I agree

 

I've heard from many sources that BMW has been considering 'cost cuts' on the '07 MINI, but if they lose the multi link rear I think they're making a big mistake. I think this is an example of committee thinking versus the vision of a small group of enthusiasts. If they 'water down' the next gen MINI I think they'll lose more sales than they gain.

 

I imagine one benefit of the new Mini will be a cheaper JCW option. With a simple ECU tweak making the turbo operate at higher boost, the new engine will be able to put out nice hp numbers without the huge costs of a polished head or ported intake. Add a turbo-back exhaust and the average enthusiast will be plenty satisfied. After owning a Golf 1.8t, I am certainly looking forward to that type of tuning ability and power from a Mini.

I've heard/read that they're just doing away with the expensive BMW Z-arm configuration, but would be offering a multi-link of some kind. Mini knows that going to a torsion beam or other subpar rear suspension would kill them at both the media and consumer level considering that the rear suspension--in terms of function--is what originally set the Mini apart from other small hatches. If Mini decides to go with something like the Focus crossblade or Golf V rear and tunes it correctly, it will work great and reduce the cost of producing the car. Remember also, that unlike other cars in the segment, the Mini has all four wheels pushed out to the corners, which I can't imagine them having to change to save money.

I also heard that they are looking to reduce the cost of painting the car--which tends to be an expensive part of the process as the contrast-roof'd cars need two trips to the paint shop. A probably solution is a clip-on style roof cover that allows owners to swap out different colors during the life of their car. Think of it as the new bonnet stripe.

 

Doesn't look like that's a viable option--there was an article on MF awhile back with regard to the clip on roof, and it appears BMW has scratched that idea entirely, and is leaning toward leaving it as is.

 

I saw it above, but I'll say it again...

I'll never own a car that is in the first year (maybe two years) of its' lifecycle... too many bugs to be shaken out.

 

Except the wagon is a concept vehicle....who knows what its riding on...prolly a current generation MCS drivetrain. Besides, don't the spy shots of the production vehicle have that "hideous bump" instead?


nevermind....I see in another tread the S scoop is apparently back for '07

 

Seems to me, the more tech they throw into these cars, the less it appeals to me. BMW and Mercedes are losing their reps as solid, reliable cars. Some care makers (Lexus for example) have the ability to add multi-layers of tech without it becoming bothersome....ie it is more transparent to the enduser. The Germans are VERY bad at this. They can add the tech but the interface usually sucks....I-drive anyone? The Europeans have lost much in the way of reliability...mainly due to their clumsiness (sp) with tech...see JD Powers.

K.I.S.S. is still the best policy...or at least be able to turn it off.

 

For me the verdict is still out on the 2007's new motor. Economy + performance (as much as possible) is always appealing.

I love the power:weight of my '03 S. The other second selling feature of the mini was the handling. If the '07 kills the handling, there is no way I'd even consider buying one, I'd rather drive the '03. I imagine many mini drivers could care less about the rear suspension, as long as it keeps the rear of the car from scraping on the ground. They could feasibly downgrade the stock option on it and retain more performance minded buyers as long as they significantly uprated the suspension for sport package purchasers.

I'm happy with my '03 S and have plans to drive it for quite a while, if I had to choose between an '06 with its "knowns" and an '07 with its "unknowns" i'd definately go with the '06.

As far as resale values go. The lack of information about the particulars of the '07 make predictability of resale difficult. Generally, older models drop in value due to newer=better mentality. I'm not sure i'd upgrade from an '04 to '06 based on preserving retail value. The biggest risk of devaluation comes from what the '07 will offer as far as appeal. Either way the '04 and '06 will take similar hits, although the '06 is more likely to take a bigger hit based on the fact that it is obsolete even though it hasn't been depreciated for age, vs the '04 that has depreciated on age and therefore should take a smaller hit as far as value drop. Of course BMW/Mini could totally botch the '07 transition and values of older models would increase or stay the same, in which case the '06 would still be more valuable than the '04, but that seems like a bad bet to me.

 

Xiangi's essay above, I find interesting and well thought out.

My biggest issue with the 06/07 debate is that, BMW seems insistent on continually changing the car, and its uniqueness in the marketplace seems in jepoardy. New requirements for passenger impact notwithstanding, the focus on cost cutting disturbs me- with the entry level price @ 17K, it doesn't seem likely that any potential customer would decide not to buy, based on a couple of hundred dollars-- I would prefer BMW up the price a bit, rather than implement so many of the cost cutting measures they are doing. Every change seems to be moving toward a more "conventional" vehicle, inside and out, except the bizzare, needlessly overhauled, (its only 5 yrs. old!) interior. Sorry, losing the separate running lights is a big blow, and I am waiting/expecting for taillamps set against the boot shut lines, I'm certain that is not far off. This is just sad...

 

Yeah, this is pretty much my thinking now. Though an '06 will have a monetarily higher resale value than my '05 when I decide to sell/trade, I will probably lose more money overall with an '06 because it will depreciate at a faster rate, comparatively. Of course, that is if the new model is more desirable (which I am betting it will be).