[CooperS4us]

I think another problem with the design language of the R56, is the keen desire of the design team to make the car appear more "masculine". The beauty of the classic Mini and the R53 was that the car had "Unisex" appeal and did not pretend to be more feminine or masculine. The previous model was a hit with males, so why inject more testosterone in the new car?

[NJP]

Quote: Originally Posted by b4mmy (original)

So... I've ordered a TT.

Good riddance.

I was going to order a mk2 TT, but then I took a test drive an R56 Cooper S, and it was so much better than the TT, so I bought the MINI instead. Each to their own.

[Paul]

They did try to make the R53 look different, more muscular than the R50/R52 though, they have a very different nose and "face" to each other,the bullish nose of the R53 compared to the sleeker, more Aston like curve of the R50 and R52. Then the aero kit on all first generation MINIs makes them look different again.

I actually think the 2nd gen Cooper looks more feminine than the old model, it feels like the new S is trying to be butch, and the new Cooper is trying to be more cute.

[smartbomb]

Quote: Originally Posted by b4mmy (original)

Well, Ive had my R56 four months now. I specced the **** off it to treat myself for xmas so I can't complain about that. My R53 was brilliant. The R56 is utter *****. I get cut up every day, other drivers hate the sight of the car, I get hassled in the outside lane, even lorry drivers hassle me... I never had any of that in R53. Poor. Very poor. So... I've ordered a TT.

Good riddance.

So if you're getting cut up in a 2nd gen MINI the same could happen in a 2nd gen TT.
Had my Cooper for 4 months and had the odd idiot but most drivers give me a bit of respect.
Good luck with the TT but I can't see how you're going to get treated better if you drive a tarted up Golf .

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

it feels like the new S is trying to be butch, and the new Cooper is trying to be more cute.

I'm happy to have a cute car

[CooperS4us]

Cute or wimpy?

[MINIRANDOLPH]

Maybe it's just me. I previously owned a 2003 Mini which I loved. I read every review, compared every picture of the new MINI before making my purchase of a 2007. I am well aware of all the changes including the new mandatory pedestrian hood. After seeing my 07 in my driveway for a couple of weeks now, all the new changes are hardly noticeable to my eye at all. I love the looks of my new car almost as much as the old design. As for people cutting you off in traffic I seriously doubt its because of the new styling changes. Good luck with the TT a very nice car also. But it's no MINI.

[Paul]

I'd think they were going for cute rather than wimpy, or indeed masculine as you suggested earlier.

[t400]

You know what i cant stand?


Not the bumber....


not the new interior...


not the old gearbox...


or the headlight design...


or the ugly grill.....




I HATE




You,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,



For making a void between something so alike.


TWO VERSIONS OF THE NEW MINI, yes they have thier intricacies, and differences, but are from the same family

anyone got kids?
Do you love ur 1st born more?


Thats the most annoying "part"

R56-ers dont flash me, cus they think i hate em,,, i dont .


Re-design the attitude

The end

[CooperS4us]

Same family but very different children I am afraid.

[Tone]

As NJP said, "Each to their own." Nevertheless - not only would it be a contradiction in terms and the whole point of the exercise lost if every time a manufacturer brought out a new model it was the same as the one it "replaced" either in "looks" or "under the bonnet" - but financial suicide as rivals produced better cars. The technology is better in the R56 by almost a decade.

[t400]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us (original)

Same family but very different children I am afraid.

oooooooh thats odd isnt it?

[Paul]

Moved some posts about design into here from the "perfect" thread, as it had nothing to do with reliability, and all to do with design.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

I'd think they were going for cute rather than wimpy, or indeed masculine as you suggested earlier.

The R50 did cute very well, with it's oversized and prominent headlamps and small bonnet and "face" it could look every inch the Disney cuddly animal / puppy The R53 took that and added and aggressive nose, that still reminds me of my granddad's old Morris Minor

The R56 just crosses this look with the German car designer's universal-understanding-of-design-evolution, which is almost invariably "bigger" and "curvier" and occasionally, where possible, a bit "pointy" as well

Well, if it works for the 911, the Golf, the Passat, quite a few Audis and Mercedes, why can't they simply apply the same old formula to the MINI as well? As customers, it is up to us to judge if it works.

Treading a very different path, the rest of the BMW design team has been extremely brave and stunningly inventive in choosing ugly as the way forward. All credit to them for original thinking; it's probably the way forward as Subaru seem to have possibly "drawn inspiration" from the 1 Series in the quest for a replacement for the Impreza.

Tigger.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIRANDOLPH (original)

... I love the looks of my new car almost as much as the old design.

And there you have it !!
The Original New MINI was such a beautifully designed car, which you just couldnt help admire from every angle.

The R56 on the other hand evokes comments such as " Its growing on me .. or .. I`ll get used to it "

Yes, they do look alike fom 50 yds .. as does a Striped Suzuki Swift (with the rising Sun behind it)

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us (original)

I am curious to learn about why are you so unhappy with your new R56. In which areas you feel the car does not measure up to your old R53?

I posted quite a few opinions on the car in this thread and others which were either deleted or moved by a local nanny. Either way, have a look a bit further down... I think I made my first post in January... its all true, mind... and it hurt when I worte it as well, so dont mistke my views for trolling which I certainly am not.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

I'm only going on the reaction of many journalists from the top international motoring magazines when they first saw the MINI, and that of those people I know who aren't into cars.

This was one of my original bones of contention. The press who reviewed this car in my opinion had just rattled off the press pack... claims that some things were better quality were outrageous fabrications. When I actually got mine (having lived with my R53 for 3 solid years) I was shocked initially at the quality of the car, and then the quality of the journalism surrounding the cars launch. One reviewer in particular (see my Youtube post a while back) had obviously never even BEEN INSIDE an R53, let alone driven one.

Put yourself in my shoes. I loved my R53. When the R56 was announced to fawning and praise I went to my dealer and ordered one immediately, before the cars had even been put into the showrooms. If I hadn't had an aero kit fitted I reckon I would have had one of the first R56's in the UK... as it was I took delivery early December. Imagine how I felt when after being told how brilliant it was, I finally got to sit in it. I am bloody fuming, and I have a perfect right to feel that way.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb (original)

So if you're getting cut up in a 2nd gen MINI the same could happen in a 2nd gen TT.
Had my Cooper for 4 months and had the odd idiot but most drivers give me a bit of respect.
Good luck with the TT but I can't see how you're going to get treated better if you drive a tarted up Golf .

whatever... as usual, you have missed the point completely.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIRANDOLPH (original)

Good luck with the TT a very nice car also. But it's no MINI.

Having sat in a new TT I can absolutely without any reservation tell you this. The quality of materials are superb, and they are for the most part shoddy and cheap in the R56. Anyway, I'm not here to sell you a car, drive whatever you like.

[b4mmy]

Quote: Originally Posted by t400 (original)

;TWO VERSIONS OF THE NEW MINI, yes they have thier intricacies, and differences, but are from the same family

...yet more 'blind faith'... they are COMPLETELY different cars! The only thing they share is a vague resemblance on the outside, and even that is compromised. EVERYTHING is different. Everything.