......the MINI marque had been resurrected by someone other than BMW; let's say, for example, Ford or even Hyundai. How many people would still take a gamble and purchase it because of its design and (past, possibly future) iconic status ?

Many MINI owners seem to fall into 3 main camps (I love to make sweeping generalizations, so please forgive me):

(a) Prior/current owners of classic Minis (or at least old enough to fondly remember them).
(b) Perceive it simply as a fun, affordable means of transport (maybe not even aware of its heritage)
(c) Existing owners of Teutonic machinery (particularly of the BMW persuasion). "It's really a BMW you know" they tell their neighbour's over the garden fence .

I wonder how many people will opt for the new BMW 1 series rather than the MINI if they're both similarly priced and specced ? That way they get an authentic BMW badge on the bonnet rather than the faux one

Thought this might provoke some "interesting" debate.

 

I think your categories are flawed. I don't fit into any of them.

It's the most fun you can get in a car under $25k. I'm an English sports car fan, though, so I'm aware of its heritage. And I've never owned a BMW or other German car.

If the exact same car had been built by Rover, for example, I'd probably go for it. I'd draw the line before we got to Hyundai, though.

 

Well I'm a little of "a" (fan of MINI, have friends who own/restore them) and "b" (wanted a practical daily driver that offered "something extra") but I've never been in the "c" category. No 1 series for me!

 

Well, I guess I fit into group "a" since I have owned classic Minis for over two decades. But I would have bought one regardless of the Mini association. I just like the cars.

NOT Group "b" - I don't find it too economical here in California where we have to pay a shake down premium. But it's still less than something of similar fun - Porsche, Lotus, etc.

Group "c" - I bought the New MINI despite - rather than because of - BMW's association. I absolutely hate BMW and would prefer just about any other company to own the MINI marque.

 

List of other manufacturers I would have considered buying from if they had backed the project instead of BMW:


BMW backing the effort was a huge part in me getting on a wait list early, putting a deposit down, and buying a "Pre-Spec" out of the very first allocation of COOPER S to arrive on U.S. shores.

If Rover hadn't have been purchase by BMW and they had tried to bring the "new Mini" (it wouldn't have been "MINI" without BMW) to the U.S., my name never would have gone on a list before the car was actually on the market for at least a year.

 

I sure agree with that!!!

 

There are two kinds of people in the world: A) Those that fit into neat little categories and B) Those that don't.

(a)Years ago a friend of mine purchased a rather broken down classic and beautifully restored it. I never forgot how much fun it was to ride it that bright red Mini. (b)The car so influenced me that I purchased what I percieved as the closest thing I could get (too chicken to rebuild one myself), a VW GTI 16V. Despite it's tinniness, I loved that 16V and kept it for 13 years, even repainting it after year 10. Two years after I sold it, the new MINI was introduced and I knew I had to get my hands on one. (c)All I had to do was convince my wife that this would be a practical, "smart" buy. We don't yet own a MINI, but we have one on order!

 

I wouldn't have considered it if it wasn't european.

 

Had a Mini many, many moons ago, loads of fun. Had a 540 more recently also loads of fun. BMWs rep was a huge factor in choice. The Mini was not an inexpensive vehicle, once I was done it cost more than my loaded 2003 Toyota Tundra Limited. I can't understand how someone can praise the Mini but hate BMW The BMW parentage lends a reputation of excellence and quality, something the Mini owns up to quite nicely.

I appreciate the history of this iteration, most especially the country of manufacture -- it pays respect to the heritage of the vehicle. As I get older I want things to mean a little more.

 

HOLY!!!! As hard as it is for me to say.....[gulp].....I would'vd got it EVEN if it was made by FORD. I cannot stand a F rd.

 

I don't really fit into those categories either. I was in the market for a new car, and actually was against buying a small car. I currently drive a restored classic beetle and was tired of being in a cute small car. I wanted something manly dam*it. Something that Tim the tool man wouldn't mind driving. I was pretty sure I would end up in a extended cab Tacoma, though I was looking at a couple of other pickups.

My wife, who has only known me as a beetle driver, said that I should try the Cooper. "No... I don't want another cute car..... I'm A MAN." says I..."A big burly man". But you are just not a truck kind of guy, she insisted.

So I relented one day and went and went in for a test drive while we were in the vicinity of a dealership. First the MC auto, then the MC, then the MCS.

Now, when people ask me why I bought an MCS, I just say... "I drove one".

That being said, I wouldn't have even considered a Ford owned and built Mini. I remember years ago my (then) wife and I were shopping for a car. After the test drive, the Ford salesman asked us "Well.... what do ya think ??!!". I replied, "Dude, we're poor, but not that poor". I distinctly remember driving down a steep driveway onto the main street and water pouring out of the dome light onto the shifter. Absolutely incredible.

 

Welcome to NAM MrV...you manly burly MINI-guy, you!

I didn't even KNOW I was in the market for a new car until my brother-in-law showed me the MINIUSA website on Christmas Day, 2001. I took one look at the new MINI and FLIPPED OUT!

I had to have one, and I didn't really care WHO was building them! To find out that BMW engineering was involved was a nice plus, but I had to have one once I test-drove them!

To get involved with the MINI Community in '02 was also an unexpected pleasure and is a major benefit of MINI ownership!


Clover

 

(d)Those weary of cars with too many cup holders
(e)Those wanting a car with a back end needing to be cleaned constantly
(f)Those looking for an on-line support group
(g)Those who are drawn to great design and performance in a personal car

Mmmmmmmm. Put me down for (g).

Godspeed.

 

I have to say the BMW helped persuade me.....I am not a huge fan of American made cars, unless you are buying a truck, then an F150 or Dodge Ram is the way to go.

 

I like the fact that BMW has a part in the MINI. BMW has a reputation to hold up so the quality is a priority. If ford owned MINI, it would be more like how ford owns Mazda. I would buy a Mazda no problem, but not a ford. Heck, even as it is right now, Chrysler has some part in MINI but you don't hear me complaining. I wasn't really considering a MINI at first. I was looking at the RX-8, Eclipse, and eyeballing the Crossfire a bit. Till I read more about it and seen what kind of suspension it had and the BMW influence.

 

I doubt I'd want a MINI if anyone other than BMW had been the facilitator.

Ford MINI- It'd be a poor handling unresponsive beast that'd be impossible to work on. Probably stay in the shop more than on the road. IF you're lucky, it'd make it to 10,000 miles before it died...

GM MINI- Even slower and worse handling than the Ford. If GM had their way, there'd be no such thing as a manual transmission, but it'd probably be reliable. Also the door panels would squeak so much you'd need earplugs!

Honda, Toyota, Lexus, or Mercedes MINI- Probably be very reliable and get great gas mileage. It'd also probably ride very smooth and be very quiet. The interior would most likely not look like it does now...far more conventional. The MINI would lose it's edge...be like a tiny Camry. Doors would sound like a tin can except for Lexus and Mercedes

Subaru MINI- Probably run like a scalded dog. Also, it'd be so loud and tinny you'd need earplugs. It'd be a blast but totally uncivilized.

Chrysler MINI- Like the Subaru except it'd fall apart in 30,000 miles and have no resale value. (I know Mercedes ownes Chrysler, but they are worlds apart in culture and quality)

Jaguar MINI- A Ford MINI would be reliable by comparison, but the interior would be a thing of true beauty.

BMW MINI- Performance oriented, upscale, quality. The one and only FWD car I'd ever consider owning. Thankfully, this is how it worked out! It stands to reason that if a desirable FWD car was ever made, it'd be BMW that made it.

I doubt MINI would be on my radar screen if anyone other than BMW was involved.

Rawhyde

PS Whatever gripes some may have about BMW, you must admit that they make driving enjoyment a MUCH higher priority than other makes.

 

Considering problems that my friend's had with their BMW's electronics,
I was somewhat worried...but all is well so far. :smile:

I just like small boxy cars and MINI was just the ultimate hatch.

 

• I like the concept of a small, very good handling car.
• I also like the concept of a 1-series BMW for different reasons.
• I have owned BMW, Mercedes.. and they are totally different.

So, I guess I fit into at least two of your catagories.:smile:

 

Me too,g is why I got mine

 

actually in a moter trend or some car magazine i forget which the mini kicked the bmw 1 series ***!!!!!!


tee hee!!

just a funny fact of the underdog beating its master!!!!

 

Drawing only from my personal experience with BMW, along with that of several other people I know, I would never own a BMW. The 325 I had was the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned. The 5-series that my business partner owned was probably worse. The 3-series that a former co-worker owned was so bad that he had to return it through the lemon law. Another person I know bought a new 7-series and it made it less than 100 yards out of the parking lot before breaking down. I realize anecdotal evidence is not enough to make an informed decision. But it is enough for me. I am sure BMW makes decent cars but I personally don’t know anybody who has been happy with one.

 

I am an A but most of that is thanks to how I was raised....however, part of that heritage is making sure it was prodused properly...LOL...BMW has out done themselves

 

I'm not into been categorized but I did own a BMW 318 years ago. It was a very good and reliable car, sold it with something like 180,000 miles but running and looking mint. Anyway, a customer showed up with a new mini and parked it right in front of my shop. As soon as I saw it I had to go out and look at it. I couldn't get it out of my head so I went to a dealer for a test drive. It was so much fun that the rest is history, its a keeper.
:smile:

 

My dad has had an MG or MG midget or two or three for as long as i can remember, so I grew up around small british cars, but for daily drivers, they had owned a few BMWs, after my few first cheap beater cars, I saved up and got a used miata, closest feel to those MGs without the maintenance, now we have a 3 person family so the miata was out, and the mini was just a no brainer, so I guess I am spread out all over all three categories Did I mention that this car ROCKS!? (also still restoring a datsun roadster, just have to be fixin on something i guess )

 

As a fan of BMW, it made it easy to take the leap of faith and order one before they were available to see or test. I don't think I would do that with any other manufacturer (except perhaps Honda).

That said, I'm not sure I would have purchased the car if it were not manufactured in the UK. For example, if BMW decided to produce the MINI in South Carolina, that would just be wrong.

What I love most is the combination of British heritage and German engineering.