has anyone heard anything about crash tests on the mini? i know the insurance institute for highway safety (www.hwysafety.org) purchased two mini coopers from checkered flag mini in virginia beach, va. but that was 2 months ago. and there's nothing on the site about the mini. how long does it take to crash test a car? maybe they're just driving them around. the federal government's (www.nhtsa.gov) crash test program has the mini listed as TBT (to be tested). that info. was posted july 1. all i've seen is the european crash test video link on this site. but, it doesn't say or link to any results. the mini looks like it performs well in the euro test video. however, the dummy bashes his head on the b-pillar and that's not good. other bmw products do exceptionally well in crash tests. so i would assume the mini would as well. i would appreciate any feedback/news/info. thanks.

 

Here is a link to the site that lists the european crash tests.


http://www.euroncap.com/results.htm

 

I talked to one of the managers at Checkered Flag. The government is currently conducting their tests on the MINI. He guessed that the safety crash tests probably will not be released until October. So, who knows for sure. I'd just keep checking back at the nhtsa website once a week. It won't be too long before they post the results.

The European crash tests are usually more stringent than the US tests. I saw the Euro test results. The MINI did very well for driver safety and pretty poor for passenger safety. Oh well, I don't plan on using my S as a taxi. It is going to be a one person rocket.

 

I didnt think the passenger rating was too bad. It was the Pedestrian test rating with 1 star that was low, which means. DON'T RUN PEOPLE OVER, it won't be fun for them.

Pebble
:smile:

 

Woops! Your right Pebble! I'm an idiot. I misread the crash test results. It was the pedestrian rating that was low. And you mean I can't run over people with my MINI? Geez, some people take all the fun out of everything.

_________________
December Order: 2003 Chili Red S w/ white roof/mirrors/bonnet stripes, sunroof & rally lights

 

>>Woops! Your right Pebble! I'm an idiot. I misread the crash test results. It was the pedestrian rating that was low. And you mean I can't run over people with my MINI? Geez, some people take all the fun out of everything.
>>
>>_________________
>>December Order: 2003 Chili Red S w/ white roof/mirrors/bonnet stripes, sunroof & rally lights

I guess it's better than owning the car with the highest pedestrian rating. I hear that one had a significant dent in the front quarter panel from a pedestrian sneezing, and modest bumper damage from a pedestrian cough. I'd also rather own the car than be the testing facility employee that gets to be the pedestrian. I wonder how they get volunteers? An office pool? Draw straws? Hans, it's your turn today....

Steve

 

>>other bmw products do exceptionally well in crash tests. so i would assume the mini would as well.

the mini is not a b'mer

 

It had better be or I paid WAY too much!

 

azwed
thanks for the link. it's just what i was looking for.

 

>>the mini is not a b'mer

huh? isn't it designed by bmw, built by bmw, marketed by bmw?

 

i understand your point, but seriously, it's not...just like a volvo isn't a ford. a jaguar isn't a ford, either (or is it? looks like a sexy taurus to me--but try to tell that to my wife). inversely, is a chrysler a mercedes? if so, then i can stop worrying about not havng my first mercedes yet because my wife has a caravan...or wait, i guess since she has it then i still don't have one--and mid life is approaching. i still have time to avoid a crisis. phew.

don't take my word for it, this guy probably knows a little more about bmw's than i do:

http://www.bmwgroup.com/newstool/en/...p;highlight=14

maybe you also think that a rolls royce is (will be) a bmw starting in 2003? my guess is that you won't see a bmw insignia anywhere on the silver shadow.

but hey, there is always a very good chance i am wrong. if so, then is it a "bmw mini cooper"? maybe just a "bmw mini"? how about a "mini cooper by bmw"? that seems politically correct (even though their original press release said that the mini would remain a separate brand).

so what do you think bmw should do? bmw already has a m class, so they can't say it is in the m class because that would be confusing. maybe they'll start a c (for cooper) class a la mercedes.

no, its just easier for me to think of it as a mini cooper sans bmw. but that's just mo (oh yeah, and dr. milberg's o, too)

 

I think you can legitimately call the MINI a BMW. It is designed and produced by BMW. The MINI does share plenty of technology straight from the 3 series BMW. I know it has the BMW 3 series multilink independent suspension in the rear. The MINI has an "E-Gas" electronic throttle that is commpnplace in the other BMW models. It has BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system also found in the other models. The technology inside the MINI which includes the auto mirrors and wipers are all BMW sourced tech. The engine was a joint design between BMW and Chrysler. So, yes, I think it is very fair to say the MINI is a BMW.

As far as the argument of your wife's Chrysler Minivan being a Mercedes. Well, its not. But, newer Chrysler cars like the Chrysler Corssfire, for example, is being built directly with parts from the Mercedes parts bin and uses Mercedes technology. So, that Chrysler is definately a "Mercedes product. The Bentley runs on a VW engine and shares a platform with the VW Phaeton. I'm sure the Rolls will sport plenty of BMW technology.

So, I think a person could call the MINI a BMW MINI. Is it made by BMW? Yup. Is it using BMW technology? Yup. But, it is being marketed under a different brand name than the BMW's and has a different feel and flavor than the other BMW's. Kind of like how Audi and VW's are the same and yet they are not. It depends on your view.

 

ok you win. i don't like conflict.

i have no technical basis for my claims just what i have read from bmw. my guess is that as popularity grows bmw will want to associate itself even more closely with the little beauty. who wouldn't?

i just hope that the appropriate homage continues to be paid to the original designers of the car. it is a one of a kind, and i don't think bmw had anything to do with the original (again, i am ignorant of such things--were germany and the UK on speaking terms in the 50's and 60's?). imo bmw just made it possible (financially, logistically, etc.) to reintroduce it to a mass market (for which i am eternally grateful to bmw).

however, i'll never, ever refer to it as a b'mer no matter what you tell me it is made of--just like my wife will never believe that a new jag is just a souped up taurus.

 

__________________________
ok you win. i don't like conflict.

i have no technical basis for my claims just what i have read from bmw. my guess is that as popularity grows bmw will want to associate itself even more closely with the little beauty. who wouldn't?

i just hope that the appropriate homage continues to be paid to the original designers of the car. it is a one of a kind, and i don't think bmw had anything to do with the original (again, i am ignorant of such things--were germany and the UK on speaking terms in the 50's and 60's?). imo bmw just made it possible (financially, logistically, etc.) to reintroduce it to a mass market (for which i am eternally grateful to bmw).

however, i'll never, ever refer to it as a b'mer no matter what you tell me it is made of--just like my wife will never believe that a new jag is just a souped up taurus.
__________________________

I was just playing devil's advocate. I don't like conflict, either. I, personally, would not refer to the MINI as a b'mer, either. The MINI has a totally different heritage and identity. It may be produced by BMW, but it is a distinctly British car with a different feel than the traditional rear-wheeled, V-6 heavy driving machines that are B'mers. And isn't the new baby Jag just a fancy version of the Lincoln LS? Just playing!