the development of the original New MINI between 1996-2001. The R56 was developed entirely under Hildebrand's watch. The 2005 R50/53 midlife facelifts and the R52 MINI Cabrio feature some of his design works. But the R56 is the first MINI designed under his supervision.

 

two words

"water retention"

 

OKAY

Based on my highly developed ability to assess and analyze, I have concluded that, to you, the R56 sucks. How am I doing so far? If you feel the need to spew instead of learn and discuss that's kinda' sad but also kinda' telling.

Anyway, the good news is that there are still lots of absolutely wonderful R53s around and there is even an R53 forum only a few clicks away. You can chat there about the how great the [svelt] R53 is - and it is!

It may be disturbing to you to know that there others who actually love the R56 and find its features to be more appealing than any other car around. But I guess you know best so just disregard this entire post.

 

All that extra torque makes them a little puffy, but it all comes out once the turbo spools. :P Really! They look thinner while on the move!

 

 

So it is a case of PMS (Puffy Mini Syndrome)

 

I have always liked em with a little meat on them bones.

Tastes like chicken!!

Hmmm. Odd.

 

Ask yourself then, Okay, which car would you want to be struck with?

 

That Astro Black R53 right next to Hildebrand looks gorgeous.

 

For some reason the designers over at MINI completely dropped the ball and forgot to consult you before entering into the production of the vehicle.

Honestly though, it is getting real old to see a new thread every other day regarding someone hating on the R56's design or what they percieve as its inability to compare to the R53. It's the same stuff over and over. I think it was a great point made earlier that there is an entire R53 forum where people can talk about how great that platform is and even how much more they like the previous generation over the new one. Cars change, it happens, and not everyone will agree with the changes. I haven't browsed through any of the R53 threads, but I'd certainly hope there aren't people posting threads in there about what the R53 lacks in comparison to the R56.

 

I agree. I wouldn't care to be lumped in with rude folks.

Enjoy your ride. Smile for miles.

 

My baby's got back, I like it

 

I like big butts and I can not lie...