[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The problem with your argument though Scrogg (impressively creative though it is), is that the R50 was designed by an American, who chose to fit the filler on the left hand side; Rover's own proposals (Evolution, Revolution and Spiritual One / Spiritual Too) were rejected. Come to think of it, even my old Montegos (the last cars to independently designed by Austin Rover / Rover Group) had the filler caps on the right hand side.

Yes, much of the engineering was done in the UK, but Frank Stephenson's original proposals show the filler cap on the left.

Also BMW may go down in history as the only car company in the history of the car to use the excuse of the siting of the fuel filler to provide us with only one rear door. Even bumbling Austin Rover managed to relocate the fuel fuel on the Metro from around ankle level on the first cars, to just under the side window on the last examples. So why couldn't BMW provide us with this simple modification?

Tigger.

[Joogle]

You cant blame Rover!!!

The original Clubman estate had the filler on the right hand side.............

[CooperS4us]

Actually Frank Stephenson is Moroccan. He was born in Casa Blanca and has lived in many places around the world. He is a gifted designer and very articulate in several languages (French, Arab, Spanish, Italian, English and I believe German). His father was of American descent but Frank himself is not American.

I think the longest he lived in the United States was 4 years while studying automotive design in California. After he finished his degree, he moved back to Europe where he has been for the last 15 years.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Yes, okay, point taken!

His accent is from America though, you've got to concede that one!

Tigger.

[mister.t]

In that pic, I think it looks great!!! Just get shot of the black, and stick the suicide door on the other side aswell. I don't like the idea of odd sides, I prefer a symetrical design.

[ontheroadagain]

As someone over here in the USA, I'm not sure what I think from a strictly selfish point of view - but my initial impression is and if I lived in a RHD country, I'd be very turned off.

[rellik666]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Good point. Myself (6 foot) sits in the drivers seat, Abi (5'3") sits in the passenger seat, allowing Alfie more room. I would imagine most three person families somehow fall into this seating arrangement too. Didn't even think of that.

Me too!!!! Never even thought of it.......I am certainly put off now!

[CooperS4us]

The whole premise of holding off the Clubman until the R56 chassis release, was because building additional body variants in the new platform would prove to be both, cheaper in manufacturing and more flexible to add different sets of options. This is the PR line that was fed to the MINI community for several years.

So now it turns out that the R56 platform is not so flexible and not so cost efficient after all? At least that is what I am reading from between the lines of the MINI Spokeswoman commentary.

I still think that by not offering a rear door in the left side of the vehicle on RHD markets is a disastrous market move that is bound to back fire the minute the vehicles hit showroom floors.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by CooperS4us (original)

I still think that by not offering a rear door in the left side of the vehicle on RHD markets is a disastrous market move that is bound to back fire the minute the vehicles hit showroom floors.

A good friend was recently involved in a conversation with one of our local dealers, apparently they reported that they had been inundated with cancellations of estate car orders over the last month or so

[CooperS4us]

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

A good friend was recently involved in a conversation with one of our local dealers, apparently they reported that they had been inundated with cancellations of estate car orders over the last month or so

Ouch!

[Avalon]

Sent a stinking email to MINI UK got this back by email today 12th April:-

"Thank you for your e-mail regarding the MINI Clubman. I am sorry to learn of your concerns over the design of the vehicle.

I can advise that the MINI Clubman is still a concept car with the final design yet to be decided upon. Any prototype images released to the press are for a vehicle designed for the European market, so would be set up for left hand drive.

As the MINI Clubman has not yet been released I am unable to confirm the exact specification or design at this time. I have however, noted your comments and I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us with your views."

This was the official response from MINI Customer Relations, Bracknell, UK

[Paul]

Yes, but we officially know it's going to have just the rear door on the drivers side, and we've also seen RHD models with the door on that side. MINI Customer service should check what media relations are saying me thinks.

[morrisminiminor]

Visited my dealer today. Didn't realise that today was the launch of the Cooper Diesel. Said to the salesman that I was considering a Clubman but the suicide door on the wrong side was putting me off. I was told that NO decision had been made regarding this door. There had been a sales visit to the plant yesterday and a number of sales people had raised concerns about this item.
Perhaps hope yet?

morrisminiminor

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Thanks for the post morrisminiminor, but what they said does seem a bit funny:

I like the idea that they've not been able to make a decision on this one yet.... Just how hard a decision can this be for BMW? "Now, let's think, shall we alienate most of the RHD customer base, or not? Erm, tricky, better defer that decision for a while..."

Also, I quite like the idea of "a number of sales people had raised concerns". I would loved to have heard the way that they might have actually expressed "their concern" . Minutes of that meeting please!.....

Tigger.

[thebigyin]

Some further disturbing news...
Although we do not know when the new version of the Convertibles will be released, there is some bad news.
Following on BMW-MINI's decision to give the MINI Clubman an additonal rear access "suicide door" on only ONE side of the car - the Right Hand Side of the Car because QUOTE " the majority of the markets for the MINI are LHD countries"...
The New MINI Convertibles will have a Roof which DOES NOT OPEN because BMW have realised that it RAINS in majority of the markets in which they sell the convertibles.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

No, please don't give them ideas for "efficiency savings" like that one

Mind you, now they've moved the bonnet release to the left hand side for all markets, why not move the steering wheel as well? It could greatly simplify production and increase output even further. If only it wasn't for those pesky customers complaining again....

TIgger.

[Robert Lye]

Totally gutted by BMW's decison. Had the potential to be a top-draw family car. It's off my 'in the future list', I'd go to Merc or Volvo nd check out the B-Class or the V50. Good decision BMW, only put 1 door on so its still as hopeless for families as the 3dr

BL**DY MONEY MEN

I bet it's still gonna be best part of £20k for a decent one.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

And another thought that applies to both LHD and RHD cars:

Fitting children in car seats in the back is not easy in the hatch, it will be even worse in the estate with its longer wheelbase and even longer stretch to the seat and seat belt. This will be made much better by the suicide door, but on one side only. So, as the "family car" derivative of the MINI it will only be useful for families with one small child

It gets worse; assuming you put the smallest child in the car seat on the "suicide" side and you want to make full use of the rear door, the older child then has to climb around and/or over the car seat to get to and from the seat on the far side. Bad news if the baby is asleep and the elder child wants a wee!

Hasn't anyone at BMW ever had any children?

This will be available for around the same price as a decent 5, or even a 7 seater, "symmetrical" 5 door MPV (with aircon as standard AND opening rear windows to boot)! I know it's not the same as a MINI, but why do BMW struggle to find the funds, within the premium price they charge, for at least a complete set of doors?

Hmmmm...

Tigger.

[Robert Lye]

I suppose BMW MD's would just say look at a BMW 116 is you want a more practicle car.

Maybe thats why they made the strange decision to only put 1 door on 1 side - otherwise it would be too close to BMW's own 1 series and MINI is only an ancillary brand afterall. As the saying goes - charity starts at home.

Still think its a crap and frankly insulting idea though.

[dukesantos]

That's an interesting point about the BMW 1 series. We don't get them in the USA. Eventually they are supposed to bring over one model from the 1 series according to BMW but I'm not sure which. In any event they should add the other door to be responsive to RHD markets.