New MINIs and Classic Minis.

[Miglia 888]

It's been slowly creeping ever closer over the years, and with 28,044 posts on both sections this morning, today's the day that posts in the New MINIs section finally overtook the Classic Minis section - with this one, #28,045...

As both a former classic Mini owner & racer, and a modern MINI owner, I'm just happy that enthusiasm for both the classic and modern versions is flourishing.

[HorneyMX5]

There's still a load of animosity though. I've owned both over the years and my R53 was actually older when I bought it last year at 17 years old than many of the classics I bought in the early 2000s. Still many of the classic owners look down their noses, I don't think they appreciate that the modern cars are keeping the scene alive as the number of classics at the shows has dwindled to a level where they couldn't support the event son their own anymore. It's sad really as most MINI owners love classics as well.

On top of all that the MINI has really taken on the Mini's role. They're thousands of them and the early ones are cheap and handy motors to pick up as first car. Also the MINI has managed to keep that classless image and people from all walks of life own them, even if they have more exotic stuff in the garage.

[R53rider]

HorneyMX5 said:

There's still a load of animosity though. I've owned both over the years and my R53 was actually older when I bought it last year at 17 years old than many of the classics I bought in the early 2000s. Still many of the classic owners look down their noses, I don't think they appreciate that the modern cars are keeping the scene alive as the number of classics at the shows has dwindled to a level where they couldn't support the event son their own anymore. It's sad really as most MINI owners love classics as well.

On top of all that the MINI has really taken on the Mini's role. They're thousands of them and the early ones are cheap and handy motors to pick up as first car. Also the MINI has managed to keep that classless image and people from all walks of life own them, even if they have more exotic stuff in the garage.

Yes, there IS a lot of animosity towards the Gen1 MINIs, never mind the later ones, from the classic Mini community. I've had classics as well, currently an R53 S. Second 'for fun and piddle money away on mods' car! Success there. I'm on the FB Group R53 Owners Club. And there is even a sub-cult/set of animosity - R53 owners hiss about R56s!!
I was in Mid Wales anyway in June, so I pitched up for the Elan Valley Mini Run. About 240 cars, only 10 or so New MINIs, rest all classic Minis. Did see one at least with "True Brit - No German st" across the back screen. Ah well! Sigh.

[GiveItSomeWellie]

R53rider said:

Did see one at least with "True Brit - No German st" across the back screen

Always have a chuckle when they're stuck to a post 1994 classic Mini

The way some owners of classics have conducted themselves has not helped my overall impression of the classic Mini community, a shame really because I've always wanted to have one. I've been part of various MINI clubs since 2006 and not once have I seen any bad blood from new to old, but plenty directed the other way. Oh well.

As an aside I am also a big Land Rover fan, looking forward to seeing how the current Defender owners react when the new one is launched soon, I'm guessing it could be quite similar (there are still a few people who argue over leaf sprung vs. coil sprung, 33 years after LR stopped selling leaf sprung cars )

Edited by GiveItSomeWellie on Friday 16th November 10:50

[R53rider]

GiveItSomeWellie said:

As an aside I am also a big Land Rover fan, looking forward to seeing how the current Defender owners react when the new one is launched soon, I'm guessing it could be quite similar (there are still a few people who argue over leaf sprung vs. coil sprung, 33 years after LR stopped selling leaf sprung cars )

Edited by GiveItSomeWellie on Friday 16th November 10:50

Oh it will be fierce I'm sure! I had a couple of Defenders - they are legends, big fan. Hard for LR to replace, like the classic Mini. I had a 1964 ex Military canvas tilt for 20 years. Strangely the guy who bought it came all the way from Denmark and took it back there.

[anonymous-user]

Good to see the old rivalry is still going on I had a Mini when the MINI came out and had a "100% free of BMW parts" sticker on the back
When I sold it, I moved onto a New Beetle convertible as my toy, so my morals are fairly flexible ! I have to say though, that as time goes by, the first gen MINI is a good modern replacement for the Mini. I have seen quite a few nicely modified (and standard) MINI's that could tempt me to the dark side !

[R53rider]

Grahamdub said:

Good to see the old rivalry is still going on I had a Mini when the MINI came out and had a "100% free of BMW parts" sticker on the back
When I sold it, I moved onto a New Beetle convertible as my toy, so my morals are fairly flexible ! I have to say though, that as time goes by, the first gen MINI is a good modern replacement for the Mini. I have seen quite a few nicely modified (and standard) MINI's that could tempt me to the dark side !

There is a reason for that old bean.
Gen1s are as close as you are going to get to a Mini. They were 99.95% conceived, designed, developed and engineered by Rover, not BMW. With the aim to keep it as close to the spirit, feel, concept of the classic Mini. BMW did a bit of sniping from the sidelines, but not a lot. So for the classic Mini crew, you can tell them they are RINIs, not BINIs. The Gen2 is a BINI. Because by 2006 BMW had got their Germanic hands on it, determined to turn it into a civilised car😄. Read the (appalingly badly written) book New MINI by Graham Robson.

[and31]

ash73 said:

Gen2 is faster, more refined and economical; Gen1 has a rattly interior and a drink problem.

Gen 2 cooper s’ have a rattly engine problem...

I’ll stick with with my R53 with a rattly interior and thirsty engine over an R56 and its timebomb engine ....

Edited by and31 on Friday 23 November 21:46