962 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

Did I hear something about the original designs for the new mini were actually rover... But they were shut down before the final designs were set. Then bmw tweaked ever so slightly after buying the rights, such as changing the banks from drums to discs... So don't hate people because they are German....cause it's partly british design

I don't think so. BMW had bought Rover in 96 IIRC. They made the changes to the MPi's which might have confused you.

I could be completely wrong however, but looking at rovers prototypes, they were so bad!

There is a good and detailed account of the Rover / BMW Development Story for the New MINI on the 'Austin-Rover-Online' website including photos of the prototypes.
MINI development history:
"Replacing the Mini was never going to be the work of a moment, and was generally regarded to be one of the toughest gigs in the industry. After years of deliberation, Rover started serious work in 1993, which was soon bolstered by the arrival of BMW the following year. What we ended up with sparked controversy with enthusiasts, but the Rover engineered project ended up being a huge hit with buyers."
More:
http://www.aronline....opment-history/

Edited by mab01uk, 29 September 2012 - 05:47 PM.

[iMurray]

Thank you for the correction. I read it somewhere and thought it sounded a bit odd.

Which model are the newer ones, with the black plastic front spoiler lip... Save as on the yellow one up above... I think they are super nice. I want a red one with a jack roof to match my mpi :-P

[iMurray]

And will that cool front spoiler lip fit on older models

[mab01uk]

Which model are the newer ones, with the black plastic front spoiler lip... Save as on the yellow one up above... I think they are super nice. I want a red one with a jack roof to match my mpi :-P

Newer Mk2 hatch models like the yellow MINI are R56 Mk2........(the R stands for Rover and were the original Rover Project numbers used during development then carried over by BMW.....although the Mk3 MINI launching late next year will change to F model code numbers from then onwards).
The MINI R50/53, etc...... numbers are explained here with photos to help identify:
http://www.mini2.com...ini_generations

Edited by mab01uk, 30 September 2012 - 09:32 AM.

[megamini_jb]

[jb93]

That red one is just as good as it gets

(apart from the stickers )

Edited by jb93, 18 October 2012 - 06:35 PM.

[megamini_jb]

[megamini_jb]

That red one is just as good as it gets

(apart from the stickers )

Yeah agreed

[GTIAlex06]

Whats with the poor panel gap on the front wing/bonnet/A panel area

Looks good though

[Chance]

Whats with the poor panel gap on the front wing/bonnet/A panel area

Looks good though

Maybe new and old arent that different afterall

Why are old binis still so expensive!!!!!

Edited by Chance, 18 October 2012 - 07:02 PM.

[iMurray]

Personally I love binis

[mab01uk]

Whats with the poor panel gap on the front wing/bonnet/A panel area

Looks good though

Maybe new and old arent that different afterall

Why are old binis still so expensive!!!!!

Maybe thats the Rover design input coming through on that Mk1 R50 MINI........

MINI's hold their price because even the early 10+ year old R50's from 2001, like the classic Mini still look good today, handle well and don't appear that dated.....unlike many competitor supermini hatches from the same era. Early MINI's can be bought for around £2000...or less if you don't mind some work (which won't include any serious rust to sort out).

51 Reg MINI One - sold for £1800:
http://www.ebay.co.u...=p2047675.l2557

Edited by mab01uk, 18 October 2012 - 09:59 PM.

[megamini_jb]

If I had a bini I'd do it like


Looks lush

[jb93]

Looks lush

That's my favourite colour combo = nomage

[jb93]

They look soooooo much better with cooper bonets as well IMO...