Comments on: 2007 MINI First Impressions http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: FrankInMiami http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93719 FrankInMiami Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:46:00 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93719 <p>Paul, the new Fiat 500 was designed by Frank Stephenson, the same guy responsible for the design of the R50/53 MINI, so there you can see the similarity in the great design concept displayed in the 500.</p> <p>However, Fiat is not sold in Northamerica and there are no signs of them ever coming back to these shores. The Fiat 500 will be an obscure car in the minds of American consumers.</p> Paul, the new Fiat 500 was designed by Frank Stephenson, the same guy responsible for the design of the R50/53 MINI, so there you can see the similarity in the great design concept displayed in the 500.

However, Fiat is not sold in Northamerica and there are no signs of them ever coming back to these shores. The Fiat 500 will be an obscure car in the minds of American consumers.

]]> By: Timmee http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93710 Timmee Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:15:08 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93710 <blockquote>are those Horseshoe Wheels on that MINI</blockquote> <p>i think those are webspokes</p> are those Horseshoe Wheels on that MINI

i think those are webspokes

]]> By: paul http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93372 paul Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:55:48 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93372 <p>i love this car, but have you seen the <a href="http://www.fiat500.com" rel="nofollow">new version</a> of the fiat 500? they are both 2 wonderful and charming mini-car!! the new 500 will have a great success, and the MINI may have some problems..especially because it's more expensive...</p> i love this car, but have you seen the new version of the fiat 500? they are both 2 wonderful and charming mini-car!! the new 500 will have a great success, and the MINI may have some problems..especially because it’s more expensive…

]]> By: Robert http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93358 Robert Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:55:28 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93358 <p>Gabe - are those Horseshoe Wheels on that MINI? Sure look like it!</p> <p>Nice!</p> <p>=R=</p> Gabe – are those Horseshoe Wheels on that MINI? Sure look like it!

Nice!

=R=

]]> By: Rossii http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93352 Rossii Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:40:38 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93352 <p>Sorry not ment Firebird International Speedway</p> Sorry not ment Firebird International Speedway

]]> By: Rossii http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93350 Rossii Mon, 05 Feb 2007 18:37:19 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93350 <p>Gabe, I'm confused Thunderhill is in CA......the Firestone International Speedway is in AZ. Where are you?</p> Gabe, I’m confused Thunderhill is in CA……the Firestone International Speedway is in AZ. Where are you?

]]> By: rachel http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93321 rachel Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:44:39 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93321 <p>Gabe</p> <p>Thanks for the awesome pics & audio. I'm curious to know what you heard about the multifunction steering wheel debacle?</p> Gabe

Thanks for the awesome pics & audio. I’m curious to know what you heard about the multifunction steering wheel debacle?

]]> By: Venus http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93244 Venus Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:15:52 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93244 <p>Hi Gabe</p> <p>I'm waiting eagerly to hear what the Mini folks told you about the Multifunction Steering Wheel order mixup issue. My Mini is in the ports waiting to be released I believe and I'm in a dilemma. Should I place another order right away, or should I wait to see if Mini can retrofit the MFSW. If Mini could let the customers know that a retrofit isn't possible, I'm sure all those effected would like to re-order right away and also it seems reasonable to expect some compensation to make us wait longer. What do you think?</p> <p>Thanks</p> Hi Gabe

I’m waiting eagerly to hear what the Mini folks told you about the Multifunction Steering Wheel order mixup issue. My Mini is in the ports waiting to be released I believe and I’m in a dilemma. Should I place another order right away, or should I wait to see if Mini can retrofit the MFSW. If Mini could let the customers know that a retrofit isn’t possible, I’m sure all those effected would like to re-order right away and also it seems reasonable to expect some compensation to make us wait longer. What do you think?

Thanks

]]> By: FrankInMiami http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93237 FrankInMiami Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:00:50 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93237 <p>Gabe, just finished listening to your audio review clip. Thanks for passing on your impressions on the car. It appears that MINI has another winner in their hands.</p> <p>My Next MCS will definetely be ordered with 17" rubber and hopefully by then (2009) an All-Wheel Drive option will be in the cards.</p> <p>Also your review should serve as a heads up to the upcoming R55. I can't wait to go on a test drive myself sometime next week.</p> <p>Have a safe trip back to Chicagoland (By the way, condolences about the Super Bowl loss..)</p> Gabe, just finished listening to your audio review clip. Thanks for passing on your impressions on the car. It appears that MINI has another winner in their hands.

My Next MCS will definetely be ordered with 17″ rubber and hopefully by then (2009) an All-Wheel Drive option will be in the cards.

Also your review should serve as a heads up to the upcoming R55. I can’t wait to go on a test drive myself sometime next week.

Have a safe trip back to Chicagoland (By the way, condolences about the Super Bowl loss..)

]]> By: Ryephile http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93234 Ryephile Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:55:32 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93234 <p>The CV joints are equal length just like the last gen MINI. What you're seeing on that undercarriage shot is the jack shaft going from the transmission to the right side of the vehicle.</p> <p>Thanks for the excellent review Gabe! It sounds like the car is still lots of fun on the track :) I'm very glad to hear that word "oversteer" in your handling synopsis; I was fearing MINI had dumbed down the suspension tuning.</p> The CV joints are equal length just like the last gen MINI. What you’re seeing on that undercarriage shot is the jack shaft going from the transmission to the right side of the vehicle.

Thanks for the excellent review Gabe! It sounds like the car is still lots of fun on the track :) I’m very glad to hear that word “oversteer” in your handling synopsis; I was fearing MINI had dumbed down the suspension tuning.

]]> By: O(=^=)O Capn http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93226 O(=^=)O Capn Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:37:59 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93226 <p>Is there torque steer? I notice that the drive shafts are of unequal length.</p> Is there torque steer? I notice that the drive shafts are of unequal length.

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93220 Jon Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:03:13 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93220 <p>Thanks for sharring Ben.</p> Thanks for sharring Ben.

]]> By: Timmee http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93160 Timmee Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:55:54 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93160 <p>That photoshopped image pasted over the other one is well bad...</p> <p>:P</p> That photoshopped image pasted over the other one is well bad…

:P

]]> By: Shamus http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93120 Shamus Mon, 05 Feb 2007 08:38:09 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93120 <p>What do you think of the redwood red leather interior?</p> What do you think of the redwood red leather interior?

]]> By: Ben http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93027 Ben Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:23:36 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93027 <p>Well it worked in preview : http://www.flickr.com/photos/benzamg/360215883/in/set-72157594484764288/</p> Well it worked in preview : http://www.flickr.com/photos/benzamg/360215883/in/set-72157594484764288/

]]> By: Ben http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-93026 Ben Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:22:56 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-93026 <p>Jon, I took this shot at the Detroit Auto Show.. <a HREF="http://www.flickr.com/photos/benzamg/360215883/in/set-72157594484764288/" rel="nofollow"></a></p> Jon, I took this shot at the Detroit Auto Show..

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-92972 Jon Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:02:59 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-92972 <p>One more pic I would love to see is another shot of the underside of the car but from the backside looking forward. Its either my imagination or the tunnel for the exhaust seems to be almost large enough for a drive train to be routed as well without to much re-engineering.</p> One more pic I would love to see is another shot of the underside of the car but from the backside looking forward. Its either my imagination or the tunnel for the exhaust seems to be almost large enough for a drive train to be routed as well without to much re-engineering.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-92971 Gabe Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:58:25 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-92971 <blockquote> <p>Have the basic chassis dynamics changed much, as in turn-in and front-to-rear bias?</p> </blockquote> <p>No. It's got a tiny bit more weight up front but on the track - it feels like just like an R50/R53. No disappointments.</p> <blockquote> <p>How does it compare with the R50/R53 with the DSC off?</p> </blockquote> <p>See above.</p> <blockquote> <p>I’m seeing a more “Hot Wheels” look in the pictures, regarding the larger wheel sizes versus the smaller ones - does it feel more set up for 18″-ers?</p> </blockquote> <p>Listen to the audio review above for a full answer. Here's the short one: 16" remains more chuckable but the 17"s straight-up perform better on the full-on track and give you more on edge feel. A lot more.</p>

Have the basic chassis dynamics changed much, as in turn-in and front-to-rear bias?

No. It’s got a tiny bit more weight up front but on the track – it feels like just like an R50/R53. No disappointments.

How does it compare with the R50/R53 with the DSC off?

See above.

I’m seeing a more “Hot Wheels” look in the pictures, regarding the larger wheel sizes versus the smaller ones – does it feel more set up for 18″-ers?

Listen to the audio review above for a full answer. Here’s the short one: 16″ remains more chuckable but the 17″s straight-up perform better on the full-on track and give you more on edge feel. A lot more.

]]> By: Vanwall http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-92970 Vanwall Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:54:04 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-92970 <p>Have the basic chassis dynamics changed much, as in turn-in and front-to-rear bias? How does it compare with the R50/R53 with the DSC off? I'm seeing a more "Hot Wheels" look in the pictures, regarding the larger wheel sizes versus the smaller ones - does it feel more set up for 18"-ers?</p> Have the basic chassis dynamics changed much, as in turn-in and front-to-rear bias? How does it compare with the R50/R53 with the DSC off? I’m seeing a more “Hot Wheels” look in the pictures, regarding the larger wheel sizes versus the smaller ones – does it feel more set up for 18″-ers?

]]> By: Jon http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/comment-page-1/#comment-92969 Jon Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:46:23 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/04/2007-mini-first-impressions/#comment-92969 <p>Fantastic Gabe, very happy to hear your initial feedback on the R56. Thanks for the effort to share your experience with all of us Mini addicts.</p> Fantastic Gabe, very happy to hear your initial feedback on the R56. Thanks for the effort to share your experience with all of us Mini addicts.

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