[Paul]

In a reviewof the Peugeot 207 SW John Simister, writing for the Irish Independent has been heav...Read full report

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

This is just the beginning....

[Restyle]

Just what were they on in that particular board meeting?
Probably some accountant saying they could save £50 per unit production costs.
Hope it was worth it BMW

[OttoMannS]

I am sure Top Gear/Jeremy Clarkson is going to shred it to pieces as well.

I think BMW/MINI's success binge is coming to an abrupt end. Wake up Munich! We have a problem...

[OttoMannS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle (original)

Just what were they on in that particular board meeting?
Probably some accountant saying they could save £50 per unit production costs.
Hope it was worth it BMW

Exactly. MINI is, unfotunately, being run by accountants and marketeers. Common sense left the company when Frank Stephenson walked out the door...

[mister.t]

I hate to say it (I really do like the R55) but I think the R55's 'Club-Door' is the biggest **** up since Ssangyong gave the Rodius the go ahead at the design stage.

[AidenL]

Trust the Indo to get stuck in

[CC07ERS]

You will not be able to find another £14 k with out air con , wake up BMW.

[mister.t]

Quote: Originally Posted by CC07ERS (original)

You will not be able to find another £14 k with out air con , wake up BMW.

Caterham 7 and Lotus Elise?

[ONED]

Quote: Originally Posted by AidenL (original)

Trust the Indo to get stuck in

You'll never beat the Irish, you'll never beat.........

[dalboyne]

Given the controversy stirred up about the Daft Door even on MINI2.com, I suppose this bad press is inevitable, and it will be very interesting to hear how BMW/MINI will defend thier position at the official launch. And pity the poor marketing people who have to turn this into a sellable "feature".

I wonder - will there be an estate version of the Fiat 500? If so, anyone care to bet on how many doors that will have!

Ian

[MINI&MERCGUY]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Given the controversy stirred up about the Daft Door even on MINI2.com, I suppose this bad press is inevitable, and it will be very interesting to hear how BMW/MINI will defend thier position at the official launch. And pity the poor marketing people who have to turn this into a sellable "feature".

I wonder - will there be an estate version of the Fiat 500? If so, anyone care to bet on how many doors that will have!

Ian

I gather that there are indeed plans for a Fiat 500 estate!

As regards the clubdoor thing, I too think it is ridiculous that BMW do not put the clubdoor on the correct side for the left hand drive markets. However, I quite like the idea of only one clubdoor, as on one side of the car there is a club door, and on the other side there is a different unique feature - an unusually long side window!

[Irlmin]

The whole R56 / 55: episode has been 'hijacked ' by accountants , poor build quality , poor components ( have a look at the air intake pipes on all R56 petrol + diesel ---rubbish ) sparing a few pence on carpet ( look under the bottom door / kick plate trim ) and just generally not finishing to a 'quality' standard . I am now 7 months into My R56 MC ownership and I must say I am generally happy with the 'dynamics ' and improvement over My previous 2 R50s but get annoyed when I look at what might have been . competition is now catching up especially with Audi's A1 and I think now is not the time to p*ss off loyal MINI owners . I was going to order a Clubman D and keep Our R56 MC BUT now its on hold due to My Brothers experience with His D as well as this bloody 'Club Door ' issue , I would be happy with NO 'club door ' OR 2 Club doors but as the Irish Indo article says its the " breathtaking arrogance" of Munich will cause irreparable damage to the brand , I am so annoyed about the whole debacle I am writing to MINI and indeed Munich HQ to point out the feeling 'on the ground ' about their big mistake .
G

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Irlmin (original)

The whole R56 / 55: episode has been 'hijacked ' by accountants , poor build quality , poor components ( have a look at the air intake pipes on all R56 petrol + diesel ---rubbish ) sparing a few pence on carpet ( look under the bottom door / kick plate trim ) and just generally not finishing to a 'quality' standard . I am now 7 months into My R56 MC ownership and I must say I am generally happy with the 'dynamics ' and improvement over My previous 2 R50s but get annoyed when I look at what might have been . competition is now catching up especially with Audi's A1 and I think now is not the time to p*ss off loyal MINI owners . I was going to order a Clubman D and keep Our R56 MC BUT now its on hold due to My Brothers experience with His D as well as this bloody 'Club Door ' issue , I would be happy with NO 'club door ' OR 2 Club doors but as the Irish Indo article says its the " breathtaking arrogance" of Munich will cause irreparable damage to the brand , I am so annoyed about the whole debacle I am writing to MINI and indeed Munich HQ to point out the feeling 'on the ground ' about their big mistake .
G

Hear hear! How about a petition?

[eggtruck]

i think the clubman is a joke and a complete waste of time. Im sure the US will be very happy with it.

[ONED]

Agree Ger,

I think no doors over this farce would have been the way to go! If you increase the legroom in the rear, then sure this alone you aid getting in and out???
I'm currently putting my thoughts together for a letter to MINI/BMW over the CooperD / R56 in general as I just get soooo annoyed with the overall package as opposed to our previous car

As you say some things have improved, but more things have been cut back on!..........it's certainly not a £17K+ car!!!!

[Paul]

German Car Scene have a remarkably similar piece to our own carrying this story now too: Irish Independent Accuses BMW Of “Arrogance� over MINI Clubman - German Car Scene

Up to an including the quote does that read just a little bit like this:

http://www.mini2.com/2007/08/21/iris...-mini-clubman/

[Bilbo Baggins]

Quote: Originally Posted by eggtruck (original)

i think the clubman is a joke and a complete waste of time. Im sure the US will be very happy with it.

Hey ! ! ! I think I resemble that remark !

I'm not into the Clubman concept from the get go. I'll just have mine plain old unadulterated R53 or R56 if you please.

Seems kind of silly to make a Clubman with the third door only on the right hand side of the car. If anything they should have made it only on the LHS because I think it will be more popular in the UK than it will ever be in the USA or Canada.

All this because they do not want to relocate the fuel filler.

I will express my dis-satisfaction by not buying one.

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bilbo Baggins (original)

I will express my dis-satisfaction by not buying one.

Ditto - and I live in a left hand drive country!

But at least they resisted the temptation to put electric sliding doors on, a la Peugeot 2007!

Ian

[JBA]

But haven't you heard? UK will go LHD from the launch of the Clubman. BMW have told PM Brown to get on with the organising of the signs, or they'll move the plant to Poland