R50/53 MINI ver 2.0 (design discussion)
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
>>Exterior
>>
>>- Design: I believe Jack Pitney has said that the MINI design will carry on a similar evolution to the 911 in terms of having classic elements carry over from one generation to the next. Any reason that shouldn't happen?
Areodynamics.... It would be interesting if the designers can make a more areodynamic yet retro looking Mini. Better MPG
>>
>>- Size: should the MINI get larger, stay the same, or become smaller (i.e more mini).
The Size is perfect. No other car in the US is smaller.. I like it that way!
>>
>>Interior
>>
>>
>>- Materials: does MINI need to upgrade the quality of the interior materials or are they sufficient for the car.
I really feel my '03 plastic is cheap and flimsy. It scratches too easily, and will not stand up to years of use. I think they have changed some of the plastic in the '04. Hopefully BMW to use more durable parts.
>>
>>Performance
>>
>>- Engine: how much power should the Cooper have?
>>- Engine: how much power should the Cooper S have?
>>
I think the Cooper power and Cooper S power is fine. They should allow the Base Cooper works package for the states for people who want slightly more power out of their Coopers, espically for people who need to have the CVT.
I like the power in the S. A standard larger intercooler & standard 15% reduction pulley would be interesting.
Though I have not driven a Works S, I'm sure it's amazing! but it brings a nicely equipted Cooper S up to around 28K. Consider that the R32 offers more power, more room and AWD. Gotta love the Mini though! :smile:
>>Options
>>
>>- What additional options would you like to see?
>>
All Wheel Drive, for the love of torque! :smile:
it would be cool if they offered more intermitted settings on the wipers. I guess you could order the Rain Sensors but still, one setting/2 speeds is not enough.
Not that it's too big of a deal, but perhaps the tire pressure sensor can alert which tire is having a problem.
Offer the 6 speed in the Cooper or Change the 5th gear ratio so that real world MPG comes closer to the EPA number of 37.
>>Price
>>
>>- Based on the changes you would like to see, what adjustment do you think is appropriate to the base price of the car?
>>
Other than usual economic stuff, (Value of Dollar-> Euro & inflation in both reigons,)
a modest charge for the AWD system.
>>
>>- Design: I believe Jack Pitney has said that the MINI design will carry on a similar evolution to the 911 in terms of having classic elements carry over from one generation to the next. Any reason that shouldn't happen?
Areodynamics.... It would be interesting if the designers can make a more areodynamic yet retro looking Mini. Better MPG
>>
>>- Size: should the MINI get larger, stay the same, or become smaller (i.e more mini).
The Size is perfect. No other car in the US is smaller.. I like it that way!
>>
>>Interior
>>
>>
>>- Materials: does MINI need to upgrade the quality of the interior materials or are they sufficient for the car.
I really feel my '03 plastic is cheap and flimsy. It scratches too easily, and will not stand up to years of use. I think they have changed some of the plastic in the '04. Hopefully BMW to use more durable parts.
>>
>>Performance
>>
>>- Engine: how much power should the Cooper have?
>>- Engine: how much power should the Cooper S have?
>>
I think the Cooper power and Cooper S power is fine. They should allow the Base Cooper works package for the states for people who want slightly more power out of their Coopers, espically for people who need to have the CVT.
I like the power in the S. A standard larger intercooler & standard 15% reduction pulley would be interesting.
Though I have not driven a Works S, I'm sure it's amazing! but it brings a nicely equipted Cooper S up to around 28K. Consider that the R32 offers more power, more room and AWD. Gotta love the Mini though! :smile:
>>Options
>>
>>- What additional options would you like to see?
>>
All Wheel Drive, for the love of torque! :smile:
it would be cool if they offered more intermitted settings on the wipers. I guess you could order the Rain Sensors but still, one setting/2 speeds is not enough.
Not that it's too big of a deal, but perhaps the tire pressure sensor can alert which tire is having a problem.
Offer the 6 speed in the Cooper or Change the 5th gear ratio so that real world MPG comes closer to the EPA number of 37.
>>Price
>>
>>- Based on the changes you would like to see, what adjustment do you think is appropriate to the base price of the car?
>>
Other than usual economic stuff, (Value of Dollar-> Euro & inflation in both reigons,)
a modest charge for the AWD system.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
From: Dunedin, FL, USA
Well, kind of a late reply, but here goes...
>>Exterior
>>
>>- Size:
It should stay about the same size, just extend the back seat legroom a little.
>>Interior
>>
>>- Materials:
This is where the MINI is lacking. All the rattles from cheaply assembled plastics should be improved vastly. MINI needs to take a look at VW. IMO the cheapest VW in the US, a Golf GL, has a higher quality interior than even a BMW 325.
>>Performance
>>
>>- Engine:
120 to 125HP for the Cooper, but the gas mileage needs work. And they should also work on releasing a super low emissions version, not just LEV.
The JCW is where it would be nice to see the factory S at, then an even higher perf JCW with a larger (not just faster spinning) supercharger and a front mounted intercooler, around 240HP - plenty for a front drive car.
>>Options
Put a close/open **** on that dash vent like Honda does. If no one's riding in the back why have half the A/C blowing back there?
The speed sensitive intermittent wipers are nice, but go all the way - my friend's BMW's wipers switch from full-on to intermittent when the car stops.
Opaque sunroof shades, not a screen that lets too much light in. Also they could reduce the wind noise when the sunroof is open.
I would like to see a light-weight option package. It's funny that the sport package comes with the heavy stuff. The option package I would like to see would replace thick carpet and padding with some light weight, fire retardant material, & come with super light forged 16" wheels and non-runflats, racing seats, an optima battery, QS or similar "one-pipe" exhaust, and other weight saving options.
>>
>>Price
Everything should stay about the same, and I think the light weight option package should be priced anywhere from 1250 to 2500 depending on the quality of the seats and wheels.
_________________
I’ve owned cars that blow – this one blows the bloody doors off. [img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.
VinceAndJessica.com
>>Exterior
>>
>>- Size:
It should stay about the same size, just extend the back seat legroom a little.
>>Interior
>>
>>- Materials:
This is where the MINI is lacking. All the rattles from cheaply assembled plastics should be improved vastly. MINI needs to take a look at VW. IMO the cheapest VW in the US, a Golf GL, has a higher quality interior than even a BMW 325.
>>Performance
>>
>>- Engine:
120 to 125HP for the Cooper, but the gas mileage needs work. And they should also work on releasing a super low emissions version, not just LEV.
The JCW is where it would be nice to see the factory S at, then an even higher perf JCW with a larger (not just faster spinning) supercharger and a front mounted intercooler, around 240HP - plenty for a front drive car.
>>Options
Put a close/open **** on that dash vent like Honda does. If no one's riding in the back why have half the A/C blowing back there?
The speed sensitive intermittent wipers are nice, but go all the way - my friend's BMW's wipers switch from full-on to intermittent when the car stops.
Opaque sunroof shades, not a screen that lets too much light in. Also they could reduce the wind noise when the sunroof is open.
I would like to see a light-weight option package. It's funny that the sport package comes with the heavy stuff. The option package I would like to see would replace thick carpet and padding with some light weight, fire retardant material, & come with super light forged 16" wheels and non-runflats, racing seats, an optima battery, QS or similar "one-pipe" exhaust, and other weight saving options.
>>
>>Price
Everything should stay about the same, and I think the light weight option package should be priced anywhere from 1250 to 2500 depending on the quality of the seats and wheels.
_________________
I’ve owned cars that blow – this one blows the bloody doors off. [img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]
Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.
VinceAndJessica.com
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Wow, these are some good posts. It's suprising how much everyone agrees that the MINI is near perfect. Just some tweaking here and there. With that being said:
Exterior: Size: I think the MINI should remain as is.
Interior: I agree with orbhot about the interior plastic quality. The interior of the VW Golf is very high quality and at the same price point. I'd like to see a standard armrest and a slightly larger rear view mirror.
Performance: Cooper at 125, S at 185-200
Options: Ltd Slip, AWD
Price: I think it's important to stay at 20k for the base S. If you want to option it out you can get the price close to 30k.
Exterior: Size: I think the MINI should remain as is.
Interior: I agree with orbhot about the interior plastic quality. The interior of the VW Golf is very high quality and at the same price point. I'd like to see a standard armrest and a slightly larger rear view mirror.
Performance: Cooper at 125, S at 185-200
Options: Ltd Slip, AWD
Price: I think it's important to stay at 20k for the base S. If you want to option it out you can get the price close to 30k.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
>>Well, kind of a late reply, but here goes...
>>
>>
>>>>Options
>>The speed sensitive intermittent wipers are nice, but go all the way - my friend's BMW's wipers switch from full-on to intermittent when the car stops.
>>_
This feature is called "Rain sensing wipers" and works exactly as you described in the MINI so equipped. I really like my automatic windshield wipers and they smartly change speeds depending on the amount of rain and spped of the car. Very cool.
________________
>>I’ve owned cars that blow – this one blows the bloody doors off. [img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]
>>Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.
>>VinceAndJessica.com
>>
>>
>>>>Options
>>The speed sensitive intermittent wipers are nice, but go all the way - my friend's BMW's wipers switch from full-on to intermittent when the car stops.
>>_
This feature is called "Rain sensing wipers" and works exactly as you described in the MINI so equipped. I really like my automatic windshield wipers and they smartly change speeds depending on the amount of rain and spped of the car. Very cool.
________________
>>I’ve owned cars that blow – this one blows the bloody doors off. [img]albums/album25/ama.gif[/img]
>>Alta pulley, Stebro exhaust, Pipercross intake, Progress rear anti-sway bar.
>>VinceAndJessica.com
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