[memphisto]

As suggested in other threads. Mini have now confirmed that the 'suicide' rear door will be on the WRONG side for right hand drive models.

Auto Express article MINI | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

[ALD0]

Bad move imho

[Paul]

Well spotted: MINI Confirm Clubman Door Configuration



It's been coming, surprised the confirmed this so early, was something I was going to put to them (again) at the Diesel and One launch next week.

[s_and_m]

The ONLY reason I would order a Clubman would be so that I'd have easier access to the rear seat for the loading and unloading of children. No way would I want to do that roadside, and it's not always practical (or indeed possible) to face the oncoming traffic flow.

Hmmm, seems I may have to look elsewhere for a family car.

S

[CooperS4us]

That is ridiculous! MINI really wants to save every penny they can make on the second gen MINI and I am not sure if that greedy desire is going to benefit the customer in the long run.

I still think it is a bad move not to have 2 rear doors in the back. Watch complaints arise from this poor management move. Either sales will suffer in RHD countries or MINI will have to eat their words and absorb the cost of installing the door on the left side of the vehicle.

MINI, people will gladly pay for a Clubman with 2 doors in the back. Re-think this move it is pretty stupid!.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by s_and_m (original)

The ONLY reason I would order a Clubman would be so that I'd have easier access to the rear seat for the loading and unloading of children. No way would I want to do that roadside, and it's not always practical (or indeed possible) to face the oncoming traffic flow.

Hmmm, seems I may have to look elsewhere for a family car.

S

I agree.

The Clubman was something we were considering, but as soon as it became all but confirmed this was going to be the case we crossed it off the list.

I wonder how many of those who were awaiting confirmation will look elsewhere now for certain.

For some though, I'm sure it wont be a big deal. I think this will be a big hit in terms of "mobile advertising", for electrical firms, estate agents and the like.

[MINImeat]

There have been cases where auto companies have made this decision before (U.S. Saturn coupe with one suicide door and American Motors Pacer with larger door), but neither of these configurations lasted as they were mostly regarded as gimmicks instead of the useful features they started out to be before the concept was compromised.
I believe the RX8, on the other hand, has been well received with its double suicide doors turning it into a much more useful configuration than the normal 2-door coupe.
Saving money at the expense of market share is not a smart move....

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

I agree.

The Clubman was something we were considering, but as soon as it became all but confirmed this was going to be the case we crossed it off the list.

I wonder how many of those who were awaiting confirmation will look elsewhere now for certain.

For some though, I'm sure it wont be a big deal. I think this will be a big hit in terms of "mobile advertising", for electrical firms, estate agents and the like.

I will have to third that as its already been seconded think I would prefer it if they did away with the door altogether
As stated elsewere it is a bit of a gimmick.
Will be one hell of a wrench to get me out of a Mini though its all I have had for the last 14years

[Step_7]

I've been thinking about this, as a Cooper D Clubman is very high on my "List" for replacing my current Cooper and I tried to think of the last time I parked at the side of the road rather than a Car park. You know what - I can't even think of a time in the last 3 months that I did it.

I agree that MINI do seem to be "penny-pinching" which is a very annoying trend but for my personal circumstances it probably won't make any difference to my next car choice.

[morrisminiminor]

Oh dear! I was looking at the Clubman too but no more. Now we know why the rear door is called a suicide door. BMW/MINI are suicidal in their contempt for RH drive users.

morrisminiminor

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by memphisto (original)

As suggested in other threads. Mini have now confirmed that the 'suicide' rear door will be on the WRONG side for right hand drive models.

Auto Express article MINI | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

Thank you (Post number 2 - http://www.mini2.com/forum/future-va...-spyshots.html)

The accountants really must be in charge of the project now

The media in the UK will show no mercy over this gaff Can you imagine the fun that they will have with this on Top Gear?

I suspect that a door will quietly appear on the "correct" side after a year or so into production as "ongoing product development". BEWARE THE POTENTIAL RESALE VALUE DISASTER FOR CARS BUILT BEFORE THAT LIKELY CORRECTION!

What other manufacturer would think they might get away with this on a premium product? I definitely agree with what morrisminiminor said "BMW/MINI are suicidal in their contempt for RH drive users".

Tigger.

[KenL]

If this was written on 1 April, I would have thought it was an April Fool's wind up

Absolutley ridiculous decision by MINI. The main reason people would consider this ugly version of a MINI (my opinion, no offence intended) would be to get people in an out of the back more easily. I can't see any parent wanting to lift their baby out into traffic.

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Step_7 (original)

I've been thinking about this, as a Cooper D Clubman is very high on my "List" for replacing my current Cooper and I tried to think of the last time I parked at the side of the road rather than a Car park. You know what - I can't even think of a time in the last 3 months that I did it.

I agree that MINI do seem to be "penny-pinching" which is a very annoying trend but for my personal circumstances it probably won't make any difference to my next car choice.

Its a good point I guess I dont really park on the road either but I do often give a car full of lads a lift home and the prospect of not having to mess about with my seat to get them in and out was on my mind. I have to pull myself under the dash to allow the drivers side rear passenger to get his feet from under my seat this is an improvemnet but a sorely compromised one at that.

[Joogle]

Can see someone being out of a job at MINI in 12 months time.......

That has got to go down as one of the worst decisions in motoring history!!

I thought the home Market for the MINI was the UK?!

[Shaun]

I tell you what I can see.... Endless pictures of the AMC Pacer with lines like this is not the first time its been done etc etc etc.

[Joogle]

In the 2001 book: "The worst Cars ever sold in Britain" by Giles Chapman this is what he says about the pacer:-

"It did boast a driver's door longer than the passenger's for easy access to the rear seats. But even that novelty went rather pear shaped when cars were converted to right hand drive for the UK."

Sounds familiar.....

Never mind folks, looks like the soon to be announced remake of Waynes World has found its new Mirth Mobile!!

[Restyle]

I do rather favour Symmetical Body styles

.. anyone know how to do a poll "Asymmetrical vs Symmetrical" aka "Safe vs Downright Dangerous"
.. aka "Penny Pinching Bean Counters vs Original New MINI"

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

And another point; Eeyore doesn't drive, so she sits in the passenger seat. She can then slide her seat forward a bit to give Eeyore more space behind. Consequently, it's the rear seat behind me then often gets loaded loaded with luggage, or folded down and loaded with luggage. I'm sure a lot of other 3 person families do the same.

So, what use is a driver's side rear door to people like us? None at all for unloading a rear passenger, even if we're not parked on the side of a busy road

What we are likely to get is squeaks and rattles at the join between the two doors induced by body flex over such a large opening. Just listen to the rear doors of any van, after it has done a year or two's work and imagine something similar next to your right ear

Tigger.

[Paul]

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

And another point; Eeyore doesn't drive, so she sits in the passenger seat. She can then slide her seat forward a bit to give Eeyore more space behind. Consequently, it's the rear seat behind me then often gets loaded loaded with luggage, or folded down and loaded with luggage. I'm sure a lot of other 3 person families do the same.

Tigger.

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.

[OZ Racing]

I saw this news in Autoexpress - can't say I am surprised after what BMW did with Mk2 new MINI (cheaper materials, arguably uglier and more expensive than Mk1).

Is this a preview into the future of MINI? In that case the future won't be bright. How much do they rely on brand loyalty?