Next Gen MINI to Have Clip On Roof?

Sections: Uncategorized Jun 29th, 2004 18 Comments

You may want to file this under rumor: AutoExpress is reporting that the next generation MINI may have a clip-on roof that would help with production times. Here's an excerpt:

The Oxford factory is already working flat-out to try to keep up with customer demand, but it can only make 180,000 models a year. It's the plant's paintshop which is being blamed for slowing the manufacturing process down, and Auto Express can reveal that it's the number of orders for colour-contrasting roofs which is causing the logjam.

A senior BMW boss admitted that painting the main body of the car and the roof different colours was causing a serious problem, and that a plastic coating – which could be clipped to MINI's distinctive roof gutter while the car rolls down the production line – might be the best solution.

BMW is said to be wary of investing more money in the Oxford factory before the next- generation model's arrival. Insiders say engineers are now working hard on a new version that's not as expensive to manufacture, yet won't affect the car's reputation for handling and distinctive design. Not only does the new car have to be cheaper to make, its chassis has to be able to be stretched so a sports estate version can be made, and possibly even a baby MPV.

Read [AutoExpress]

Written By: MF Staff

Erik

Uh, sounds like a crappy solution to me. I'd better order up my MCS before they make this idea reality.
Don

This makes no sense. MINI has been striving to make this vehicle as hig quality as possible. They wouldn't cut corners like that. I think the blogger of that rumor is just looking for attention.
http://www.gbmini.net Ian Cull

I think this idea could work if well implemented … we have seen many times now where the Internet community gets upset about a rumoured change spoiling the MINI, and it turns out to be a non-negative change.

I am more interested in rumours about the “stretched chassis” …
http://cooperchronicle.com Steven Diver

As with anything, there are two sides to this. Like Ian said, it could be great if implemented well, and the possibilities are very intriguing indeed. Just imagine being able to own multiple roofs, with different patterns. Roof graphics seem to be one of the most common ways of “you-ifying” a MINI.

The knee jerk reaction of people to instantly put this down probably comes more from the stigma of plastic bodied cars, especially in the US. But if Hummer H2 owners can live with it, I'm sure MINI owners could too…
Evan

I hope for two things:

1) No plastic roof. Keep production at 180,000. Keep the MINI especially special.

2) A stretched four door “estate” would be awesome. A baby MPV would make me cringe. This would be even worse than the X3 and X5 whose wagon counterparts are much better.

I question AutoExpress as a source too. How often have they been accurate in the past?

We know production is maxed out. If BMW is to be cautious, let's leave it maxed out. It's far better to have wait lists than to have overstock. They should keep the money in the quality of the 180,000 they make and not disturb that by looking ways to increase production to satify a demand which may to easily satiated with an additional 50-75,000 units a year. Right?
OregonCooper

This sounds like something water could get under, causing mold and/or corrosion.
pete

uhh, i said it once, and i will say it again. MINI is making their cars cheaper to produce, meanwhile leaving the buyer price the same, im glad i have an 04 mcs, the plastic roof design is just a recipe for crap, and i think that perhaps they should just make other paintshops around oxford for the cars to be shipped and painted,the gutter is a perfect design feature, and i will go to oxford myself and scream at that new designer to leave it as is, i already dont like what he's done to the lights
Vanwall
I have clip-on sunglasses, but I'm not too thrilled about the clip-on roof idea.
```
   BCNU,
 Rob in Dago
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John in Vancouver

I have a 2005 MCS on order right now. I sure hope they don't screw it up to save money. I am not thrilled with the new headlight design either, but stretching the chassis and a plastic roof are over the top.
jo

add roof locks to your order of wheel locks.

i hop that when my lifestyle allows for a mini, that the mini will still be the mini
MinnieDriver

The production backlog is a definite problem – at least for the consumer. We put down a deposit for an MCS in November '03, and our car has not yet been alloted to build. We completely missed out on the 04MY and our first color choice, Indi Blue.

It looks like our order will be alloted next month, but the dealership can't even give us details on the new colors or specifics/price of new options. MotoringFile and other sites have given us the most info to date.

I don't want to see a reduction in quality, but frankly can't understand how some can advocate this kind of wait. Sure, I want to be unique, but the world would be a better place with more MINI's!
dino

just ordered my 05 MCS [will be here in aug] and i have been hitting the sites daily in anticipation. i am surprised that a car that is barely 3 years into its latest incarnation has changed so much.

i like many of the interior changes for the 05 and seem to be one of the few who digs the new lights (the car has always seemed to me to be a mix of modern design with classic roots). but clipping things onto the car is going a bit far.

the contrasting roof is part of what sets the car apart by allowing people to customize their mini.

unless of course you are the one doing the clipping to make it more custom.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Just a clarification – actually the MINI went on sale around July 1 2001 in the UK making this the 4th year of production we're entering. It was introduced in the US in March of 2002.
John in Vancouver

MinnieDriver, Where are you located? Our local dealer is telling us eight to ten months on the west coast and that seemed long until I saw your post!
MinnieDriver

I'm ordering through Rasmussen MINI in Portland, Ore. If you live in Washington state, we probably have the same dealer. They told us 8 to 10 months last November.
OregonCooper

I ordered my MC through Rasmussen in November and got it in March. Good thing I got the regular MC since I needed the car by early June.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

If done right (and I would doubt that MINI/BMW would jump into it w/o making sure it's right) it could be a good thing. A very good thing. Just think of what you could do with easily replaceable roofs. Not sure if you want to sully your pristine white roof with a graphic? Now you can have two roofs. I can just image the extra-obsessed MINI owners having collections of roofs in various colors and designs.

And that's not a bad thing is it?
Jamie

Where could I get a Celtic football club badge roof design?

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