[94SwiftGT]

I have read all the road test I could find, yet it still seems there are more test out there in cyberspace.
It would be really nice to get as many road test link in one place, so all of us MINI addicts can get our daily fix of MINI news.

I found a great article at http://www.bmwnation.com/home.html

They also have some really nice pictures.

Till later, 94SwiftGT

[MINIAC]

Quote:

It would be really nice to get as many road test link in one place, so all of us MINI addicts can get our daily fix of MINI news.

I found a great article at http://www.bmwnation.com/home.html

They also have some really nice pictures.

The BMWNation article is the most comprehensive one I've seen as far as information on the new MINI goes, but it offers no driving impressions. I found a 'first drive' article at Edmunds which says that their will be two different flavors of the automatic (CVT) transmission. It also says that the Cooper S engine is bored to 1.8 liters and, while base price is around $21K, a fully loaded one will approach $30K.

I'd take the Cooper S info with a "grain of salt" ... that's the first I've heard about the 'S' having a different displacement (other than the stroked 1.8 liter 200 hp Alpina version), and is it really possible to rack up $9K in options! :?

[Paul]

I've contacted the BMW nation guys about MINI2, they've been and had a look. Their article is a good one. There's a funny mix with the new MINI, as you have on one side classic mini sites who feature the new MINI, then you have BMW sites too, then you have a few like us who are soley for the new MINI. I think this mix will only contribute to the cars success though.

Is there nothing in the US, Canadian, and other countries media (TV, Press etc.) about the new MINI yet? This event still going on in Italy is an International launch, and I know that some of the US, Austrailian, and other countries motoring press have all attended.

[BruceK]

Quote:

On 26-05-2001 1:13 Paul_Mullett wrote:

Is there nothing in the US, Canadian, and other countries media (TV, Press etc.) about the new MINI yet? This event still going on in Italy is an International launch, and I know that some of the US, Austrailian, and other countries motoring press have all attended.

Nothing yet that I've seen in the US, but then there isn't the same sense of urgency here. It's not like the MINI will availalble to us in just 6 short weeks (you lucky ba$#%*ds!).

The US automotive press is not shy about covering vehicles that are a long way off from being launched here - we've been reading about the new retro Ford Thunderbird for over a year now and it still has not been released to the public. It was the same before the launch of the PT Cruiser, Honda 2000, New Beetle, Audi TT, etc.

[baggins_mini]

Speedvision had a 15 second blurb on the MINI. They hinted at more to come, so I have been keeping close tabs. Will post when I find anything out.

[kshapiro]

Yes...last week, on the local newcast (Channel 13 WJZ..Baltimore) I caught the end of a short report, and just saw two MINIs coming out of a corner in a wooded scene. Unfortunately, I missed the report and just caught the tail end with the scene of the two MINIs, and the words "To be released early in 2002 in the US". Anybody else seen that footage?




Is there nothing in the US, Canadian, and other countries media (TV, Press etc.) about the new MINI yet? This event still going on in Italy is an International launch, and I know that some of the US, Austrailian, and other countries motoring press have all attended.[/quote]

[digidelia]

yes, i work for the local NBC affiliate and we did a short 1 minute story about it when the MINI had its debut in detroit. Other than that, i have not heard or seen anything.
Maybe the MINI folks will spring for a spot during the next superbowl to gain attention since it would be released a few months after.

[94SwiftGT]

Quote:

On 29-05-2001 1:51 94SwiftGT wrote:
I've tried to gather together as many road test/reviews as I could find for everyone to look at from 1 place.
I hope we can add more links soon.

http://www.bmwnation.com/home.html
http://www.miniworld.co.uk/content/minilaunch/mini.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/video/news169.ram
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1344727.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1342234.stm

Anyone with additional links please add them.

94SwiftGT

[Paul]

Two more:

http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?l...2&reviewid=384
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini2/n...e.php3?id=2632

Auto Express have some comparison tests too, but I wont list those, you can get them from their site.

[jwilk]

http://www2.cronomagic.com/~baileycar/MINI_html.htm

[Paul]

Here's another:

http://carview.msn.co.uk/advice/defa...e&sct=featured

[digidelia]

i do like the red/black interior of the mini on that page... gives it a nice sporty look.

[gazzaman28]

Here is another good review...

http://www.icmotoring.co.uk/feature/feature.html

or just go to www.icmotoring.co.uk and click on the pic of the gold coloured mini with both doors open - nice new angle to look at the car!

[panto]

Down here on Mexico City there are just very few news about the mini, I just see at the local news something about it´s launch in Italy. Even BMW dealers told us diferent versions of when or wich models will arrive here. So every thing I now is becouse all of you. thanks. arty:

[Jakx]

Briefly, for our friends overseas!

Todays (Wednesday) UK Autocar mag. Shootout - MINI Cooper vs Ford Puma vs Peugeot 206XSi . . .

MINI: " . . . (shares its gearbox with the 206). . . . it looks tough, squat, wide and, ultimately, hugely desirable. The proportions push the wheels out to the corners . . . easily the shortest here . . . has the longest wheelbase . . . superb driving position . . . so easy, so fluent, to drive as we head out of town."

They`re not entirely happy about the engine: " . . . becomes harsh over the last third of its rev range. . . . (but, moving on) . . . as a motorway cruiser the standard Cooper betters any car of a comparable size . . . ride quality, brilliant body control, low wind noise . . . terrific long distance companion . . . No other small car is built with anything like the same loving, expensively crafted care."

Autocar sums up: "The chassis doesn`t yet have the engine it cries out for, but in most other respects it`s a terrific car dynamically. . . and . . . it`s a staggering achievement in terms of value."

At the end they come down in favour of the Puma " . . . at least until the MINI gets the engine it deserves." Rubbish!

Frankly, (with respect to anyone who`s got one) I wouldn`t buy a Puma for the same reason as one of Autocars main gripes " . . . the absurd ride height." Add to that (for me) the back-end`s funny! In fact I`d add . . . but no way do I actually want one . . . and YES! a lot of this is about desirability!!
DESIRABILITY

[BruceK]

Quote:

On 31-05-2001 0:27 Jakx wrote:

MINI: " . . . (shares its gearbox with the 206). . . .

Do I understand this quote correctly? Does the MINI have a Peugeot gearbox??? I thought the gearbox was a Rover design that BMW modfied.

Nothing against Peugeot, but French cars are not exactly highly regarded by Americans. In fact none of them (Renault, Peugeot, Citroen) are even sold in this country.

[Paul]

The MINI One and Cooper have a gearbox from Rover, but it was originally a Peugeot box.

B)

[Jakx]

That`s right Paul, but I doubt BMW would buy it in from Rover?

My girlfriend has a Rover 214 ( K-Series 1.4 16v), bought in the `95 launch year with the gearbox reportedly sourced from Peugeot.

No problems, excellent (Rover!) engine, sweet changing gearbox!

BruceK should rest assured that Peugeot is very highly regarded throughout Europe.

[sweeny]

Also every review has highlighted how good the MINI's gearbox is. This bodes even better for the Cooper S which apparently uses a Getrag gearbox.

[Mario A. Funk]

Part of the deal that BMW made with MG/Rover when BMW sold the Powertrain Unit back to MGR was to retain the R65 gearbox. In fact it will still be produced at Longbridge.