When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Regardless of the OPs reason to ask the question in my opinion I think the car that most hurt the brand was actually the R56. Period.
I had one, and I loved it. My JCW was a looker and also fast when stock and faster after the tune. But that damned N14 motor has caused more black eyes for MINI than the Fish mouth on the F56.
And those of us that have let go of our R56's can tell you that the secondary market or price is crap on these cars. Trade in prices are horrible and it takes forever on the private sale.
I don't own a new MINI, I have checked them out and actually I like them. It is a nice looking car. Its bigger, but each generation has been. So what? Besides we humans are bigger each generation. lol.
I like my 2015 MCS. Couldn't be happier of enthused to drive that little bugger.
Waxing nostalgic is fun, but by far the cars produced today are head and shoulders above what was produced even a few years ago.
I loved the cars I grew up with in the 60's and still like how they look, but when I drive or ride in one I'm reminded how truly awful those cars handle and ride (not even considering the terrible mileage).
There are those that prefer the old cars to the new ones for whatever reason and that's fine. To each their own, but I much prefer the comfort, performance and economy of the new models over the old. Tis nice to have the option to spend one's money as they choose.
I go back and forth constantly. When I'm dailying an old car I really really enjoy it. They've got so much character. But then I begin to miss the modern conveniences (mostly A/C being in Myrtle Beach) and the gas mileage. So I end up in a new car and yearn for an old one the entire time. I still miss my R107 and constantly get the urge to buy it back from the guy I sold it to.
From the driver's seat, the F56--especially a tuned one--is a real hoot. It's the lumpy styling that's a bummer. Even small tweeks to the bumper covers makes a big difference: compare the MCS front to the upcoming Clubby front. The Clubman is waaaay better. Not great, but better.
Where are all the guys that said:
"Is the R56 the death of Mini?"
Lots of people don't like change, particularly when it suggests they don't have the latest fashion.
And anyway "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." [Oscar Wilde]
It's sad really... I guess the bright side is that we're almost halfway through this disastrous model run... after all the marketing BMW has done, the sales are miserable... http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...gures.html?m=1
I guess people aren't 'learning to like it!
This thread was started a year ago when MINI was still recovering from the initial F56 launch disaster. Then the thread went dead for a year and inexplicably got revived last week.
A lot has changed during the past year. MINI is posting record sales and on track to its all-time best year ever:
Year-over-year sales are up compared to last year, but last year was a disaster for MINI: they had delays introducing the new line combined with slow sales of the outgoing model. Projecting sales for the rest of the calendar year, the numbers will likely be weaker than 2013 and a lot weaker than 2012. The strongest year for unit sales was 2008. It may be that revenues will look a little better because of the higher prices, but it's hard to candy-coat the trend for MINI.
What's the fix? Compelling products. Daring products. Beautiful products.
Take-away: Sales for MINI are way up compared to last year, mainly due to the addition of the very popular F55 4-door hatch MINI.
In my experience women love the 5 door. I agree the F55 is the game changer for MINI. Must people don't see the difference we see between the models. That ugly front overhang is "cute" to most people. What buyers notice is the upmarket finishes...and that what sells. The new Clubman is also a whole new level for MINI.
I think the F56 is a different car the R56 but this brand is here to stay.
Year-over-year sales are up compared to last year, but last year was a disaster for MINI: they had delays introducing the new line combined with slow sales of the outgoing model. Projecting sales for the rest of the calendar year, the numbers will likely be weaker than 2013 and a lot weaker than 2012. The strongest year for unit sales was 2008. It may be that revenues will look a little better because of the higher prices, but it's hard to candy-coat the trend for MINI.
What's the fix? Compelling products. Daring products. Beautiful products.
Rocketman
Superleggera
I seriously doubt the fix is a pair of extremely niche products.
I was just ridding a 3rd Gen coupe for 5 days as a loaner and here is what I said over to the R59 section. I thought I'd share it here since it seems to be the right topic of discussion. I'll also add that I typically try to be as impartial as possible in my critic and I did find both good and bad things in the new MINI.
"I got to ride a new MINI 2 doors hard top for 5 days.
It was interesting all around. My initial impression was pretty good. The interior is more plush and of marginally better quality. The engine is quite a bit smoother and you can definitely feel that it's more powerful. The power recovery after quick slow down is very good.
The 3 modes (green, normal, and sport) is nice, but the sport mode is a definite gas guzzler from looking at how much gas I was using for the little distance I did.
While I like to save on gas in some condition, the auto shut off at stops is a little irritating since the engine start isn't that smooth however.
The car feels heavier which isn't great in quick turns" I'm biased here since the R59 handle amazingly well, "and I was a little bothered by the heavy front looking nose view from the inside of the car. But overall the car is quick and I still liked it. I definitely felt you would get a better value for your money for those looking at that aspect more so than other aspects.
Now having said all this I have to say, roadster "motorers", when I sat in the roadster again it really made me happy and brought a huge smile on my face . The roadster felt so nice to drive and you get all this response from the sound of the engine and the exhaust, the body responds so much better even at standard suspension height we have, so much that the interior differences and tech stuff fades away in my mind. The experience is really priceless in comparison. I would still consider a new platform MINI roadster or convertible in the futur, since my experience was nice but it definitely renewed my loyalty in our Roadster. We're going to hang on to that little guy "
I'll add this:
The first time I sat in it my first reaction was that I didn't feel I need it to be bigger. It didn't feel necessary to me, and almost too spacious in a strange way. but aside from that overall I quite liked it. the look is growing on me too though admittedly I still have a big problem with the lower cooper S brake scoop and fog light bumper shape. It still feel like something wasn't designed properly. If that was fixed I would be happy with the new look. But as I said most of the look is still growing on me.
Over all, having spent some time with it, I can very easily see how the new gen will sale well. So I'm not worried about the fate of MINI at all. It's a progress regardless of the good elements I feel were lost from previous MINIs.
Bottom line:
The R50-53 were fun cars but rode like a truck and had so many problems ( many typically British ). The R56 ( I have owned two ) had so many engine problems. The N18 engine was wonderful and , to me , was a direction to the future.
My third MINI is a 2015 F56S sport auto. It's been flawless, no rattles, incredible MPG, and great handling. It even has a decent ride with 17" run flats, better than my '12S with 16" Michelen non run flats.
Thank God the brand has evolved and the sales numbers are so good.
The other thing that I have noticed is that some seem to thing that a good handling car has to rattle your teeth. Relative to the R50-R56, that is not the case.
