R50/53 Rebadging as a BMW
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: SF Bay Area
Sorry NSRWC - a joke is only funny if people get-it, and if most don't perceive it that way it is probably not outright obviously humorous. If it is something you enjoy and you find it amusing that's great, but there is no doubt others will perceive it differently since, on face value it just looks like a person rebadging one thing as something else.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Rowland Heights, CA
Sorry NSRWC - a joke is only funny if people get-it, and if most don't perceive it that way it is probably not outright obviously humorous. If it is something you enjoy and you find it amusing that's great, but there is no doubt others will perceive it differently since, on face value it just looks like a person rebadging one thing as something else.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
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The association is well and good, but that has nothing to do with swapping the badges to a brand/logo it was never sold under?
Anyway, to each his/her own, do whatcha ya like - just don't be surprised that when you swap the badges out people may get the impression that you are not proud of your Mini as it is.
As for whether I'd have bought it if it was not made by BMW - darn tootin I would have if it the result was the same car. I bought it based on the car, not BMW - having had bimmers for years and the often crappy service the BMW part was actually a merit against it. Franky I wish it was a Lexus offshoot
Anyway, to each his/her own, do whatcha ya like - just don't be surprised that when you swap the badges out people may get the impression that you are not proud of your Mini as it is.
As for whether I'd have bought it if it was not made by BMW - darn tootin I would have if it the result was the same car. I bought it based on the car, not BMW - having had bimmers for years and the often crappy service the BMW part was actually a merit against it. Franky I wish it was a Lexus offshoot
but i love my mini!!!! its myMINI. not my BMW. parts made here assembled there. designed by them and blah blah blah. when the dust settles on the track. its still a freakin sweet mini cooper
Last edited by mariokart64; Jul 13, 2007 at 10:15 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Outside of Phila, PA
When I tell people that MINI is owned by BMW they are often suprised. I always make the distinction though- I would NEVER consider MINI to be the same as BMW. They are fairly different cars, and the main difference is the ***image*** of someone who buys a MINI or a bimmer. I prefer the former!
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 307
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From: Branford, CT
When driving my MCCa I wear a BMW cap. Why ?
- Because I also own a BMW motorbike (K100RS)
- Because we bought the MINI instead of the upcoming (to the US) 1 series. I wanted the 118d hatchback, BMW thinks it has to come over with the a$$ ugly coupe with the big engines only
- Because my late F-i-L owned only BMWs (a few: Isetta, 2002, 635, 730, 530). The MINI is my wifes car and her father had a MINI on order when he died. It was my task last year to call the dealer and cancel the order.
- Because there are no decent Cooper caps out there (I'm not driving a S, they look ok)
But all this doesn't mean that I'm not proud to drive a MINI.
And I'm still proud even when a Mini driver tells me that I'm not driving a Mini but a BMW.
And that closes the circle
- Because I also own a BMW motorbike (K100RS)
- Because we bought the MINI instead of the upcoming (to the US) 1 series. I wanted the 118d hatchback, BMW thinks it has to come over with the a$$ ugly coupe with the big engines only
- Because my late F-i-L owned only BMWs (a few: Isetta, 2002, 635, 730, 530). The MINI is my wifes car and her father had a MINI on order when he died. It was my task last year to call the dealer and cancel the order.
- Because there are no decent Cooper caps out there (I'm not driving a S, they look ok)
But all this doesn't mean that I'm not proud to drive a MINI.
And I'm still proud even when a Mini driver tells me that I'm not driving a Mini but a BMW.
And that closes the circle
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 33
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From: Texas
I added small BMW badges on the side of my MCS... basically are BMW wheel caps that I glued next to the S grill by the turn signals. Everything else on the car says MINI
. I just want to emphasize that this vehicle is from the BMW Group.
Why did I do it? Because I can
and I have owned other BMWs in the past (320i, 535i, 735i, X5). I love my MCS and I think BMW are the ultimate driving machine... as well as my MCS of course!
. I just want to emphasize that this vehicle is from the BMW Group. Why did I do it? Because I can
and I have owned other BMWs in the past (320i, 535i, 735i, X5). I love my MCS and I think BMW are the ultimate driving machine... as well as my MCS of course!
Yeah... well, I have a British Leyland badge on the back of Blimey - and a Lucas sticker on the fusebox under the hood - and no sign of any BMW emblems....
But youification is all about you!
But youification is all about you!
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: DC
Fortunately, I think we will see some gene splitting (Daimler is selling off Chrysler). That was certainly a match made in H*ll!
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 185
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From: Orlando
Jeez! How come you guys aren't putting Chrysler badges on too? They were a 50/50 partner in the engine design and manufacture. Now THAT would be funny! Those who know, know, those who don't, don't matter! I remember a few years ago there was a huge lawsuit because GM was putting Oldsmobile and Chevrolet engines in Cadillacs, like there's any difference. Same crap, just more of it. To be honest the driving dynamics of the MINI are probably closer in spirit to a BMW 2002 than they are to a 330, 328 or 325. Badge it any way you want, it's still a MINI.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: DC
I'm kinda curious about those of you that are offended by the BMW re-badging. Do you see it as an insult to MINI, or an insult to BMW?
If an insult to MINI, it's not like BMW acquired a time honored auto manufacturing company with purebred heritage. They acquired a piece of paper (a trademark registration), threw a bunch of money at BMW engineers and production facilities, and endowed a select number of BMW dealers with the right to sell the product. I, in fact, have been unable to find any evidence that MINI is in fact a separate corporation. It is nothing morethan an operating division of BMW.
If an insult to MINI, it's not like BMW acquired a time honored auto manufacturing company with purebred heritage. They acquired a piece of paper (a trademark registration), threw a bunch of money at BMW engineers and production facilities, and endowed a select number of BMW dealers with the right to sell the product. I, in fact, have been unable to find any evidence that MINI is in fact a separate corporation. It is nothing morethan an operating division of BMW.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
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Would someone with a 3-series stick a 7-series sticker on their car and why? (Not sure anyone does that).
Would you stick a Bentley sticker on a VW, after all VW owns Bentley.
People should be able to put whatever stickers they want on their car. Their car, their money. OTH, they shouldn't be surprised when others snicker behind their backs
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 82
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From: Cowtown, OH
THAT is awesome.
Pair it with an ///M instead of the standard Cooper "S" on the rear.If I had an electric blue S, I would be all over it. It would be very subtle on that color.
Last edited by B3ND3R; Jul 15, 2007 at 11:21 AM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 82
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From: Cowtown, OH
Perhaps.But I think that driving a ".5 series" sounds better than driving a "0 series". Being that the car is 1/2-sized and all.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: DC
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 82
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From: Cowtown, OH
Originally Posted by Nigel
You see, most blokes will be playing at 10. You’re on 10, all the way up, all the way up...Where can you go from there? Nowhere. What we do, is if we need that extra push over the cliff...Eleven. One louder.
Originally Posted by DiBergi
Why don’t you just make 10 louder and make 10 be the top number, and make that a little louder?
Originally Posted by Nigel
These go to 11.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 936
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IMO, I could care less if someone stuck a Ferrari badge on their MINI. However, I can see the point some ppl may have in BMW re-badging simply because its posing.
Would someone with a 3-series stick a 7-series sticker on their car and why? (Not sure anyone does that).
Would you stick a Bentley sticker on a VW, after all VW owns Bentley.
People should be able to put whatever stickers they want on their car. Their car, their money. OTH, they shouldn't be surprised when others snicker behind their backs
Would someone with a 3-series stick a 7-series sticker on their car and why? (Not sure anyone does that).
Would you stick a Bentley sticker on a VW, after all VW owns Bentley.
People should be able to put whatever stickers they want on their car. Their car, their money. OTH, they shouldn't be surprised when others snicker behind their backs
on my Mini or the original idea of the HYBRID badge maybe? Heck I don't care if others snicker as long has I'm enjoying it for whatever reason that my be.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
BTW, I Like your mustang. I wanted to buy one but circumstances didn't work out (long story). Anyway, very nice.