Have you seen their 1 page "First Drive" write-up in the October, '06 issue?

I quote:

"So, is it possible to make the Mini bigger, stronger, and faster without losing the current car's tossable nature and front-wheel-drive-apes-rear-wheel-drive feel? Unfortunately, it doesn't seem so."

and

"In many ways, the 2007 Mini reminds us more of Volkswagen's competent yet workmanlike GTI and less of the talented and special 2002-2006 Mini. This is not a bad thing; VW sells a lot of GTIs. We're just not so sure BMW needs to sell one, too."

 

Ouch

 

Glad I have an 06...

 

This quote may explain part of that review.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...mini_cooper_s/

 

So the reporters are starting to say the things I was afraid to hear...

Glad I ordered an 06 MCS when I had the chance!

Drew

 

I am going to have to find a used 05 or 06 wen i get ready to buy.

 

hmmm....3 inches longer? What are they compensating for?

 

I've noticed there is a sport suspension package, and a 'regular' package on the Cooper S. I wonder if he drove the regular car? I've been reading most of these reviews and they don't really specify one way or another which car they're driving.

 

I was afraid of that. Not a good omen.

 

I saw that too, but it was on the European spec sheet. I wonder if that will be an option here or not. That doesn't mean he wasn't driving the base suspension for his test though...

Drew

 

His OPINION on a pre-production car that he admits is bigger, stronger(where does that come in?) and faster. We all know BMW tuned the springs to be more comfortable with the run flats. This guy confuses BMW comfort with tossability? And tell me, does your FWD MINI really feel like RWD? The ones I have test driven did not.

 

wow, automobile magazine loved the S in their four seasons test

 

The latest story is on the 2007 model.

 

The original Mini lasted 40 years without a major unibody change, although we were subject to suspension/engine switcheroos. BMW goes six years and changes all at once, hmmm. no wonder the motojornos are upset.

 

When I first heard of what was being planned for 2007, I RAN to my dealer and ordered a 2006.

 

I have a 2006 because I really liked the way the car was done. The unknown quality of the 2007 put me off. The turbo especially, yuck! If anyone asks I tell them to get an 06.

That being said, just because some hack wrote in a magazine that he/she didn't like it doesn't mean it's a bad car. We will have to drive one ourselves to make the final call.

 

Many cars are bigger, stronger and faster but IMO if MINI loses the "go-kart feel" we don't have SHITTT.

 

I believe the new car will be softer. A lot of my friends, especially my women friends, do not like to ride in my Mini because the ride is so stiff and the roads here in the North East suck. Also BMW said one of the main objectives in the redesign was to make it cheaper to produce, so I don't doubt that the new car has lost some of it's character. I'm not a hater, just a realist. The best BMW could hope to do with the redesign is to get rid of some rattles, raise the quality while retaining the great looks & drivability. But with the new European pedestrian safety measures they had to deal with & of course the need to change, if ever so slightly, the design, it seems that BMW did the best they could do. Still I think in time the first generation new Minis will be regarded as one of the great automotive classics of our time.

 

As I suspected...I am glad to have gotten my low miliage 04 a few months ago...Loaded.

Why is it that today if it ain't broke...they fix it anyway...

Will drive an 07 just for the heck of it...but as my fun car...The 04 is a keeper for me. In fact...why go thru all the modding trials again....maybe in about 3-5 yrs (before they change it again!)

If the 07 really is a dog...(probably not) the value of the 02-06 will be even firmer and the supply will dry up fast.

Similar thing happened when they did the Porsche in...my 81 911 SC went up $2000 and a nice one became impossible to find!

 

That's why they "fixed" it...the current Mini's popularity went way beyond any of their marketing executive wildest expectations so they did the logical thing...redesign it to be less expensive to build and crank up production CHA-CHING $$$$$$$$$$$..in other words, to compete with new Rabbit!

My prediction...don't be surprised that most of the new customer base will lack the devotion the current generation is so capable of...mostly leased or sell within two years...probably don't know that their's is the third generation Mini...don't care the scoop is fake (on MCS) and don't expect waves back...they'll think you're a nut case

 

If you want "Wild Mouse", buy up to 2006.

If you want an econobox, buy 2007.

 

bah, one reviewer's opinion on a car that hasn't even been officially released yet I could care less what this guy thinks; I'll be the judge as to whether I like the new S when I demo one next year.

If I dont like it, helllllooooo V8 M3

 

BMW had some major issues to deal with:

1) New European pedestrian safety regs that required a whole different approach to bumper height, crumple areas, etc.

2) The end of the BMW-Mercedes joint venture engine in Brasil. The dawn of the BMW-Peugeot joint venture engine in Europe.

3) Focus Groups.

4) More $$ demanded by the stockholders on MINI sales. Face it, the 01 - 06 MINI is too much car for the money. Greedy corporate weasels need more $$ to morph into fat cats.

 

Such haters. Its human nature I guess.

I would be looking for any excuse to hate the change if I stilled owed a good chunk of money on my car, or had sunk a ton of cash into modding it... only to find the next years model better in stock form or has potential to perform beyond the current model.

Same thing happened when the Caymen came out. A far better car than the 911 (at a lower price point, too). A TON of 911 owners were quick to point out the shortcomings. The reality is, when the dust settled, there weren't that many to find.

The same will be true over the next year with the R56: Suspension is softer, but IT WORKS BETTER (look at the GP for a clue as its the same design-many of the owners have commented on the soft ride… but INCREASED performance). The brakes are better (older Works brakes as stock). The power is on hand IMMEDIATELY with all the added torque (thanks to the new turbo). It's more fuel efficient. The quality of the interior is better. Plus, if you don't like it in stock form... the new turbo offers more tuning possibilities than the supercharger.

But that's the thing about a Mini. There aren't too many Mini’s out there in stock form for very long, are there? Classic, R50, R52 or R53. Each one gets their own little spin. That’s what will always set MINI apart from VW. A MINI truly becomes extensions of the owner’s individuality... as will the R56.

From what I've seen, mainly from 2 or 3 from a couple frequent posters here... it won't be new owners you have to be worried about not waving. It the few pretentious R53 owners who somehow think they're better, more enlightened, or somehow socially a step above the new R56 owner on the MINI ownership hierarchy.

 

Ouch... How's that for enlightenment

Seriously, I don't recall saying that I hate the new design...just disagree with how it became that way...I can safely bet that you like the 07 and probably have one on order...I don't mean to offend your senses but let's not assume our critique were born out of pretention...

I don't recall anyone saying that the would be buyers of the 07 models are "stupid, ignorant or tasteless"...hmmm? So can we leave out the name calling?