RE: Mini Cooper S gets DCT 'box

[cerb4.5lee]

lenny007 said:

I really don't know who is in charge of the production vehicles side of Mini but they basically want taking out back and given a good shoeing.

Since R53 (and arguably) R56, it's been downhill on styling front and uphill on the size and weight front.

The current line up of Hatchback (which looks like it's trying to vomit out a black frisbee...(not forgetting the fake bonnet scoop)

I admit the looks of mine do absolutely nothing for me(luckily I've owned a few Bmw's so I'm used to ugly cars!). I do like the way it drives though and that's the main thing for me.

I'd love a go in the previous generations because everyone says that they're great to drive and the F56 is poor to drive in comparison.

[M1C]

I quite like the new rear lights.

I also strangely like the new Clubman. I think it's got a nice (proportional) side profile.

The 5dr hatch though...i struggle with. I do think it looks better in the metal than on photos but..it's not the most cohesive design.

[3yardy3]

I like the lights... Its different! Much better than the new Land Rover Lexus lights!!!

[Coolbanana]

phishsticks said:

I can't believe a good number of dour, sensible people saw those lights and went 'yes, that is a good idea'.

Well, obviously. The "dour" folks are gloomy by definition so they would have never signed off on anything remotely 'fun'.

I like the lights, "dour" folks can keep their beige and tweedy styles, chew at their pipes and whinge while some of us encourage fun ideas on what are, great-to-drive cars.

[phishsticks]

Coolbanana said:

Well, obviously. The "dour" folks are gloomy by definition so they would have never signed off on anything remotely 'fun'.

I like the lights, "dour" folks can keep their beige and tweedy styles, chew at their pipes and whinge while some of us encourage fun ideas on what are, great-to-drive cars.

Dour is good, beige is good, I'm off to find something to scowl at.

[Killer1]

I bought a new Mini Cooper S about three weeks ago and the dealership never mentioned a face lift. Nice of them. Mildly annoying but then again it looks worse with the face lift

ps their customer satisfaction survey is sitting in my inbox. May fill it out now.

[cerb4.5lee]

Killer1 said:

I bought a new Mini Cooper S about three weeks ago and the dealership never mentioned a face lift. Nice of them. Mildly annoying but then again it looks worse with the face lift

ps their customer satisfaction survey is sitting in my inbox. May fill it out now.

I had mine new last August and its got the new fuel gauge and the sport toggle switch on the dash. I do much prefer the new LED front lights though how the ring goes all the way around rather than just half way around on mine.

With the rear lights I can't make my mind up whether they're funky or slightly tacky, it is a little naughty of your dealer not mentioning the facelift so close to release I reckon.

[Killer1]

cerb4.5lee said:

I had mine new last August and its got the new fuel gauge and the sport toggle switch on the dash. I do much prefer the new LED front lights though how the ring goes all the way around rather than just half way around on mine.

With the rear lights I can't make my mind up whether they're funky or slightly tacky, it is a little naughty of your dealer not mentioning the facelift so close to release I reckon.

Pretty naughty of the salesman but not surprising, as I guess he wanted his Christmas numbers.

I didn't see the back lights had the union jack on them. That is so naff. Really awful. There must be an option to not have them with the flag.

[cerb4.5lee]

Killer1 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I had mine new last August and its got the new fuel gauge and the sport toggle switch on the dash. I do much prefer the new LED front lights though how the ring goes all the way around rather than just half way around on mine.

With the rear lights I can't make my mind up whether they're funky or slightly tacky, it is a little naughty of your dealer not mentioning the facelift so close to release I reckon.

Pretty naughty of the salesman but not surprising, as I guess he wanted his Christmas numbers.

I didn't see the back lights had the union jack on them. That is so naff. Really awful. There must be an option to not have them with the flag.

Yes and I suppose you can see why the salesman hasn't mentioned it. I've been searching to see if the union Jack is standard or not on the rear lights...I'm still not sure if it is or not though.

[Mr2Mike]

Coolbanana said:

phishsticks said:

I can't believe a good number of dour, sensible people saw those lights and went 'yes, that is a good idea'.

Well, obviously. The "dour" folks are gloomy by definition so they would have never signed off on anything remotely 'fun'.

I like the lights, "dour" folks can keep their beige and tweedy styles, chew at their pipes and whinge while some of us encourage fun ideas on what are, great-to-drive cars.

There seems to be some confusion between dour and "having good taste". The primary redeeming feature of the MINI is the fact that you don't have to look at the vomit inducing exterior whilst you are having fun driving it.

[Court_S]

We have an F56 MINI Cooper and I like it - the Cooper is better looking than the S to my eyes depsite the large rear lights. It feels like a step up from the previous models to me in terms of the interior (I was a huge R53 fan - I ahd three of them). It dirves pretty well but isn't as good as the original MINI.

The rear lights are pretty naff as are the puddle lights. The DCT sounds like it will suit the S better than the old autobox and the full ring LED's to the headlights is good too.

I like the Clubman and don't even mind the new Countryman.

[CarsOrBikes]

lenny007 said:

or the current Clubman where they ordered the rear lights before deciding where to put them...



(please, in the facelift, just rotate the lights 90 degrees. It won't cost anything with respect to manufacturing costs, just put them where they belong!)

It's coming to something when the most appealing car in the range is the new Countryman which at least looks in proportion and the styling cues fit the car. Unless you look at the cost where you realise that a reasonably specced one to look like they do in the ads is north of £30K.

Some people may not have liked the R53 when it first came out as it was not a "real mini" but in hindsight, it may just have been the highlight of the brand since it's relaunch. Which is sad in so many ways.

The only thing wrong with these lights is that the wrong ones light up for the brake lights, the bottom ones come on which should be fog lights, the ones in front of you, the main lights, should be brake.

R53 was actually of British design apparently, it would have to have been given the design stage is years before release and they were out in '01 when still selling the last of the classics. Anyway, point is it explains why the 53 has such a following, and it follows the 'wheel in each corner' principle too. The stuff after doesn't, and has none of the same driving engagement unless altered.

[HorneyMX5]

CarsOrBikes said:

The only thing wrong with these lights is that the wrong ones light up for the brake lights, the bottom ones come on which should be fog lights, the ones in front of you, the main lights, should be brake.

That's because if the doors are open you wouldn't see the lights. The previous gen clubman the lights are fixed to the body and there's a whole in the door. When you open the doors the lights are still visible from behind. Deemed too expensive for Gen2 clubman so 2 sets of lights used instead.

[Loyly]

The new lights look st and very tacky, but I would imagine they'll appeal more to trendy Soho types than BNP members, contrary to assertions made in this thread!

The Mini remains a great car. I would have had a Mini Cooper S as my next car but I've decided to go back to a sports car again.

[NJJ]

The first gen MINI was just so right in terms of design and still looks fresh today. Please MINI drop the fish- face fronts and cartoon oversized rear lights and stop trying so hard to emphasise your 'British Roots'. Go small or go home, the MINI Rocketman concept would be a good place to start !

[Fox-]

Killer1 said:

I bought a new Mini Cooper S about three weeks ago and the dealership never mentioned a face lift. Nice of them.

Because they didn't know - they don't tell the dealers until the press release comes out.

This information leaked in September anyway, so it was easily findable online that there would be an LCI from March production.

We took delivery of a new Mini last weekend - but we ordered in October after finding the details of the facelift and deciding it wasn't worth waiting for. The only thing I'm dissapointed about is the revised navigation, I find it infuriating and unreasonable that current Mini does not have Realtime Traffic Information despite the fact it has exactly the same nav system as my 5 Series does. All of the connected drive stuff in the Mini is fairly rubbish and I don't get why. It's the same kit as the BMW?!

[Wish]

Called the dealer today and ordered my wife’s new MINI JCW.
Arrives April. This will be her 16th new MINI. Sad I know, I just can’t get her out of them.

Anyone want a 66 plate JCW with 7,000 miles on the clock ?
Red with a black roof. Lots of extras inc Bluetooth exhaust, spotlamps, Nav, heads up display, Harmon Karon sounds system, front and rear park control with Reverse camera, 3years free servicing. 18” Wheels, unrated interior with red colour line and piano black finishers, chrome line interior, bonnet stripes.

[NJJ]

ash73 said:

NJJ said:

The first gen MINI was just so right in terms of design and still looks fresh today.

Liked a drink though, and the trim squeaked like a frustrated teenager on a spring bed.

Can vouch for that but in 'S' form with the Supercharger they just have so much character that unless you're doing mega miles you don't begrudge the mid 20's mpg.

[DoctorX]

Wish said:

Called the dealer today and ordered my wife’s new MINI JCW.
Arrives April. This will be her 16th new MINI. Sad I know, I just can’t get her out of them.

Anyone want a 66 plate JCW with 7,000 miles on the clock ?
Red with a black roof. Lots of extras inc Bluetooth exhaust, spotlamps, Nav, heads up display, Harmon Karon sounds system, front and rear park control with Reverse camera, 3years free servicing. 18” Wheels, unrated interior with red colour line and piano black finishers, chrome line interior, bonnet stripes.

16th! Is that one a year or thereabouts? Ouch.

[tomic]

ducnick said:

How long before Kahn copies those rear light for range rovers?

I really enjoyed the older mini I had as a bmw courtesy car, but could not entertain a Nigel Farage edition with dazzling headlights and put up being flashed by all oncoming traffic.

I imagine Kahn will be using the City of Bradford flag instead of the Union Jack though.