Comments on: MINI UK Configurator Online

By: The Blue Canary

The Blue Canary — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:17:44 +0000

I can’t get it to load. =( Java app just doesn’t want to load here at work.

By: alpha-6

alpha-6 — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:13:07 +0000

Oh ok, thanks Tom!!!!!!!!

By: Ketan

Ketan — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:31:30 +0000

I really don’t like this configurator. I have a friend UK who loves the current US configurator, but hates the UK. I hope we are given a better one.

By: James

James — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:17:34 +0000

You should thank Tom above for posting that tip.

By: alpha-6

alpha-6 — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:15:20 +0000

Just an FYI....

"You can see additional colors if you advance the date on your computer past January 2007 (I used May 17, 2007)."

THANX JAMES (of SSM)!!!!

By: JP

JP — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 22:35:10 +0000

Perhaps the simplicity of the UK configurator has something to do with the number of dialups still in use in the country.

By: James

James — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:24:02 +0000

Very clever. Although still no Oxygen Blue. Is this vaporpaint?

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 18:54:46 +0000

You're right, the US configurator puts all others to shame. All I can think is that they made more of an effort with the US configurator because there isn't always a dealership within a 20 mile radius... But to be honest, there is no excuse. It's a poor effort on MINI's behalf. I've complained several times, although that was mostly related to Mac compatibility.

All usability comments aside, it looks like the configurators made another small oversight. Several colours are not available until December, but if you set the clock on your computer to, for example, June 2007 it will show future colours within the configurator. Some images are missing, but at least we get a sneak peak.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:25:26 +0000

I donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t remember ever taking a look at other countriesÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ MINI configurators before, so I have no frame of reference. Was MINI UK config always this dull?

Yes. All the configs outside the US are based on the same poor UI and feature set. However as bad as this one is, the one before it was even worse.

(Side note, all BMW configs outside the US are based on the same UI. Incredible that people put up with it).

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 09:12:24 +0000

Yeah, this configurator is really dissapointing. I have little doubt that the US configurator will be up to the snuff of its predacessor, since it got so much recognition before. Though seeing this alternate makes me wonder something. Do the brits not spend the endless hours configurating and reconfigurating their dream MINIs that we do - and therefore no fancy configurator for them? Or is it the other way around? Because the configurator is such a yawn, do they forgo it go see the car in person?

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I don't remember ever taking a look at other countries' MINI configurators before, so I have no frame of reference. Was MINI UK config always this dull?

By: Jack07734

Jack07734 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:10:20 +0000

Ick. I like the old configurator much better.

Cheers, Jack

By: Shamus

Shamus — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 06:56:13 +0000

It’s all very preliminary stuff. Most of the colors aren’t listed, the option packs are limited to just the chili so far, and the configurator’s car image is very low rez. It is nice to see two different views of the configured interior!

By: SB

SB — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 03:29:38 +0000

No BRG for the MCS? Interesting optiong to delete the “S” badge.

By: James

James — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 02:38:53 +0000

Even though it says the MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops are 2006, they are actually 2007.

Take a close look at the interior. The Brits better learn how to motor with their left foot on the gas. 8^)