I have yet to see a really good up slose shot of the side marker grille area....but in the side by side comparo shot it looks bad, and just like the tail lights it is just not in right proportion! it does not look like it flows with the beltline at all.

I said it before, but that side by side that 03indigo posted really showed is that the 07 looks good at some angles but the 02-06 looks great at all angles
If the MINI were a woman....the 07 would be drew barrymore, the 02-06 would be Jessica alba.....one always looks great the other looks great only part of the time

It's like that seinfeld episode where Jerry is dating the girl that only looks good in certain lighting

 

while it doesn't feed an intake, nor cool an IC, it may have benfit for those that really push the motor. I don't know one way or another, but a bunch of S owners are working hard at lowering underhood temps.

Matt

 

Fuel level gauge replaced by a segmented idiot light. Major downgrade IMO.

 

The current (old) generation just seems a little more crisp and balanced in it's design. Frank S. made fewer compromises and did a more thorough and thoughtful design in my opinion though he began with more of a blank slate. It's a lot tougher to redesign an existing icon. New generation is probably more practical (more German design influence?) but lacks some of the uniqueness, character and charm of the original though it'll probably grow on me.

The bright spots are the new engine for both performance and fuel efficiency and the new sunroof that opens front and back for quieter operation. The rest as they say, remains to be seen.

 

Ok, I hate the GIANT CHROME(?) foglight trim rings. Fugly!!!!

 

FWIW, I wasn't wild about the idea of the segmented gas gauge on my '04 with Nav, but I've come to appreciate it. An idiot light is generally used in place of an analog gauge that would otherwise provide useful information (i.e. if the car was starting to overheat, as opposed to telling you it HAS overheated)
However, the segments on my '04 each reliably denote ~60miles of fuel. They provide the info I need, and in enough detail that I don't feel I lose anything by not having an analog gauge. YMMV

 

It's good to know that its effective, but the old school car buff in me much prefers rotating needles to segmented lights. Reminds me of 80s Corvette instrumentation...blech! Otherwise I feel that the interior redesign works well aesthetically.

Regarding the integrated audio: It uglies up the speedo some, but it's not awful (the new sat nav is another story). This will prove frustrating to those unhappy with factory audio equipment. If it is MOST based and was not made to incorporate MP3 player integration from the factory, there will be some highly disgruntled iPod users among the ranks on MINI enthusiasts.

 

Repeat post from another thread: My largest criticism of the interior is the slavish repetition of the MINI logo. The logo is fine on the steering hub, but it's overkill (IMO) to repeat the shape twice in the center stack. Of course, this is one of those things that might stand out in photos, but yet appear subtle in person. We'll all get to see soon!


Originally Posted by Tri3

 

You must have never been in one with the Nav system. My 2006 MCS has a "segmented idiot light". Never really use it, just keep the readout on the steering wheel mounted speedo to read range.

 

You know, it really does not look bad. I much prefer my '06 but really I bet that most people (read non mini owners) will not be able to tell the difference. And that says something for the designers who were trying to update the car without losing it's appeal. Show some pictures to your friends and see if they can tell which is '07 and which is not. I think you will be surprised.

 

Couldn't agree with you more. I personally like the 06 better, but maybe I'm biased because I have an 06... Either way, I don't think average people will know much of a difference. Although, looking at some of the details described in this thread make me appreciate the current MINIs. They just seem more detail oriented and complete, theres just something about the 07s that gives it a choppy feel as far as its exterior design goes (IMO...).

 

I like the new car (or I wouldn't have put money down to order one).

Fake scoops are for Neons... but There's got to be some way to modify the scoope to feed additional air to the intercooler or, brakes, or SOMETHING!

The hood is not as lucious... but drop the thing, get some 18" rims and a slight rake on it (like 03Indigo's rig), and it'll be fine.

Plus that engine is looking like it's going to be sweet! I'll take those performance gains and tuning possibilities of a turbo for a few cosmetic niggles that can be ironed out.

 

Exactly right, but what kind of NAMers would we be if we didn't dissect every aspect and pick every nit of the new design?

What we really need is for M7 to develop a great package for the new turbo engine, and then create an engine swap kit to put it in an 02-06 chassis. Voila! Best of both worlds.

 

That is what I want, and the 6 speed transmission....and the standard cooper hood without the scoop....stealth at it's finest.

 

The fake scoop idea just hurts. I love my scoopless beauty of a Cooper.

 

Why? Yucca will be happy because he can get this kit and not worry about interrupting airflow.

 

...I wonder if the 2007 MC hood will fit on the S car? Hmmmm...

 

Every cloud does have a silver lining!

 

Maybe that should come standard... at least it would do something!

 

just remember, our side vents do nothing.....

neither do the rear vents on the lower bumpers of the S....especially those with aero kits.

every car has fake stuff on it, even the ones we love. The hood scoop ads an aggressive look, and it comes down to style preferences. One main reason I went with the standard cooper was the look of the hood. Ultimate performance was not a deciding factor for my car, but I can sure have fun in the corners without the need for a functional hood scoop.

 

How else will you know you're in a MINI unless you see the winged logo everywhere?

It brings to mind certain places where shallow people sport labels just to show everyone else they can afford it. It's label overkill and it shows a lack of sophistication and class.

 

The two eggs sunny side up they put on the bonnet.

Also, is it just me or does the fuel gauge make all the other warning lights look off/crooked? It isnt symmetrical. dood that just isnt right.

 

In January, I participated in a market research survey and had the pleasure of seeing the new Cooper and the new Traveller concept cars. They were obviously prototypes, not production vehicles. I will just say that I am more than happy with my 2003 MCS.

 

I like the photo SB!
I'm going to be looking for that mod kit after I take delivery of my 2007. Or maybe I'll do it myself, either way it's a great way to take what I think is one of the only drawbacks of the new model and make it fun.

msh441; from a brief first glance, I don't think the hoods of the MC and MCS are interchangable.

 

Philips Silver Vision is your friend.