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

[rec]

personally, i feel a little insulted by the amount of people that seen to refuse to accept the new MINI as the new MINI... get over it... it's designed, and it's being built by BMW. Personally I feel a little ousted by this forum due to my decision to get an R56.

I know which one I prefer, and it's red in these pics. The 2001 model just looks like it's melting at the front.

Attachment 123463

Attachment 123464

[t400]

not particually the old one, the new one

i love this thread!!

Ive just read it all thru, so sorry if i bring up the history, i have 3 points


1- Moderators please please dont feel the urge to censor some interesting debate/banter. THIS is what makes a good topic. Its racey, contraversial, fun, annoying, frustrationg and enjoyable....I work in the media, this is the kind of thing that gets people going. (if u start cutting them down and deleting posts you're killing the atmosphere on here)

2- Testiment to this, look how many people are joing in, the above post is using picture comparrissions and everyone is chipping in, in THEIR own UNIQUE WAY...the mini way baby, we're all different,,,,,we're all the same.

3- Heres the question........... HATE IT OR LOVE IT.........WILL WE ALL FLASH/WAVE EACH OTHER?


"i have a dream etc"

[KMK163]

I really angry that the new model has changed the whole concept of MINI cooper S. i belive its changed the culture of the mini by becoming more fashionable like all the cars that are produced now. At the end though its all about taste. I wouldnt change my 2003 MCS though for the new model not at all.

[KMK163]

agree not angry

[Matts Mini Adventure]

i like both new and old and original, its part of life over time things have to be change, am not saying i prefer the new over the old coz i have just traded my 54 mini cooper sr for a 06 55 mini cooper convertable, but i had the choice of the new one.

like i've sed in a previous post i love the new s i think its spot on and the dash is the best part and i love how the cd player is built in to the speedo, but i think the cooper is lacking something, mainly at the back i don't know what it is but it just seems a bit plain.

[SamHarrison]

I understand public safety changes but other cosmetic changes were not needed..

thanks a lot BMW.. you have just devalued my car faster than it would have done and yet you will still charge me the same for servicing and parts and labour as always...

[Serby]

I definately don't think it looks any nicer, just different. I do not like the plump front end but I think other details and especially the interior look great

Given the choice I went for a Cabrio instead of an R56 Cooper as there is something about the latter that to me doesn't look quite right at the rear for some reason.

Still, a MINI is a MINI and I'll be flashing and waving at R56's!

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by SamHarrison (original)

I understand public safety changes but other cosmetic changes were not needed..

thanks a lot BMW.. you have just devalued my car faster than it would have done and yet you will still charge me the same for servicing and parts and labour as always...

but remember not changing with the times and keeping up to date was what contributed to the death knell of the classic mini.... by the time it ceased production it had only had basic changes over the 40 odd years, at the end it hadnt kept up and was doomed...

if things dont change they can stagnate...

[SamHarrison]

but to change a vehicle 3 times in 5 years? I understand the facelift changes to iron out the problems associated with initial production but to make the major chanes they ahve done is ludicrous..
how long before the R56 is facelifted to iron out the problems with the new engines and drive trains etc...

[Olly.]

Quote: Originally Posted by SamHarrison (original)

but to change a vehicle 3 times in 5 years? I understand the facelift changes to iron out the problems associated with initial production but to make the major chanes they ahve done is ludicrous..
how long before the R56 is facelifted to iron out the problems with the new engines and drive trains etc...

This is only the 2nd change in 5 years? Its about normal for a model to last that long, they do a mild facelift and then a more major change to the model.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by northandy (original)

but remember not changing with the times and keeping up to date was what contributed to the death knell of the classic mini.... by the time it ceased production it had only had basic changes over the 40 odd years, at the end it hadnt kept up and was doomed...

if things dont change they can stagnate...

very good point

maybe thats why a lot of people are so up in arms when change occurs, as they have got used to the mini not evolving as most other models on the road.

[SamHarrison]

Quote: Originally Posted by ollymale (original)

This is only the 2nd change in 5 years? Its about normal for a model to last that long, they do a mild facelift and then a more major change to the model.

the Peugeot 206 design lasted 10 years before they made major changes...

[rec]

having come from the Peugeot car scene, the 206 aint brilliant and fell apart a lot... and they turned it into the 207, which is just a small 307... which does look crap (as do all peugeots later than 1995).
bear in mind BMW is going for a different clientele than Peugeot. Peugeot go for the family cars and have NO cares about the hothatch market any more. the 207gti will be bloated, and still outshone by a considerable number of vehicles already on the roads.

[jimmyt]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

very good point

maybe thats why a lot of people are so up in arms when change occurs, as they have got used to the mini not evolving as most other models on the road.

One wonders what classic owners thought of the introduction of windup windows, internal door hinges, larger rear window, rear lights with integrated reversing lights and the new boot without the flipdown number plate, the 1000cc engine, the 1275 engine, fuel injection, , 12 inch wheels,13inch wheels, full width dashboards, airbags, side impact bars, intermitent wipers, radios...

Quote: Originally Posted by SamHarrison (original)

the Peugeot 206 design lasted 10 years before they made major changes...

From what I can recall the 206 was introduced in 98, and 1st facelifted in 2003 including new lights and grille . I think there was a 2nd facelift just before the introduction of the 207 this year.
Which overall is only long year longer than the current Mini.

Personally I'm waiting for my dealers invite for the test drive before I concider replacing my current Cooper. It took me four years to decide to purchase the current one to keep my Classic company.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by jimmyt (original)

One wonders what classic owners thought of the introduction of windup windows, internal door hinges, larger rear window, rear lights with integrated reversing lights and the new boot without the flipdown number plate, the 1000cc engine, the 1275 engine, fuel injection, , 12 inch wheels,13inch wheels, full width dashboards, airbags, side impact bars, intermitent wipers, radios...


From what I can recall the 206 was introduced in 98, and 1st facelifted in 2003 including new lights and grille . I think there was a 2nd facelift just before the introduction of the 207 this year.
Which overall is only long year longer than the current Mini.

Personally I'm waiting for my dealers invite for the test drive before I concider replacing my current Cooper. It took me four years to decide to purchase the current one to keep my Classic company.

I remember fuel injection cause uproar, the rest, well it was before my time