We can all go hug a trooper instead. :smile:

 

>>We can all go hug a trooper instead. :smile:

I think three people hugging a trooper might be classified as assault.

On a side note...that Nissan Z and Acura RSX is lookin rice, I mean...nice.

_________________

 

If you guys are going to turn into a bunch of whiners over a stupid website name then so be it. This is absolutley ridiculous, I'm giving MINI $22000 for a car but I won't associate myself with a bunch of babies that are upset about a friggin' website. Adios!

 

Our current '02 Cooper CVT is completely paid off so the car is an absolute keeper. And the answer to the original question is yes, we will continue to purchase MINIs (Or even BMW's) for years to come, including accessories and services. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my '04 MCS in October.

I am sorry but as much as I support Mark and his efforts to keep this site going and how much I am in disarray with BMW NA's "Legal team" we are not going to jump into the boycott bandwagon. I understand how the majority of you seem to feel so passionate about the trademark and domain name situation but that still will not make us forgo MINI's products and services.

It seems to me that people sometimes feel the need to belong to a group or a "cause" so badly that they completely lose vision of the immediate objectives and take onto extreme positions (Like the lawayers at BMW) like debadging cars (Induced damage) or even silly boycotts.

Everybody is entitiled to their opinion but as far as I am concerned MINIUSA deserves the chance to respond back and that, according to what I have read here, will not happen until August 12th.

 

We are the website (not BMW) and for all I care, MCO could be MarksCarOasis - I will keep coming back here in spite of whatever the name ends up being ... I don't like the idea of Them setting a precedent for strong-arming anyone they want, but they are just demonstrating that they are the same calibre of corporate scum as every other corporation: they are in the business of making money for their shareholders.
If thay happen to make a product we like, that's wonderful, but actually the only way to change their minds is to buy their stock in such numbers that we can control the board room - do any of you want to be That involved? ... or do you just wanna have fun and go out and Motor?

 

Well all right then...BYEEEEEEEEE!

 

Agreed and agreed. The de-badging is especially silly. Not unlike rioting and setting fire to your own neighborhood to spite "The Man."

 

<<Well all right then...BYEEEEEEEEE! >>

well put Lauren. I don't see the point in taking any of this personally, it's a corporate battle, and even though we may disagree, there's only so much we can do about it. There is no way in hell I'm cancelling my order for MM2; the MINI is still the best car on the road for the money, IMO.

Pitpass --> Bailing from MCO 'cuz WE care about our future sounds like the wrong reason to me.

 

Darn right I would. My MINI will have 100k miles in 3 years. I'm already thinking about colors/options/mods for the new one. What corporates for any major company aren't dweebs with stuff shoved up where the sun don't shine? That's life. It's a shame what's going on with things such as this website, it really is. But this is still a fantastic car and I don't like it any less. In fact, I still love it more - especially with every mod I add...

 

Modding this car rules...it makes it feel like it's brand new all over again.

 

>>Agreed and agreed. The de-badging is especially silly. Not unlike rioting and setting fire to your own neighborhood to spite "The Man.">>>

Agreed.

 

Well, since I only drive about 15K per year (at least for now, I telecommute, so most of my motoring is for pleasure.) my MCS should last a looong time. Who knows what the MINI will be like when I'm ready to get rid of mine, it all depends on what else is out there at that time and how good my MCS has been to me during it's life.
Even though I've hinted at the idea of owning a differrent brand in my letter to BMW customer relations, because of their treatment of MCO, what really does not matter to my car-buying decision is BMW's legal dept. I could care less.
I hate SUV's... BMW builds SUVs, that did not affect my decision on the MINI either.
I am much more concerned with the car being fun, reliable, and not a death trap than with things such as the company's policies.

 

Its just a car, people. If your life hinges on an internet forum....nevermind.
Happy Motoring anyway.

 

Noone's life here hinges on an Internet forum. The point here is that alot of us think that BMW is going a little too far with their actions. And sure it's just a car....but as a group of enthusiasts of said car, we feel that some of the measures that they are going to are unfair.

Personally I feel that it's a little rash to say that I would never purchase a MINI again...after all, I deal with copyrights all the time at my work and I can kinda see where BMW is coming from in trying to protect their brand. I don't however think it's fair that even after this site has been here for a year and a half or so, they are going to try and pull this garbage NOW.

 

It was the same situation with my VW GTI. I loved the car (not as much as my MINI) but I absolutely hated the way corporate VW treated their enthusiasts.

MINI did a really good job of selling me on the belief that they were going to really make a point of supporting their enthusiasts and the MINI community that has grown from their car. I believed them that they would treat me better than VW and now I am realizing that they might just another big car company doing the same crap that drove me away from VW/Audi to MINI/BMW.

One thing is for certain, if they hope that I step up one day from a MINI to a BMW, they better treat me like a BMW owner and make a very positive resolution to the ongoing legal dispute with BMW/MINi and MCO.

ATTN BMW LAWYERS: Please resolve this in a positive way. We love your car, but we are not going to stand for being antagonized and abused when we are your greatest resource.

 

I'll definitely keep it for the 3 years left on the warranty.... After that, who knows what'll be on the market. The other car companies are scrambling now to bring out cars that are competitive to the MINI now. In a couple years someone may actually produce something better. The thought of parting with the MINI really doesn't sit well with me, but neither does supporting any company that doesn't support it's customer base.

I do know that, unless something is reasonably worked out, I'll not buy another BMW product when the time comes. I agree that they have the right to protect their name. I just feel they could have chosen a better, more productive way, of doing it. It would have been so much easier to work out a franchise deal for the use of the name.

and Pitpass, I can tell by your comments that you fall into the category of a person who owns a MINI. Maybe someday you'll realize what it is to be a MINI owner!

 

Well when it comes to a distaste for "corporate crap" BMW is far from the first company on the list of companies that are currently soing unmentionables to me "in a very uncomfortable place" (go see Mall Rats).

Welcome to America, unfortunately at this time corporate entities have the status of dieties and have powers to match. If you cross them they send the Inquisition (their legal staff) to burn you in the street if you do not comply to their dogma.

This issue is so beyond Mini/BMWUSA that I have, now having signed the petition, decided to let things take their course. In science-fiction many authors write of a time where the legal system is tossed out on it's proverbial buttocks. This is related to and caused by feelings towards this type of action being taken by Corporations and supported and promoted by the legal community. I cannot count the number of times in a year thet I hae told my lawyer (paraphrased) "Well thank you for telling me my rights in this, but this is how me and the other party have chosen to proceed and we are both satisfied with this resolution." Heck, this is currently going on with my divorce. My soon to be ex-wife and I struggle for me to find a lawyer that will allow me to pay what I feel is "nice and good", where she struggles to find a lawyer who does not want to line their pockets with my money.

I'm not saying I do not have a problem with this issue, I'm saying that this is another small part of a larger disease upon western society.

 

>>This incident has brought back memories of why I quit driving BMW’s in the early 80’s. Arrogant unresponsive dealers who were unable to repair your car properly and efficiently, and had no problem letting you know that complainers were most likely inadequate financially and had no business driving a fine German automobile. I cast my economic vote and stopped buying BMW products. Now that BMW has pushed itself to the forefront of the MINI/BMW association I will have to reaffirm my earlier vote and include MINI on my automotive blacklist.


Did not buy the car because it was a bmw... I enjoy the look back... and heritage, however true or false, and thoroughly enjoyed the car. But it is a car. A way to get from here to there. We'll keep ours, perhaps buy another, Its all attitude... ours.

Those with the power (money) often use it to their own ends...
BMW (or Texas) ...oops, slipped.


:???: :???: :???:

_________________
You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience which you must stop and look fear in the face... You must do the thing you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt

 

The night I drove my MINI home, I already had plans for at least two more (Cabrio and a classic)...I will definitely have more MINI's in my future...already have husband planning "MINI" garage!

I think the whole name issue stinks, but I sure don't want to give up my MINI (or any part of it) for it...I've always wanted one - I really didn't care what year, what style, who made it, etc. I love coming here and reading what you all have to say and regardless of the name of the website, I will continue to come back.

BTW, some sources I have indicated early on in the beginning (2001-2002 time period), BMW wanted to sell the rights to the MINI...they really didn't intend to keep making/selling the MINI for very long...don't know what happened to all of that (considering the popularity of the MINI, maybe they decided to keep it!)...MINI was kinda treated as the 'bastard' child of BMW...i.e., dealers needed to create a whole separate showroom/service area...no BMW logos on the cars..etc...) Kinda interesting how they now want to keep others from using the MINI name!

In any case...I don't consider my car a BMW (regardless)...it's a MINI and I love it!

My $.02
Cyndy

 

I am proud of my MINI's heritage and the fact that BMW is behind the manufacture, engineering, etc.

My car has several factory stickers all mentioning "BMW Group AG".


So it is a BMW MINI!

 

to answer your question Dave
a great ..resounding...
MAYBE, I DUNNO :smile:

I'm being completely serious....:smile:
I'm PO'd @ MINI,,, and I also understand MINI 's business stance.

I'm close to being done all w/the mods I've origanily planned on doing...so it's time soon... I'm sure knowing my personality...... to get a new vehicle :smile:

Peace,
D

 

I can’t imagine owing a different car than a MINI.

 

I may be PO'd at the Mother Ship right now - but my honest answer is no - this will not be our last MINI. I fully intend on purchasing the Cabrio when it becomes available. :evil: :evil:
donna@dcmetrominis.org

 

I have always had a grim view for BMW. I thought MINI was a different approach for them and was pleased so I bought one. Well so much for that idea..

Would I buy another?

YES! If i had the funds I would race the car and put "BMW SUCKS" all over the car.. That's what I would do. Oh, and the interview on Speed channel.. Wouldn't that be my pleasure!!

 

No more MINIs or BMWs for me for the rest of my life.


--
Cheese