[rainbowdreamer]

I had one of the very first MINI Coopers and can still remember the interest the car caused when being driven. Today, with a MINI on every street corner, I wonder if the MINI phenomenon has come to an end.

I do a fair bit of driving and have yet to see any version of the R56. I was also speaking to my dealer the other day, as I really like what I have seen of the sparkling silver MCS sidewalk convertible and they told me (off the record) that the convertible sales have stalled and the R56 is not selling well either. I was surprised that I could have a new MINI in around three weeks! My first MINI took over 8 weeks to arrive!

Just a thought!

[Chip]

I have to say, this thought crossed my mind especially when I only ordered my new Cooper on 07/01/2007 and am taking delivery this Saturday 27/01/2007. I waited around 7- 8weeks for my other two Coopers and whilst i'm certainly not complaining about such a short wait (knowing others are having to wait longer than me) I too have not seen many new Mini's around.

Thinking about it though, when the Mini was launched in July 2001 it was a good twelve months before I started seeing Mini's with regularity and that was in Liverpool where there now seems to be a large number and recently I have been in a convoy of 4 Mini's just driving too and from work , so maybe the signs are not as not as bad as you think ? and convertible sales really are seasonal (allowing for the initial latest fashion accessory and more importantly the enthusiasts purchases when the convertible was new out giving sales a boost)

Anyway, a drive of the new model was certainly enough to convince me that a Mini is still the car for me regardless of what sales are currently like

Roll on Saturday

[harrietb]

I saw a new Chili Red Cooper on Tescos car park the other day. Took all my restraint not to peer into the window to see the spec!!

[~Marcus~]

Promotion of the R56 has been next to nothing. Compare / contrast promotion of the new Vauxhall Corsa! Where's the media blitz?

[manwithnoname]

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Marcus~ (original)

Promotion of the R56 has been next to nothing. Compare / contrast promotion of the new Vauxhall Corsa! Where's the media blitz?

If anything the first version of the new Mini was promoted even less. Like rainbowdreamer I've yet to see a single NEW Mini on the road. Whilst the car has got rave reviews, I don't think it's different enough to a.) Encourage current owners to change or B.) Encourage new people to the brand.

That's my 2c

[~Marcus~]

Quote: Originally Posted by manwithnoname (original)

If anything the first version of the new Mini was promoted even less. Like rainbowdreamer I've yet to see a single NEW Mini on the road. Whilst the car has got rave reviews, I don't think it's different enough to a.) Encourage current owners to change or B.) Encourage new people to the brand.

That's my 2c

Not so in the UK - the "Mini Adventure" ads were everywhere.

On my travels I have seen several MCS, on the way to the gym on Tuesday I passed a silver R56, and when I came out a red/white R56 Cooper was parked next to me.

You can bet if sales slip they will kick in a media campaign. The R56 is a very different beast and does have some new features that they can push, like better economy and greater comfort for example, and gimmicks such as the mood lighting and start button.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by rainbowdreamer (original)

I had one of the very first MINI Coopers and can still remember the interest the car caused when being driven. Today, with a MINI on every street corner, I wonder if the MINI phenomenon has come to an end.

I do a fair bit of driving and have yet to see any version of the R56. I was also speaking to my dealer the other day, as I really like what I have seen of the sparkling silver MCS sidewalk convertible and they told me (off the record) that the convertible sales have stalled and the R56 is not selling well either. I was surprised that I could have a new MINI in around three weeks! My first MINI took over 8 weeks to arrive!

Just a thought!

I heard the same too about the new MINI and the old Convertible, but it was to be expected on the old Convertible that sales would slump once the new hardtop came out as it is hard to sell an out of date model when they know there will be an update to the Convertible.

The new MINI tintop however has not seen a slump, its more that there is no increase in sales as you would expect for a new model, its just business as usual. But part of this could be down the fact that MINI didn't want to really push it as a new model and also the same with the design of it, to the average punter in the street (as in not your MINI nerd/geek) there is no difference.

I guess also that the competition has got a lot more fierce in the small hatch catergory, and MINI is just relying on it been the cute/individual/heritage small car, which was never going to last forever.

[popey]

Woodmans seem to be selling them like "hot cakes"!!!! But for such an expensive car they are very popular. Its still the only car I want until I take delivery of my F430. And even my crapy popeymini.co.uk web site has been geting up to 200 hits a day (shows intrest)

[miniXL]

I think it is all down to the launch date.

Launching a car in November rather than before or around the September plate time will cause a lot of punters to hold out for a March plate delivery. I know I am one of them.

I also think that quite a few people have heard of all the problems that first owners of the R50 had (with the initial build issues at launch) and have "allowed" time for BMW to get the new manufacturing stream in order before putting down their deposits.

Then it could be down to the fact that January is known to be a very difficult month for car sales. Or that punters had limited choice with less models than usual available (No ONE, Diesel, etc.).

Lastly - I went on the factory tour again just before Xmas. The factory was not 100% ready for the R56. They still had quite a lot of final floor movements planed for Jan/Feb. I suspect they are therefore adjusting the dealer allocations slightly. (This is a bit of a backwards argument I know!)

[wildchild jules]

Could it also be down to many people being aware that there are normally "teething problems around a new model of a car, and giving it a few months to settle down before they order their R56?

[Lardy Lambert]

What Mini need to do is diversify their range. Not to bring out the traveller sooner seems a missed
oportunity, but the factory has been operating at capacity so i suppose they know what they're
doing

[baskers]

I think the shorter lead time from ordering to delivery is due to the expansion of the factory, no? (this would seem logical)

PS - saw two R56 MCS today, and one old one...

[TimCS]

Oh blimey!

The place I get my hair chopped is next to a Mini dealer and I always have a wander around the forecourt after I've been "cut." 2 brand new Cooper Ss on the forecourt with placards saying available for immediate delivery and 3 second hand R56s on the front line. This was in Cobham, Surrey - which is "must have country." Plus this week Auto Express rated the new Type R over the current Cooper S. Bad times.

I'm definitely keeping my R53 - seen this before with the Mk1 v Mk2 Golf GTi.

Bet the model life of the R56 is much shorter than the R53.