78 replies to this topic

[matt050990]

I can't understand how people think the new MINI are the same as the old ones?
That's like saying the 206 gti is the same as the 205 gti. Both are based on the same principle of a hot hatch but that's about as far as the similarities go.
If you want to talk classic mini go on a classic mini forum (TMF) or if you want to talk MINI then go on one of them forums.

[The Matt]

Yup. That's as black and white as I see it. There may well be Peugeot shows, and that's fine. But you wouldn't join a 205 gti forum and want to talk about 206s all day.

You can go to a BMW show, there will be all sorts of BMWs there. But if there was an E30 forum, you wouldn't expect to go on it with your E36. Same goes for countless examples of cars and fora.

[matt050990]

Spot on.

A classic mini is a classic mini.
A BMW is a BMW mini.

They are not the same car so why try and pretend they are?

[CityEPete]

When a large proportion of your readers/members have both then its inevitable that new mini info will be of interest to old mini owners isnt it? Some of the anti MINI comments make the poster look very silly imo, its a pointless divide in the mini community, its not like there are loads of Bini threads is it? Truth is the mini is now the underdog, some young people think of the Bini before the mini and a few silly comments here wont be enough to stop the MINI sales, infact the more people on here hate them the more I want one :-D

[megamini_jb]

I just find it a bit daft that it was in mini chat for so long with no issues then all of a sudden moved.

[Tanya]

We have ten classics in our family and no MINIs.  However, I recognise the close association between the two and most of the various shows, rallies, events, press stuff that I do involves both.  To me it's a bit like saying that you have humans, and within that you have males and females - different but still humans.  For me, it's a bit like that with Minis.

 

I've just come back from the Italian Job with Minis and MINIs, about a 70%/30% split and no one bats an eyelid, we just get on with having fun.  I was with Auto Express last week on a photo shoot with a MINI and one of our Minis, and next week I'm doing another photo shoot also involving a MINI.  If I do go along to a predominately MINI club, I'm welcomed and if I go on a MINI forum, I'm welcomed too.  In my experience, they're really not bothered about whether or not it's a Mini or MINI (I find it's not even discussed - I guess they have better things to talk about), for the MINIs/Minis are a passion, a hobby, they want to have fun.

 

Many MINI enthusiasts have owned Minis, but usually for practical reasons, no longer do.  However, they are very pleased to be able to have a MINI and join in with the Mini community, and I as a Mini owner am pleased to see them and value what they bring to the community.  

 

TMF is regulated by it's owner/s and/or admin team, so it's their views on this that count.  From my experience the majority take the view that Mini has no association with MINI, so that's how things will be on TMF.  

 

Personally I would like a Mini forum that was predominantly for Minis, but recognised (and valued!) Minis association with MINI.  Yeah, like jog on Tanya!

 

 

[The Matt]

When a large proportion of your readers/members have both then its inevitable that new mini info will be of interest to old mini owners isnt it? Some of the anti MINI comments make the poster look very silly imo, its a pointless divide in the mini community, its not like there are loads of Bini threads is it? Truth is the mini is now the underdog, some young people think of the Bini before the mini and a few silly comments here wont be enough to stop the MINI sales, infact the more people on here hate them the more I want one :-D

What is this "large proportion" though?

Is it 1%? 5% at a push have a Mini AND a MINI?

The VAST majority of people that are on this forum joined it because they're classic Mini fans. And have nothing whatsoever to do with the MINI.

I know a lot of people on this forum personally. I mean, probably 3-400 of the users I've met face to face.

Probably 50-75 users off here I deem friends. 20 or 30 are close friends that I know really well. Out of all of those, 2 of them have MINIS.

[Tamworthbay]

When a large proportion of your readers/members have both then its inevitable that new mini info will be of interest to old mini owners isnt it? Some of the anti MINI comments make the poster look very silly imo, its a pointless divide in the mini community, its not like there are loads of Bini threads is it? Truth is the mini is now the underdog, some young people think of the Bini before the mini and a few silly comments here wont be enough to stop the MINI sales, infact the more people on here hate them the more I want one :-D

What is this "large proportion" though?
Is it 1%? 5% at a push have a Mini AND a MINI?
The VAST majority of people that are on this forum joined it because they're classic Mini fans. And have nothing whatsoever to do with the MINI.
I know a lot of people on this forum personally. I mean, probably 3-400 of the users I've met face to face.
Probably 50-75 users off here I deem friends. 20 or 30 are close friends that I know really well. Out of all of those, 2 of them have MINIS.

similarly I have met somewhere between 2-300 members off here and I only know of two with MINIs. I know FAR more that have big estates to carry the mini bits in!

But that aside, the very great majority of members don't want it to be a MINI forum. There are three or four VERY vocal supporters of the MINI that seem determined to force their opinion on the majority (just look at the names that 'like' anything MINI related). As has been made clear on many occasions. TMF was, is and will be for classic minis.

[petey81]

I think that has cleared it up!

[matt050990]

Yup.
This is a classic mini forum.
Like it or lump it :)

[sledgehammer]

Why not just put up a BiNI area for them - with links to the BINI / BMW forums

 

the 2 cars aren't interchangeable - as I recall the only part shared are some bulbs

 

the connection is in name only & built on the same location but years apart

 

the cars aren't like the 205 / 206 which do share some bits

 

you wouldn't put references to the BINI - in a mini hand book or repair manual ? - so why in a forum ?

Edited by sledgehammer, 08 November 2014 - 06:24 PM.

[Tanya]

A forum isn't purely about fixing cars, it's about the community aspect too. Like it or lump it, Mini and MINI are associated - fact.

I too want this to be a Mini forum, and for me to represent Mini holistically, that would include reflecting Mini's relationship with MINI.

I suspect that I'm considered one of the 'very vocal supporters of MINI'. I do find it a little frustrating that those who voice an opinion that is different to the admin team appear to be considered a nuisance by a few people. We should all have a right to express our opinions in a respectful way, and should not feel chastised for doing so. I guess some of the frustration might be that I know my opinions will make no difference in the way that TMF is governed but I still continue to make them. I guess for me, that's about free speech.

[megamini_jb]

Yup.
This is a classic mini forum.
Like it or lump it :)

MINI tolerate though so...

[Tamworthbay]

A forum isn't purely about fixing cars, it's about the community aspect too. Like it or lump it, Mini and MINI are associated - fact.
I too want this to be a Mini forum, and for me to represent Mini holistically, that would include reflecting Mini's relationship with MINI.
I suspect that I'm considered one of the 'very vocal supporters of MINI'. I do find it a little frustrating that those who voice an opinion that is different to the admin team appear to be considered a nuisance by a few people. We should all have a right to express our opinions in a respectful way, and should not feel chastised for doing so. I guess some of the frustration might be that I know my opinions will make no difference in the way that TMF is governed but I still continue to make them. I guess for me, that's about free speech.

the problem is that some people can't accept other opinions may be different. I had a Pm conversation with one of the vocal MINI brigade who could not accept the majority view and when I pointed out that the team on here were volunteers, I was told that volunteers should expect abuse as its part of what you volunteer for. Hardly community minded in my opinion.

And as for it being seen as a nuisance 'by a few', the overwhelming majority of members are against it being a MINI forum as well and repeatedly tell us so, so why can't the MINI Minority accept that? After all there are plenty of MINI forums they can use if they so choose.

This has been gone over many times and every time the senior admin on here state that it is a CLASSIC forum. Some people seem to think that if they shout enough and go on and on and on and on and on and on and on that they will change people's minds. Quite the opposite happens and people just get sick of hearing it.

[Jordie]

I get the association, thats fine, but in all the time ive been on this forum, its been dedicated to the classic mini and should remain so into the future. BMW minis have there own forums, dedicated to BMW minis. There are forums out there that are a mix of both.

 

Ultimately, this forum should continue on its foundations and stick to classic minis. There are enough resources out there covering the BMW minis, thus any BMW Mini chat is tolerated on here in the correct section "General Chat".

 

If we introduce a new section, it should be "all other cars" for chat about any other car, including bmw minis and whatever else.