BMW ruins the Mini (again)

colm_mcm

Not happy with imitating Smart and just launching loads of pointless spin-offs and diluting the brand for a fast buck, BMW have rejigged the evergreen Mini.
The original proved that if its any way right to start with, people will continue to buy it. For me, a lot of the appeal of the new mini was its short overhangs, and upright front.
With its long low nose, its lost all its character now it looks like one of those Chinese imitation minis

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2014-mini-pictured-undisguised

It looks like a Goldfish.

Henry Ford III

Lights are a bit odd, butI still like the modern MINI. Especially the quicker versions.

Whatnuclearsub

I agree with the OP, the classic mini is still the best!

Northern Monkey

Presume the lower bonnet is for pedestrian safety?

colm_mcm

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

I agree with the OP, the classic mini is still the best!

Just to be clear. I'm a fan of the modern mini hatchback up to this point.

Marcusm

It looks as if it's having a bad day and has put a sad face on. Hopefully this is just a poorly angled shot.

dharma200

The recent bmw minis are hideous, that one should be burnt.

Whatnuclearsub

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just to be clear. I'm a fan of the modern mini hatchback up to this point.

really, why? the classic mini is faster, better handling, better looking and doesn't have run flat tyres, I hate run flat tyres!

dgt

I think I can see the inspiration....

listermint

Sorry OP,


not seeing much of a difference short of a slight alteration of degree in the front incline. Other than that theres nothing in it to get worked up over tbh

ba_barabus

Piling on the pounds and getting droopy with age.

They know their target market anyway I'll give them that much.

vrusinov

Stop comparing new mini with original mini!

New mini is just a small agile fwd BMW and once you start looking at it from this point of view you will be much happier.

I like new view: it looks more aggressive and more BMW-ish.

Saab Ed

Has anybody else ever noticed that they gave the new Clubman the wrong name. The old estate version of the original Mini was named Traveller and not Clubman. The Clubman had a more square front end.

Mr.David

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

really, why? the classic mini is faster, better handling

Are you sure about that?

beerbaron

Saab Ed wrote: »

Has anybody else ever noticed that they gave the new Clubman the wrong name. The old estate version of the original Mini was named Traveller and not Clubman. The Clubman had a more square front end.

It would have been a huge seller in Rathkeale

Saab Ed

I actually thought that Ze Germans did a good job with the 2002 new Mini. Its just that everything else since has been a cynical abuse of the brand name. The Coupe thing and Clubman are dogs and where do you start with the Countryman! What an abortion of a yoke. Out 500Ls the 500L for imagination of how far you can outstretch the limitations of a brand image.

Whatnuclearsub

Mr.David wrote: »

Are you sure about that?

Yeah, the classic mini has a much lower centre of gravity and is small and agile, can't say the same for the new mini.

Donnelly117

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

really, why? the classic mini is faster, better handling

In what way is the old mini faster? Compare the fastest stock old mini (not some drag car with a busa engine) to an R56 JCW GP and I think you will find it will be left for dead. To say the old mini is faster is just ridiculous.

djimi

It looks like it has just seen itself in a mirror and is startled/horrified by how it looks...

Whatnuclearsub

Donnelly117 wrote: »

In what way is the old mini faster? Compare the fastest stock old mini (not some drag car with a busa engine) to an R56 JCW GP and I think you will find it will be left for dead. To say the old mini is faster is just ridiculous.

Ok, 0 to 60 it will be left for dead, but the old minis handling is vastly better, the thing was like a go kart. I would take the old mini over the new any day!

_Kaiser_

Must be all the lighting cause I thought that was a toy car at first glance!

bmstuff

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Must be all the lighting cause I thought that was a toy car at first glance!

I know the feeling, does that to me at any angle :-)
But the interior is really what puts me off to be honest...

I understand the appeal for the car though and nicely modded ones look great I have to admit

Muckie

Cars evolve or in this case mutate.

The first BMW remake of the mini was pretty good.

From there on, its been pumped with steroids, stretch and now had its face altered to look like a bad copy.

Shame.

Layinghen

I think it looks very angry.

ba_barabus

Layinghen wrote: »

I think it looks very angry.

Probably pissed off with it's expanding waistline after looking in the mirror.

cpoh1

Whatnuclearsub wrote: »

Ok, 0 to 60 it will be left for dead, but the old minis handling is vastly better, the thing was like a go kart. I would take the old mini over the new any day!

You would be surprised - the newer minis handle superbly and ride is great too without the runflats. Sit in a standard old mini with no modifications and while it is a hoot to drive because of the size and weight it is slower in every way than the newer model (corners, straights, track)

I would be more concerned if I was BMW in trying to improve reliability with the new minis than worry about aesthetics. The current models are horrendous reliability wise.

Zubeneschamali

I own an '06 Cooper and this looks OK to me, practically unchanged bar the bonnet and headlights.

I see the fuel filler is on the right, they could offer a suicide rear door on the correct side of the Clubman this time.