[jcwjim]

I've got to agree that it doesn't look quite right.....well on the outside anyway. Think the interior is big improvement and no doubt the turbo charged engine is a big improvement to. Good to see they have addressed many of the issues with the new one. Will take a while for it to be accepted i expect just like the current one as we mini owners don't seem to like change. I'll won't be selling the JCW though....not just yet

[smartbomb]

Well, I've got a Cooper coming in Decemeber and from what I have seen it looks fantastic.
Would be great to see one in person, but the subtle updating really works. The interior looks superb, although I'm not mad about the fiddly speedo buttons and the bare looking console.
The exterior looks very clean and sharp - what is ugly about it ?

[smartbomb]

Read those before I posted, but it ain't ugly. It may be bigger and not to all tastes but it ain't an Edsel.

[Robboc]

I do think it is ugly personally almost to the point that I am sure I will not buy one. The big gaping mouthed look and the new healdight position just doesn't look right to me.

I dont have any issues with the turbo over the supercharger, in fact I have had a few turbo's before and loved the big turbo lag - shame that will be missing with the twin scroll type fitted. I do think the scoop in the bonnet is a bit daft when it is not needed though. It is a shame they did not utilise it for the turbo air intake or something. To have it there just for looks is a bit embarrasing.

My next car will have to be a Lotus or Subaru I think.

[KPKalle]

Quote:

M: I came here for a good argument.
A: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
A: It can be.
M: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
A: No it isn't.
M: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.
A: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.
M: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'
A: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!

[GR33NIE]

Personally im just convinced the current Cooper S is gunna take some serious beating.

Everything about it is spot on, the handling and performance obviously but everything about it feels solid

Ive been bombing around in my parents MCSC for the last week and it's an absolute pleasure to drive. Will I test the new one? Probably, but until then im not convinced atall

[Shaun]

Not liking the look of the new S but the black grille may have a lot to do with it i never liked the aero kit look but never had an S with body coloured grill either always chrome.
Think the Cooper is the better looker of the two and is certainly an improvement over the curent One and Cooper.
I never got to like that frunt lover bar thing accross the grill space spoils it for me always prefer the original bumper style although in some colours its ok.
Just to Context things I really wasnt taken by the MINI in general when it came out although I got an 02 plate One I was still not sure if I thought it was a good looking car and not a patch on my Classic in the charm department.
But here 3 MINIs down the line they are starting to grow on me

On the subject of the bonnet I will miss illuminating the night sky with the headlights but the panel gap at the rear of the bonnet on my S is very shabby.
Hope they get a wiggle on with that traveller/clubman too.

[cct1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Miss Marmite (original)

I've noticed this kind of comment a lot from 06 owners, I can't help but think that for some of you it is because you bought an old model just before a new one is coming out.

Not true for many of us 2006 owners. I waited and got my 2006 when I saw what they did to the 2007.

The 2007 isn't awful, but it's lost some of the character that made the previous gen so great. I'd miss the supercharger, I don't like the larger, cheaper to produce, but less complicated new bonnet--the lines are drastically reduced to the point the hood resembles that of a Beetle. When you take into account the lowered window lines and bloated hood, the new design looks like it's been smushed--like a Hummer sat on the roof too long. But what I really, really hate is the new wheel arch trim--it's so large that it's comical. When these are all taken together, the proportions of the new Mini look wrong. It just doesn't come together as well as the old model. The Mini is going more mainstream, whereas many of us bought it for it's quirkiness. Much has been gained with the new model in performance, but a bit of the soul of the car was lost in the process.

And I don't like the new interior center stack, obtained cheaply from Fisher Price, but on the other hand, this will be relatively easy to remedy, and I suspect it will be one of the first things changed on the first facelift of the newer generation.

[Rakey]

this thread is so funny

I don't like it, its rubbish, blaa blaa blaa

Most of you sound like the classic owners when the out going car was launched

Yes there are differences, change always happens, but really, to just go on and on saying I hate it, very child like.

Anymore slating/flaming for hating something that most have not seen in the flesh yet and with no reason/detail about why it is not as good as the out going model will be removed, along with any users that persist in trolling this subject.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I much prefer my 06, but i dont hate the R56 at all, far from it infact.

I think it has some nice features, but i wont be selling mine
(can someone kindly point me back to this post, when i post about 'my new MINI' )

[V 5ARY]

a friend of mine. has had a good look at a 07 cooper s just last week in Belgium it left him a bit cold , it just seams BMW have built a car for half the price its lost its mojo he said.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

this thread is so funny

I don't like it, its rubbish, blaa blaa blaa

Most of you sound like the classic owners when the out going car was launched

Yes there are differences, change always happens, but really, to just go on and on saying I hate it, very child like.

Anymore slating/flaming for hating something that most have not seen in the flesh yet and with no reason/detail about why it is not as good as the out going model will be removed, along with any users that persist in trolling this subject.

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

[*Vikki*]

yeah thaey r the same ones as i saw, and agree with him

[*Vikki*]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

feel 100% how you do!

[Ferroequine]

I don't like the R56, and I have an '06. I would have no qualms about upgrading to the R56 in a year or so, if I liked it. But I don't.

I feel that a lot of the character of the Mk 1 has been lost in the update. From the stand-alone indicators up front, to the dials in the centre of the dash, to the graceful waistline, the exposed wiper arms, the cowl vents, the short front overhang, the forward facing headlamps, etc etc. And how cool is a supercharger? A turbo gets a "meh, everybody has one" response from me...

The center dial in the R56 is just plain ugly.

Don't get me all wrong though, the R56 does have some nice features and updates. If the Mk 1 never existed, and the R56 was the "new MINI", I probably still would have bought one. But since I've seen the R53, I like it better.

["Reedy"]

Quote: Originally Posted by MiniVee (original)

If the Mk 1 never existed, and the R56 was the "new MINI", I probably still would have bought one. But since I've seen the R53, I like it better.

I think thats an important point you have made there. and something that everyone should think about before discarding the R56.

[CBCooper]

If we all liked the same things the world would be a boring place indeed. We all have our own opinions. Mr X likes the R56, Mr Y does not. Mr Y tells us all the bad things that he can clearly see in the new mini and offends Mr X. Mr X responds....and so on and so on. Threads like this serve no purpose whatsoever, because we all see things differently.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

this thread is so funny

I don't like it, its rubbish, blaa blaa blaa

Most of you sound like the classic owners when the out going car was launched

Yes there are differences, change always happens, but really, to just go on and on saying I hate it, very child like.

Anymore slating/flaming for hating something that most have not seen in the flesh yet and with no reason/detail about why it is not as good as the out going model will be removed, along with any users that persist in trolling this subject.

I think Rakey has a problem with anyone who wishes to express views whether positive and negative. Like the one I started the other day on the Suzuki Swift which was not a Suzuki V MINI thread but he felt it was not appropriate. There are MINI owners who happen to own a drive other makes of car and who just might like to bring their experiences onto MINI2. Its a shame the moderators have to spoil things.

I have been using this site for 3 years now and there are some great people on here and was as such great site to begin with, have received a lot of help. But unfortunately over time I have noticed things have changed for the want of a better word a *****iness and plain rudeness of some members towards others, this is something I simply haven't experienced on other car forums including Suzuki, Audi and Toyota. in the past. I'am not really sure what that says about MINI owners Like I said before the thread I started on the Suzuki Swift was meant to be light hearted banter and it soon like before where the Suzuki has been mentioned degenerated into a Sl*****g session of both the car and even worse its owners. I found that really sad and unfortunate. I also found it hard to believe that a MINI2er took the time to register onto the Suzuki4U site to have a go regarding their use of bonnet stripes and roof graphics.......OH DEAR!!......It really does for me put me off bothering to visit this site anymore or contribute to the threads.

Anyway back to point regarding the new model, personally I don't like it, but based purely on the looks as I'm sure it will drive better and the quality and refinement will be an improvement. I'am sure when there are plenty of the new models on the roads and we have driven them then we will wonder what all the fuss was about. There is nothing wrong in likeing or disliking it.....afterall it's personal choice............moderators......please take note!!!

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I stopped posting on MINI2 over a month ago, but I have to come back to reply to this.

I am deeply concerned that posts should be under this threat. It is one thing to disallow posts because they break rules and quite another if it is because the viewpoint may be unacceptable.

Personally I feel that the view point of those that don't like the re-style of the new MINI is every bit as valid as those who like it; good luck to them all.

Personally, I feel very shortchanged by a redesign that I was looking forward to. There have been a lot of new designs recently that have improved on the original. Taking another small car, the Mercedes A class, it looks so similar to the original, but has improved its looks drastically.

Now, with the new MINI, they had to change it. BMW needed to keep the design fresh, to meet crash regs and make space for a larger new engine ( though, funnily enough, the K Series was originally dismissed for "being space inefficient and needing to raise the bonnet line of the accepted design").

To do the job properly, they needed to make major changes to the car to change lots of proportions, but they have kept the basic structure the same and have adapted the ends of the car.

To give you an example, look at the MINI concept car (Traveller) from all of the recent shows. They made major changes, including moving the leading edge of the windscreen further forward to very successfully disguise the bulk of the new front. They completely redesigned the doors to make them much larger with a wacky hinge to get rid of an extra shutline and make exit and entry really easy. They got rid of the B pillar completely. This is radical stuff, but very creative.

What we got was too much of the basic structure carried over and the faultless proportions of the original have been lost. The front is now too large for the rest of the car, the boot bulges out like an old generation Clio (always the old Clio's worst aspect) and the the windows (which were always as shallow as they could possibly get away with) are now too shallow and they look odd.

Much of the detail styling has become clumsy, especially the bulky lights with vulgar chrome trims at the back and the side vents. The mirrors look bloated and the "face" of the car has lost its unique charm and complete lack of aggression that meant that so many non enthusiasts loved it.

The R50 was always a very expensive way to buy a 3 door supermini but it didn't matter and every extra penny could be justified. It had lovely curvey glass in the rear windows which totally compensated for the fact that they didn't open. It had a unique clamshell bonnet that was nearly as radical as the Triumph Herald and the whole clamshell had very few shutlines. It had frameless windows (fortunately continued). It had headlamps mounted in the bonnet.

Much of this has been lost, yet the price has actually increased!

I really, really, wanted to like the R56. I feel deeply disappointed by what I've seen so far and that makes me very sad.

Welcome back

You're response is great and very valid, and no one here is censoring anything - if we were this thread would have long gone However what we do want to ensure is that we maintain an atmosphere where owners of the new model also feel as comfortable visiting the site as those of the old model. A thread that just moans saying it's ugly without offering any constructive crticism is useless to all concerned - what is ugly, all of it, part of it - and to be honest just smacks of all those Classic owners who used to say of the current model .... it's ugly, not a real MINI. I'm sure we all remember that and remember how we as owners of the new MINI felt about that.

We don't want that alienation so to all of you posting, take a lesson from John's post above - constructive and fair, that is great. but please take away the "it's ugly" jibes, we don't want that type of posting here.

Thanks

[cct1]

Soggy, what you said makes perfect sense...But that's not how it was worded in the previous mods post. And that's the rub-- complaining about the tone/content /trolling of a post in the thread in a manner which is more inflammatory than the original post.

Lets be realistic here, it's not as bad as what happend with the classic owners--c'mon, do you think owners of the 2002/2006 MINI are going to be flipping off owners of the 2007's and on up? I seriously doubt it.

This is going to be debated add nauseam--it's what people do here, love it or hate it, the new MINI is by far the most exciting thing that's happend with regard to the car in since it was first reintroduced. It's a bit heavy handed to accuse people of being childlike for not liking the new car, or expressing such opinions. If someone came out and said I like the new MINI, would they have the same reaction, wether or not they gave ten reasons why they like it? I doubt it.