[JamesBond]

This is all very Highschool...I personally am not secretly wishing I owned a "real" mini. I like my MINI a lot. BMW builds a solid hatch. I don't even need it to be called MINI. They could have and should have called it a "BMW citywagon" and I would have bought it. It's just a matter of time til the new MINI has its own clubs etc. F$CK the "real mini."


ENVY is a Mutha.

[moorlockx]

>>>It's just a matter of time til the new MINI has its own clubs etc.<<<

Not a matter of time. The clubs are already out there and all seem to welcome any Mini, new or old. It's only a handful of the so-called "purists" creating all the fuss.


>>F$CK the "real mini."<<

Kind of stooping to the troublemakers level here, aren't you? This talk will only continue antagonizing the situation. Be bigger than that. Ignore the ones bickering and fussing. They'll either go away or grow up and join in the mutual fun.

[chumpy]

Unfortunately new minis and classic minis don't see eye to eye.I can't logically understand this as there a definite connection between new and classic thro' John Cooper (helped design BMW mini)and his son Mike Cooper(helped with the JCW package).Coopers name is synonomous with the classic mini racing.Despite this classic mini refuse on the whole to acknowledge new minis.I've seen stickers on the back of classic minis saying....."Not German....100%British"...Personally I thinks it's a shame.
I intend to purchase a classic JC mini in due course and keep my MCSWorks......and love them both equally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EBMCS03]

Quote: Originally Posted by ecl3x

and club members were always turned their nose up and called the new mini the "bini."

Really? HAHA never heard that term before... well gee I guess I dont want a Bolls Boyce anymore...

[JamesBond]

Quote: Originally Posted by moorlockx

>>>It's just a matter of time til the new MINI has its own clubs etc.<<<

Not a matter of time. The clubs are already out there and all seem to welcome any Mini, new or old. It's only a handful of the so-called "purists" creating all the fuss.


>>F$CK the "real mini."<<

Kind of stooping to the troublemakers level here, aren't you? This talk will only continue antagonizing the situation. Be bigger than that. Ignore the ones bickering and fussing. They'll either go away or grow up and join in the mutual fun.

Yeah but, it is so much fun!

We too have our share of MINI owners who feel that snobbery. I personally don't think the old mini deserves the comparison to the new MINI. I may start telling people I drive a totally unique car built by BMW called a "city-sport." Who needs the name MINI attatched to such an awesome car. It would still handle as well...The older minis are kinda like a novelty to me...fun to look at but not something I would care to own in 2004. Airbags and technology are sexy.

I would have bought this car had their been absolutely NO reference to the "real" mini. It is thaT sweet. These miserable purist need to understand...some of us simply don't give a F**K.

[ScoobyDoo]

After reading these posts, it really does irritate me that 'some' classic owners can be so small minded. I have met classic owners that are friendly and are willing to talk to you about your MINI and yes, majority of them are suprised when they find that attitude towards the MINI changes.

However, there I have encountered far more Mini owners that are just plain, rude and well nasty towards me. I have waved at classics, flashed lights & even said hello when parked at traffic lights but I do object when V-signs are waved, middle fingers are shown and I have been called a S**g and a B**ch for driving a MINI. This really gets me mad. I have my car scratched at shows and parts actually pulled off my MINI.

I have said before (in the classic forum on MINI2), that classics and MINI owners are all car enthusiats and all this animosity should stop, after all BMW aren't going to stop making the MINI because of a few small minded people.

That said, rant over.

[N31L]

I've found that 30% of Mini drivers wave at me, 1 guy in a Mini Cooper Sport must've nearly broke his arm he was waving so franticly and since then I've waved at all Mini's & MINI'S, most MINI'S will wave but as i live & work in London, you do have the ar53holes who think they are above everyone and probably got a MINI to pose in, luckily this is not the norm and most will wave or flash their lights... And unfortunatly as mentioned have found 70% of Mini's will ignore me or give me dirty looks - I say ***'em! if they want to be childish and pathetic - let them - it just goes to show what shallow narrow minded people they are!

Oh and where do you get these 100% BMW badges? Lol..haha....

[AmRov]

We don't really have to deal with the Mini / MINI clash over here (not enough Minis around). But what I do have to deal with is an overabundance of SUVs and pick-up trucks -- as someone put it, I feel like the "smart mammal" running around all the dinosaurs... And I love the looks on the Land Yacht drivers who I can see are saying something like "What the *&^% was that?"

[chumpy]

Quote: Originally Posted by N31L

I've found that 30% of Mini drivers wave at me, 1 guy in a Mini Cooper Sport must've nearly broke his arm he was waving so franticly and since then I've waved at all Mini's & MINI'S, most MINI'S will wave but as i live & work in London, you do have the ar53holes who think they are above everyone and probably got a MINI to pose in, luckily this is not the norm and most will wave or flash their lights... And unfortunatly as mentioned have found 70% of Mini's will ignore me or give me dirty looks - I say ***'em! if they want to be childish and pathetic - let them - it just goes to show what shallow narrow minded people they are!

Oh and where do you get these 100% BMW badges? Lol..haha....

I think there is a lot of inverted snobbery being exhibited by classic minis.I love both the classic and the new.I intend to get a JC clasic mini in due course as well as my MCS works.I need to find a sticker for my new classic that says my other car is a BMW-MINI.....it would be interesting to gauge the response.
Just a thought ....you don't see such anomosity for the new VW beetles from old classic beetle .

[bluetoothmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by AprilWhine

I'm the one who left the meet. For details, see this thread: MINIs not welcome at Mini events.

Pictures of the vandalism included.

Why would I not have permission to view that thread?

[pocketrocketowner]

Some people need to get a life.
I was just at Monza in Italy for an "Italian and British" car get together. ALL the MINIs parked together and everyone seemed to be visiting with each other.

[vagt6]

I'm a British car enthusiast and restorer from way back, my first was a 1969 Triumph GT6+ that I bought in 1971. I just sold a 1970 GT6 last summer after a complete restoration. After driving the '69 in autocrosses and many races, I was hooked for life. I've owned a wide range of Triumphs, MGs, a Griffith, etc., over the years. I now have an '05 MCS.

I also belong to a British car club here, the Shenandoah Valley Brit Car Club, and participate in car shows held by the Richmond Triumph Register and the D.C. British Car Club. I've NEVER seen discrimination against the new MINI at any of these prominent clubs. In fact, all of them warmly welcome the MINI. These clubs realize that we need "new blood" to perpetuate membership. Most of our members are in their 40s, 50's, and older. The MINI represents an opportunity to attract younger British car lovers to the fold, and we do so happily. There's always a special place to display MINIs, and they fully participate in judging and show competition.

I'm really sorry to hear about your experience. I'd never go there again, to hell with those snobs. Instead, seek out a FRIENDLY Brit car club. Shouldn't be hard to do, I'm sure there are plenty of great British car clubs in the "mother country".

Cheers to you, keep trying!

[Cooper76]

Amazing that the Mini folks would have rather had Mini die a disgraceful death at the financially misguided boot of Rover than see it rise out up the ashes like a Phoenix to become one of the best, most sought-after, and valuable autos on the planet.

Amazing, amazing, amazing...

[pocketrocketowner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper76

Amazing that the Mini folks would have rather had Mini die a disgraceful death at the financially misguided boot of Rover than see it rise out up the ashes like a Phoenix to become one of the best, most sought-after, and valuable autos on the planet.

Amazing, amazing, amazing...

SOME Mini folk..........the issholes.......of which there are plenty, driving all sorts of cars.....why I bet there's even a couple driving MINIs.......

[Cooper76]

Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner

SOME Mini folk..........the issholes.......of which there are plenty, driving all sorts of cars.....why I bet there's even a couple driving MINIs.......

Of course. I didn't mean to include every Mini owner in that statement.

[andrewr]

Have a look at this reply on austin-rover.co.uk

"JUST read the R50 MINI development story and had no idea that the guys at Rover had such a big part in its gestation. Great piece!

One thing that I would very much disagree with however is the assertion that the classic Mini crowd (of which I am a long standing member) have now accepted the BMW. I have been to too many significant Mini shows and seen line upon line of BMWs being totally ignored in favour of the original to share that opinion. indeed at the major Mini 45 shows held by the magazines at Silverstone and Sandown park the BMW areas were populated only by the owners of the cars on the club stands! And lets not forget the recent demise of Go Mini magazine.

I think most intelligent individuals are aware that the MINI is purely a cash cow for BMW, enabling some of the huge losses generated by its Rover ownership to be redressed, that is nothing more than a pretty dreadful pastiche of the original whilst sharing none of its philosophy. If you stand and actually study the body design you start to see just poorly it has been executed and with a boot and rear leg room hardly any bigger than the original it's impossible to see any progress at all.

Poor Alec must be turning in his grave.

Consequently (and not unsurprisingly) I whole heartedly agree with Alex Moulton's assessment. If you read the Issigonis biography (Gillian Bardsley) it becomes all the more saddening that so much genuine research and development has gone to waste in the pursuit of the next Mini and yet we have ended up with a cynical marketing exercise.

People may learn, in years to come, to appreciate its handling and performance but it has nothing to do with the original and should be treated as such. I too remember seeing the Spiritual concept years ago at Gaydon and was dumbstruck by how clever, revolutionary and 'Mini like' it was, so you can imagine my disappointment at learning that it was not to be. This was compounded further by later seeing the Smart ForTwo with practically identical drive train layout and body shape (imagine it with a bit more length and four seats).

What might have been..."

What a pathetic attitude from a so-called Mini fan.

I think these people show their dislike of a Germany than any car knowledge.

As for the comments about the Spiritual concept, it is easy to talk about a car that has never been productionised. One could only imagine if Rover built it - badly made, under-developed and probably very different from the concept, but let's not let facts get in the way of drubbing a good car.

I also notice about comments regarding Alex Moulton. This guy is famous for his sensitivity and, as the 'writer' above ignores fell out with Alex Issigonis.

Anyway, my suggestion is simple. If any new MINI owners know of a classic car show; please go!!!!! It will show how passionate you are about your car, but it will also ****-off the guy above.

Keep the Faith!
Andrew

PS - How many Rovers have been sold this year????

[Spotty Dog]

All of this seems a bit unfair. I have seen the same handfull of Mini's year after year, they have never needed breakdown/recovery services, new parts, overhauls or even oil or petrol. They may not even flash or wave, but hey, I respect that.











(....at the Heritage Motor Museum, Warwickshire.)