the BIG new MINI v's old MINI comparison thread - AKA R56 is ugly, my R56 review.....

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by ollymale (original)

Apparently its because although it looks very cool with the headlights going up on the bonnet its very expensive to produce. Also when you slam your bonnet down it was mis-aligning headlights all the time, meaning dealers were re-aligning headlights a lot.

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.

[JG.26]

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.

[DDon670]

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 .

[LMB]

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

In return, I shall try not to get annoyed every time someone says that "I can't judge the design until I've seen it in the metal". I've seen hundreds of photos of the car and when I did see it in the metal, a couple of months ago, it looked just the same as the photos (though the "laser blue" paint job did look fabulous)..

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.

[Shaun]

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

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.

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.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by LMB (original)

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.

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?

[jimskater]

OK, I'll bite: Why do you want a Traveller?

(Note: I want one, too)

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

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.

That's the only point I was trying to get across.

[herbie hind]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

But there are some points which are more true to the mini on the R56, such as the one piece grill that stays down when the bonnet lifts.

I remember when I brought my first new MINI, the grill was an area that I felt had not been considered properly the way that part was attached to the bumper and part to the bonnet. Infact the shape of the nose on the Cooper with it been so angled made me decide I would not be buying one of those, as it looked totally different to the mini shape in profile.

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.

[herbie hind]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine (original)

Ugly as well as beauty is highly subjective. I'm sure someone thinks this is a dream car:




It doesn't suit my taste but I would never insult the person who loves it by calling it ugly.

lmao looks like an acura i saw the other day'.

[herbie hind]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bing (original)

I am going to hold off judgement until the 07 MINI is officially out on the street. I think seeing one
in person and driving the car will be the clincher.

for gods sake man !!!!!! it's got a french engine!!!!!!

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

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.

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.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimskater (original)

OK, I'll bite: Why do you want a Traveller?

(Note: I want one, too)

Because were going to have a junior to fit in it

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

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.

Is that just the bonnet not removal paint and refit? Still cheap for a panel that big.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by herbie hind (original)

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.

I've never talked myself out of wanting to own a classic, just can't do it right now

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by herbie hind (original)

for gods sake man !!!!!! it's got a french engine!!!!!!

actually its British

MINI build their own here in the UK, the french, well they do what they want to do where they want to do it.