[flyboy2160]

I SAY SWAMP MINI USA WITH PROTEST EMAILS, JUST IN CASE THIS IS TRUE

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=28301

[Paul]

This is all very old news (rumours) and has been posted on here several times and also on MotoringFile.

My view is don't panic, and don't get silly bombarding people who can't help with emails. Of course things will change, but I wouldn't worry too much. Besides, even if they do, in current owners opinions "mess it up", we've still got our first generation MINIs to play in.

Anyway FAR too much of the MINIs appeal and praise in the motoring media come from the way it handles, BMW go on and on and on about this point... they wont want to ruin the car any more than we want them to, there's a lot of money riding on this little car.

[Paul]

If you've seen any of the design ideas/models and prototypes for the next generation MINI, the difference isn't anywhere near as shocking as the motoring press would have us believe, just as they were WAY OUT with this current "face lift" (but that didn't stop a certain percentage of MINI owners to get in a lather about the photos that were paraded as the "face lifted MINI").

You must remember, that these magazines are out there to make money, to sell magazines... A lot of the time I can see the truth in their stories, a lot of the time I can't see any, but in general take everything with a HUGE pinch of salt, and don't panic.

[sequence]

I think it's all bullmerde-- BMW isnt about to reinvent the wheel or fiddle with a successful formula, perhaps bump up the prices, but wholesale changes, I really seriously doubt this. No reason to flood them--yet. Save your energy for more constructive purposes. Jimbo

[Paul]

I assume you've seen the prototype video in the MINI2 news section? www.mini2.com/news not exactly shocking stuff.

[flyboy2160]

paul,
thanks for the tip about the video; i hadn't seen it. i did know about the engine change and the "perhaps" new platform, but not in the detail i just read. i'm not complaining about minor interior and exterior trim changes, but about a larger, longer wheelbase, has-to-be-heavier platform for the BASE car.

what's wrong with the current base car? they are backordered for months in the states WITHOUT any significant tv ads. not enough profit margin? well, raise the price or take out some of the unnecessary stuff ( body computer, electric windows, etc.) and do what many manufacturers do nowadays: improve the manufacturing processes. hard to manufacture design? tweak those areas. paint shop bottleneck? add one. but don't junk the whole platform.

my fear is that this car will go the way of the 240z and start pandering to the "it's too small, it's too light, it's too harsh, i want a lazy boy recliner to drive and pose with...." crowd with continuing "just a little more" additions.

the NC miata is rumored to be trying to "return to it's roots" with a 1 ton target weight, but i can't see it. the trend is larger, heavier, more fluff to appeal to the slobs.

i still think owners who adamantly DON'T want a larger, heavier, longer wheelbase car should say so NOW. let them build larger variants on another platform if they want.

[Paul]

The "detail" in such reports at the moment are largely "educated" guesses. I've heard a lot of talk from various people on and off the record at BMW/MINI and I'd not be overly concerned if I were you. Really. Of course, in reality only time will tell, but the last thing they'll want to do is ruin the "Go-Kart Handling" that they spout about at EVERY press event from 2001 to the present day!

[gabe]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

This is all very old news (rumours) and has been posted on here several times and also on MotoringFile.

My view is don't panic, and don't get silly bombarding people who can't help with emails. Of course things will change, but I wouldn't worry too much. Besides, even if they do, in current owners opinions "mess it up", we've still got our first generation MINIs to play in.

Anyway FAR too much of the MINIs appeal and praise in the motoring media come from the way it handles, BMW go on and on and on about this point... they wont want to ruin the car any more than we want them to, there's a lot of money riding on this little car.

Paul is spot on - I think it's important to remember the same people who created the car we all love are the ones now working on the next generation. I'm sure it'll be good!

[ScottyB]

Hmmm, interesting read. Also will be interesting to see how they maintain the precision/kart like handling with a longer wheelbase. Only time will tell

And I reserve my judgment until I have seen it/driven it compared to my 04!