2007 MINI: Your Take

I actually like the car.

I think the new design is good, inside and out. It seems that Mini has addressed all of the issues I had with the current car.

Here are the things that made up my mind to put a deposit for a ’07 MCS:

-Better Gas Mileage -I love turbocharged engines -From the looks/initial reports more comfortable seats. I test drove the last mini, and found myself never able to get comfy (I have an audi with Recaros right now) -I do really like the new interior. Since the stereo is now integrated I’d really be disappointed if it doesn’t sound good. Please make sure the Hi Fi option actually is Hi Fi. -Some people see the new interior looking like a toy, but I see it as being more simple and to the point. I like that. I don’t think you should change it.

I’m also buying the car for autocross.. I hope you’ve maintained the same agility, and handling the current car has which allows people to clean up in G Stock. I think the complainers will be shut up if the car drives better than the current car.

I also think the hood scoop is not a bad thing if it does actually feed air into the engine bay. If that is the case it actually is performing a function even though it is not feeding an intercooler. If the hood scoop is sealed I think you should just consider removing it. Or offer an option for people to delete the hood scoop from the MCS.

I’d be happy to test drive the car and check it out if you guys ever plan on having a focus group in the SFBay area.. motoring file feel free to give my email to mini.

Also it’s very ironic that a shark is used on the OK MCS preview site … because in some ways it feels as it is “jumping the shark”

I like it…I’ll buy one…a Cooper. We still haven’t seen Oxygen Blue, have we???

I think I am over it. I was expecting a more radical re-design and Mini didn’t at all deliver on their promise to improve the interior quality. I am going with an Audi A3.

1) I do not like the back esp. the grille & fog lamp layout. I like the previous one.

2) Rear light proportion is okey.

3)I do not like the proportion of the center speedo.I like the previous one.

4) Front is okey.

5) The MCS looks feminish now compared to the previous.

The most important criteria for me will be initial build quality since I will be an early owner of a 2007 MCS next March. I have done this before with a BMW 3 series in 1992 and with an Audi A6 in 1999, both of which had little or no problems.

I like the plethora of choices for the interior, and find the photos of the inside components to be of a high quality standard. The center stack is the most controversial, and I hope that the through the better use of materials and color it will be more acceptable once it can be seen in the flesh, after the Paris Auto Show.

Mini has raised the bar with this new generation of car, but competitors such as Honda and VW seem to offer better value; however, in case of VW there are troublesome quality issues and poor residuals.

The use of a turbo charger will prove to be a real improvement along with the new technology that Mini has incorporated into the suspension puts this brand at the top. Once out in November, sales should go through the roof.

I’m surprised that Mini has chosen to leave a gloss black out of their color palette.

When I started looking to replace my current car (original 2-door Rav4 – 10 years and still going!) with a MINI, I was very much on the fence about whether to go with an R53, which I liked quite a bit, or hold out for the R56, mostly for the improved gas mileage and initial potential for more rear passenger space. After having seen and read everything that Gabe has so nicely provided, I decided to lease an ’06 MC and wait to see how the R56 does over the first model year or so (not to mention wait and see what the Traveler version will look like in ’08). In part, though, my decision to order an ’06 instead of waiting on the R56, was that after being exposed to passion of the owners on the Motorfile and Mini2 pages, I couldn’t wait to join the club and drive my own MINI!

I have an 05 MCS and I am glad I do. I think the new model has given away too much to satisfy other demands and looks more like a Honda than I am comfortable with. It’s too squashed, too inelegant compared with the 1st and 1.5st gen. ok, maybe some fun multicoloured lights would be fun inside the cabin, but I can live without.

I was close to ordering an MCSC this week. After seeing the photos and reading the reviews… I’ve reconsidered. My next MINI will be an R56. My cabrio dreams will have to wait till 2009.

There is only one thing I wish MINI had to offer in the R56: a DSG type transmission.

The interior is unique, and I’ll give MINI credit for that. However, I do find it to be very ugly, overstyled and cheap looking. It sounds petty, but this could prevent me from purchasing one of these in the future.

I assume the dashboard chrome trim will be offered on the 2007s. If so, I think it would be essential to make the inside look at all respectable. After agonizing for weeks whether or not to shell out the $200 for chrome trim on my ’06, I went with it, and cannot imagine NOT having it!

The outside is attractive; no major complaints. It might be a little too blocky up front–though I understand that MINI has to comply w/ Europe’s new pedestrian safety standards–but it is otherwise a clean design. I like the 2005-06 model a bit more, but the 2007 is still a very sharp car (minus the interior!).

Funny part of this conversation is that if any of you were involved with classic mini’s right as the new 02 mini’s where coming out is that there where a lot of simular complaints about the BMW Mini.

A year later several of my classic mini friends (myself included) where fumbeling over ourselves to get one. The fact is that a massive number of us are happy with our current cars so changes are hard to accept. From my personal experiance I would say before you make up your minds get you hands on the vehicle and let it soak in and see what you think then. I am never wanting to see the “perfect mini” as I take great pleasure on moding mine to make it an origonal, which is the heart of the mini tradition.

I have been looking at the 2006 Mini for a couple months, I need to get a new car by the mid of February. I read about the 07 changes and have decide to wait for one. I know it will be difficult to get one by Mid Feb but I live in Ft. Lauderdale. I love the changes that have been made to the car. I am getting an 07 because of the upgrade technology. I think the car looks wonderful inside. More polished without losing the Mini feel. I about getting a MC, don’t feel the need for the MCS. My only concern is do they have the quality nailed down? I understand the 06 is near perfect.

((( Bring back a REAL “BLACK”!!! )))

Astro Black (REALLY DARK BLUE) just doesn’t cut it!

The front end of the new S is just horrific, I try to keep an open mind but the head light angle and the huge lower “mouth” grill have lost the whole Mini thing. The rear tail lights that were such a perfect shape have lost there sex appeal and the new interior looks like Bangle and a bunch of kids got a hold of it. What a shame.

As an owner of an ’06 and previously an ’02 I’ve got very little to criticize about the first gen MINI. If the next one is just a little lighter, gets a little better gas mileage and still retains the MINI fun-to-drive quality, it can’t be bad. The new body style won’t confuse anyone as to who made it, and the new interior is just as quirky as mine. I do hate that they dropped the supercharger, it’s sad to think there may one day be a world that’s forgotten what full throttle SC whine sounds like. But as long as MINIs are still made, no one will forget how to have a good time.

Being a motoring advisor since February of ’03, and as an owner of a MY 2003 since July, I’ve seen a fair share of options on the cars. I really like the exterior of the new car and am just a little concerned about the interior. There may be too many mini logos, and I’m sure there are going to be too many interior options, which will result in some tacky matches that we’ll have to carefully avoid. However, I’d like to see it in person before I make a final judgement.

Regarding past changes and future, I prefer the leather sport 2-spoke steering wheel with controls to the 3-spoke. It had a thicker grip, better thumb notches, and I don’t like the finger guides on the back of the 3-spoke. I do like the idea of several steering wheel options, as that instills hope, but I somehow doubt we’ll shortly see a menu button (even though it could be nicely centered in the radio control circle).

The new Nav, however, integrated into the speedo, and incorporating traffic updates and voice commands seems like the way to go.

Nonetheless, I can’t wait to see it, and may be making a swap sometime next year, depending more on the drive and pricing than anything else.

Most of the criticism I am reading is based on photos. You have to see the real thing before you can tell if it is good or bad, as the photos lack depth. From what I can see, there is not much to criticize, but I will reserve judgement until I see and drive the new car. When the first MINI came out, I saw it at the Toronto auto show. I thought it was cute, maybe a bit overdone, and WAY too expensive. Then I went for a test drive, and that was that! I am now on my second MINI and if the new one drives better, I will get a third. I think one of the problems with updating this car is the fact that with the original, there was a novelty factor, and the new model is no longer as “different”from the crowd as the original was. However, I still like what I have seen so far.

…but I somehow doubt we’ll shortly see a menu button (even though it could be nicely centered in the radio control circle).

That should say MODE button. Cause that one is awesome and I use it all the time when the radio starts to suck.

On the topic of colours: Mini, if you’re listening, why so few? Honestly, do we need so many non-colours (blacks, greys?) These are supposed to be fun cars! If you don’t think that the market will bear a lot more colours, or that it is financially sound, why not offer a program where we can pay a bit more for the colours we want, sort of like BMW exclusive (only Mini priced). Who around here would not smile at a lime green Mini or an orange Mini, or even a nice purple Mini? Let’s REALLY let people have cars as unique as theyh are! Leave the boring colours for the boring luxury cars :)

The thing I wil miss most are the little details that seem to be thrown out for pedestrian safety or whatever (cost cutting).

The cleveage around the headlights, the vents under the wipers, and the slatted grill on the S.

I think the new car has lost some of its character and charm, not a lot but I feel that the attention to detail has been lost.

I appreciate any gesture to create more passenger room and comfort in the car.

I dont know. I feel like the exterior it too contrived. Like there were too many people “discussing” and “debating” on what should be done. I see these compromises in the design. especially the exterior. that tension in the meeting room. voting on how angular this and that should be. I can see it. Not good. too much of a compromise. Admittedly, they have new EU regulations to follow..but still I just know that they tried justa little too hard to make it ‘evolutionary’. I hate it when people try too hard.

The real test of this update will be the public’s reaction. Will people buy the car in great numbers or will it flop? I predict it will be a success. I didn’t think the MINI would fly because of the price, but it really is a premium automobile and a lot of fun. This will not change, in fact I expect the new car will be even more fun. As far as the price, sure, you can get cheaper cars, but none that are as much fun to drive and as much fun to be seen in. There are faster cars, but none that get the attention the MINI does, and I think it was a good move for BMW to keep the changes to a minimum. Most people may not even know it’s a new model, but they will sure know it’s a MINI. I love it. All of it. I will buy it.

I just realized why so many people think the center stack looks toylike! It has Mr. Potatohead styling. All the controls look similar to Mr. Potatohead’s features stuck on a flat black panel. To bad they aren’t interchangable, THAT would be cool!

…okay,…enough already with the center console. I know that Gabe had stated in this post that we are free to type in our likes and dislikes on the R56;and that the representives of MINI would read it. Therefore,I want to write to any of the MINI reps.(with the power)who might be reading this to CHANGE THE DAMN’ CENTER CONSOLE so that the rest of the world can have some peace…BTW,great job on the R56. No complaints;however,I do have one question: Will their be a JCW package(of any kind)for the R56 MC? Thank you…M. Dillon.

Mini (Non-S) Like:

1. New Foglight design/size
2. Return of Chrome Boot Hatch lift handle(without
   having to get Chrome mirror caps)
3. Front Grill Chrome look
4. Overall shape the same (except the bonet, but ok as safety was a factor in new design)
5. Sports seat look nice
6. 16″ Bridge Spoke wheels
7. New Yellow Paint Color (Mellow Yellow)
8. New NAV Display (because without it, don’t like Speedo)

Don’t like: 1. Turnsignal inside headlight aray dome (could grow into it) 2. New Speedo design & Audio/display control intergration 3. No more Leatherette upholstery 4. No sperate(stand alone) clock 5. No Two-Spoke Steering wheel for the US Market 6. Mini Logo wings desgin for controls 7. No Chrono Package available 8. New Air vent design, sticking out from dash 9. Anthracite no longer available for dash and trim 10. New Glove box design door opening 11. Elimination of needle gauges and replaced with “Idiot lights” for Fuel, Engine Temp. 12. Only one option for 15″ Wheels Rims (15″ Star Spooler – Ugly.) 13. Toogle switches on Roof liner above mirror 14. Too few “Non Metallic Paint” color choices 15. Start/Stop Engine ignition (yes it’s an option, so I suppose a “dislike” is not needed.

I sure would like to know what that knob is for on the drivers side door. Outside Mirror adjust? If so, add that to the list of “don’t like.”

S Cooper – Like:

1. Twin Turbo
2. Fog light size/design
3. Increased Horsepower

Dislike:

1. All black Radiator Grill (and all black Air intake)
2. Only two 16″ Wheel rims avialable (and S-Winder is ugly)
3. Interior (Same stuff as the Cooper)
4. Dark Silver Paint color no longer available
5. Very limited choice of Non-metallic colors
6. Rear black apron mesh inserts
7. No chrome boot hatch lift handle

Will the new MINI have Window Up one-touch feature?