Comments on: 2007 MC & MCS Spotted in Death Valley http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chainsaw Flowerchild http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-45374 Chainsaw Flowerchild Sat, 22 Jul 2006 16:23:06 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-45374 <p>Driving in California without a front license plate non the less.</p> Driving in California without a front license plate non the less.

]]> By: Tom P http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44998 Tom P Thu, 20 Jul 2006 17:17:26 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44998 <p>Generally looks fine, but I wish they'd leave the "butch" details to the aftermarket and not compromise good design. Big wheels with rock-hard runflats ride like buckboards, are skittish except on glass-smooth surfaces, and unless very expensive lightweight alloys, add weight where you least want it. Pass. Aero kits do nothing but scrape curbs, collect snow and condensation, and add more useless weight. Pass. All-red taillights are purely about the "look," the international tricolors are safer. Pass. I know this junk sells, but it's no different/better than GM slapping a goofy rear spoiler on an Impala or the neighbor's kid adding 200 pounds of plastic and two-watt taillights to his ground-scraping Civic. We laugh at them, wish BMW would stick to the higher (functional) ground.</p> Generally looks fine, but I wish they’d leave the “butch” details to the aftermarket and not compromise good design. Big wheels with rock-hard runflats ride like buckboards, are skittish except on glass-smooth surfaces, and unless very expensive lightweight alloys, add weight where you least want it. Pass. Aero kits do nothing but scrape curbs, collect snow and condensation, and add more useless weight. Pass. All-red taillights are purely about the “look,” the international tricolors are safer. Pass. I know this junk sells, but it’s no different/better than GM slapping a goofy rear spoiler on an Impala or the neighbor’s kid adding 200 pounds of plastic and two-watt taillights to his ground-scraping Civic. We laugh at them, wish BMW would stick to the higher (functional) ground.

]]> By: rakh1 http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44953 rakh1 Thu, 20 Jul 2006 12:05:57 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44953 <p>What is under the tape covering each side of the lower rear bumper insert - split rear foglights maybe???</p> What is under the tape covering each side of the lower rear bumper insert – split rear foglights maybe???

]]> By: La prossima Mini Cooper - più potente e più leggera http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44947 La prossima Mini Cooper - più potente e più leggera Thu, 20 Jul 2006 09:40:15 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44947 <p>[...] Ottime notizie per gli appassionati Mini. Le prossime Cooper e Cooper S (modello R56) saranno dotate non solo di motori piÃÆ'¹ potenti, ma saranno anche piÃÆ'¹ leggere. [...]</p> [...] Ottime notizie per gli appassionati Mini. Le prossime Cooper e Cooper S (modello R56) saranno dotate non solo di motori più potenti, ma saranno anche più leggere. [...]

]]> By: Matt http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44934 Matt Thu, 20 Jul 2006 05:02:07 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44934 <p>I saw one of these "mules" here in Santa Barbara yesterday. Might not have been the same car but it was black and looked just like these.</p> I saw one of these “mules” here in Santa Barbara yesterday. Might not have been the same car but it was black and looked just like these.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44921 Vanwall Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:10:20 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44921 <p>Looks a bit less balanced as a two-box compared to the present design, but not overly so. The devil is in the details of course, so I'm hoping those aren't screaming "gimmick" too blatantly, if at all. The basic MINI has a nice integrated look already, with solid, hewn-from-granite proportions, so maybe the overcompensations of the various prosthetic add-ons that some evidently feel is needed to offset the size will be limited to tiny-egg-crate grills, (manly? howzat?) and pseudo-spoileriffics. I'm ambivalent, actually, towards the 18" or larger wheels - styling-wise, they can make a small car look like a Hot Wheel, or a Bill Deal drawing - too much, too soon - but gotta get the rubber on the road in some fashion, I guess, even if it doesn't look fashionable. Fingers now crossed for ages, getting a bit sore, now.</p> <pre><code> BCNU, Rob in Dago </code></pre> Looks a bit less balanced as a two-box compared to the present design, but not overly so. The devil is in the details of course, so I’m hoping those aren’t screaming “gimmick” too blatantly, if at all. The basic MINI has a nice integrated look already, with solid, hewn-from-granite proportions, so maybe the overcompensations of the various prosthetic add-ons that some evidently feel is needed to offset the size will be limited to tiny-egg-crate grills, (manly? howzat?) and pseudo-spoileriffics. I’m ambivalent, actually, towards the 18″ or larger wheels – styling-wise, they can make a small car look like a Hot Wheel, or a Bill Deal drawing – too much, too soon – but gotta get the rubber on the road in some fashion, I guess, even if it doesn’t look fashionable. Fingers now crossed for ages, getting a bit sore, now.

  BCNU,
 Rob in Dago
]]> By: ~Marcus~ http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44915 ~Marcus~ Thu, 20 Jul 2006 00:29:24 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44915 <p>I like it, but have the following reservations:</p> <p>The Cooper bumpers look really plain without the current distinctive chrome inserts, these may still turn up but I can't see where.</p> <p>Also, as others have mentioned, the enlarged wheelarches to allow 18 inch wheels mean that 16 inch wheels now look too small. I hope they have made some progress with 17 inch runflats and ride quality.</p> <p>I would like a Cooper with 17 inch or 18 inch wheels and it will have to have an Aero kit - can't wait to see that.</p> I like it, but have the following reservations:

The Cooper bumpers look really plain without the current distinctive chrome inserts, these may still turn up but I can’t see where.

Also, as others have mentioned, the enlarged wheelarches to allow 18 inch wheels mean that 16 inch wheels now look too small. I hope they have made some progress with 17 inch runflats and ride quality.

I would like a Cooper with 17 inch or 18 inch wheels and it will have to have an Aero kit – can’t wait to see that.

]]> By: 05DSMCS http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44911 05DSMCS Wed, 19 Jul 2006 23:05:15 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44911 <p>So thicker skirts/arches, bigger wheels and from what I can tell, bigger rear view mirrors. I think this is all to try and downplay the increase in size. Bigger ears and nose make the head look smaller.</p> So thicker skirts/arches, bigger wheels and from what I can tell, bigger rear view mirrors. I think this is all to try and downplay the increase in size. Bigger ears and nose make the head look smaller.

]]> By: alpinamike http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44902 alpinamike Wed, 19 Jul 2006 22:35:52 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44902 <p>I think they were just tanning the MINIs their, thats why they are so dark:)</p> I think they were just tanning the MINIs their, thats why they are so dark:)

]]> By: Tom http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44899 Tom Wed, 19 Jul 2006 21:27:07 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44899 <p>I really think BSSP, is missing something here. Maybe they could send us all a roll of tape. Then we could all be driving around in our own little taped up MINIs.</p> I really think BSSP, is missing something here. Maybe they could send us all a roll of tape. Then we could all be driving around in our own little taped up MINIs.

]]> By: Nathaniel Salzman http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44897 Nathaniel Salzman Wed, 19 Jul 2006 21:25:16 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44897 <blockquote>I prefer the term “man-i-mize”</blockquote> <p>LOL! That's man-tastic!</p> <p>In the case study for the creative firm that does mini.ca, they talk about launching the MINI brand in Canada and overcoming any "chick car" perceptions the car might adopt at first glance. It's a very interesting read. I can understand the image logic of aggressive = manly, but I don't see where the black grill intrinsically accomplishes that. I'd love to see an aero kit that had slats top and bottom - just to see what that would look like.</p> <p>And btw, I love the look of the black grill and aero kit on the current car. I've thought many a time of doing the grill conversion (though ultimately I like the slats better). But I don't like the look on the new nose. Ick. I do, however, think the car looks great with the slatted grille in it.</p> <p>And on I go, beating the dead horse. Anybody wanna hear my thoughts on the on/off water pump? ;-)</p> I prefer the term “man-i-mize”

LOL! That’s man-tastic!

In the case study for the creative firm that does mini.ca, they talk about launching the MINI brand in Canada and overcoming any “chick car” perceptions the car might adopt at first glance. It’s a very interesting read. I can understand the image logic of aggressive = manly, but I don’t see where the black grill intrinsically accomplishes that. I’d love to see an aero kit that had slats top and bottom – just to see what that would look like.

And btw, I love the look of the black grill and aero kit on the current car. I’ve thought many a time of doing the grill conversion (though ultimately I like the slats better). But I don’t like the look on the new nose. Ick. I do, however, think the car looks great with the slatted grille in it.

And on I go, beating the dead horse. Anybody wanna hear my thoughts on the on/off water pump? ;-)

]]> By: Evan http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44896 Evan Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:56:03 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44896 <p>In side-on profile, comparing a pic of my MC and this new one, the front and rear overhang increases are noticable. So is the fact that the wheels will have to be big on this MINI like all new BMW designs lately which require the largest wheel option to look appropriate. The current MINI looks properly proportioned even with the 15" wheels. The new MINI acutally seems to look like it took a deep breath and is holding it in- the hatch and rear are pushed out (more shelf like), the front is higher (for those silly people who can't look both ways), and the black trim around the arches and the sides sills is thicker.</p> <p>So, a base Cooper will need the 18" wheels now, but it will be lighter with 120hp... plus the fuel economy should be the same or a tick higher...</p> <p>Can't wait until September....no more black tape and proper colors. Just b/c my '04 MC isn't going anywhere doesn't mean it can't make a new friend...</p> In side-on profile, comparing a pic of my MC and this new one, the front and rear overhang increases are noticable. So is the fact that the wheels will have to be big on this MINI like all new BMW designs lately which require the largest wheel option to look appropriate. The current MINI looks properly proportioned even with the 15″ wheels. The new MINI acutally seems to look like it took a deep breath and is holding it in- the hatch and rear are pushed out (more shelf like), the front is higher (for those silly people who can’t look both ways), and the black trim around the arches and the sides sills is thicker.

So, a base Cooper will need the 18″ wheels now, but it will be lighter with 120hp… plus the fuel economy should be the same or a tick higher…

Can’t wait until September….no more black tape and proper colors. Just b/c my ’04 MC isn’t going anywhere doesn’t mean it can’t make a new friend…

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44895 Gabe Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:31:40 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44895 <p>I prefer the term "man-i-mize"</p> I prefer the term “man-i-mize”

]]> By: Dave http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44894 Dave Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:27:34 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44894 <blockquote>If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in <em>The Italian Job</em> cars either. <strong>Makes me wonder if there isn’t somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something.</strong> </blockquote> <p>I have some names for you: Crispin, Porter, Bogusky, Butler, Shine, and Stern.</p> <p>It's all part of a campaign to <strong>butch-up the brand</strong>.</p> <p>Featuring the aero kit prominently is only one component of the program. The other aspects appear to include a mixture of the following: - larger size accessory wheels - bonnet stripes and accessory driving lights - the complete absence of women driving MINIs. For that matter, the only woman I can recall even interacting with a MINI was done by MINI Canada, not MINIUSA, and she was a dominatrix.</p> <p>The agenda appears to be simple enough: do as much as possible to tramp down the chick car image (or at the very least not do things to encourage that perception).</p> If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in The Italian Job cars either. Makes me wonder if there isn’t somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something.

I have some names for you: Crispin, Porter, Bogusky, Butler, Shine, and Stern.

It’s all part of a campaign to butch-up the brand.

Featuring the aero kit prominently is only one component of the program. The other aspects appear to include a mixture of the following: - larger size accessory wheels - bonnet stripes and accessory driving lights - the complete absence of women driving MINIs. For that matter, the only woman I can recall even interacting with a MINI was done by MINI Canada, not MINIUSA, and she was a dominatrix.

The agenda appears to be simple enough: do as much as possible to tramp down the chick car image (or at the very least not do things to encourage that perception).

]]> By: laverne http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44893 laverne Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:18:31 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44893 <p>How does one get a job slapping odd pieces of tape on test mules? One thing that I can do is cut and tape!</p> How does one get a job slapping odd pieces of tape on test mules? One thing that I can do is cut and tape!

]]> By: timmee http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44889 timmee Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:04:40 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44889 <p>Gimme slats! Please!</p> Gimme slats! Please!

]]> By: JohnPC http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44887 JohnPC Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:48:03 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44887 <p>I would guess that the slatted grille will be an option on the S. The all-chrome grille is available as a dealer-installed option on the current S, so I imagine that could be continued in the newest form.</p> I would guess that the slatted grille will be an option on the S. The all-chrome grille is available as a dealer-installed option on the current S, so I imagine that could be continued in the newest form.

]]> By: Nathaniel Salzman http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44885 Nathaniel Salzman Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:45:44 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44885 <blockquote>The aero kit grille “look” isn’t bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.</blockquote> <p>Yeah, hopefully it will be like now where you can get the chrome Cooper grille as an option on the MCS. If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in <em>The Italian Job</em> cars either. Makes me wonder if there isn't somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something. Now there's a conspiracy theory for ya. Ha!</p> The aero kit grille “look” isn’t bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.

Yeah, hopefully it will be like now where you can get the chrome Cooper grille as an option on the MCS. If you flip through a lot of the MINI branding collateral, they tend to use a lot of aero kit cars in their photography, especially on the MCS. There were no slatted grills in The Italian Job cars either. Makes me wonder if there isn’t somebody far up in MINI with an aero-grille agenda or something. Now there’s a conspiracy theory for ya. Ha!

]]> By: FH http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44874 FH Wed, 19 Jul 2006 17:16:57 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44874 <p>Are they going to use those tail-lights, or the '06 taillights? While I don't like the all-red look, and I swapped my taillights out with the euro-spec ones with a yellow turn signal, I do like the actual design.</p> Are they going to use those tail-lights, or the ’06 taillights? While I don’t like the all-red look, and I swapped my taillights out with the euro-spec ones with a yellow turn signal, I do like the actual design.

]]> By: Dave http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/comment-page-1/#comment-44871 Dave Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:28:58 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/07/19/2007-mc-and-mcs-spotted-in-death-valley/#comment-44871 <p>I'm right there with you.</p> <p>I'm actually sad to see that it appears the MCS will be doing away with the slatted grille. The aero kit grille "look" isn't bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.</p> I’m right there with you.

I’m actually sad to see that it appears the MCS will be doing away with the slatted grille. The aero kit grille “look” isn’t bad, but I am a firm believer that it should be either optional or an accessory, not the standard build configuration.

]]>