To me, the proposed changes serve to make the original version MINI even more special. There’s nothing to beat a first edition of a book, or of a classic car.

I disliked the new headlights until I saw them in person, I disliked the Chrome grill/mirror covers and other chrome exterior stuff until I actually saw them in person, still dislike chrome interior stuff, and really don’t like the woodsy look. I also did not like the smooth grill trim piece until I saw it in person.

One thing I really like is that MINI logo, center console, with the red center.

Not to start anything but the Z4 is SWEET!

But, I must admit most times it is fun to pontificate on these items as most of you have.

I don’t expect that these accurately depict what the 2007 MINI will look like. Although I do enjoy seeing their creative minds at work.

Door panels appear more sculpted and thought out than the current adherence to symmetric oval for purely artistic value.

The navigation integrated in the speedometer is a nice touch. Although they appear to by trying, it still suffers from being a square peg in round hole. They did extend the left and right past the speedometer ring, but I wish they would do the same vertically. Place a square screen behind a round ring that clips off the corners. When drawing just make sure everything fits within the round area. When starting the car, display a diagnostic, icon by icon, then switch back to the map with the vehicle centered.

It’s hard to tell from the photos but I like the current switches much better.

Sounds like it’s almost time to start the waiting game again and place my name on the waiting list again next year for a 2007 model.

“Why muck up what is a brilliant design solution…?”

Perfect? Brilliant? I might agree if we were discussing the Mini’s exterior design alone, but I don’t think the current interior merits these superlatives. It’s distinctive, but far from brilliant.

The new MINI was established as a car with its own styling cues and design mantra. A perfect balance of heritage and forward-thinking. My feeling is, the MINI designers should be adhering to these cues. Why muck up what is a brilliant design solution, and why the need to completely redesign a car that is just establishing itself? Then again, the current BMW designers have shown that they are not particularly interested in design heritage.

I think they (MINI Designers) feel empowered to brave a new path with this design. Or, in other words, they are looking forward a lot more than backwards.

There’s something to be said for this.

Definitely a dichotomy. I love it and I hate it.

In concept, I love the idea of adding more info to the center speedo. In execution, however, it doesn’t seem to work all that well. I have two main complaints. First, as mentioned, it’s just too big. At least as important, however, is the fact the wonderful simplicity is gone. The current non-Nav speedo (in all its analog glory) is a great piece of simple, straight forward, effective design. The new one just seems a bit too overly-technical.

The center console… This is definitely my least favorite aspect. We still have some toggles (thankfully). The MINI logo, however is anything but understated (its almost begging for a gold trim option). I don’t like the CD intake at all because it draws attention to itself. Some things should just “be” as opposed to yelling “here I am”.

Doors… I think the doors look great. They are simple, stylish, and well executed. They represent a more evolutionary type of change. Perhaps that’s what I like about them.

Shifter…I’m still not sure. It definitely looks BMW-ish. I don’t like the peppering of push-buttons around the shifter. I do like the overall look though.

Other thoughts… There are a lot of complaints about pulling from the BMW parts bin; but shared componentry is a fact of life in modern manufacturing and it’s not all bad. Shared componentry gave us the famed Z-Link suspension from the last 3-Series. The shared electrical system (also from the 3-Series) is obviously the reason for many of the more “controversial” decisions as well. The push button starter and idrive come to mind. Left to themselves, the engineers would not likely have pursued either of those features; but as they were working with an electrical system that supported those features, I’m sure the “why-Not” factor came into play.

The more I look at these pics, the more I am convinced of something. The designers of “our” MINI really felt beholden to aspects of the design language that had already been established in decades of Minis before. By that, I mean that they were intensely aware that their design would be scrutinized against the original. Or, in other words, they were always looking over their shoulders at what had already been done. I think the current designers, however, feel a lot more ownership of the design. The MINI being a highly successful car in its own right, I think they feel empowered to brave a new path with this design. Or, in other words, they are looking forward a lot more than backwards.

This was demonstrated at the SCCA Run-offs when the Z4 won showroom stock C (or was it B) by almost a lap on the nearest competition. MINI was represented as well, but was not in the running.

And let’s not confuse “Road Feel”, with a mere bumpy ride. The Z4 is noticeably plusher than the MINI, but I never had the sense that I was disconnected from the road in the slightest. If anything the Z ride gives more confidence because you don’t feel bounced and jerked all over. The Z will also make a tighter turn, accelerate faster, etc, etc… But it is a more expensive car and you should expect all of those things.

Now as far as the exterior and interior styling…the Z4 interior is WAY better than the Z3 or even MINI. Less clutter with controls in just the right places. Less piece, means less edges, means LESS rattles in the dash. And I’d be all for that in the next MINI

If Mini offers higher levels of standard equipment on next -gen’s like more HP, larger wheels, more refined and larger interior and etc then they could argue that they are giving you more to offset the increased MSRP.

The current generation of Mini has shown what options are the most popular and this would help Mini include many of those into the next-gen cars as standard equipment to justify a more expensive price tag. This does not mean next-gen Minis will have fewer options since there will most likely be an 18inch wheel option, idrive option, awd option, wood interior trim option, and many more.

and i think the pedals remain the same as the current car

With these changes the Mini is loosing its innocence. I was enjoying the crisp morning air in Little Rock today in my MCS convertible (top down of course) when I ran upon a fund raiser for breast cancer at my local BMW dealer. It’s a tour that moves across the US. Each mile you put on the car, BMW gives a dollar for research. Good Idea.

I drove a Z4. What an isolating experience after stepping out of my mini. No road feel. Felt like a big, heavy car. I couldn’t tell when the car was at its limits or when it would break loose. The Mini, in contrast, gives so much feedback I can push it to the absolute limits and know what it’s going to do. Another drawback of the Z4 was the confining, steeply slanted windshield at my forehead. In addition, the Z4, on the outside is stupid looking. Really. BMW has lost me with the new body styles. I still gaze at my parent’s 1992 325i convertible (old style) and love what they did. Nothing extra. Just a great looking car. Also, the Z4 interior is, well – crap. Gauges are surrounded in odd angular shapes of silver plastic, for no good reason. So American. I might as well have been in a Pontiac.

A glance at the center stack in the new Mini shows it giving way to the new BMW interior look. Outlined gauges in silver plastic with odd angles and shapes that serve no purpose. The new interior look is really distracting, and impersonal. It doesn’t let the car’s soul show though as in the current version. I know BMW is profitable now with its new line up. They just need to realize that not all of us want there current formula force fed to our Mini’s.

I was so glad to get back in my MCSC and rip out of the parking lot in my edgy ride with tons of feel, acceleration and handling. Ahhh! What a great car.
. I’m going to drive mine hard and enjoy it. At the same time I’m going to try my best to preserve my (PERFECT) copy, because I’m skeptical of whats to come. Where’s Frank Stephenson (with the new version) when we need him?