63 replies to this topic

[Andy Simpson]

I even took my Bini to the L2B, what a mistake!!! The hassle you get for driving them, I didnt realise how loathed they were by classic mini owners.

It really is crap when people have to be like that. I've even heard of BMW MINIs being scratched and damaged by classic owners at shows etc.

Shows you how petty and narrow minded some people can be.

I have gone to shows in England in the MINI and some folks attitude stank, but if their petty mindedness extend to damaging a car thats criminal.

If BMW didn't have the plans to fund Rover to design the MINI they wouldn't have pumped the money into the Mini to develop the Mpi range thus extending the Minis life to 2000.
So the Mini would probably have stopped being built in 1996, yet look how many Mpi Minis are at the shows

I have also attended alot of Mini/MINI shows sponsored by the local MINI dealer, seems it suits some times to be associated with the MINI.

[mattdc2r]

5 years ago when i bought my first mini, I too jumped on the hate BMW mini train. strange really, as before i bought my mini I liked the Bini cooper S. Guess I've grown up a little now, as I still like the Bini cooper S, and would definately consider it as a day to day car.
As much as I love my classic mini, i'm not keen on how well it behaves or rusts in the British winter weather, not helped by the amount of salt that the councils insist on putting on the road.
On days like today though, when the weather has been lovely, it'd be classic mini over the Bini.

[taffy1967]

I even took my Bini to the L2B, what a mistake!!! The hassle you get for driving them, I didnt realise how loathed they were by classic mini owners.

It really is crap when people have to be like that. I've even heard of BMW MINIs being scratched and damaged by classic owners at shows etc.

Well I believe those were isolated incidents that happened a long time ago and I don't condone that kind of behaviour, but it's thanks to the narrow minded behaviour of BMW and their parasitic lawyers who have created the hate for BMW and it's BINI.

Plus the Mini was meant to have been replaced by the 1980 MiniMetro (which it didn't) and yet here we all are 30 years on still enjoying our classic Minis and simply using the Metro for spares as we have no time for it.

[nurseholliday]

Well I believe those were isolated incidents that happened a long time ago

Not really. It still happens a lot, you can clearly see why it would by the number off anti New MINI slogans banded about this forum.

To be honest it's quite cringe worthy watching New MINI haters, MITP 2006 I arrived very late in my New MINI to torrents of abuse from some people, including beer cans and food containers being thrown in my direction. MITP 2007 I arrived late again with my local club, this time in my classic, and a group of people were walking past our convoy and one girl started shouting, "BINIs go home, you're not welcome!" and was spitting at our cars. She had to be dragged off by her friends, which were clearly worried about her safety (quite rightly). L2B 2008 some of the New MINIs in the convoy I was in got edged out by Classic MINI owners because they felt that they were much more important and should be allowed to get to Brighton before them.

I'm fine with people not liking New MINIs, they don't have to, that's their choice, I don't like a lot of cars, but I don't automatically feel that anyone who owns one of the cars I don't like as something to be ridiculed or hated upon. The fact that someone's posted a photo of a New MINI owner who has run out of petrol to make fun of them highlights how some people on here will dislike someone, no questions asked, based on the vehicle they drive. That alone proves that people are still stupid enough to shout at New MINI owners or consider doing something to their cars.

[taffy1967]

Well no I've never behaved like that myself and there isn't any need for it, but perhaps things could have been different if BMW hadn't behaved the way they did.

Okay business is business at the end of the day, but their actions have still angered people and will continue to do so whilst they hound every small Mini company out of business.

[The_Mistro]

please lets not get into this argument again! neither me or taffy would even dream of damaging another persons pride and joy, and as you know taffy isnt the biggest fan of BINIs, and neither am i! it is the individual who damaged the cars not BINI haters! so please do not group us with those individuals! otherwise this is going to end up in one big slanging match and get closed by the mods!

[Jammy]

As much as I enjoy the natural progression of topics, given the contentious and delicate nature of these MINI topics, I think its best that if you are going to post make sure it is directly replying to the original post. Please!

[cooperchick]

Yes, this topic is about BMW mini owners who have classics too, like myself. When I had my BMW it was a daily user, it was comfortable, and had all the mod cons, I bought it because I love everything Mini regardless of who made it and had I got my classic then I would have used that for sunny days and holidays and when I want that little bit of that excitement, just like I do now, because only the classic mini makes me smile everytime I drive it!! Some of these poor BMW Mini owners who get the abuse may well have classics at home too.

[mab01uk]

Interesting to see this news story in Mini Magazine this month (April 2009)....................

BMW supports IMM
Mini brand owner, BMW, has thrown it,s support behind this year's IMM in Birmingham - celebrating the Mini's 50th birthday. Despite hosting its own event at Silverstone on May 22-24, the German company has released a statement saying:
"The Mini heritage and the community involved in the brand's history is unique and has built Mini's legendary status. Helping to keep that history alive is of great importance for MINI and BMW Group. MINI will support this year's IMM with an exhibition of special classic and new Mini's, and a donation to support the event."
IMM organiser Mike Price told Mini Magazine, "We welcome BMW's support. Anything that can help and contribute to keeping the Mini alive can only be a good thing."

http://www.imm2009.c...o...5&Itemid=59

BMW also sponsored last years IMM (International Mini Meet) in Holland.................

Quote from the Dutch Mini Club:
"An IMM is no longer a low budget event for the organizing club and it is hard to keep a promise to organize a low budget event for all participants. Therefore I would like to thank our sponsors who did help us out on the financial side. The biggest change since a few years is that MINI as manufacturer has become one of the main supporters. In our opinion it is a good thing that the manufacturer is interested in these kind of club events. It keeps the club scene alive and financially possible."

http://www.imm2008.org/

Edited by mab01uk, 16 March 2009 - 08:30 AM.

[liam_italian]

I currently down a 1998 (S reg) Rover mini cooper Sportspack (currently being restored) and a 2008 R56 Mini Cooper

Love both cars, but my the Rover mini more!

[Juju]

I own a Rover Mpi, a Leyland GT, and if I had the money, I would buy a BMW JCW too.
I drove a mate's Bini Cooper for the first time this year & I bl**dy loved it . A very similar exhilirating driving experience to my Rover cooper (not quite so low to the ground ), and I can fully understand why they are so popular.
Not quite sure why they are so 'spenisve though.

[Blue Icarian Wings]

Not quite sure why they are so 'spenisve though.

It's a fashion accessory of a car, and you pay more for that, like you do for any 'named designer' goods. BMW grabbed the Mini name as it was a solid/popular brand so people would buy it.
I mean if the MINI wasn't the MINI, and was just some small BMW would half as many people care? It's nearest competition would be the Fiesta/Focus and would simply be seen as an expensive hothatch.

by the way I'm not stating if you drive one your a fashion *woman of ill repute*, however most of them in my area do seem to be driven by bleached blondes!

[mab01uk]

Not quite sure why they are so 'spenisve though.

As with many cars the MINI's brand image is important to many buyers these days but also the build quality, materials used, the sporting driving experience with Z-axle rear suspension, lots of custom options and very low depreciation are what make the MINI the first successful "prestige" small car to hit the market.
The other small car manufacturers are all now trying to catch up.........look at the new Fiesta (From £9195) and the way it drives compared to the previous rather dull and boring models. Also the new Alfa Mito, Fiat 500 and soon to come the Audi A1.
http://www.ford.co.u...=Fiesta_Generic

The Kia Picanto is a very cheap and basic small car, new (£5995) or secondhand but I doubt you will get very much driving fun, excitement or pride of ownership when driving it.......................
http://www.kia.co.uk...ct/Picanto.aspx

Edited by mab01uk, 16 March 2009 - 08:10 PM.

[OJM]

Also consider the prices of classic Minis when they were new - our Monte Carlo edition was £7,995 in 1994! I'm sure that wasn't cheap back then, and would be on par with a brand new MINI today!

[taffy1967]

Also consider the prices of classic Minis when they were new - our Monte Carlo edition was £7,995 in 1994! I'm sure that wasn't cheap back then, and would be on par with a brand new MINI today!

Ere, yes that was quite cheap back then, plus your Monte Carlo was a luxuries Limited Edition and was a tad more expensive than the standard run of the mill Rover Mini Cooper anyway?

But the prices were hiked when the MPi Mini was launched in October 1996 and at that time a brand new Ford Ka was a fair bit cheaper to buy!