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HI all,
I'm sure there are lots of improvements in the general engineering and things such as better quality interior plastics, carpeted boot etc.
It also seems the engine performance/economy is much improved with the new design, that being said the Tritec is a simple but strong little engine that works great is the 1st gen model.
Bottom line for me is:
THE COOPER S HAS A "FAKE" BONNET SCOOP!!
How totally Chav, I would not buy one based on that simple fact alone - what a stupid design decision..
A few more years with my Mini and then an AudiTT or something else from the BMW range - shame really as I love my 05 plate..
Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)
Having thought about this some more, I guess that BMW have done what they set out to do reasonably well.
Given the brief of providing more interior space, better crash protection, improved pedestrian safety, fitting a physically bigger engine, making it cheaper to build and not changing the appearance more than than necessary (whilst not being allowed to alter the basic platform of the car) they have done a pretty reasonable job.
What I can't understand is why they spent so much money developing the original car for a very limited sales projection. Then, with proven sales volume is 2 to 3 times what they anticipated, they tied their designer's hands by carrying over so much of the basic platform from the R50.
It's not an ugly car, it's still very much a MINI; it's just compromised and not as pretty, unique or clever as the original R50's design.
As for the R50's design looking dated, I don't understand why anyone would see that as a disadvantage in a car whose style is based on an iconic 1950's design If you're looking for a "modern" car, I hear that the new Renault Clio, the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 207 are all very modern and very nice
Tigger.
you allways put it SO RIGHT Tigger, this is spot on!
and why should they ? the Clio 182 didn't have any of the features of the previous Clio... nor did the Megane, or Civic... just because it's the next car in the range, why should it be identical ?
that'd be boring then - as is your constant repetition of the same thing over and over again. yes, you hate the R56, but you dont have to keep belittling the model every post you possibly can ! you do it on SCNM as well, and it's getting tiring. stop making it out that BNW cocked up by improving a brand and making it comply to EU legislation when they so blatently didn't.
Personally from what I have seen I like the MK1 MINI better, but if I hadn't owned a MINI at all before I would buy the new one compaired with any rivals. The jury is still out with me as I haven't seen one in the metal yet, but I do feel a little better about my future MINI purchases after seeing more about the R56.
The reasons I didn't order an R56 this year and went for the JCW S instead is mainly because of the lack of supercharger on the new one (I love the sound!), the R56 is slower ( ) and I have been caught out with a new model in the first year of production with the fist MINI
I'll wait to see if the JCW version is any good, but I will find it hard to sell my JCW S because I'm loving it at the moment!
Maybe I could keep it and buy the new one also!
Mind you, by the time the JCW is about to apear, it will probably have less horsepower than the standard one if our government has anything to do with it!!!
My first impressions of the R56 weren't great, however, I must admit that I'm coming round to it the more I see it. I guess the real test is when they hit the showrooms this weekend...
Still, I wish they'd update the official MIni website soon so that I can configure online!
Just ignore the posts that annoy you, or hit the report button if it gets out of hand, don't get yourself dragged into the defending position over and over. We see the posts for what they are, and realise those that post the same thing over and over. At the end of the day you should realise that you have ordered a great car, and I understand you getting wound up when people bash it, but thats what they want you to do
Count to 3, deep breaths, and look forward to the weekend when you get to drive the R56, I know thats what I am doing, as its the last box that needs to be ticked for me having already seen it and knowing that it is a great looking MINI
There's lots of "fake" things about just about every car design, current MINI included. But lets not mention the "decal grilles" on the 1st gen aero kit, or the "fake" intake portions of the front grille that are blanked off, or other "pure design" aspects. You could argue in terms of design it does serve a purpose.
The "scoop" has become an "S" signature thanks to the first generation MINI, and I think they made the right decision to apply one, even if it didn't "work" in terms of getting air in the engine bay.
But here's a news flash for everyone, latest news on the grapevine is the S scoop now DOES serve a purpose and aids cooling, so everyone's happy? Right?
I'm surprised at some of the more fierce reactions, but then there's some things I really thought were terrible about the facelift MINI in July 2004 compared to the "original new MINI", but most of them I got over and dont really bother me. I guess either the design, or me, have mellowed with age.
I'm more keen on the new generation MINI than I was on the facelift, as the facelift was just that, a refresh, a "spruce up" for what felt like no good reason. At least this new car is completely revised, for many reaons, and is a genuine "new product".
Personally I'd rather they evolved the design (even if mistakes are made) than allow it to become the BMW version of the new Beetle, which I've (as an outsider to that "scene") seen as a stale and outdated design for a long time.
Well I'm going to one dealer Saturday and another Sunday to see for myself. Fake scoop or not it woould not put me of buying an S. Having sat in a new Renault Clio Sport 182 it has an interior Tupperware would be ashamed of. My 2 MINIs have been sheer class and great to own and my new, new Cooper I hope will be the same. It's not ugly and is a great evolution of the MK1. I don't care that reviewers can't tell the difference. It's such an icon it only needs to evolve in each incarnation. How many Porsche owners kicked up that the new 911 looked just like the previous model ? It's not ugly and having a fake scoop does not make it a chav car. Buying a Citroen hot-hatch and putting logos down the wings is !
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) and I have been caught out with a new model in the first year of production with the fist MINI 
