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
