| Tags: design, first generation, mini, second generation |
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| | #61 |
| I'm Back! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 4,572
Offline | One of the often quoted reasons behind loosing the clamshell bonnet is that "it is expensive to produce" although, oddly, I have never heard this reason quoted by the factory themselves. Having seen the way it is assembled in the factory it is brilliant in its simplicity. There are so few components and there is so very little to align. As a matter of interest I have just checked the cost of the entire bonnet pressing as a replacement part and it puts it in perspective. The cost for the entire pressing is currently only £189.23 (John Cooper MINI, Worthing); that's a darn sight cheaper than having to replace a bonnet and inner and outer wings, even before taking into account charges for the additional labour required to change inner and outer wings on both sides. Tigger. ![]() Unintimated and I'm back!! ![]() For sunshine, fun and Cornish Pasties: New MINI Kernow Cornish Oggy Run 2009! |
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| | #62 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virtual World Local Time: 03:12 AM
Posts: 1,038
Offline | I heard one of the reasons with dispensing of the clamshell bonnet was it will ensure the life of the headlamp units as it doesn't do them much good giving them the shock treatment each time you close the bonnet. I had heard also the current bonnet isn't the easiest thing to ensure a good fit especially after accident damage. I'm wondering though how the fit consistancy will be on the new model around the headlamps with the cut outs in the bonnet, pretty tricky I would imagine. The one bug bear I have with the current bonnet is the poor alighnment with the arch to the bumper, but having seen pics of the new model I'm not overly impressed with the gap between the bonnet and the black arch as the arch now stays in situ, almost looks as though the bonnet is open when it's not . Horses for courses. |
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| | #63 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston Massachusetts Local Time: 09:12 PM
Posts: 93
Offline | 06 Mini definitely better looking The 07 Mini is growing on me but I still think the 06 is better looking in many ways. I took delivery of an 06 in July, but unlike some of the posts don't regret it at all with the new one coming out now. Taking an MCS into consideration I think all the curves have been designed out of the front end , also the dual exhaust on the new car looks like it was designed on after the fact as it sits under the bumper as opposed to integrated into the middle of it on the 06 . |
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| | #64 (permalink) |
| Toon Toon.. <div><a href= Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Up North Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 23,727
Offline | I hated the GP when I first saw the pics. It did warm to me over time, as has the R56 but it wasn't until I saw the GP in the flesh I knew I really wanted one. It just looked so much better, the pictures didn't/don't do it justice. So it's a valid comment to make. Global Moderator ![]() |
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| | #65 (permalink) |
| Mr Big Stuff Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Oldham Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 3,310
Offline | Remember an Autocar article some while ago they ran an S as a long termer. It was at BMW for its service and some guy reversed a 5 series into it he creased the front of the bonnet and after apologising profusely to BMW he said heres my details lets settle this up no insurance etc. the bill was astronomical as the whole bonnet was rendered scrap by a ding at least £900 just to get the bonnet and repaint it without fitting. Thanks for ignoring both my previous posts everyone by the way. ![]() |
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| | #66 (permalink) |
| Mr Big Stuff Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Oldham Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 3,310
Offline | I admit pics dont do justice and have posted as such regards the new TT rather dull in the pics but crikey saw one on the M56 last week stunning. As for the see it in the flesh argument yeah its right up there with the arguement that you only dont like GPs because.. A you cant afford one or B just plain havent got one and havent driven one and I have that makes me right and you wrong etc. Wasnt bowled over by the pics did see one got that frisson of excitement all good car nerds get when they see a new model and .... still dont really like it. Sorry. I am sure people dont like my new wheels I even met someone who totaly discounted my old car because white roofs are so wrong?? If we werent expected to judge cars by pictures though there wouldnt be car magazines although someone let me know when that fellow has finished hacking Car magazine to bits please. At the end of the day we do live in an age of oppressive comunication we see cars barely off the drawing bored (deliberate slip) and jump up and down at masking taped details. We cant blame anyone if the next generation Mini looks dull safe and worthy (dont mean it is) we dont own the rights just as people who own a car that was designed in the 50s whose Engine dates to the 30s cant tell us why we drive a German imitation. If it wasnt for Bm meddling there would have been no Twin Point Minis. Right thats it I stop now. Is noone going to ask why i so want a Traveller? |
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| | #69 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: providence subburbs Local Time: 10:12 PM
Posts: 449
Offline | i'll buy that bit about the hood . but a stubbier nose would have been preferrable to me . also the original had a straighter windshield . the whole stance of the classic was better. i guess i'm talking myself into a classic. |
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| | #72 (permalink) |
| I'm Back! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kernow, near England Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 4,572
Offline | Here's the mystery then; why do people such as Autocar continue to discuss how expensive the bonnet is to replace, yet a dealer has quoted a replacement price of £189.23 ? Tigger. ![]() Unintimated and I'm back!! ![]() For sunshine, fun and Cornish Pasties: New MINI Kernow Cornish Oggy Run 2009! |
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| | #76 (permalink) |
| Remember | that would be my guess too, just the part on its own. As I got a price for a bonnet respray from a BWM body shop, £450, and that was a mate rate and cash job if you know what I mean He said the expense comes from having to strip so many parts off the bonnet, then put them back on, and make sure its all aligned and working.With the R56, the whole nose of the car I believe is delivered into the factory, so they put the engine in, attach the front bumper section which includes the lights etc. Then the bonnet goes on which is now pretty much just a panel, with less weight due to no need to attach weighty things such as light modules. Yes partly ease of fitting, partly cost, and partly pedestrian impact laws and the need for the bonnet crumple zone ![]() Congrats Shaun, buy Silver Cross, buy Silver Cross ![]() The only problem I have is knowing which one to drive? ![]() |
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| | #77 (permalink) |
| Yatta!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Local Time: 02:12 AM
Posts: 8,387
Offline | Of course - no questions, no alternaive view - the supposed gloss of "free speech" as long as it it is approved using approved words. You may have meant to say justify your statement if you think the car is ugly, but with respect what you posted was "take away "its ugly" jibes". i.e. do not say this car is ugly. I apologise unreservedly for raising this issue. As someone who often seems sensitive to increases in authoritarian restrictions I'd have thought you'd appreciate this approach I'm fully on-message with the new groupthink and I'm sure we can improve the current debate to new standards... Post 1 - I think its wonderful. Post 2 - How dare you - it's not wonderful its sensational Post 3 - You are both mad - its utterly gorgeous... |
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| | #78 (permalink) |
| Remember | we have already said that calling the R56 ugly is not been censored Andy, just the way that it was been done in this thread, but you can't actually see how it was before moderation to understand what was going on in here, as those posts have been removed. I'd suggest if you have any issues with the way this thread has been moderated that you use site feedback rather than dragging this thread off topic again ![]() The only problem I have is knowing which one to drive? ![]() |
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| | #80 (permalink) |
| MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virtual World Local Time: 03:12 AM
Posts: 1,038
Offline | Well even if the new model is an ugly brute I might just order a new S anyways and hopefully keep my current one, after all thats said and done it's still a MINI and what else would you buy that would give you as much pleasure in ownership ![]() |
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