[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Oh, the traveller's roof! No change, I suspect. I'd always thought that they'd put in the ugly ribs to strengthen the body to allow for the B pillars to be removed; apparently that's not the case. Perhaps it's a MPV with "recreational aspirations", in that you can, if the fancy takes you, turn it upside down and use it as a sledge

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Oh, the traveller's roof! No change, I suspect. I'd always thought that they'd put in the ugly ribs to strengthen the body to allow for the B pillars to be removed; apparently that's not the case. Perhaps it's a MPV with "recreational aspirations", in that you can, if the fancy takes you, turn it upside down and use it as a sledge

A £20,000 sledge... but a sledge nonetheless

[~Marcus~]

Tigger from all your posts, we get the picture...

R50 / R53 = amazing
Anything R56 related = rubbish

[salocin]

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Marcus~ (original)

Tigger from all your posts, we get the picture...

R50 / R53 = amazing
Anything R56 related = rubbish

Yeah well I thought the Traveller would change my mind about the R56 too!

R50/53 = Raw noisey squealy screamy fun

R56 = Refined .... just like a million other turbo cars out there, just more expensive!

A bit unfair.... it's still pretty (until parked next to an R53 of course) and the refinement will attract a lot of new Mini people I am sure!.

My wife fits into that category hence my interest in the Mini Traveller ... until today!

BMW, there is still time ..................

[Rakey]

I actually quite like it, but then I was also in the minority that liked the R56 too, guess some of realise MINI has to move on to survive

[~Marcus~]

That's a bit drastic....come back!

I'm not saying the R56 is perfect (not quite as good looking or as fun to drive) but when it comes to quality, ride and refinement it's a step ahead, which when it's your only car, is an OK trade off. That's my opinion.

I'm up for a debate so let's have one and we can agree to disagree.

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

It's true that I think that the R50/52/53 is "amazing" and the new car has been a big disappointment to us. The estate especially so, since originally placing a (recently cancelled) order for one way back in May 2005.

I am happy for all those who have an R56 and wish you all well. However, now that MINI2 is very rapidly changing into an arena where only unqualified support (rather than debate, sometimes lively!) for any of BMW's designs is truly acceptable to so many, perhaps it is time to move on.

I have no wish to further antagonise any members of MINI2 and feel it is probably time to withdraw from the Forum and wish everyone I have come into contact with the very best for the future.

I very much hope to keep in contact with my friends via the local clubs, where runs and events seem to take priority over discussing the cars themselves; Eeyore, Roo and I really enjoy that part of MINI ownership.

Thanks for everything and if anyone wishes to contact me I'm at tigger*newminicornwall.com (please replace * with @)

TTFN

Tigger.

Debate is welcome Tigger, always has been always will be, I for one generally enjoy reading your posts and views most of the time, even on the R56.

But for some users I guess it seems like a bit of a broken record, if there is an thread all about how 'its not as good as the old MINI' thread then I guess its always known who will be posting in there and saying something that they repeated elsewhere time and time again.

Perhaps you should think about how other percieve your posts, as it does seem you are always there with the same thing when there is something to say to put the R56 down

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Marcus~ (original)

That's a bit drastic....come back!

Just pointing out that the R56 isn't perfect (not quite as good looking or as fun to drive) but when it comes to quality, ride and refinement it's a step ahead, which when it's your only car, is an OK trade off...

Exactly Marcus, the R56 is not everyones cup of tea, its has its flaws, its owners are happy to accept this, but it also has it advantages over the old MINI.

I can really feel for those R56 owners though that are getting sick of the old MINI owners saying its not as good as their's, when the fact is that the R53 has loads of troubles/problems/design flaws, but these are hardly mentioned in the bash the R56 threads, its almost as if it was a perfect car thats now turned into something that is ugly and boring

Two different cars, and I'm just lucky that I get to drive both now, and can accept that both have their greatness, and both have their downfalls, and both are still MINI's and both have a place in my heart

[~Marcus~]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

Two different cars, and I'm just lucky that I get to drive both now, and can accept that both have their greatness, and both have their downfalls, and both are still MINI's and both have a place in my heart

Thanks Rakey, guess you put it a bit more sensitively than I did! (sorry Tigger)

Anyway you are so lucky to have both, that would be my preference! I miss my R50 (except the three trips home on a low loader) but by the same token, I'm loving my R56.

[salocin]

Blimey ...... Ford Sierra brigade!!!

Tigger, it is for those very reasons you outlined for leaving that you should stay ... a Utopian site would be hellishly boring.

Debate is fun and the odd spanner in the works can't harm as long as it is politely done!

Lack of debate is why Polotics has become so deadly dull in this country at the moment surely?

Of course I don't know what else you have been up to??? Just met you today!!!

Hang around!

.............. or am I about to be moderated .................................................. .

[Shaun]

Debate is fine but its been one sided again early on here I said I liked it I was ignored as per usual but I am not going to throw a tant over it...
I said I couldnt see the issue aside from the obvious change is not good routine and still cant as nobody has pointed it out except perhaps marcus.
I find people who ignore other posts and just argue with themselves rude by the way.
I posted that I like it because I do I like the idea and the concept seems to be working out I will not be called one of the herd because my opinion goes with the majority its my opinion like I think Aston Martins are dull to some degree.
I really dont want to not have a Mini as a next car I am not fortunate enough to have two cars and have only ever had Minis I have considered a 1 series if the traveller was a real biffer but its not it looks like a Mini thats bigger its hardly pass the eye soap stuff.

Didnt Tigger "Leave" a few months ago?

[~Marcus~]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

Debate is fine but its been one sided again early on here I said I liked it I was ignored as per usual but I am not going to throw a tant over it...
I said I couldnt see the issue aside from the obvious change is not good routine and still cant as nobody has pointed it out except perhaps marcus.
I find people who ignore other posts and just argue with themselves rude by the way.
I posted that I like it because I do I like the idea and the concept seems to be working out I will not be called one of the herd because my opinion goes with the majority its my opinion like I think Aston Martins are dull to some degree.
I really dont want to not have a Mini as a next car I am not fortunate enough to have two cars and have only ever had Minis I have considered a 1 series if the traveller was a real biffer but its not it looks like a Mini thats bigger its hardly pass the eye soap stuff.

Didnt Tigger "Leave" a few months ago?

Bit taken aback about how big it looks, but I quite like it too, It's different. A small estate with double doors and a third coach door is absolutely unique, and that's what MINI is all about. Once we see the finished pics we can pass final judgement.

If the rumours are true about only one bodyshell though, the third side door has drawbacks for both LHD and RHD countries:

LHD - Driver will have to reach over and open front passenger door so coach door can be opened if kids carried in back & no passenger
RHD - Coach door can be opened as driver gets out but passengers - likely children - may have to step into traffic.

[salocin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shaun (original)

Debate is fine but its been one sided again early on here I said I liked it I was ignored as per usual but I am not going to throw a tant over it...
I said I couldnt see the issue aside from the obvious change is not good routine and still cant as nobody has pointed it out except perhaps marcus.
I find people who ignore other posts and just argue with themselves rude by the way.
I posted that I like it because I do I like the idea and the concept seems to be working out I will not be called one of the herd because my opinion goes with the majority its my opinion like I think Aston Martins are dull to some degree.
I really dont want to not have a Mini as a next car I am not fortunate enough to have two cars and have only ever had Minis I have considered a 1 series if the traveller was a real biffer but its not it looks like a Mini thats bigger its hardly pass the eye soap stuff.

Didnt Tigger "Leave" a few months ago?

Astom Martins DULL?

Errr right.......

Ah ...... I see, you mean when compared to a JCW!!!

Agree absolutely!

Now back to the Traveller!!!

Have a nice weekend all!

[SoggyCornFlakes]

looks dire in the photos which is a real disappointment as I was VERY keen to play with one of these - I will hold judgement though until I see it in the flesh as I was pretty uninspired by most R56 photos but in the flesh found it pretty good.

[swamos]

As I said earlier, for many people with kids this will be their only opportunity to own a MINI.

Let's hope it looks ok by the time MINI offer it to us for a real viewing.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by salocin (original)

Astom Martins DULL? !

Thought it was an apt comparison they have been pedaling one shape for years now its 4 different models and soon to be the most hidious 4 door, one trick pony really.
Its just an opinion

Wonder how long the dealers are going to keep denying all knowledge?
http://www.mini2.com/forum/future-va...traveller.html

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Marcus, Rakey & Salocin, thanks for the kind words.

Having thought about this over the last 24 hours, I find it all too easy to criticise the current design direction! Great debate is one thing, but I find myself drawn back to the "livelier" side of debate about the new designs time and time again I feel uncomfortable about this and would just like to take a break for a while and look to return when I can happily make a more varied contribution to the site again

Till then, have fun...

Tigger.

[CC07ERS]

i wish the spare was on the roof it looks so cool but it will be runflats

[ItHurts]

Blimey!

This all got a bit exciting...

... Tigger, come back!

So.

\when I first saw the new MINI at the London Motor Show (christ, I was still married, which dates things a little!), I was your a-typical Mini Classic purist. The BMWisation of a national icon did not sit well in my little mind!

Then, in the fullness of time (and a test drive or two) I came to realise that sometimes change is for the good and invested in a MC. This car was not without it's faults (Midland gearbox anyone?), just like a real Mini (two heater settings- off or boiling, damp start etc).

I've watched the debate on the new R56 from afar, with some little confusion. Things change. Human beings, by and large, find this difficult. Some things we agree with - JCW kits moving from 200 up to 210 bhp - and some things we don't - losing the supercharger on the new model (personal opinion guys - yes, I know it's more efficient, green etc).

In time we come to accept change - Mini to MINI, R50 to R53 to R56 and find that our indignation or excitement is tempered by time.

The GREATEST thing about this site, is that it allows the passion that we all share to be published and debated without prejudice, stigma or fear of ridicule (well, not the spiteful sort).

The R53 was not a great improvement from first impressions for many of us. Having seen a few in the flesh, there is a lot to be lauded in the new design. (Many thanks to Rec for letting me pore over his R53 MC).

The traveller strikes a very similar chord with me. As Tigger pointed out, the initial concepts were fresh, innovative, and (ignoring the 6th form CDT bits) funky. Concepts usually are. Reality usually takes some of the sparkle out of the realisation. I'm still not convinced by the spy shots that this will be my next car, although I'd dearly love it to meet my desires. Having said that, my initial response has been tempered. Not least by the video shown here:
MINI Traveller | Spy Shot Videos | Videos | Auto Express

(Thanks to Jordan210 for that)

I actually think that in motion this looks like a great little car. It seems admirably flat through the bends, and the rear three quarter footage looks almost slinky!?

I await, with bated breadth, the response that final statement is going to bring ...

[smartbomb]

Looking at that video the traveller seems OK. From other pics I have seen I reckon it'll be class product. The R56 spy shots met with mixed reviews and likewise the traveller. Until I see one for myself I'll say that so far it looks promising. In the old mini days no-one seemed to care that BMC et al bought out estate, van and pick-up versions of the car. MINI have to move forward and the R56 is a great car, and I have faith the traveller will be too.
If people want to take a break from the site rather than debate that's entirely up top them, but please leave quietly with dignity rather than leave, come back, leave, not leave and then finally leave for a bit. It's like Rocky here sometimes !

[marx87]

Does anyone know wot engine is going in the traveller?