[eltel]

I tend to agree with you rich. I put a lot of it down to some of our 'top' motoring journos who talk about the 'retro' stuff, and continually compare the new MINI to the classic Mini.

This is a new car for a new generation, and it doesn't pretend to be the heir apparent. It's quite capable of delivering the goods on its own merits. Unfortunately, being a BMW, it has a price premium that puts it in a different category, that makes the average Aussie compare dollar for dollar against their thumping sixes and V8s. Never going to win that contest.

It's also never going to be considered for a company/fleet car when you can get a Folden for 2/3ds the price. And those big 6s and V8s are capable of carrying at least 6 yobbos and 18 slabs of VB.

I think that the relatively small price difference between the Cooper and the 'S' would mean that a lot of people would opt for the 'S', but given the VERY limited colour and interior options, they are probably delaying or buying something else.

Perhaps BMW should lower the price or increase the standard features of the Cooper so that it represents better value for money. Unfortunately, when young people can buy a new Hyundai for 13G on the road with 3 years servicing, etc., then all manufacturers are taking a hiding.

I've learnt over the years that you should never discount, and I'm glad that BMW doesn't and won't. Honda do the same and that is reflected in the good prices for second hand cars. I'm sure that our MINIs will hold their prices well.

I expect to roll mine in 2 years time to get a more settled in design along with more options and colour/interior options, and then probably hold on to it for the rest of my life.

Hope that by then the anxiety associated with waiting for delivery will be more controllable.

Regards, ElTel

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by rich

Sadly, I think Australia more than many markets is a bit one-dimensional in terms of performace criteria, judging mainly on the kick-in-the-back of straight-line acceleration. One can speculate that this may be due to the fact that we are one of the most urbanised countries in the world, so most driving is done on city roads, stop-start, bumper-to-bumper. This tends to make people a bit trigger happy at the traffic lights, looking for brief moments of freedom when they can floor the throttle... "Handling" rarely comes into it

I dunno, you could say the same about the US market. Our roads tend to be straight, our cars overpowered and stuck in traffic and yet the MINI seems to be selling gangbusters over here

[rich]

Quote:

Originally posted by PghArch
Rich, I'm confused. What do you mean that Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world??? I was under the impression that it was by and large empty really. Do you mean that a greater proportion of Australians live in cities? When I hear urbanized I tend to think of land use...

Yes, it's a common misconception... As an example 25% of the entire population live in Sydney alone!

There is a real problem populating the habitable county areas (as opposed to the vast central desert areas)... Various schemes have been tried over the years with little success

On a different topic, another area of car-buying that is heavily distorted in Aus is large 4WD's (e.g. Toyota Land Cuiser). There is a lower tax on these vehicles because farmers use them, and the government tries to make their lives a bit easier to keep the rural economy viable. Ironically, however, this means that city-dwellers have bought them in droves. They are really a lifestyle choice and not bought with much real off-roading in mind. I'm convinced that most buyers get them for 2 reasons:
1. They need a people carrier, but can't stomach the idea of buying an MPV and becoming a 'bus driver'. The 4WD offers a macho, escapist alternative
2. They feel safer in the big hulking 4WD's especially when the add on bull-bars & other weaponry

Cheap fuel helps keep running costs of these beasts low also

Unfortunately there are big downsides:
- More pollution
- Greater risk of injury & death to other road users in a crash with a 4WD, which is more likely as few 4WD drivers really know how to drive a 2.5 Tonne truck. I'm sure that, as 4WD drivers feel safer themselves, they become more complacent about road safety of others. Reversing incidents are commonplace & side impacts with cars are gruesome - The bull bars are above the level of any side impact bars on a car, at about head height for the car driver
- Roads take an extra pounding

IMO the gov't should step in and do the following:
- Get rid of the tax advantage on purchase (but let farmers & others who actually need a 4WD reclaim the tax)
- Make 4WD users do an extra driving test
- Someone recently suggested having an audio message that got played in the cabin when reversing a 4WD that says, "Concentrate! Look behind you!"
- Ban bull bars

I'm conscious that we shouldn't take away people's freedom of choice & right for self expression - After all I already own a Subaru Outback (an AWD wagon/estate car dressed up with "off-road" plastic body-kit & chunky tyres ) and I'm about to buy a MINI - But this needs to be balanced with safety & environmental common sense. Owning a 4WD tank & not paying the price or taking responsibility is just a little too selfish IMO

[CoopeR]

I believe there were 2 main reasons why the Cooper hasn’t sold anywhere near as well as the "S"

Aussies tend to have 'the need for speed' so to speak, this is why when a majority of imports come in, and they come with the biggest motor available. For example the Renault Clio. I believe it to be available in a 1.2 liter variant but over here it is available with the 1.6 and the 2 liter.

Another reason is the release times. We got the Cooper about a month before the "S" and most other countries got it a lot earlier. It meant virtually the same wait time for both cars, although now there is a fair difference.

[swamos]

I did some digging, and got an update on the dock delay that my car is caught in.

Apparently, the customs service is having a crack down on inspections, and are taking their time when inspecting vehicles. Other manufacturers have been affected. From what Spazz says, this is also happening in Melbourne.

I also found out that my car has not been to the panel beater out there - a good sign. Apparently in Australia manufacturers are required to tell customers about any significant damage done to cars. Badly damaged vehicles cannot be sold as new cars to customers.

This information did not come through my dealer. I had to acquire this from my own sources. I'm still not allowed to ring my dealer (their rules)

I do hope that my turn will come soon, as a guy at work who had a Peugot on the same boat is scheduled to pick his car up on Thursday.