Are You a MINI Component Designer?

[Cooper Man]

Is there anybody else registered on this site that had anything to do with the design of our MINIs?

I think it would be interesting to hear from those responsible for the parts that work beautifully ...
and from those that should have spent a little more time at the drawing board!

[d2create]

Do you really think they would want to post here?

[Cooper Man]

Why shouldn't they want to post here?

I can understand the need for anonymity if someone is responsible for a lot of grief experienced by some owners, if only to avoid a pasting at the next meet!

However, it should be remembered that changes are made in manufacturing that the designer has no contol over.
Then there are build tolerances, and a host of assembly issues that can affect the build quality of one car over another.

This basically means that many problems being experienced cannot be totally laid at the feet of the designer...there are many other people involved from submitting a final CAD model to the assembly of the component at the factory.

[MINImeat]

I seem to recall there was a guy who used to post who worked at the factory and used to give us all alot of very helpful/interesting facts/hints about many aspects of the design.
I believe he left the company because he was passed over for promotion and posted a farewell message with several warnings, one of which was to watch for rust at the bottom of the tailights. That's why I carefully dry the gap below the tailights whenever I wash my car...

[stryder]

To go along with MINImeat, the main reason they wouldn't post is it would jeopardize their jobs. When auto companies do things like banning camera phones, they're serious about leaks and misinformation. I'm sure there's policies in place for designers and such. Probably not for factory workers, except that unwritten policies are always a concern.

Plenty of other jobs have similar restrictions, even if yours doesn't, you don't go discussing what you're doing in a public forum where anyone (including competitors) can see it, and you don't go and air your complaints, that's not good business either.

[COOPERation]

Do you hang out on a forum that is related to the work you do?

I would think because of the possible espionage and competitor issues, it is in the contract of a designer that they stay quiet about everything they design...or am I being too paranoid?

EDIT: ...or like stryder says above...well said.

[Cooper Man]

Hey, this is getting too political!

I can understand the need to keep quiet about design features etc, but where is the harm in somebody saying "I did that bit!"?

All I wanted to know was whether any MINI drivers out there can claim that they have created a part of their own car.

[Paul]

People from around MINI & BMW use and visit this site, quite regularly. A couple of people have gotten in trouble that I am aware of, and a few had some 'close calls'. But then, people have a nice habit of posting information to us they shouldn't!

I'm in touch with a few people official and otherwise from inside MINI, and they do enjoy and use this forum, and they do take on points raised on here too, which is really nice to know.

But, as said above, most of them either never post, or use false IDs so as to avoid hassle, and also to avoid getting in any hot water.

[Cooper Man]

"I was only asking." he said as he slipped quietly away .

[COOPERation]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper Man

"I was only asking." he said as he slipped quietly away .

Don't slip away mate, ask away but be prepared for a variety of answers from different perspectives...it was a good question and it got good answers...next?

[Romhog]

why are we questioning his question? I know I'm questioning the questions about the questions.
its a simple question, lets see if anyone bites.
then we can tear them up!!!!! jk
any questions?

[MINImeat]

I know I'd be pretty proud if I had anything to do with the MINI...