BMW Mini 9 years old

[Phil J]

At the risk of causing another storm I thought I'd bring it up

BMW mini's have been in production for 9 years now and yet the bad feeling still seems to be the same.

I have been thinking why this is and why so many people are dead against them?

The main reasons that I have heard and my opinion is ....

1. They are not a Mini apart from the badge !

Understandable but almost every successful car in history has gone through major changes, e.g, escorts, cortina, golfs.

2. BMW owners !

We have had a few BMW MINI owners on here in the past who made out that they were "better" than us and the famous quote from one was "We only drive classics because we cant afford a new Mini " seemed to be the last straw for many at the time including myself. But we have had many more classic owners who have acted a lot worse than them over the years.

3. BMW Treatment of Classic Suppliers.

This is where my main problem with the BMW Mini started. Their PR was an absolute disaster ! the way they closed down classic mini suppliers and threatened many more for having the cheek to use the word "Mini" in their business title was disgraceful But from a German run company I guess that should have been expected On the plus side they do seem to have changed their opinion and have made a public apology and have started to get more involved in the classic scene as proved by the major sponsorship money they put into the IMM last year.

Also, if BMW had been able to keep Rover going, despite the major mismanagement for years before and the unions killing off British industry, would you be more supportive of the new Mini now?

I know this thread could kick of but just wondering what people's real reason was for not liking the BMW Mini.

Do I like the BMW Mini ?
It's a love hate thing

Would I buy one?
If only I could bloody afford one

[ljonez]

think you have hit it on the head there.

do i like them?

not really fussed, just another euro box

would i buy one?

nope the fiat 500 abarth is better and cheaper

[Huntyfm]

I wouldnt buy one, they aren't very attractive, and as Lawson said, the 500 Abarth is a much nicer car tbh, very retro

[coedy]

Do I like the BMW Mini ?
They look all right (except the estates.. they fugly...),
Too expensive for what they are though...
BMW kicked classics to the kerb more than once before...
All in all... No...

Would I buy one?
Fiat 500 any day... If I had the Money to buy a Bini I would buy a fiat 500 and with the change treat Roxie.
Fiat 500 is a modern take on a classic design.. The New Bini's are the same shape (if you squint) Arn't in keeping with the design (engine layout, boot, folding rear seats), They are the size of a bus... and.... Not to mention they catch fire

[miniac]

if i had the 10,000 to buy one i would buy a cooper sport

[Huntyfm]

Id rather go down the old beetle root than a Bini

[coopdog]

the fiat 500 abarth yes please
160bhp

[boycie101]

do i like them ??
yes as a modern eurobox aslong as they don't try + make out it a mini as there no heritage attached to that mini car unlike the classic + yet to see a BINI win monte carlo or a rally race but i maybe wrong ??

would i buy 1

not a hells chance would i, you lot would skin me alive + i take enough stick over the wheel arch incident as it is ;D

[taffy1967]

I'm another old timer whose loved the Mini since I can remember because I never got car sick riding in them as a kiddie.

When I was about 6 years old I can also remember hiding the fact I was crying when I first saw them throwing the Minis off the cliff at the end of The Italian Job.

Then I remember in 1980 feeling sad because at first it seemed as if the MiniMutro was going to replace the fantastic Mini.

Anyway I never had any interest in Metros and I still don't (even though A+ engined Metros make good donors for Minis). So when BMW announced they'd be making a new cor blimey MINI I'd heard it all before.

But worst was the way they treated the small classic Mini businesses and the classic Mini owner and so I'll never be interested in their product, no matter what badge they put on the front of it.

It's not an icon and it never will be.

[daddypig]

Yes, they are only Mini by badge alone, but then as you said it's the evolution of any car. Escort, capri, etc no longer exist. At least BMW have now acknowledged it's roots and that can only mean better survival for the classic car.

I don't think BMW ever set out to improve the Mini but make a 'new' one using the name and some vague similarities in shape. Some BMW owners think they are better,but then so do a lot of classic Mini owners and within that Cooper owners feel more superior, etc, etc, on the whole I hope all would help a fellow motorist out.

I like the BMW MINI and yes, would buy one, but I love the classic Mini and need mine on the road, I think I would spend more on restoring a classic one than on a BMW MINI.

Anyway, just bought a Skoda Fabia VRS with a 180 BHP remap (told the wife it's only a diesel) so you can all throw stones at me now

[Huntyfm]

ah the VRS is insane, although they are very under rated cars, mainly because of the badge that labels them I suppose, I like that, it's just a diesel, well you didnt lie

[irish]

um,. there,,NOT MINIS! name me a pos bini that ever won anything!!!
?? i rest my case!

[irish]

Mar 29, 2010 16:29:35 GMT 1 @boycie101 said:

do i like them ??
yes as a modern eurobox aslong as they don't try + make out it a mini as there no heritage attached to that mini car unlike the classic + yet to see a BINI win monte carlo or a rally race but i maybe wrong ??

would i buy 1

not a hells chance would i, you lot would skin me alive + i take enough stick over the wheel arch incident as it is ;D

love you to bits boycie, but gess what:? your wrong! there poo!
there too big, !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[irish]

i pride myself on driving anything but poo! 4 minis! and a transit van! ive had for 10 years! minis i love to bits, get a life! i love those minis!! all of em,, most of the time!!!!!!!!!!

[taffy1967]

The voice of reason at last, now go and slap Phi because I think he's getting very odd ideas of late.

;D

[Phil J]

;D ;D ;D

I'm off up to Trainers BMW next week

[taffy1967]

Irish, I think it's time to call around Phil's with your double barrell mate and put him out of his misery.

Cruel to be kind and it'd be for the best.

;D

[irish]

the 1400 nutter 1967 van will be on the road soon! i,l give phil a go ;D but my insurance dosent cover saga members, its gonna be a bini killer!!!!!!!! why? because i can! ;D ;D ;D you better get those binis away from meeeeeeee! pos!