So I was taking a look at some of the h2o coverage on vwvortex, and admiring some of the vw's. I noticed there is a somewhat defining look to the vw's, kind of the euro over simplified clean look with some stretch and poke on the wheels. It was neat in a way to check out the trends in those cars.

Now my question is, what is "the look" on MINIs? What's the trend with us? I mean I know bonnet stripes, all that jazz, but really, if we were to show up as a team to an event, what would make people go "oh, yeah, those are the MINI guys"?

Is it more of the racing look, like the JCW challenge look? The classic throwback? I'm talking visually, not under the bonnet type work. I hear about pulleys and intakes, but less about the exterior.

On an off topic, I was really surprised about some of the vw people's stories about h2o. Seems like a bunch of unpleasantries happened at the event, from people just being buttholes and breaking the law, to binge drinking, to stuff getting thrown at cars and fights. I've been to a number of MINI events, and never have I had a single bad experience. All the people have always been nothing but nice and respectful.

 

Old school rally look.

Something like this: .....old picture (>_<)


I am in no way bias...

 

You definetly need about 4 or so more rally lights in the front, and more dirt.

BTW, not gonna lie, but i like those wheels on that car. What are they off?

 

Me, I think individuality is the definitive MINI look. You´re supposed to want something different if you go for a mini. why would you make it look like everybody else´s? leave that to japanese import buyers.

 

I'de say the VW folks are immature (from seeing a video of a dork crashing his Audi at an event). They need to attract the young crowd with bikini contests. Hmmmm... that could be fun.

I would say the MINI look is sophisticated, doesn't need much makeup to look good. When you start with perfection, you gotta be careful what you do. For the ultimate look, Tuls knows what to do.

 

I'm a poor college student, the lights will come later and I clean my car too much for the dirt to stay. I'm getting rally armor mudflaps and I want to get a roof rack like the classics have. I could take the sunroof out for sheet metal welded in, get the rack, and still come out weighing less. I hope.

The steel rims are from an '03 honda civic, actually. I bought them new from the honda dealer.

 

airbags, spokes and pinstriping

 

I agree. MINIs have so many different personal customizations. Go to a MINI meet and I'm pretty sure no MINI would be identical. That's what makes us awesome.

 

yeah I went to several AMVIVs (Vegas), MTTS (California only), and MOTD (dragon) event and it is very difficult to nail down a definitive look other than the rally look, maybe the autoxers/track junkies look (15 or 16s, tow hooks, safety harness, but more purpose thatn look), probably individuality is the best way to describe it, in essence no definitive look. Not like JDMers with stickers on cars and wings, or the old school gold web mesh wheels in VW scene.

 

It's simply the MINI look. It's distinctive, unique, and attractive. Whatever else you do just adds (or detracts) from the "cool car!" look.
Like lipstick on Angeline Jolie; not necessary, but it doesn't hurt.

 

I'm in the exact same boat as you, I've been saving up for some OEM driving light for what seems like forever. And then i found out my textbooks were $160... a piece... used.

Thanks guys for the replies. I totally agree, individuality is a big thing for minis, but there are some "do's" and "don'ts". I see the idea with simple elegance, and the "tow hooks and rollbars ". I basically just wanted to see what us as a community are about with our cars, because, like it or not, everyone gets generalized.

And yeah, I feel like a grandpa about the MINI events I have attended compared to vw ones. Didn't get into any fights, didn't rag on people, didn't "pwn" any "epic fails". From what it seems it is mostly the kid (eesh) my age that can't act and are ruining the vw shows for the real enthusiasts. It's sad.

 

I think there are a few Mini camps:

1. Serious Racing - coilovers, front splitter, rear wing, lightweight wheels, tow hooks, perhaps a discrete Motoring Underground sticker. Basically, people trying to make their Minis more masculine!

2. Classic Rally - kinda like racing, but not as low and with big ol' lights up front. Also a high likelihood of stripes and checkered roofs.

3. Fun - no spoilers, probably stock suspension, but lots of decals, and perhaps 2 small rally lights.

4. Unmolested - Lots of Mini owners are passionate about their cars, but don't modify the exteriors at all. Unlike unmodded VWs, unmodded Mini owners may be just as into their cars as someone running the full M7 catalog!

 

Just look at the MINI. Do you see anything else that looks as good? There are the copy cat wannabes but the MINI has a body shape that's gorgeous and unique. And it handles like an F16. OK, just not as fast. ;-)

 

MINI look?? I think MINIs are definitely in the wild/fun camp. Even the most stock MINI still often has contrasting roof/mirror colors, which is perfectly normal among MINIs...not so common outside our camp. From that it only gets more wild (graphics, badges, stripes)...and one can pull off things on a MINI that would look rediculous on any other car. For some reason, on a MINI it looks right at home. I think we have the classic enthusiasts to thank for this tradition of freedom of expression for MINIs.

The grill/headlight "face" of a MINI also represents a unique look...that's probably part of why people tag them as "cute" or even name them!! The car has tons of innate personality. Add to this the fact that when one drives a MINI there is a unique dialogue with the car via the great level of feedback a MINI provides. MINIs are a car you can relate very closely with on many levels.

I think the box-on-box MINI look, along with the more vertical windshield, is also distinctive....so may cars nowadays are designed by a windtunnel. MINIs retain many of the classic features that still make the car very recognizable to the classic version. Sure, they're not the most aerodynamic car out there, but the look is tied to traditional Mini styling....therefore it is justified.

I've noticed a lot of cars resort to various ridges and fins to make them appear more aggressive. Personally, I prefer a MINI's nice clean lines....there is little in the car's design to suggest aggressiveness/attitude. That comes mostly by reputation.

 

What's that "definitive" MINI look?

Bad to the bone.

 

i got oem driving lights for sale if anyones intrested, just pm me

 

I totally agree with gokartride. Some of the things that are at home on the MINI just plain wouldn't work on any car. I was asking this mostly because I'm now in my modder phase, and am testing the waters on what I can do with my car. I often find myself doing walks around the car looking at the lines and deciding how it would work. The car itself is indeed so cleanly designed. For me personally, I'm going for that clean look, kinda want everything to flow together, thats why I have a matching roof colour and full chrome, kinda old school looking but not jumping out. Definetly one of my weaknesses is finding other MINIs and checking out how people approach mods.

 

better luck with that in the classifieds here rather than thread crash...

 

 

I'm fairly simple, no driving lights, i think the stock ones look horrid, no stripes, no white roof, (I like black) the 2 piece wheels with the allen heads look the dogs danglies but over here in UK they rust in about 18 months, same as the ones on fords.

Dark silver or light silver.

Thats my opinion and worth what it cost you to read it, absolutely nothing, Make em how you want em, thats the secret.

I even have to admit under change of expulsion, I think the GP looks like a badly done kit car.

Peter

 

I third that emotion! Scoopie is single-color, w/chrome accents. I just added a chrome bonnet scoop, and don't think I'll add anything else 2 the front, cuz more would look gaudy (IMO). If I can find the same mesh style that's in the scoop, I might add it to the rear grille, and call it a day.

Here's a pic of the scoop I took earlier 2day; lemme know what u think.