It was a little over a year ago I got my MINI and was an immediate convert. I, like many others, hit the Internet in search of other MINI owners and enthusiasts. One of the places I found was Minicooperonline. An online community of friendly, excited MINI owners and soon-to-be MINI owners.

How things have changed. I actually can get depressed reading the various anti-MINI this and that posts. Apparently, many believe that BMW is just a big, bad evil corporate machine. Whether it's about warranty repairs, persistent problems with their MINI, waiting for their MINI, rear fogs lights, windshields or international copyright laws, many people on this site would have you believe that it is BMW/MINI 's corporate policy to lie to and deceive their customers. I don't believe this could be true given BMW's long and successful business history.

I'm not saying that there are not issues. But the rudeness towards BMW/MINI and quite frankly, one another, seems to have reached an sort of ugly "mob mentality". God-forbid you should actually post something on this site that somebody else doesn't like.

Maybe I'm just old fashion. Or old. But the "tone" if this site has gotten completely out of hand.

 

Welcome to MCO Belmontman

Change is inevitable. As our membership grows, so does the number of opinions. A year ago, we were all gaga over the new MINI and issues and problems were few. Now after some time, we have witnessed and experienced problems with the cars and the company, so the tone is less than utopian. You'll still find joyful posts (a baby was born this week!!) as well as sad posts (I wrecked my MINI......) along with controversial posts (gay marriage). MCO is still a great place to learn about your vehicle, to compare your problems with those that others have and to celebrate the fun you are having in your MINIs. There are more regional gatherings than ever before and many of the usernames here are becoming real life friends.

 

Hey there,

Like you, I purchased my Cooper nearly a year ago, and joined MCO the evening I brought the car home. I would agree that in it's infancy, MCO depicted the owner's enthusiasm for the vehicle, with barely a thread ot two regarding warranty issues, etc. Yes, there have been changes in the site, but I see them as growth, not necessarily bad. It became obvious to me that with the growing numbers joining, our diversity in viewpoints would become apparent.

A few years ago, I would have long since abandoned the site, for some of the same reasons that you described, but I view the opinions as just "different", not difficult. We have a wide range of owners here, with many who are used to conveying their thoughts in a more "open" format. I've read through many threads where it appeared some were being "targeted" for their views, but honestly, they are few and in-between.

MCO remains a place where we can vent, praise, collaborate, and share. It has been a source of enjoyment to me since last year, and hope it prevails throughout this legal entanglement with BMW.

Jim

 

Welcome to MCO, Belmontman. After a year of ownership and some time lurking around MCO, it is good that you finally joined.

I, like many others, joined within days of first visiting the site, and months prior to taking delivery of (or in some cases, even ordering) a MINI. Mine will arrive next month.

I have seen many MCO community members as very passionate. About their MINIs, their MODs, their lives. From the 60-year olds buying a MINI and for the first time being excited about a car to the twenty-somethings who display photos of staples in their cheeks, eyebrows, and other body parts (go figure!).

I certainly understand the depth of the hurt that some are feeling over the BMW/MINI--MCO name dispute. When you think that you have something special, not only with the product, the other owners, and also the manufacturer, and then something bursts one of those three bubbles, it hurts.

I don't understand how that in and of itself can turn community members against the car. Personally, I think all car corporations are profit-driven, institutions, seeking to drive out any competitors. And if they need to flatten parts suppliers, after-market specialists, or websites to do it, they'll try. And I don't agree that BMW/MINI's calculation here was a good one. It runs contrary to their stated vision, and for a corporation I believe that is always a mistake.

But that aside, what car do folks buy? The other companies are no better. So that leaves you with a car. With the MINI, there are problems. We've seen them detailed here; you've refered to them. Windshields, stumble, rattles. Big deal. Bugs will be ironed out. I expect them in cars; even the recent customer satisfaction ratings for Mercedes Benz left much to be desired.

The difficult thing with the MINI is the distance that many are from dealers (mine is 100 miles away). So, in contrast to my current car dealer, a mile and a half from my office, dealing with problems will be a real hassle and I hope I am blessed with a good car. If I had my wish, it would be that the BMW/MINi realizes that its BMW service departments should begin servicing MINIs--without a corresponding expansion of the MINI dealer network.

This site has much complaining. But it is natural. Folks raise problems within the community either to get help either solving them (where others may have fixes) or to raise the awareness among dealers and BMW/MINI to get them to be more proactive. And whether it is raising cain over windshield or website name disputes, collective action is an effective tool; one that I certainly encourage.

I think Mark Ferguson has done a great job with this site. I signed the petition, and will continue to provide support. I'd give a few bucks, but I'd have to say that I'd rather spend money supporting other more important significant progressive causes. Causes that truly improve lives.

I hope I love my MINI and continue to do so for five, seven, ten years. If I don't, I'll sell it and move on. I did that with my Fiat, my Fiero, my Volvo, my Jetta...

Finally, I have to say I've seen a suprising amount of very respectful, civil discourse on these threads (for example, check out the gay marriage thread in off topic). Where it is crossing the line, the moderators have edited, deleted, or locked. That some have found offensive; I think they have struck a great balance.

Lie and decieve their customers? Yeah, I believe that is what marketing is all about. To those who really thought that this fight was above BMW/MINI, I'm tempted to say "grow up." But to those who suggest that BMW/MINI doesn't deserve to be confronted by a community organized using the same medium--MCO--they are attacking, I say the same thing.

There are too many other things to concern myself with in this world. I am not going to get depressed reading MCO. But I will still read, and I will participate. Next month, I expect my participation to take a pretty good nosedive. Not because of the tone of the site or the corporate strategies of BMW/MINI. Just because I'll be spending my time motoring.

Cheers!

 

I have similar feelings to Belmontman.

I put my waiting list deposit down on July 14th for a September build 2004 Cooper S and have been obsessing over the forums and websites since. When I read the post declaring the need for a name change to minicooperonline.com my heart sank. Having witnessed the legal attack on nissan.com (a small computer store) by Nissan Motors some time ago I emotionally thought "I'll never drive another Nissan" (having owned a 1986 200SX) I suddenly thought "the same thing is happening."

Needless to say, monday I had thoughts of storming into the dealer and threatening to pull my deposit and go home unhappy. I then started reading messages about people thinking of de-badging their MINIs, having read only a couple of weeks ago on MINI2.com about someone having had their badge stolen by vandals and everyone responding with sympathetic replies. It seemed so backwards, and for what? A domain name. Or two. The beauty of the web is that it is a fluid thing, I believe Mark can change the name and maintain a successful website. I know it's the "principle" of the matter but in the end BMW is protecting their brand and their copyrights. I'm certainly not trying to defend the heavy handedness of their tactics, I just registered and setup a web page about three weeks ago for the MINI Motoring Club of Utah (MINIUTAH.com) so I could be facing the same problem.

After a few days of the whole mess sinking in I've cooled off and I'm back to wanting the car. Bad!

I still want my MINI. My heart pounds when I think about it. And I can't wait for my production number next week.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lots of good stuff to think about and lots of good points. :smile:

 

I to have had Smileee almost a year, and I have to tell you this has been one of the best summers we (Laurie and I) have had in a long while. We have met a great bunch of folks not only online but through the two local MINI clubs (Southern Ontario MINI Club and Western New York Mini Club). Don't let all of this get you down about your car to be. This will pass. Just look forward to lots of questions and attenion not to mention the fun you will have.

Jack



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