[AidenL]

Following on from Mikeys decision to jump now and have one of the last Supercharged cars, and bearing in mind the lapparent ukewarm reception the R56 is receiving, based on what we know of the looks to date, if you were in the market for a new car over the next month or two, would you go for the 'classic' current model, or would you take the R56 ?

Just curious.............poll time again !

I'm kinda wondering what to do myself also........

[MartinSSZ]

I can't decide. I can't buy a new yellow R53 Cooper S which I can with the R56, but I'm still not 100% on the front styling and some of the interior bits on the 2nd gen MINI

It might be amazing to have one of the first R56 S's, but can I really live without the supercharger whine? Aargh!!

[danb]

I was looking forward to the R56 being released and getting an order in but the report has completely put me off. I love the interior, but not enough to outweigh my hate of the exterior - the front end just doesnt look right at all and the thickness of the black plastic trim makes it look like a toy.

[JG.26]

I guess it's hard to vote until peeps have driven the new model and can compare it against their current car. Usually new cars look better in the metal than in pics but I just don't like either the exterior nor interior on the new model, for goodness sake a fake scoop on the S and now a turbo, sorry but no thanks, it's got to be a supercharged MINI everytime. Well for S drivers that is, musn't forget One and Cooper drivers who might like the transition better than for S owners. Think I will hang onto my current S until BMW see sense and return the S's heart

[AprilWhine]

I would have to go for the new model. I like the old body better but I love the new interior. And when I'm driving, which will I see more?

I just love the way the MINI wings have been incorporated into mundane objects.

[Aurel]

the new pics have totally made me fall in love with my current 03 all over again ...

I don't care what MINI claims they did, it looks more of a mess and less thought out than the current model.

and I really wanted to like the 2nd gen ...

[MarkW19]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

I just love the way the MINI wings have been incorporated into mundane objects.

Remember the MINI wings form the Auto Airconditioning controls in the current model

[Tonyt3]

If I could afford to change back to a new car now (and I have to admit, i cant really), I've today decided what I would do.....

This is going to sound odd, but its what I would do.....

I'd buy a GP (bound to be a couple of dozen on offer for a small premium soon...)

I'd rip out the rear flat shelf and side trimss....

and fit rear JCW seats....

And probably up it to a stealthy 235bhp.... via Roland at GTT...



I think that would rock...

You could keep the turbo. Until I get 'power bored' and need a twin charge!!!!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

All those that bought the GP before seeing the facelifted MINI (I'm not going to call it the "new" new MINI, BMW haven't done enough work to justify that ) can now rest easy; they've made a very shrewd move.

I'm amazed by how many people seem to agree BMW should be very concerned, currently 3:1 in favour of the original.

Tigger.

[JG.26]

I don't think BMW will have any problem selling the new model and it will definitely appeal to current non MINI owners, it will still be the car to have, on looking at the pics etc I feel very negative but of course this may change once I have driven one, it's just like any model evolution the original always somehow seems the best, I would have to say however this trend has been bucked with the latest Golf GTI........the original MK1 was superb then it went down hill, but eventually VW have got it right with the latest model. I hope the MINI doesn't go like the Toyota MR2. The original MK1 of all the cars I have owned has still been the best, my MINI S included and was never surpassed with the MK2 and MRS.

[R1]

Look in my gallery! I've just made my choice and to be honest the impending launch of the turbo S was one of the reasons I decideed to buy this year.

[AidenL]

I'm kinda amazed at the poll results to date also - its still a small sample though, will become clearer when more people vote

There may not be enough of the last of the line cars left to go around at this rate

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Penguinblue

I don't think BMW will have any problem selling the new model and it will definitely appeal to current non MINI owners, it will still be the car to have, on looking at the pics etc I feel very negative but of course this may change once I have driven one, it's just like any model evolution the original always somehow seems the best, I would have to say however this trend has been bucked with the latest Golf GTI........the original MK1 was superb then it went down hill, but eventually VW have got it right with the latest model. I hope the MINI doesn't go like the Toyota MR2. The original MK1 of all the cars I have owned has still been the best, my MINI S included and was never surpassed with the MK2 and MRS.

That's got me thinking....

How many other cars, like the Golf and MR2, lost the plot with the MkII?

The MkI to Mk2 VW Scirroco come to mind as well.

Tigger.

[zyo]

Its funny how many people were horrified by the reception they recieved from classic mini owners when the BMW version came out and couldn't understand the fuss, then when the MINI went through its 04 facelift the same sort of conversation arose from owners of the 2001 style MINI toward the facelifted 04 version, and now the conversation appears yet again regarding the new mkII. We will all have our different opinions thats natural but i suspect after 12 months everyone will be used to the 'new' one and this line of discussion will go away......... until they facelift the mkII. I'm just glad that after all the spy shots i saw when i was genuinely concerned for the direction BMW were taking i am now relieved to see the results aren't as dramatic as i was expecting.My eighteen month old grandson still shouted "MIN"when he saw it so he still recognised it. I personally like the front end and think it looks more muscular.(IMO). The only thing that concerns me is the larger overhangs and i don't think i will properly be able to judge until i have seen it in the flesh.If i had to choose now i think i would go R56. Sacrilige to some but there you go.
Ohh..nearly forgot..the new s spokes look a bit cac, they looked better when the wheel nuts were showing.

[Robert Stancliff]

Quote: Originally Posted by AidenL

I'm kinda amazed at the poll results to date also - its still a small sample though, will become clearer when more people vote

There may not be enough of the last of the line cars left to go around at this rate

I bet they'll be discounting leftover 06's as soon as the 07's come out, (maybe before). The main reason for the negativism is because people simply like to think that they bought the best....nothing can be better.

I'd be willing to bet the new model outsells and ouruns the current model, and that most of the people who hate them will want an 07 within a month or two of their introduction.

[jimboy]

Early days yet and maybe it will take sometime before the crowd gets accustomed to the "new" look.

Personally though, I think the front and rear ends are a tad over the top. The lines are too stocky for my liking.

The interior while taking a step forward seems to have taken a step backwards. Too many things going on if you know what I mean. Seems a bit on the tacky side. The current interior is as good as it gets. Understated yet it all seems to come together. Harmony I guess.

Like the new key and start/stop button though and the overhead switches. Design progression.

Turbo. I like but then again the wrx or evo would seem to be better options if I was going that route.

The current model seems to come together in all aspects despite the niggles and complaints which makes it a unique car to each and everyone of us.

Glad I bought the last of the lot. I have to be honest though. Some of my negativity stems from losing my hard earned dough overnight for obvious reasons but then again, I will be keeping my MSC for many years to come.

[envy]

The Turbo's easy sales pitch - it does better MPG than the supercharger.

Though personally i prefer the supercharger

[OZChris]

My MCS was delivered in January this year and I am happy with that decision.

I am still uncertain about the 2nd Gen

[Tommy_Gun]

if i didnt have an mcs already id go for the current model, too much of a risk to wait and drive the new model as by then its too late

[Mini Vikki]

To be honest, the only sane choice now is to go for the NEW model - you'd lose horrendous amounts of money in resale value by choosing the old, its the just the way of the world.

We're more inclined to the existing convertible - at least it whines!!!!!