Would You Buy a 4 Door MINI?

Sections: R55 (Clubman) May 2nd, 2003 43 Comments

It's been rumored for some time that MINI has been toying with the idea of a 4 door MINI. It would seem that MINI would be trying to broaden the appeal of the car with this move. However my questions is who would this vehicle appeal to? Would anyone here consider it? Here's the article from last January about the possibility of a 4 door MINI:

BMW designers are toying with the idea of rear sliding doors like those on the forthcoming Peugeot 107. Access to the boot could be via two individual doors opening outwards like the old Mini Traveller. Power will come from all-new four cylinder petrol engines, the result of a joint venture between BMW & Peugeot-Citroen. The move will ensure that BMW can ditch the current 1.6litre Chrysler engine now supplied by arch-rival Mercedes-Benz. (bmw2002.co.uk)

Thoughts?

Written By: MF Staff

NekoWoman

I'd love it. Nice set of choices if the original two were available plus the cabrio and 4 door. Now we need a wagon and a truck!
Steve Rosenblum

I'm torn.. The things I like about my MINI is it's size, looks, and great handling from having such a tight body structure. Can't tell from the picture, but I imagine some size,ridgitiy, and looks would be compomised with the extra doors. I do tote kids around in mine, and it is tighter in the back than our Suburu wagon of course.. That said, a Travelers or Woody version with the extra doors would look pretty cool.
http://www.starwars.com Michael S.

NO WAY! If I wanted a 4-door I'd get a different car.
Robert Mooney

I'd buy one in a minute!
Andrew Maylahn

I'd like to see a two door variant of this (like the old Mini Countryman.) The car's got to have those two swing out doors. A one-piece side opening door (like a PT Cruiser) wouldn't look right. Wood trim would be a cool option.
http://www.marusin.com mike m

I'd trade in my Cooper today for that… I like my car and I like the size but for anything other than myself commuting it's impractical.
BMWMCS3

How about a woodie version?
Frank

Oh yeah, you bet! I would buy one in a jiffy. A 5 door “Traveller” MINI wagon would be the perfect car for those with young families and still wanting all the fun and handling prowess of the current 3 door MINI, in a more practical wrapper.

MINI is fully aware that there is a market for this car but unfortunately it will not be available until 2006 or 2007. Too bad because I don't like the current MINI cabrio and think that MINI should have spent time and resources in giving us a more practical but still fun MINI variant. A MINI Traveller wagon 'S' would be the icing on the cake.
http://www.geocities.com/blue_mini_cooper_2003/ drew

And what about a MINI stretch limo? How about a Clubman hearse?
Rob
My wife Chris is already the first on Long Beach MINI's list if a Countryman style MINI ever appears. Gotta have the barn-doors in back, tho.
```
   BCNU,
 Rob in Dago
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nomo

no way in hell…. mini isnt meant for 4 doors.
Tiffany Lueck

I can't wait for the four door version. We are planning on starting a family in the next year and while our MCS will work for a while, I'll need more room later. Even moms need to MOTOR!
vlm

If only there were a MINI could compete in roughly the same space as a 4WD sport wagon, we'd be a two-MINI family. D.H. has his eye on some rugged non-SUV monster for his next car, but he loooooooves the MINI!
SB

Every one seems to forget that the original Mini had many variations to fill the need of many different life styles, because it has 4 doors i'm sure a lot of current owners will feel slighted (especially those who don't remember the original or it other styles) remember a mini is a mini is a mini no matter how many doors it has.
Tom F.

It would be great for us. We need to replace our second car, and if it had easy rear access egress for passengers I would buy it in a second.

We haul rear passengers about 40% of the time, our 13 y.o. boy and his friends. Though he loved the backseat for the test drive, he has grown five inches since then.

I would not, however, want “partial access” like the Honda Element. We want a real rear door- actually, two of them.

Tom F.
Mark S.

I love the idea of the 4 door MINI. I have a 5 and a 3 year old and am buying a MINI this year and had to convince my wife there would be enough room for the kids in the back. This would be a no brainer fo me and I will look forward to trading my Near future MINI for the 4-door MINI.

Look forward to seeing the 4-door in the future

Let's Motor Mark
Pebbles

I love it. Those doors on the back are great! I could have my small MCS now and then get a Traveller in 2008! Wow, what a happy garage! Two MINIs!
AC

I like the look of suicide doors for the rear, but I still would prefer a two-door for myself.

Now if you came out with a van version….
Pat Michael

I'd like to see it as a “quad-coupe” like the Saturn Ion with the rear lift door unchanged from the current.
Kerri

I LOVE IT!! I've been wanting a Mini but the husband says we need 4 doors for the kids…this way we are both happy!
Byron Wampler

I'd buy this in a minute, in the color above…4 doors don't interest me in particular, but I'd take them, but the extra storage and hatch would be nice
David Lopez

Absalutely,I'm waiting and ready!
Dan

I'v been a Mini nut from day one, as my dad has had 36 in his possession and togther we have restored sevral, including a 1964 woodie tr avler. I think the idea af a 4 doors is practial and may have a positive effect in in the market, it's just not a mini, maybe if they had made a 4 door in the early version it might be more acceptable. I just wonder if the devolapment cost would be covered by sales.
Karen

Yes. In a heartbeat. With kids and an elderly in-law, this would make back set accessability great.

Right now I have a Saturn 3-door coupe and it has been wonderful. If the mini had this, I’d buy it tomorrow.
http://www.cars.com James Carpenter

I like mini’s alot and i also like change i like the fact that mini “BMW” is thinking about making it revolutionalized for the 21st centery but making a 4 door is good no boubt but if you need a 4 door car get a volkswagen or ford ext. if you need a 4 door car you shouldn’t be looking at a mini to start with.
Mike

This is so old but I figured I’d comment since my situation has changed recently.

Just traded our beloved Mini Cooper on a Scion xA. Downgrade in fun and features, upgrade in practicality for a family. Sometimes the Volvo wagon likes to stay in the garage!

Build it and I will come back (happily) to a not-so-Mini-Mini.
http://www.usfamily.net Terry & Pat

How MINI is too MINI? I would love to have 2 MINI,S in my garage & think the 4 door would fix just nicely.
Mike

Pfft.

If I wanted a $45K 4-door that was as fun to drive as my mini-convertible, I would buy a M3.
Jim

Would buy one straight away!!! would not have to think, best idea ever, would be more pratical and still be so much fun to drive!
larry

i would buy one straight away- the thought of a four door mini brings joy to my life
http://AskJeeves Rena L. McCune

I want a four-door Mini Cooper. When can I buy one?
http://www.motoringfile.com/2003/05/02/WouldYouBuyA4DoorMINI#comment-43783 jeremy

heck ya I want one!!!. perfect for someone who wants a cool little car and has a kid…
James

Heck no i have a two door. and it would be a disaster to make a four door. It would desrtroy the whole idea of a mini. if you want a four door hatchback get a dodge magnum.
minidave

Why stop at 4 doors? Why not 19″ wheels, V6 AWD, Dual moonroofs, 6 tv’s and a sliding 3rd row seat? Oh, yeah, it’s supposed to be a mini. Minimalist. cheap and easy to buy and run. fuel efficient and space efficient. Oh, by the way it handles brilliantly, who’d have thought?
MINI Man Dan

I’m a student and have a mini s and I bloody love it but it wheel spins too easily they should only improve it by adding a 4wd option so cut that out
Shabz

great! but am not too concinced with the sliding doors, swing out ones would definately be better
Arlene Adams

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!
diana

I am ready to buy one right now! This post has been up since 2003? Does anyone have any new information as to when they are or if they are ever coming out with one?
adam

A 4 door is an evolution long time in coming. Like the 1997-98 4 door M3, it will be sucked up by all those who have families but want a sporty vehicle. It will also allay the question of safety in the back seat as I imagine there will be more room between the rear set and rear hatch.
DAVE IN DC

I AM SHOPPING FOR ONE NOW, BRING IT ON!
Mariam

An idea of a 4 door MINI is wicked, i’m taking my driving lessons and alredy looking for a car a small car and well i’ve got my family to ma mum, brothers they all want lifts lol and a Mini with a 4 door sounds like the perfect thing
rick

when can i order one, i want to be one of the first
Wendy

I soooooo want one… I have kids and the 2dr just doesn’t work for us…

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