[BlisterinCooper]

I was talking to a guy who came to our works today in an "R" reg classic Mini Cooper (dark blue, all the kit, nice car). I asked him what he thought of the new MINI and he said he liked the car. I joked about the mini v MINI feud from some and he said that's nothing. He has had owners of the 60's mini stating that his Mini Cooper wasn't an original !!??
I give up!

 

[Dogger]

you just can't win with some people can you?!

Rest assured, these guys are probably REALLY dull at parties..

 

[Mon]

Without wanting to cause trouble (and remember folks that I didn't start this thread), I also quite like the BMW MINI. However, I don't think the car is a true Mini. I also don't think the re-introduced Coopers (1990-2000) are real Mini-Coopers (and I own one of them!). They were just a Rover marketing ploy to sell more Minis...and it worked (unlike the original Coopers which were designed for motorsport success, which they received in bucket loads).
The Cooper register (the one that that bloke in a Hat chap is PR man for) also didn't accept the Rover Cooper as a true Cooper when it was launched and this went on for many years. However, the BMW version was accepted straight away. Now I'm not sure if this is because they learnt their mistakes over the Rover Cooper...or because their PR man is a fan of the BMW version. Being cynical I think it is the latter...

Mon

PS I've no wish to start anymore MINI v Mini things here, I'm just replying to a posting. If you want some MINI v Mini banter then pop over to www.miniclassic.co.uk and follow the Mini v MINI link

 

[BlisterinCooper]

Like I said. I give up!

 

[Mon]

But why??? The limited edition Italian Job Rover Mini isn't a real Italian Job Mini. Surely this is the same thing...?

If you still don't understand my point, then maybe you can tell me why a Rover Cooper should be thought of as a "real" Cooper?


Mon

 

[Garry]

Enough said...

 

[Mon]

I think I'm begining to understand all the problems now. It is all about the badge isn't it? Those of you who believe that the BMW MINI is a real Mini and that a Rover Cooper is a real Cooper are going by the badge aren't you? Surely there is more to a car than the badge it wears...otherwise all the boy racers that used to stick injection badges onto the boot of their Escort (un)populars were right after all...


Mon

 

[BrianMini]

Without wanting to cause trouble (and remember folks that I didn't start this thread), I also quite like the BMW MINI. However, I don't think the car is a true Mini. I also don't think the re-introduced Coopers (1990-2000) are real Mini-Coopers (and I own one of them!). They were just a Rover marketing ploy to sell more Minis...and it worked (unlike the original Coopers which were designed for motorsport success, which they received in bucket loads).
The Cooper register (the one that that bloke in a Hat chap is PR man for) also didn't accept the Rover Cooper as a true Cooper when it was launched and this went on for many years. However, the BMW version was accepted straight away. Now I'm not sure if this is because they learnt their mistakes over the Rover Cooper...or because their PR man is a fan of the BMW version. Being cynical I think it is the latter...

Mon

PS I've no wish to start anymore MINI v Mini things here, I'm just replying to a posting. If you want some MINI v Mini banter then pop over to www.miniclassic.co.uk and follow the Mini v MINI link

Oi, bawbag! You trying to tell me my 1992 Cooper isn't eh! Well in the imortal words of Martyn, it says Cooper on the front (side, back, steering wheel, V5, MOT) so it must be!

 

[Mon]

LOL!!!
I bet you've been dying to say that to someone...

Mon

 

[R1]

Oi, bawbag! You trying to tell me my 1992 Cooper isn't eh! Well in the imortal words of Martyn, it says Cooper on the front (side, back, steering wheel, V5, MOT) so it must be!

My MINI has Cooper on the back and on the door sills, so mine must be a true Cooper.

 

[BrianMini]

My MINI has Cooper on the back and on the door sills, so mine must be a true Cooper.

That would be MINI Cooper and not a true Mini Cooper then...

 

[Mon]

R1, I think yours is a true BMW MINI Cooper as there have been no original versions for which to compare yours to. However there have been original Mini Coopers and these were very different from the re-introduced Rover Cooper, which was designed to sell units and not win races...

Mind you I have no problem with either car and own a Rover Cooper myself...

But for those of you that disagree with my view, can you please tell me why a Rover Cooper is a real Cooper?

Mon

 

[blade929]

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z z z z z zzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[smartbomb]

I have a 1998 Rover Cooper, which is identical in most respects to the non Cooper minis of the time. At least the MINI Cooper has a performance difference over the ONE.
Oh BTW Mr Hat I beleive has a MINI !

The mini v MINI is a bottomless can of worms....

 

[Dogger]

Z Z Z Z Z Z Z z z z z zzzzzzzzzzzz

I'll second that..

Surely you buy a car in the present for what it does for you in the present? Who cares what the badge meant (past tense), it's what it means to you now that matters?

 

[BlisterinCooper]

But for those of you that disagree with my view, can you please tell me why a Rover Cooper is a real Cooper?Mon

Because it was endorsed by John Cooper. The "R" reg Cooper I saw this morning even had his signature on it. If it's good enough for the man himself .. ? Then again, so was the BMW MINI.

 

[Mon]

The Rover Cooper was only ever made so that both Rover and John Cooper Garages could make money (mainly out of the Japanese). The Cooper name was used on the BMW MINI for exactly the same reason...to make money. Anyone who cannot see this is living a very blinkered life.
Both the Rover Cooper and the BMW MINI Cooper were "good enough for the man himself" because they both brought/bring in the wonga. John Cooper Garages are in the business to make money.

Mon

PS For all of you who can only manage a yawn when replying, can I suggest that if the posting is not of interest to you that you don't reply to it...just a suggestion so that you don't waste too much of your time (or mine)

 

[smiffy]

Now......where did I put that padlock

 

[smartbomb]

Mon,
I totally agree ! By adding the Cooper name to latter day minis was to create another special edition. The mini survived well on a raft of numerous limited editions. I don't suppose for one moment that Mr Cooper had any qulams about having his name put onto those cars. Besides it's a money spinner as you have pointed out. The MINI Cooper at least has a power advantage over the non Cooper model, instead of just a differnt appearance. I guess the only genuine Coopers are those fettled down in Sussex.

 

[Dogger]

..PS For all of you who can only manage a yawn when replying, can I suggest that if the posting is not of interest to you that you don't reply to it...just a suggestion so that you don't waste too much of your time (or mine)

Mon - I don't think the topic is boring or passe (no comment) - I just think it's one of those subjects that people have very passionate views about which no ammount of debate is going to change.

I'm sure everyone knows that BMW and Cooper garages are in it for the money, my earlier point was why can't people just enjoy their cars for what they are and save space on here for more constructive debates?