It doesn't appear that you can do polls on this site, so I'd like to know ... is your MINI British or German?

I see the "book" answer as - designed in Britain with German engineering.

I think it's the most British (read as quirky) car I own!

If I have time later, I'll scan in the build sheets that were shoved in my armrest in Oxford! If thats not British, I don't know what is!

 

But the electricals work, so it can't be British!

 

mine has a munich euro plate, so deutch!

 

Yes, it is.

Its a blend, you get the British style, but German efficiency. Its the best put together British car I've ever driven.

 

Scoff if you must, but I see it as a BMW through and through, with a bit of the old charm and essence of the British classic.

 

Its totally German engineering cause the transmission actually lasts. My Dad had a Triumph Spitfire that went through a transmission a yr.

 

Mines part Italian as well.

 

I have two that are 60 percent German and one that is 80% British. So, any math major will tell you.... half and half.

 

I think of Toyota as a product of Japan regardless of where it is built (US factory).
So my MINI is German built in England.
Just as all the BMW Z3 & Z4's built in my town are German cars built in spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

That's a good point. However, my decision to claim it as British has less to do with where it's built (although it is a factor) and more to do with its styling.

It is German engineering no doubt -- the doors close solid, great handling, etc. But the styling is 100% British -- sooo much personality. Which is more inspired a 911 or a Vantage? A 911 is a good looking car, but Aston's are just plain sexy. How about any German SUV vs a Range Rover Sport?

The Brits just make gorgeous cars, that are filled with personality.

Add to that it's quirkiness (who thought of having to reset the TPMS every time it comes on -- I live where its cold so it comes on all the time) and the Britishness wins out!

 

I think of the MINI as British.
But the Germans told them how to make em.

 

The designer of the 1st gen MINI, Frank Stephenson, was born in Morocco to American parents.

 

I like to think it's Brerman.

 

German.

 

I have no idea how far Rover was going with the next gen Mini but BMW MINI took it there and beyond. It is a German car to me with a British heritage.

 

Either way its an awesome car

 

I think of it as a global car, as different parts are shipped to Oxford from around the world, were they are assembled.

Mark

 

How do you get your shoes on with "toe" hooks

Mark

 

If they couldn't reach a clear decision on this on Top Gear, how are we to fare any better?

 

I also have a 1975 MGB in the garage. So by comparison, the Mini is definitely NOT British.

More like born in the UK of German parents. Nigel Schultz if you will.

 

Germish

 

I had a 1972 MGB, so unless I'm topping off the oil in the carburetors, adding oil to the shock absorbers or wondering why two solidly-connected wires won't conduct electricity, it doesn't really feel like a British car.

Have you heard about the Lucas three-position switch? It's marked "OFF/DIM/FLICKER".

 

My 10 Commandments of MG ownership:

1. Thou shalt have no other car but MG.
2. Thou shalt not worship the Prince of Darkness, Lucas.
3. Thou shalt remember and keep the weekend for repairs.
4. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors Weber.
5. Thou shalt keep the Birthday of Kimber as a sacred holy day.
6. Thou shalt not fill thy dashpots with STP.
7. Honor thy wife and children before you disappear yet again unto the garage.
8. Thou shalt not leave thy oil leak unattended. Remember thy kitty litter at all times.
9. Thou shalt repair thy heater control valve lest precious fluids fall upon the earth and cause the fires of hell to claim thy block.
10. Thou shalt accept the zen of MG ownership, and be bothered not of silly annoyances.

Obviously, I've broken the first one. But if push came to shove, the MGB would stay, and the Mini would go.

 

+1

 

I remember this one. It didn't affect mine because mine had a manual choke, but with the later automatic-choke models, losing even a small amount of coolant could result in an engine fire.