MINI2

MINICooperMurph · Oct 11th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Just been reading the Auto Express review of the R56 and they say that cost cutting is evident. What exactly to they mean? I think they are taking about the interior. I know the indicator storks are now cheap black looking ones (A real shame) but I can't think of anything else......

Nick

MINICooperMurph · Oct 12th, 2006, 05:26 PM

82 views and no ones knows?

smartbomb · Oct 12th, 2006, 05:34 PM

83 and my guess it's so insignificant it wasn't mentioned in Autocar.....

MINICooperMurph · Oct 12th, 2006, 06:50 PM

What was that then?

aiiee · Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM

curved glass on the rear quarter windows has been replaced by straight glass and a plastic post cover. That looks cheap to me.

smartbomb · Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM

All they mentioned was some minor cost cutting. Never stated what it was.
The cost of having panels with cut-outs for lights adds costs and those are kept, where most makers would just make panels join at the light clusters.

faster,Tobias! · Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM

I know the glass no longer curves around the "C" pillar, making that cheaper to produce; the headlights stay put when the bonnet is raised, which reduced the cost of manufacturing it. Other than those two things nothing else comes readily to mind from what I have read.

aiiee · Oct 12th, 2006, 07:28 PM

Another one was the side marker "vents". They now disappear under the hood line, making them cheaper to attach, and again, they look it

goodingm · Oct 12th, 2006, 10:26 PM

soundslike a bit of nit picking here, yet to see it in flesh but looks good to me so far, will keep final judgement till I see it in flesh. Pauls report did not highlight much apart from the centre stack.

Goonery · Oct 13th, 2006, 03:52 AM

if anything I'd say the general look and feel of many of the parts exhibit a higher level of quality overall. The centre stack does look a bit "Airfix kit" around the toggle switches to me though.

Prowse · Oct 13th, 2006, 01:32 PM

Apparently the 'old' MINI used to cost as much as a 3-series to manufacture. Seeing at the car sold at a lower price point something had to be done to keep the bean-counters happy. There was talk at one point of the new model having a plastic roof!

British SD · Oct 15th, 2006, 11:05 PM

I heard the main cost cut measure was the new Bonnet/Hood and where the lights are now fixed to the bumper. Apparently the first generation hood was very expensive which to the few who have had front end collisions know only too well.

memphisto · Oct 21st, 2006, 09:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MINICooperMurph (original)

What was that then?

Off the top of my head....

No clamshell bonnet.
No chrome 'bumper strips' on Cooper.
No separate Indicator/driving lamp.
No 'A' panel behind the bonnet.
No cut out side marker "vents".
No wrap round glass around the C post.
No external high level brake light.
No LED's on the end of the toggle switches.
No lights on the end of indicator/wiper stalks.
No separate CD Radio controls or display.
No water temperature gauge.
No real fuel level gauge, just 10 LED's (A personal bugbear).

Plus the prices go up. £13,000 for a entry level Cooper!

And don't get me started on the 2005 model year restyle.

MINICooperMurph · Oct 21st, 2006, 10:34 PM

I hate the new black indicator storks!

Tigger, Eeyore & Roo · Oct 22nd, 2006, 06:09 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by memphisto (original)

Off the top of my head....

No clamshell bonnet.
No chrome 'bumper strips' on Cooper.
No separate Indicator/driving lamp.
No 'A' panel behind the bonnet.
No cut out side marker "vents".
No wrap round glass around the C post.
No external high level brake light.
No LED's on the end of the toggle switches.
No lights on the end of indicator/wiper stalks.
No separate CD Radio controls or display.
No water temperature gauge.
No real fuel level gauge, just 10 LED's (A personal bugbear).

Plus the prices go up. £13,000 for a entry level Cooper!

And don't get me started on the 2005 model year restyle.

Wow, a comprehesive list. I hadn't realised we have lost so much

But, there's more!:

No separate bulbs and reflectors for dipped and main beam so that, in future, when you switch to main beam, you will loose dipped beam; just like cars used to be and cheap cars (and Ford Transits - try renting one and driving it down a country road late at night) still are

In future, it will be essential to order the Bi-Xenon upgrade (£££££) to get decent lighting.

No cubby holes at either side of the boot.

I think that's all, but I could be wrong...

Tigger.

cct1 · Oct 22nd, 2006, 02:59 PM

But it's still a clamshell bonnet--the lights being fixed to the body don't change the fact that the hood itself is still a clamshell.

You can increase quality and decrease cost of production; that being said, to date I definitely prefer the 2006 to the 2007...

~Marcus~ · Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:06 PM

Hmm but on the other hand you are gaining a much more modern engine with variable valve timing, greater refinement. higher quality interior and start button etc. so it's swings and roundabouts

The loss of wrap around rear glass is annoying but the rest doesn't bother me.

Bezza24 · Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:23 PM

Im just so pleased i got mine in June before the next generation came out!! im not very impressed at all. it's all those little extra's that made the car.

I didn't realise they stopped the dipped lights showing as well as the full beam unitl i read this, how will we determine and wave at other mini's in the dark!!!

it's one of the best feature's in my opinion.

i just really hope they have a re-think and change back in 3 years when i'll want to trade mine in, or i'll be looking at other cars

which, i have to say i'll be very sad to have to do that.

BMW have just ruined a perfect little motor by all these changes, im absolutely gutted!!

Olly. · Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:58 PM

I agree with you Marcus, all the things mentioned so far seem to be small compared to the amount of things that you gain in the new model, to list a few.

Better performance
Better breaking
Better fuel consumption
Cheaper tax
Kinder to the environment
Better handling
Better ride & comfort
Improved interior quality & refinement
Improved options (Sunroof, Bi-Xenons, Keyless Start, TV)
Improved technology

A lot of the cost cutting mentioned on here seems to be personal preference on styling rather than actual cutting production costs

To me the £475 price increase for the S seems like a bit of a bargain considering the improvements made.

Scrogg · Oct 23rd, 2006, 01:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bezza24 (original)

BMW have just ruined a perfect little motor by all these changes, im absolutely gutted!!

Thankfully, you are in a very, very small minority in thinking this.

Shame you didn't wait until actually seeing/experiencing/driving the new car before deciding though!

Oct 11th, 2006, 04:40 PM	#1
MINICooperMurph aka Nick Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 314 Offline	BMW Cost cutting? Surely not? Just been reading the Auto Express review of the R56 and they say that cost cutting is evident. What exactly to they mean? I think they are taking about the interior. I know the indicator storks are now cheap black looking ones (A real shame) but I can't think of anything else...... Nick

Oct 22nd, 2006, 06:09 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tigger, Eeyore & Roo May '08: Bye bye Mini2... My Classifieds Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 4,512 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by memphisto (original) Off the top of my head.... No clamshell bonnet. No chrome 'bumper strips' on Cooper. No separate Indicator/driving lamp. No 'A' panel behind the bonnet. No cut out side marker "vents". No wrap round glass around the C post. No external high level brake light. No LED's on the end of the toggle switches. No lights on the end of indicator/wiper stalks. No separate CD Radio controls or display. No water temperature gauge. No real fuel level gauge, just 10 LED's (A personal bugbear). Plus the prices go up. £13,000 for a entry level Cooper! And don't get me started on the 2005 model year restyle. Wow, a comprehesive list. I hadn't realised we have lost so much But, there's more!: No separate bulbs and reflectors for dipped and main beam so that, in future, when you switch to main beam, you will loose dipped beam; just like cars used to be and cheap cars (and Ford Transits - try renting one and driving it down a country road late at night) still are In future, it will be essential to order the Bi-Xenon upgrade (£££££) to get decent lighting. No cubby holes at either side of the boot. I think that's all, but I could be wrong... Tigger. May 08: No longer posting on Mini2. In future I can always be contacted HERE

Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
~Marcus~ Selling soul to buy JCW! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: London & Hampshire Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 1,946 Offline	Hmm but on the other hand you are gaining a much more modern engine with variable valve timing, greater refinement. higher quality interior and start button etc. so it's swings and roundabouts The loss of wrap around rear glass is annoying but the rest doesn't bother me. My Blog

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Oct 12th, 2006, 05:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
MINICooperMurph aka Nick Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 314 Offline	82 views and no ones knows?

Oct 12th, 2006, 05:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
smartbomb Bring the noise My Classifieds Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Trancentral Local Time: 04:16 PM Posts: 2,437 Offline	83 and my guess it's so insignificant it wasn't mentioned in Autocar.....

Oct 12th, 2006, 06:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
MINICooperMurph aka Nick Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 314 Offline	What was that then?

Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
aiiee MINI Join Date: Feb 2003 Local Time: 04:16 PM Posts: 33 Offline	curved glass on the rear quarter windows has been replaced by straight glass and a plastic post cover. That looks cheap to me.

Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
smartbomb Bring the noise My Classifieds Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Trancentral Local Time: 04:16 PM Posts: 2,437 Offline	All they mentioned was some minor cost cutting. Never stated what it was. The cost of having panels with cut-outs for lights adds costs and those are kept, where most makers would just make panels join at the light clusters.

Oct 12th, 2006, 07:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
faster,Tobias! Fanatically Enthiusiastic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Local Time: 10:16 AM Posts: 1,150 Offline	I know the glass no longer curves around the "C" pillar, making that cheaper to produce; the headlights stay put when the bonnet is raised, which reduced the cost of manufacturing it. Other than those two things nothing else comes readily to mind from what I have read.

Oct 12th, 2006, 07:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
aiiee MINI Join Date: Feb 2003 Local Time: 04:16 PM Posts: 33 Offline	Another one was the side marker "vents". They now disappear under the hood line, making them cheaper to attach, and again, they look it

Oct 12th, 2006, 10:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
goodingm Malcolm My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kilwinning Local Time: 04:16 PM Posts: 83 Offline	soundslike a bit of nit picking here, yet to see it in flesh but looks good to me so far, will keep final judgement till I see it in flesh. Pauls report did not highlight much apart from the centre stack.

Oct 13th, 2006, 03:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
Goonery Time for CHANGE ! My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2003 Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 13,534 Offline	if anything I'd say the general look and feel of many of the parts exhibit a higher level of quality overall. The centre stack does look a bit "Airfix kit" around the toggle switches to me though.

Oct 13th, 2006, 01:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Prowse MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lancs Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 1,499 Offline	Apparently the 'old' MINI used to cost as much as a 3-series to manufacture. Seeing at the car sold at a lower price point something had to be done to keep the bean-counters happy. There was talk at one point of the new model having a plastic roof!

Oct 15th, 2006, 11:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
British SD Northern Monkey! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In a Van by da river Local Time: 10:16 AM Posts: 367 Offline	I heard the main cost cut measure was the new Bonnet/Hood and where the lights are now fixed to the bumper. Apparently the first generation hood was very expensive which to the few who have had front end collisions know only too well.

Oct 21st, 2006, 09:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
memphisto MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bucks Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 166 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MINICooperMurph (original) What was that then? Off the top of my head.... No clamshell bonnet. No chrome 'bumper strips' on Cooper. No separate Indicator/driving lamp. No 'A' panel behind the bonnet. No cut out side marker "vents". No wrap round glass around the C post. No external high level brake light. No LED's on the end of the toggle switches. No lights on the end of indicator/wiper stalks. No separate CD Radio controls or display. No water temperature gauge. No real fuel level gauge, just 10 LED's (A personal bugbear). Plus the prices go up. £13,000 for a entry level Cooper! And don't get me started on the 2005 model year restyle.

Oct 21st, 2006, 10:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
MINICooperMurph aka Nick Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Oxfordshire Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 314 Offline	I hate the new black indicator storks!

Oct 22nd, 2006, 02:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
cct1 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wisconsin Local Time: 11:16 AM Posts: 337 Offline	But it's still a clamshell bonnet--the lights being fixed to the body don't change the fact that the hood itself is still a clamshell. You can increase quality and decrease cost of production; that being said, to date I definitely prefer the 2006 to the 2007...

Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
Bezza24 bezza My Classifieds Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southend Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 66 Offline	Im just so pleased i got mine in June before the next generation came out!! im not very impressed at all. it's all those little extra's that made the car. I didn't realise they stopped the dipped lights showing as well as the full beam unitl i read this, how will we determine and wave at other mini's in the dark!!! it's one of the best feature's in my opinion. i just really hope they have a re-think and change back in 3 years when i'll want to trade mine in, or i'll be looking at other cars which, i have to say i'll be very sad to have to do that. BMW have just ruined a perfect little motor by all these changes, im absolutely gutted!!

Oct 23rd, 2006, 12:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
Olly. Overboosting..... Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 3,492 Offline	I agree with you Marcus, all the things mentioned so far seem to be small compared to the amount of things that you gain in the new model, to list a few. Better performance Better breaking Better fuel consumption Cheaper tax Kinder to the environment Better handling Better ride & comfort Improved interior quality & refinement Improved options (Sunroof, Bi-Xenons, Keyless Start, TV) Improved technology A lot of the cost cutting mentioned on here seems to be personal preference on styling rather than actual cutting production costs To me the £475 price increase for the S seems like a bit of a bargain considering the improvements made.

Oct 23rd, 2006, 01:10 PM	#20 (permalink)
Scrogg What's Next? Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 05:16 PM Posts: 15,069 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Bezza24 (original) BMW have just ruined a perfect little motor by all these changes, im absolutely gutted!! Thankfully, you are in a very, very small minority in thinking this. Shame you didn't wait until actually seeing/experiencing/driving the new car before deciding though!

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