R56 Comment from MINI Dealer
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: LI, NY
When I looked at the R56, it just did _nothing_ for me visually, inside or out. It may very well be a better performing car than my '05, but that does not matter to me. My car does what I want it to. I don't consider my decision in preferring the R50/53 stupid. I do not bash the R56. I just don't care for it the way I care for the current car.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2004
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Uhm, but why do WE care about the masses???? They aren't here to debate the issue. WE, as enthusiasts, or anyone that's interested enough to post their opinions on a public board about a car, is what matters to us, and that's why we "enthusiasts" want to meet other "enthusiasts".
Having been a non enthusiast most of my life--until I discovered the MINI which is how a large number of MINI enthusiasts came to be-- I don't see your point at all.
Having a stock MINI doesn't make you a non enthusiast, and neither does a deep pocketbook to buy tons of mods off the dealership lot.
Having been a non enthusiast most of my life--until I discovered the MINI which is how a large number of MINI enthusiasts came to be-- I don't see your point at all.
Having a stock MINI doesn't make you a non enthusiast, and neither does a deep pocketbook to buy tons of mods off the dealership lot.
This is not about whether a Mini is an enthusiast's car. It's about whether going mainstream will affect the desireability of the R56 - it won't. It will appeal to a broader audience and hence be more popular.
It may indeed be less popular here. As Chows stated, the enthusiast who mods and tracks his/her Mini is the vocal minority. A lack of enthusiast interest in the R56 will do nothing to hamper its success.
They will sell a ton and they will sell them out here on the left coast for more than MSRP. BMW/Mini knows how to market and sell the goods.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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I am confused as to how this new model is supposedely going to saturate the market aka "be for everyone" and go more "mainstream" if MINIUSA has shown no evidence in increasing the number of dealers. Where I am, it's rare that you see another MINI. I prolly see 1-2 a week, and because they live down the road from me!
Go more mainstream in the city the dealer is located in maybe... but to go mainstream everywhere you're going to have to expand to places untouched ie South Bend, IN or Traverse City, MI.
All this stupid bickering needs to stop. The quote about the high school debate team is pretty immature in itself. Just because you post a thread on NAM does not give the authority b!tch out everyone that states something you don't agree with in that thread. You post a contreversial quote on a forum composed of enthusiasts, and just like everywhere else in the world, you'll get differing opinions, and you'll get some people riled up. Accept it, it's not going to change. Most of all though... I believe... oh yes it is in site guidlines to use respect of other members and their opinions.
So do it. I respect yours. It's not that hard... After all I am a high school student and it's pretty sad that I have to say this to adults.
My Question: how can we form such a strong opinion on something we have never seen, felt or driven ourselves? Now that's STUPID!
And just for comparison's sake I'm trying to get my mom to buy an 07 Cooper S as a grocery getter... and so I can mod the crap out of it...
Mikey
Go more mainstream in the city the dealer is located in maybe... but to go mainstream everywhere you're going to have to expand to places untouched ie South Bend, IN or Traverse City, MI.All this stupid bickering needs to stop. The quote about the high school debate team is pretty immature in itself. Just because you post a thread on NAM does not give the authority b!tch out everyone that states something you don't agree with in that thread. You post a contreversial quote on a forum composed of enthusiasts, and just like everywhere else in the world, you'll get differing opinions, and you'll get some people riled up. Accept it, it's not going to change. Most of all though... I believe... oh yes it is in site guidlines to use respect of other members and their opinions.
So do it. I respect yours. It's not that hard... After all I am a high school student and it's pretty sad that I have to say this to adults. My Question: how can we form such a strong opinion on something we have never seen, felt or driven ourselves? Now that's STUPID!
And just for comparison's sake I'm trying to get my mom to buy an 07 Cooper S as a grocery getter... and so I can mod the crap out of it...
Mikey
It is common for people to gripe about the new model - especially when they are owners of the old. The reasons vary from genuine concern that the current version may get diluted, to a passive-aggressive hope that the new model fails so that the current one maintains its value, to blatant hostility due in part to the fact that the current owner now thinks he has a dated product on his hands.
At least you realize that all this stupid bellyaching about a car no one here has driven or seen yet is ridiculous. Try to understand why its happening and take alittle bit of pity on the people who can't accept that their car may not be as desireable in a year.
I'll second what Caminifan said. I see a ton of Minis here in the Bay Area. Heck, at one time we had four on my street and I live on a very quiet street. We also have four dealers here in a fifty mile radius. This is why California experiences the demand that drives up prices and creates wait times.
That is also why I am confident that mainlining the R56 will not hurt sales one iota. I'm not seeing alot of enthusiasts driving these cars, I'm not seeing alot of modded cars and I'm sure as heck not seeing many at the track - heck Sid has to resort to taunting and bribing Minis to come out.
Let the people make their prognostications about the R56. Let them bellyache about the new interior. Let them moan about the useless hood scoop. Let the cry about how using a state of the art turbo-charged engine with more refinement, power and usable torque is a bad thing. The launch is just around the corner and a lot of people will be eating a big plate of crow.
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 181
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From: L.A.
Mini relatively still a new brand here in the states, with time you'll even more people driving Mini's, but never a change in marketing strategy. BMW has kept it's just now re-tuned marketing strategy for over 20 years, only now it's been modified to enhance the companies image in the eyes of the consumers to make owning a BMW look even more appealing to those that don't currently own one, than it already is. As time goes on, sure you'll see a little compromise on one thing or the other but that's the nature of consumer tastes(the market), and that's what automakes respond to. However, a Mini will always be a Mini, and BMW knows that's what every prospective Mini shopper is buying a Mini over a VW GTI, or something else comparable in the class.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
,,...The Fix...
Other fixes in store include solving the rust on the door jam, -when you pull the rubber seal back you will now discover plastic or some other little surprise.
All the bugs will be fixed, but not everyone is going to like the fix that was implemented.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Mikey:
... The reasons vary from genuine concern that the current version may get diluted, to a passive-aggressive hope that the new model fails so that the current one maintains its value, to blatant hostility due in part to the fact that the current owner now thinks he has a dated product on his hands.
... take alittle bit of pity on the people who can't accept that their car may not be as desireable in a year.
... The reasons vary from genuine concern that the current version may get diluted, to a passive-aggressive hope that the new model fails so that the current one maintains its value, to blatant hostility due in part to the fact that the current owner now thinks he has a dated product on his hands.
... take alittle bit of pity on the people who can't accept that their car may not be as desireable in a year.
I forget to mention about "change". Many ppl are resistant to change ... uncomfortable. They know what they know. Right now I bet your pretty comfortable, QB in HS, popular, etc. Then maybe next year you go to Notre Dame or some college and quickly find out your just another freshman among thousands. Change makes one feel uncomfortable and so it is with cars too.
Skip got it right about model years. We had a supercharged MR2. A couple of years later, the Turbocharged MR2 came out. Supercharged version was instantly obsolete and dated. Turbo version a bit bigger and far more powerful. It will happen with the MINIs. I know ... where have a I seen this before, what happened then? Whats going to happen now? Same thing will happen for the older MINI. Its newer version will be a bit bigger, and end up much more powerful. Life goes on.
Change happens and people will feel they bought the last year of the old model and got stuck once the new ones hit the road. The company no longer makes that model ... old ... not current ... etc.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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We had a supercharged MR2. A couple of years later, the Turbocharged MR2 came out. Supercharged version was instantly obsolete and dated. Turbo version a bit bigger and far more powerful. It will happen with the MINIs. I know ... where have a I seen this before, what happened then? Whats going to happen now? Same thing will happen for the older MINI. Its newer version will be a bit bigger, and end up much more powerful. Life goes on.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
Speaking only for myself, I am driven by aesthetics. I would never purchase something I don't like the looks of, no matter how 'good' the driving (or riding) experience may be. I am one of those MINI owners that bought a car and left it basically stock. I've done a couple of minor mods, I haven't blinged it out, and I have no intentions of racing it.
When I looked at the R56, it just did _nothing_ for me visually, inside or out. It may very well be a better performing car than my '05, but that does not matter to me. My car does what I want it to. I don't consider my decision in preferring the R50/53 stupid. I do not bash the R56. I just don't care for it the way I care for the current car.
When I looked at the R56, it just did _nothing_ for me visually, inside or out. It may very well be a better performing car than my '05, but that does not matter to me. My car does what I want it to. I don't consider my decision in preferring the R50/53 stupid. I do not bash the R56. I just don't care for it the way I care for the current car.
Really I am dissapointed because I DID WANT to trade in for an 07 and was having high hopes for it. Maybe too high.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
As it is...bring on the R56!!!
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 127
From: San Francisco
Having just turned 50, now you're making me feel very old...
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,922
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From: Midwest
Mikey:
It is common for people to gripe about the new model - especially when they are owners of the old. The reasons vary from genuine concern that the current version may get diluted, to a passive-aggressive hope that the new model fails so that the current one maintains its value, to blatant hostility due in part to the fact that the current owner now thinks he has a dated product on his hands.
At least you realize that all this stupid bellyaching about a car no one here has driven or seen yet is ridiculous. Try to understand why its happening and take alittle bit of pity on the people who can't accept that their car may not be as desireable in a year.
I'll second what Caminifan said. I see a ton of Minis here in the Bay Area. Heck, at one time we had four on my street and I live on a very quiet street. We also have four dealers here in a fifty mile radius. This is why California experiences the demand that drives up prices and creates wait times.
That is also why I am confident that mainlining the R56 will not hurt sales one iota. I'm not seeing alot of enthusiasts driving these cars, I'm not seeing alot of modded cars and I'm sure as heck not seeing many at the track - heck Sid has to resort to taunting and bribing Minis to come out.
Let the people make their prognostications about the R56. Let them bellyache about the new interior. Let them moan about the useless hood scoop. Let the cry about how using a state of the art turbo-charged engine with more refinement, power and usable torque is a bad thing. The launch is just around the corner and a lot of people will be eating a big plate of crow.
It is common for people to gripe about the new model - especially when they are owners of the old. The reasons vary from genuine concern that the current version may get diluted, to a passive-aggressive hope that the new model fails so that the current one maintains its value, to blatant hostility due in part to the fact that the current owner now thinks he has a dated product on his hands.
At least you realize that all this stupid bellyaching about a car no one here has driven or seen yet is ridiculous. Try to understand why its happening and take alittle bit of pity on the people who can't accept that their car may not be as desireable in a year.
I'll second what Caminifan said. I see a ton of Minis here in the Bay Area. Heck, at one time we had four on my street and I live on a very quiet street. We also have four dealers here in a fifty mile radius. This is why California experiences the demand that drives up prices and creates wait times.
That is also why I am confident that mainlining the R56 will not hurt sales one iota. I'm not seeing alot of enthusiasts driving these cars, I'm not seeing alot of modded cars and I'm sure as heck not seeing many at the track - heck Sid has to resort to taunting and bribing Minis to come out.
Let the people make their prognostications about the R56. Let them bellyache about the new interior. Let them moan about the useless hood scoop. Let the cry about how using a state of the art turbo-charged engine with more refinement, power and usable torque is a bad thing. The launch is just around the corner and a lot of people will be eating a big plate of crow.
erickvonzipper & Chows:
Actually I too was driven to buy the MINI because of aesthetics. When I got the first "Official Book of Motoring" and saw the Dark Silver Cooper S I was like WOW that's cool, well maybe that's because I was like 13...
but anyway it was a neat looking car. Then when I got the first official brochure and saw the Cooper S did 0-60 around 6 seconds I became more serious. Up until the day I ordered my Cooper S I had never driven MINI. Yeah... So I'm kinda like you guys. The point is, is that these people are saying the new car will lose all it's handling and performance capabilities when none of them have even driven the car. Styling is one thing, everyone has their own opinion and feelings on that, but to make statements that the car has lost all it's performance is just BS esp. when you look at the spec sheet. Lighter car + Turbo + Reworked suspension + Reworked gearbox = Still one helluva car. To state your opinion on styling is one thing but to make statements about performance that have no evidence to back them up is STUPID.
Sorry I had to use that word.Mikey
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
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Then when I got the first official brochure and saw the Cooper S did 0-60 around 6 seconds ... to make statements that the car has lost all it's performance is just BS esp. when you look at the spec sheet. Lighter car + Turbo + Reworked suspension + Reworked gearbox = Still one helluva car.
As to the rest, if they read the specs and think performance will be lost ...hmm. I have NOT read the specs other than too know it has a few more HP. Don't know the weight. If everything is more or less the same, I dunno how they can say that.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
Considering the alternative, I'm very happy to be your Dad's age.
My son is 31. I'm a car guy.....he isn't.
Going to a friends house this morning to do some painting on my 69 Chevelle Malibu.
My son is 31. I'm a car guy.....he isn't.Going to a friends house this morning to do some painting on my 69 Chevelle Malibu.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,762
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0-62 MPH: 7.1 secons MCS... 9.1 for the MC.
50-75MPH roll-ons: 5.5 seconds for the MCS and 9.4 for the MC.
0-1000 Meters: 27.5 seconds for the MCS and 30.2 for the MC
...but MINIs figures are pretty conservative. I believe Road & Track showed that they could post much quicker times than was released by MINI. If I recal, the MINI is also still the fastest car to date through their slolom test.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
for the slalom times. 06 MCS JCW is way down the list.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville, Minnesota
Wow... I'm getting dizzy reading this thread....
(I've skipped ahead to leave my thoughts, then I'll get back to reading all your comments.)
I'm an enthusiast (with a small "e" I guess, cause I mainly like the spirit of the car, not so much the nuts and bolts g forces and CAI things).
I LOVE my 06 MCS... can't even begin to mod it yet- just enjoying it out of the box. But then the 07 evolves, and I've watched the mule pics and the gradual hatching of the R56, and you know what? I'm thinking I may have to have one of each!
Of course there will the the daily squabble about who gets to drive the new one, or the "old" one, who gets the red one or who gets the blue one, or who gets the turbo or who gets the SC... My household is going to be HELL....
THANKS - FOR - NOTHING, - MINI!!
Oh, and then I'll get a classic Austin mini like I used to drive in Ireland.
(I've skipped ahead to leave my thoughts, then I'll get back to reading all your comments.)
I'm an enthusiast (with a small "e" I guess, cause I mainly like the spirit of the car, not so much the nuts and bolts g forces and CAI things).
I LOVE my 06 MCS... can't even begin to mod it yet- just enjoying it out of the box. But then the 07 evolves, and I've watched the mule pics and the gradual hatching of the R56, and you know what? I'm thinking I may have to have one of each!
Of course there will the the daily squabble about who gets to drive the new one, or the "old" one, who gets the red one or who gets the blue one, or who gets the turbo or who gets the SC... My household is going to be HELL....
THANKS - FOR - NOTHING, - MINI!!
Oh, and then I'll get a classic Austin mini like I used to drive in Ireland.
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville, Minnesota
Skip, you just hit upon a key point.
Many ppl on this site think their way of "thinking" about the car is the only way ... the enthusiasts view is what they know. That simply is not the other 145000 people who have bought this car and could care less about pulleys, twisties, zaino, and MINI clubs. Its just a car.
I see it ALL the time. Just last night we saw at LEAST a half dozen MINIs in 20 minutes out at night just going to the store, going out to eat and not a ONE of them had any visible mod on them. Its just a car to the masses.
Many ppl on this site think their way of "thinking" about the car is the only way ... the enthusiasts view is what they know. That simply is not the other 145000 people who have bought this car and could care less about pulleys, twisties, zaino, and MINI clubs. Its just a car.
I see it ALL the time. Just last night we saw at LEAST a half dozen MINIs in 20 minutes out at night just going to the store, going out to eat and not a ONE of them had any visible mod on them. Its just a car to the masses.
My MINI has no outward signs of any mods- that's because it doesn't HAVE any.... yet here I am almost nightly reading your wise posts....
But don't be deceived. I'm just one of those strange Stealth forum members... And my Liberator is not just A CAR!!!
Sir M.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
Each will have its own crowd. I personally think when I get an R56 that I will own an enthusiasts car. Others may disagree, but so be it.. It is just opinions and all in all, everyone still owns a MINI and drives one in the end.
Its like different graduating classes =P
Its like different graduating classes =P