MINI2

Prowse · Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notters
...Generally when you talk of BMW you think of a premium brand and German quality.

This is why I am disappointed with the quality of my MCS...

...I feel let down by the quality of the product...

...I bet if there was a poll of owners the majority would say that their MINI was a BMW.

BMW is a premium brand and produces high quality products, including the MINI. However what you have to realise is, the MINI is a cheap car for BMW, built to a price. If they put the same standards of quality and materials checking into the MINI as say, a five series, you'd have to pay a hell of a lot more for the car.

You shouldn't feel let down; you've just been unlucky in that you've had some quality issues with a new model of the car. In a few months time I'm confident that Cooper S's will have all of their niggles worked out. There are threads on MINI2 stating that Cooper drivers who have driven 2003 build cars find them much better built than the earlier models. This trend will probably continue onto the Cooper S.

I agree that most drivers of MINI's would state that their car is a BMW. Some may not like this idea but personally I'm quite happy with it. At the end of the day, stickers under the bonnet say it's made by BMW, the manual says it's made by BMW and the assembly plant has a rather large BMW sign outside. Anyone who thinks that this car is wholly British is sadly deluding themselves. Roll on more Anglo-German projects, they seem to be rather good at the moment (incl new Rolls Royce)!

KlausR · Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nickworld

Its all a question of where you draw the line. If it upsets you to discover that the car you own is associated with BMW then ignore it and be happy that you have a nice car. If you love that fact - celebrate it. For what its worth - as unique as it is, I see a lot in the MINI cockpit and even in the sound the door makes, that just shouts 3 and 5 series at me, irrespective of what stickers and owner's manuals say. And I'm happier for that.

Great comment, exactly my point!

Klaus

ChrisD · Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notters

Generally when you talk of BMW you think of a premium brand and German quality.

This is why I am disappointed with the quality of my MCS.

New steering column needed at 17k miles. New drivers seat base due to squeak & crinkled Lapis Blue leather.

Chrome chipped off gear knob which has been replaced under warranty.

I feel let down by the quality of the product.Perhaps now I know it is nothing to do with BMW my expectations should be lower.

I bet if there was a poll of owners the majority would say that their MINI was a BMW .

The MINI is still in its infancy, you are going to get failures in any new massed produced product.

Its a new car with a new design that has not been tried and tested. I doesnt matter how much pre release testing that gets done you will NEVER find all the faults.
Real drivers and real roads all cause different stresses on the cars that cannot be replicated on a test track.

Granted you can feel let down, we all would be, but again there is always going to a few faults with the exception of the gearbox and stutter. Which seem to be inherant design flaws, that do need to be rectified.

And yes I would say mine is a BMW, the show room is next door to BMW.

Also I have a sticker under my bonnet that says "Made by BMW" nuff said

Chris

cliffywong · Jun 3rd, 2003, 02:12 AM

Funny I never really associated my MCS to anything other than a Mini. I based it on the Heritage of the name and the design of the car. If I did relate it to a BMW then I am quite dissapointed in the quaility of build. Though its a cheap car for BMW - it's still not cheap.

Having said all that, this was a car I wanted, waited for (2yrs) and now enjoy. I couldn't careless who built it, as long as someone produced it. I just happend to be BMW.

" Thank you BMW".

napster · Jun 3rd, 2003, 03:36 AM

For those of us here stateside including ex-pats like me, Uncle Sam considers our MINI's German (well mine anyway).

If your VIN number starts with a "W" then Uncle Sam considers it German, if your VIN starts with an "S" then Uncle Sam considers it English.

Either way its a bloody good car.

napster

goin440 · Jun 3rd, 2003, 04:19 AM

I don't know what the point is to all the aurguing.

I don't drive down the road thinking "Excellant/Poor BMW/German engineering...," or BMW anything. I do think "Wow I'm going fast in this corner..."

I have been asked "Who makes that..." only to respond "BMW." But when I answer the same question with "MINI..." the next question is always "Who?"

Does it matter? Just enojoy the ride. If you can't, then the MINI wasn't for you.

5280Motoring · Jun 3rd, 2003, 05:59 AM

The MINI is to BMW in much the same way Saab is to GM. But the entire auto industry is borderline incestuous. Toyota, Suzuki and Isuzu have rather good relationships with GM without being owned by them or vice versa. Mitsubishi and Hyundai are both in a strong partnership with Daimler-Chrysler. My MINI payment is made out to BMW. What does that all mean? Not a GD thing. If you don't like the build quality, complain to whom it matters. Pontiac owners are not going bark up Buick's tree if they have a problem.

oldnell · Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by napster
if your VIN starts with an "S" then Uncle Sam considers it English.

Not quite. Uncle Sam considers it to have come from the UK.

BillK · Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldnell
Not quite. Uncle Sam considers it to have come from the UK.

BillO · Jun 3rd, 2003, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonjour
The MINI is manufactured by BMW group, in Cowley, with parts from a number of countries (including Germany).

A MINI isn't a BMW though, it's a 'MINI'. It doesn't say 'BMW' on the front does it?

Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW"....

majormike · Jun 3rd, 2003, 10:41 AM

Who cares? I drives like a dream

Bonjour · Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BillO
Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW"....

That's not 'on the front' though, is it now. It is manufactured by BMW, but it is not itself a BMW. That's all I was saying.

lightbody · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:07 PM

Well, as I said to my dealer, if it was "just" a BMW, I wouldn't have bought it!

I've never ventured into any part of my dealer's showroom except for the MINI bit. They have all sorts of BMWs but none of them interest me like the MINI does.

notters · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:13 PM

Bonjour,

The point of this thread is that it is NOT manufactured by BMW according to my local BMW dealer.

eltel · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BillO
Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW"....

Mmmm.. Bavarian Troll Jam. Perhaps you mean 'jamb'.

Bonjour · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notters
Bonjour,

The point of this thread is that it is NOT manufactured by BMW according to my local BMW dealer.

Well then he's having you on. Trying to fob you off.

Ask your dealer WTH a BMW sign's doing outside the plant in Cowley.

At the end of the day, your dealer's obviously a plum.

notters · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:50 PM

I can't believe it either.

jmusicman · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
Wow!
What a long thread about a crap statement

I'm sure the troll is under his bridge having a nice laugh.

LOL, totally agree obehave....
Jay

notters · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:55 PM

Jay,

How do you know a Sept 03 build will be a 2004YM.You probably have read other posts on when the 04 YM will be introduced - no one seems to have any idea.

notters · Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:59 PM

LOL in Loughborough

Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:09 PM	#42 (permalink)
KlausR MINI2 Senior Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Germany (NRW) Local Time: 02:18 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by nickworld Its all a question of where you draw the line. If it upsets you to discover that the car you own is associated with BMW then ignore it and be happy that you have a nice car. If you love that fact - celebrate it. For what its worth - as unique as it is, I see a lot in the MINI cockpit and even in the sound the door makes, that just shouts 3 and 5 series at me, irrespective of what stickers and owner's manuals say. And I'm happier for that. Great comment, exactly my point! Klaus Don´t bother me with: Vans, SUVs and Grandpatronic

Jun 3rd, 2003, 04:19 AM	#46 (permalink)
goin440 Numb from Jäger Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana Local Time: 07:18 PM Posts: 557 Offline	I don't know what the point is to all the aurguing. I don't drive down the road thinking "Excellant/Poor BMW/German engineering...," or BMW anything. I do think "Wow I'm going fast in this corner..." I have been asked "Who makes that..." only to respond "BMW." But when I answer the same question with "MINI..." the next question is always "Who?" Does it matter? Just enojoy the ride. If you can't, then the MINI wasn't for you. -goin440 IB/IB MC

Jun 3rd, 2003, 05:59 AM	#47 (permalink)
5280Motoring 12th Floor Cube Dweller Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Phantom Zone Local Time: 05:18 PM Posts: 248 Offline	The MINI is to BMW in much the same way Saab is to GM. But the entire auto industry is borderline incestuous. Toyota, Suzuki and Isuzu have rather good relationships with GM without being owned by them or vice versa. Mitsubishi and Hyundai are both in a strong partnership with Daimler-Chrysler. My MINI payment is made out to BMW. What does that all mean? Not a GD thing. If you don't like the build quality, complain to whom it matters. Pontiac owners are not going bark up Buick's tree if they have a problem. Visit the Pool Cleaners from Distant Planets Izzy is an '03 MCS, with PP, CWP. It's BRG on BRG. I know, BFD.

Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:16 AM	#49 (permalink)
BillK MINI2 Senior Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Irvine, CA Local Time: 05:18 PM Posts: 541 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by oldnell Not quite. Uncle Sam considers it to have come from the UK. MC/VR/B/PP&SP/CVT/Xenon

Jun 3rd, 2003, 10:21 AM	#50 (permalink)
BillO MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: South Carolina, USA Local Time: 08:18 PM Posts: 48 Offline	It DOES say BMW................ Quote: Originally posted by Bonjour The MINI is manufactured by BMW group, in Cowley, with parts from a number of countries (including Germany). A MINI isn't a BMW though, it's a 'MINI'. It doesn't say 'BMW' on the front does it? Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW"....

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Jun 2nd, 2003, 11:08 PM	#41
Prowse MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lancs Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 1,550 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by notters ...Generally when you talk of BMW you think of a premium brand and German quality. This is why I am disappointed with the quality of my MCS... ...I feel let down by the quality of the product... ...I bet if there was a poll of owners the majority would say that their MINI was a BMW. BMW is a premium brand and produces high quality products, including the MINI. However what you have to realise is, the MINI is a cheap car for BMW, built to a price. If they put the same standards of quality and materials checking into the MINI as say, a five series, you'd have to pay a hell of a lot more for the car. You shouldn't feel let down; you've just been unlucky in that you've had some quality issues with a new model of the car. In a few months time I'm confident that Cooper S's will have all of their niggles worked out. There are threads on MINI2 stating that Cooper drivers who have driven 2003 build cars find them much better built than the earlier models. This trend will probably continue onto the Cooper S. I agree that most drivers of MINI's would state that their car is a BMW. Some may not like this idea but personally I'm quite happy with it. At the end of the day, stickers under the bonnet say it's made by BMW, the manual says it's made by BMW and the assembly plant has a rather large BMW sign outside. Anyone who thinks that this car is wholly British is sadly deluding themselves. Roll on more Anglo-German projects, they seem to be rather good at the moment (incl new Rolls Royce)!

Today
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Jun 3rd, 2003, 01:47 AM	#43 (permalink)
ChrisD MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 63 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by notters Generally when you talk of BMW you think of a premium brand and German quality. This is why I am disappointed with the quality of my MCS. New steering column needed at 17k miles. New drivers seat base due to squeak & crinkled Lapis Blue leather. Chrome chipped off gear knob which has been replaced under warranty. I feel let down by the quality of the product.Perhaps now I know it is nothing to do with BMW my expectations should be lower. I bet if there was a poll of owners the majority would say that their MINI was a BMW . The MINI is still in its infancy, you are going to get failures in any new massed produced product. Its a new car with a new design that has not been tried and tested. I doesnt matter how much pre release testing that gets done you will NEVER find all the faults. Real drivers and real roads all cause different stresses on the cars that cannot be replicated on a test track. Granted you can feel let down, we all would be, but again there is always going to a few faults with the exception of the gearbox and stutter. Which seem to be inherant design flaws, that do need to be rectified. And yes I would say mine is a BMW, the show room is next door to BMW. Also I have a sticker under my bonnet that says "Made by BMW" nuff said Chris

Jun 3rd, 2003, 02:12 AM	#44 (permalink)
cliffywong MINI2 Senior Join Date: May 2003 Location: H.K. Local Time: 08:18 AM Posts: 514 Offline	Funny I never really associated my MCS to anything other than a Mini. I based it on the Heritage of the name and the design of the car. If I did relate it to a BMW then I am quite dissapointed in the quaility of build. Though its a cheap car for BMW - it's still not cheap. Having said all that, this was a car I wanted, waited for (2yrs) and now enjoy. I couldn't careless who built it, as long as someone produced it. I just happend to be BMW. " Thank you BMW".

Jun 3rd, 2003, 03:36 AM	#45 (permalink)
napster MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Virginia Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 43 Offline	For those of us here stateside including ex-pats like me, Uncle Sam considers our MINI's German (well mine anyway). If your VIN number starts with a "W" then Uncle Sam considers it German, if your VIN starts with an "S" then Uncle Sam considers it English. Either way its a bloody good car. napster

Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:00 AM	#48 (permalink)
oldnell MINI2 Master My Classifieds Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gloucester Local Time: 01:18 AM Posts: 991 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by napster if your VIN starts with an "S" then Uncle Sam considers it English. Not quite. Uncle Sam considers it to have come from the UK.

Jun 3rd, 2003, 10:41 AM	#51 (permalink)
majormike MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Villages, FL Local Time: 08:18 PM Posts: 174 Offline	Who cares? I drives like a dream Proud owner: MCS LY/W, Premium, Sports, Black Panther Leather

Jun 3rd, 2003, 07:50 PM	#52 (permalink)
Bonjour der Hummermeister Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Stuck in a box Local Time: 01:18 AM Posts: 1,519 Offline	Re: It DOES say BMW................ Quote: Originally posted by BillO Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW".... That's not 'on the front' though, is it now. It is manufactured by BMW, but it is not itself a BMW. That's all I was saying.

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:07 PM	#53 (permalink)
lightbody MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Local Time: 01:18 AM Posts: 888 Offline	Well, as I said to my dealer, if it was "just" a BMW, I wouldn't have bought it! I've never ventured into any part of my dealer's showroom except for the MINI bit. They have all sorts of BMWs but none of them interest me like the MINI does. Rob Lightbody - http://www.roblightbody.com 2004 Red/Black Cooper replaced a 2001 BRG/White Cooper

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:13 PM	#54 (permalink)
notters MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Loughborough Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 88 Offline	Bonjour, The point of this thread is that it is NOT manufactured by BMW according to my local BMW dealer. 2004 CR/B MCS

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:14 PM	#55 (permalink)
eltel MINIstry of Fun Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eastern Suburbs, Mel Local Time: 10:18 AM Posts: 1,566 Offline	Re: It DOES say BMW................ Quote: Originally posted by BillO Open the drivers door and look at the Jam. Our little Bavarian trolls have put in there own language, "BMW".... Mmmm.. Bavarian Troll Jam. Perhaps you mean 'jamb'.

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:26 PM	#56 (permalink)
Bonjour der Hummermeister Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Stuck in a box Local Time: 01:18 AM Posts: 1,519 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by notters Bonjour, The point of this thread is that it is NOT manufactured by BMW according to my local BMW dealer. Well then he's having you on. Trying to fob you off. Ask your dealer WTH a BMW sign's doing outside the plant in Cowley. At the end of the day, your dealer's obviously a plum.

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:50 PM	#57 (permalink)
notters MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Loughborough Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 88 Offline	I can't believe it either. 2004 CR/B MCS

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:52 PM	#58 (permalink)
jmusicman MINI2 Stalker Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Local Time: 08:18 PM Posts: 97 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by obehave Wow! What a long thread about a crap statement I'm sure the troll is under his bridge having a nice laugh. LOL, totally agree obehave.... Jay 2004 DS/B MCS Lapis Blue Leather Prem, DSC, Xeon,H/K Finished on Sept 12, 2003 (At Dealer NOW!)

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:55 PM	#59 (permalink)
notters MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Loughborough Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 88 Offline	Jay, How do you know a Sept 03 build will be a 2004YM.You probably have read other posts on when the 04 YM will be introduced - no one seems to have any idea. 2004 CR/B MCS

Jun 3rd, 2003, 08:59 PM	#60 (permalink)
notters MINI2 Regular Join Date: May 2003 Location: Loughborough Local Time: 12:18 AM Posts: 88 Offline	LOL in Loughborough 2004 CR/B MCS

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