86 replies to this topic

[jb93]

It's about time people accepted that BMW own the mini brand. It's been nearly 13 years now, and they've turned a company that was losing money, into an extremely popular, successful, and profitable one. Grow up.

Edited by jb93, 12 September 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[james962]

@ some of the comments in this thread. The hatred that some people have against the BMW mini is quite narrow minded, and funny to read IMO

Legendary Mini Rally Driver Paddy Hopkirk also likes his MINI Countryman, note the personal numberplate!

At Stanford hall, I swear I saw this registration plate on a red Cooper S convertible. Could be mistaken though, it could have been a similar plate.

Edited by james962, 12 September 2012 - 11:39 AM.

[lulu85ritz]

The bmw mini has been in production for 12 years now.
Can we not grow up and face the fact its here and a popular car. Some of you don't like the styling which is fine, but as many of you like to point out to new members, this is a classic mini site for classic mini's so why keep bringing the new bmw mini up?

It's not a classic mini only site - and BMW mini owners are/should be welcome here. The fact is though that Bini owners are better off looking at the Mini2 forums as there is much less knowledge of the new mini here - thats why when they sign up they are told to look there.

I think that new Bini models are worthy of discussion here!. After all - they are a relation to the Mini.

Personally I quite like the Bini, but I wouldn't own one - I personally think they are more for girls.

As for the paceman... Lazy BMW - just get the rocket man done

I think it is or should be a classic mini only forum they have their own just saying it would be nice to just talk about the classics!

There is no fixed definition of what a Classic Car is in this country, but the HM Revenue & Customs define a Classic Car as being over 15 years old and having a value in excess of £15,000

In which case not many of us actually own one!!!!

Let's face it HM Revenue & Customs don't have the say on what a classic car is! A 1985 citroen 2cv worth £500 is a classic car

[jamesmpi]

All cars are bigger today than their previous counterparts. Look at an old Ford XR3i. That's tiny compared to today's modern Focus. BMW have simply followed the trend that all manufactures have had to follow....bigger is safer and more desirable from buyers who want space for their family and their dog.

It's just the way cars have had to evolve to meet today's modern safety regulations and family life style changes

[MaxAndPaddy]

Whether you like them or not they are future classics.... and the clever collectors with an eye for a future investment will already have those early models in their collection

Getting a bit sick of this kind of thread lately, there seems to be one or two a week

Better get some work done

[lulu85ritz]

Whether you like them or not they are future classics.... and the clever collectors with an eye for a future investment will already have those early models in their collection

Getting a bit sick of this kind of thread lately, there seems to be one or two a week

Better get some work done

Exactly some of the threads are pointlessly started! Just asking for trouble the world is full of very different people and it would be a very boring place if everybody liked the same things! I'm not into new cars of any sort and that's just me the classic mini is my dream car and i hope to own a mk1 someday!

[mab01uk]

Dislike all things Bini. They don't even drive like the real thing.

Oh because you'd really expect them to 60 years in the future with modern suspension, steering and brakes...!

You would expect with all the research and development in this day and age that a big company could build a car that claims to be a mini hold some of the original charm. This is just my opinion.

If you read most road tests, particularly of the Rover designed R50/R53 MINI hatch 2001-2006, they nearly all agree that as much as possible of the original Mini's charm, character and steering/handling has been carried over into the modern MINI.......allowing for todays demands for safety and refinement and compared with most other small often bland modern cars. That is key to why the MINI is so popular as a drivers car and already has a large enthusiast following /community all around the world.

MINI Cooper /One R50 - Huge fun to drive:
"First impressions: every control is sharp and immediate. Steering, clutch, gearshift all feel like extensions of yourself. No slop at all. And the same can be said of the Sports Suspension. Bang, crash, wallop is the order of the day. The designers tried very hard to make it feel like a go-kart. And succeeded."
http://www.honestjoh...ooper-r50-2001/

MINI Cooper S R53
Fast and fun.
Noisy and harsh (like a Mini Cooper S should be).
http://www.honestjoh...per-s-r53-2002/

Edited by mab01uk, 12 September 2012 - 11:59 AM.

[minimissionary]

I don't think anyone has shown "hatred" towards Binis, just a dislike.

I'm anticipating this topic being closed some time soon, just like all the other BMW Mini related threads.

[Mini_Magic]

Whether you like them or not they are future classics.... and the clever collectors with an eye for a future investment will already have those early models in their collection

Getting a bit sick of this kind of thread lately, there seems to be one or two a week

Better get some work done

Do you seriously think this ugly squashed "lifestyle" car will be a future classic? It's a fad that will be forgotten about in a few years time.

The normal BMW Mini I could quite easily see being a future classic, just look at the residual values.

Just to confirm, I started this thread purely too see what people thought of the car. Not as an excuse for "BINI bashing".

[MaxAndPaddy]

Whether you like them or not they are future classics.... and the clever collectors with an eye for a future investment will already have those early models in their collection

Getting a bit sick of this kind of thread lately, there seems to be one or two a week

Better get some work done

Do you seriously think this ugly squashed "lifestyle" car will be a future classic? It's a fad that will be forgotten about in a few years time.

The normal BMW Mini I could quite easily see being a future classic, just look at the residual values.

Just to confirm, I started this thread purely too see what people thought of the car. Not as an excuse for "BINI bashing".

Just to confirm......READ WHAT I PUT!!

My choice would be an early JCW

[CMXCVIII]

If you read most road tests, particularly of the Rover designed R50/R53 MINI hatch 2001-2006, they nearly all agree that as much as possible of the original Mini's charm, character and steering/handling has been carried over into the modern MINI.......allowing for todays demands for safety and refinement and compared with most other small often bland modern cars. That is key to why the MINI is so popular as a drivers car and already has a large enthusiast following /community all around the world.

I couldn't disagree more! The MINI was and is a brilliantly marketed triumph of stylised design overeffective packaging. I was surprised how flat the steering felt when I first drove one. The whole experience was reminiscent of a 1980s recirculating ball Mercedes-Benz rather than any rack and pinion BMW!

All the styling cues and curlicues might provide great pride of ownership - and affect resale values - but as a driver's car, any Renault Clio or Peugeot 106 or [even] Nissan Micra gives far better response and drining enjoyment.

[Tahiti Joe]

My choice would be an early JCW

When I can afford the insurance, I'm selling my R53 for a JCW GP....

[MaxAndPaddy]

I'd have one if it wasnt for the 2 seats....then I'd have the old and the new Grand Prix's

They're taking orders for the new one

[jb93]

I'd have one if it wasnt for the 2 seats....then I'd have the old and the new Grand Prix's

They're taking orders for the new one

Saw that last week, still a bit dissapointed they only have two seats.... then again I couldn't afford one anyway, so I'm talking crap

I'd have an S3... far better quality all round, and the Mrs wouldn't make you sell it when you accidentally end up with kids

Edited by jb93, 12 September 2012 - 03:29 PM.

[jb93]

Ignore this, I'm being a wand as usual....

Edited by jb93, 12 September 2012 - 03:29 PM.