Referring to the Cooper. The MINI is small for a reason, and they keep making the damned thing bigger.

As the years go on, and new gens are introduced, I fall more and more in love with the R53.....truly is a gem. I sound like a sap.

Maybe the new ones will grow on me.

 

Sadly, virtually all car makers make successive models bigger - I think owners must tell them in focus groups that they wished their current car was "just a little bit bigger inside". Then every 20 years they introduce a new model, smaller than any other, which then grows through each generation.

Full marks to Mazda for bucking this trend - and also learning from the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers just how much can be done to reduce vehicle weight by looking in detail at every part. I guess BMW got halfway there by making the bigger new Mini not weigh much more than the old one - though I believe US-spec cars are a bit heavier than Euro-spec ones because they contain an extra crash reinforcement piece.

 

Yep, look what happened to the VW Rabbit GTI as it grew and Golfified over the years.

BTW, most people's MINIs are distinctly odd unless you have two (or
one of the very few that have 4, 6, etc.)

 

The Gen1 MINI was a deadend design. You can't improve on its aesthetics. BMW should've just stuck w/ it & installed newer engines, suspension, steering, etc as they developed. Look at the MGB LE50 by Frontline Developments. Brand new but using 50yr old body w/ modern Mazda Miata engine & suspension. Evolving safety regulations are really to blame here.

 

Just checked it out. That little ride is awesome!

 

IMHO the F in F56 is for FUGLY

 

Hells look at the Civic!!!

 

I don't like the new Mercedes' and BMWs'...............................atm

I miss 2010-2012 in every way.

 

No, "F" is for F#$%ing faster than R53 or R56!


All new cars look different than the predecessors.
Drive an F56, and you will understand why it's better in every way. Starting with a quality BMW engine !!!

a

 

BMW has a history in their own fleet of "keep getting bigger".

Is why they have had to produce the 1 series and now the new 2 series....you'd think they'd learn from prior mistakes.

But then maybe if they do keep getting larger, it will make room for the Rocketman MINI

 

I'm fairly new to the Mini world but if I understand all the differences between the various models my 2013 'base' hardtop is the last naturally aspirated Mini made. If that's true I'll be especially happy with what I've got for a long time.

 

I don't get what's going on with the lower grill jutting out it looks like last min. They realized they need a place to hide an oil cooler or something

I'm guessing they haven't regained the go kart feel of the r53 either. Yes the r56 was faster, better handling and more comfortable then the r53 but it drove like a normal car. Just lost a lot of the fun in my book...
I've been hearing the new fiesta st is the hatch to have right now...

 

That is true.
Enjoy what you have.

It may be the slowest MINI one can buy, but it comes without the engineering and operational complexity of the turbos, so should last longer (if properly maintained).

a

 

The F56 is larger and every day people tell me how BIG Minis are now. Small cars ie: Micro, sports, and mini are nearly gone. Only the IQ and Smart are still available.

 

F is for Farkin ugly.

Yes cars change & look different, but not all of them end up looking so damned bad.

I have driven one & it isn't horrible to drive, just to look at. As far as the engine being any better, lets wait until we get some miles on these. Could be better, worse or the same. Time will tell.

 

This is why all my MINI love goes to the Rocketman.

 

The LE50 uses a brand new body. It's a beautiful car, I'd buy a GT if I could afford it.

Anyway I was so pissed with my POS Countryman I ended up buying an Audi A1, I love it, the interior is fantastic, I rides well, it drives better than the CM, not as good as my Clubman but it has more usable space than the Clubbie.

Love my A1, but will have a very long and hard look at the next Clubman.

 

It should never have gotten to this.

 

Ah resistance to change, everything was better long ago.Forget it, I live today.

 

The sad thing is you can fit 4 full sized adult males into an original Mini, not something you can do with any degree of comfort in a modern 2 door MINI today.

 

If I see the size of the modern US citizen forget the 4 ones.Yes I am slender.

 

True I forgot how much bigger Americans are than everyone else

 

As has been said many times before they should have left the Cooper alone and just upgraded parts ( not body panels ) as they saw fit. Then if they wanted to do the Clubman, Countryman, Coupe etc, go ahead but leave the Cooper alone. That is what makes the "classic" a classic as it is basically the same car thru all the years. That can't happen with the newer MINI as it changes every 4-5 years, from bumper to bumper...

 

I would like to see MINI regain some ground lost in the small department through their MINI Minor project. I would also love to see them broaden their design pallette so they are not so hemmed in by adherence to a strictly retro look.

 

Or maybe 4 full sized adults from the "original mini era" could fit into today's MINI - but can 4 "modern full sized adults" fit into an original era MINI? Cars aren't the only thing that have gotten larger over the years!