Wrong there. MCS is ordered, should have it around June 1. But with a baby on the way (Oct. 1), the next purchase will be a 3 or 4 year old 740iL. They are tremendous cars, sold for more than $70k new, and can be bought in excellent condition for less than $30k. Can't touch anything close for that little money and a 4 year old 740 with 50k or less miles on it is like a new car, and good for another 150k.

I bought my first BMW in 1985, have owned several, and the BMW design was key to my willingness to buy a MINI. So if the "strategy" was to start young drivers in a MINI and get them to move up to a BMW, I have no idea if its working. But they got this "older" BMW faithful driver to buy a MINI!

Cheers,

James

 

In my case the opposite is true -- I almost turned away from the MINI when I learned that BMW owned the name. Although I remember the day of the BMW 2002 fondly, the associations I've built up with the name since then have been less pleasant: hollow status symbols for nickel millionaires. I was also a bit concerned about BMW's reputation for making their cars a little to complex and sophisticated -- and hence expensive to maintain.

In the end, however, I decided to get a MINI because it was the best example of the kind of car I've always been attracted to: the econo-box with pep and great handling. The fact that I've always been wistful about missing an opportunity to buy a classic Mini (back in the early '70's) also figured strongly in my decision.

Mark of Pemburnia

 

MINI all the way, i love the car, not the *new* manufacturer. I'd get a MINI-station wagon [almost an oxymoron] if they made one

i love my car so much, i don't need anything else [unless it was another MINI or a classic mini] especially a BMW

Gidget

 

In my opinion, I bought the MINI - not because it had the BMW name attached to it. I bought it for what it is. I love it and maybe in the future, I'll buy another MINI. I don't foresee buying a BMW. I guess their strategy didn't work for me.

 

Hm... I wouldn't buy a BMW b/c of MINI, since MINI's a seperate division with it's own personality. That being said, I think that for the most part they're very well engineered car, though up until the past few years I haven't been fond of their body styles. But the new 7 Series is amazing (haha - yeah, on a teacher's salary), and the redesign for next year's 5 Series and the re-introduced 6 Series are darn nice. I'd look into a newer 3 Series maybe a few years down the road, but there are a good number of cars on the market that I'd look at first. Brand names tend not to impress me.

 

To be honest with you, I bought a MINI becuase I love my BMW, I love the service I get from BMW and the reliablity of my 328is. Im hoping to get all of the same benefits from my MINI. Will I buy another BMW? YES. Becuase of my MINI? NO. My very next car will be a M3....

 

Funny thing...my dentist, who has a 5-series BMW had it in service for a week and they offered him a Mini as a loaner. He said that during that week, he had more fun than in years. His 7th grader and 10th grader pressured him not to give the car back. He said he loved the way it parked and the way it handled in our notoriously ill-designed parking garages. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't buy one this year or next. :smile:

 

M3 BABYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAT IS A SWEET A## RIDE THEIR

 

The strategy won't work on me either, I'm afraid. I wanted a MINI...just a MINI (...but I was glad BMW was involved with the car.) I hope to buy another...then another...then another...

 

Okay I tried to stay away from this thread but can no longer.

First some background - Some of my first memories were of my parents '72 2002. I learned to drive on a 535i and have owned a handful of used (and one new) BMWs. While I love BMW I was a bit turned off by the last 3 series. I actually sold a '01 325ci for my current MIN. The 325ci was a bit ponderous and numb compared to the prevous generation E36 3 series - not to mention the MINI. That being said it seems that BMW has heard the complaints and is keeping them in mind with new cars... but i digress...

Currently I have a used '92 325i and my MINI. Idealy I'd like to replace the 325i in 3 years with either a 1 or 2 series or possible a used '98 4 door M3. I like to think I grew up knowing BMW as a drivers car - not some ridiculous status symbol. It's really too bad that BMW has some how garnered this reputation among some out there. They are great drivers cars that are made and designed like few out there. 50/50 weight distribution, inline six, rear wheel drive - these attributes are things you just don't see in a mass market car.

And finally to answer the snow/BMW issue - the best car I've ever driven in the snow was my '01 325c with Blizzacks on. With perfect weight distribution, amazing grip, and wide track it just ate up snowy roads.

 

>>Okay I tried to stay away from this thread but can no longer.

No need to stay away.

It's fun and exciting to see and participate in wether or not BMW's getting a new fan base.

From the sounds of most respondents, most either owned BMW's before getting a MINI or had no intention of buying a BMW and still don't

 

I was just staying away because I have no time to track another thread

 

>>I was just staying away because I have no time to track another thread

Isn't that what MCO pulse is for?

 

>>
>>>>
>>>>Still I don't see alot of MINI folks moving into 740il's anytime soon
>>>>
>>
>>
>>rather judgemental statement imo, dont you think?
I think I cam e off wrong here. It's not a money/economic bend that I'm taking. It's just that folks intereted in little sport/coupe/3-doors aren't going out looking a large luxo-sedans. Now I seriously looked at aZM and loved it, if there had been four seats. . . and no roundel. Here in Atlanta a BMW will get you scads of tickets doing the same driving that a MINI or Miata will.

I know I've had them all . . .

 

Maybe, I really like rear wheel drive cars and I think the 1 series is going to be a great cousin to the mini.

 

I'm going backwards according to this hypothetical BMW strategy, from a 3-series to a MINI!

When BMW releases the 1-series, I'll be geeked. When the //M1 comes out, I'll already have an order in

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I've heard that BMW will probably be making an AWD M3. It will probably be out in the nest year or so. That's what I will get next. That with the SMG (paddle shifters)gearbox would almost be a dream car.

 

>>I've heard that BMW will probably be making an AWD M3. It will probably be out in the nest year or so. That's what I will get next. That with the SMG (paddle shifters)gearbox would almost be a dream car.

BMW has no plans to produce an all-wheel drive M car... the current iteration of the M3 will not change (except for a face lift ala the '04 325ci/330ci) until the E46 model has run it's course.

In terms of the Pulse - that's really the problem... I don't have time (due to a number of reasons) to follow another thread closely. I love the Pulse but in this case it's a curse as it makes it too easy to get caught up in threads that I really don't have time to follow - like this one!!!

 

>>Mini's have a bigger brother?

Yes, the Mini S

 

>>In terms of the Pulse - that's really the problem... I don't have time (due to a number of reasons) to follow another thread closely. I love the Pulse but in this case it's a curse as it makes it too easy to get caught up in threads that I really don't have time to follow - like this one!!!

 

i'm with Ryephile and Gabe on this one!
i think as much as i'd like my next car to be a mini, the bmw 1 or 2 series, whatever they call it,
is gonna be one sweet azz ride! i bet there will be a SMG option too! woooohoooo.....
void the above statement if mini comes out with something more interesting by then!
i'd rather have a mini, but a sweet car is just that, a sweet car!

 

I agree with Lobo. I'd most likely get another MINI if I have a 2nd car. Being single, I can only drive one car at a time, so I've never had the need to have 2 cars. but if MINI comes out with a car that has 4 doors and the double swing open back doors, I'd love to one and would buy it as my 2nd car!

 

My love affair with BMW began in the early 70's. I bought a used BMW R69S motorcycle with 35k on it. I sold it 13 years later with 200k on it for 3 times what I paid for it. Since then I've owned several BMW's. All were great cars. I saw my first MINI at the BMW manufacturing plant in Spartanburg,SC at 02/02/02 fest when I drove my 1974 2002 there. I still have a 90 325is and a 95 R1100RSL motorcycle. I've always liked Mini's, but BMW's involvement was all I needed to make the decision. That, and seeing one in person. BMW is not a status symbol to me, just great products. I'm sure I will be buying another BMW or two down the road, but for now I'm having a ball with my BMW manufactured MINI. Motor On
Mike B

 

Yes for me. If I could justify it, I'd buy another S now just for kicks...and an M3! Yeah, I've always liked BMWs but I don't know if I ever would have bought one.

However, my feelings now have more to do with my dealer. They (Morristown MINI) make everything such a pleasure that I certainly will consider a BMW in the future!

 

I see my MINI as a MINI, not a BMW. Maybe it's different for those already in the BMW family - seeing the MINI as the "little brother." For now, it's still MINI for me.