Matt

Model T Corvette F150 R53 Boeing 737

Actually with the SUV crazed US market I believe in many ways that the R60 could be a good seller for Mini. I could even see it selling better than the coupe in the states for its greater usability. If this comes to past have to say I would have the largest laugh in my life the common standard of the brand is a bloated 3000lbs plastic coated offroad wannabe.

Jon- I clearly remember you bemoaning when MINI announced automatic transmission availability for the MCS back in ‘05. You used to say that people that could not drive a manual transmission MINI were undeserving of the car.

It seems to me that 3 years after the auto MCS was released, your so called “Community” is still there, in one piece.

While I respect your views, your sense of “MINI Community” appears to be a) shotsighted and b) ellitist to the max.

If you want to belong to a private country club, join one or become an exotic car owner so you don’t have to endure the anti-climatic BMW business decisions that seem to touch a nerve with your ellitist persona.

That being said, I sure hope they don’t botch it and come out with some gawd-awful embarrassment of an SUV…

I sort of agree with Jon, in that any manufacturer should stick to what they do best. I also believe in evolution (of a product, brand, community). For example, if a hybrid MINI is built, I am sure their are many interested parties inside, and outside, the community. I’m not one of them, but to each his own. I would not fail to return a wave from a Hybrid MINI owner. Do I think that is the right direction for the company? NO. Do I care if they pursue it anyway? NO. Would I ostracize someone else for wanting higher mileage. NO. There is room for variations on an original. The SAV is no exception. Right or wrong, BMW/MINI is moving in that direction right now and I am hopeful that the end product will live up to my expectations. And, if it arrives with a diesel (I’m talking Bluetec-style, clean burning diesel), that’s even better.

I just wonder if Mini really needs to fill this void. Read MF, NAM, Mini2 and you can see a large volume of the messages are based on performance. With the same logic Mini has followed for the SUV it would seem that there are a sizable number of people that are looking for a higher end sports car, something far beyond even the JCW solutions. Does this mean Mini should develop something like this? Once again I say no for the exact same reason, Mini would be entering into direct completion with established manufacturers and to me just doesn’t fit the brand image to me. I personally think the outstanding thing for our brand is that they created their current market with pure creativity of the Mini design. I would much rather see Mini develop a new market.

One of those for me would be something I have been asked a thousand times since I have been driving the BMW/Mini by other drivers. “Bet that gets good gas mileage”, I personally think spending the money to develop a high mileage vehicle would make much more sense as the factual properties would match the perception of our brand making a instant sales point, while this would no doubt fall in completion with current offerings I believe that none of the current offerings are much other than iffy quality vehicles in this market.

One point where we disagree is in who we want to be a part of the MINI community. I’m not convinced that the MINI SAV will appeal to the soccer mom crowd all that much, as it will be too small to fit five kids and the family dog in and it won’t provide that feeling of invulnerability like the monster SUV’s. However, it probably will draw some buyers (maybe many buyers) away from CR-V’s and RAV-4’s, and I’m willing to accept those converts into the fold, because that’s what I think will happen – new buyers will be converted into MINI fanatics, just like the rest of us and for the same reasons. Given the MINI size and driving characteristics, I just don’t see most people having a hard time choosing between a MINI SAV and a Honda CR-V – either they want a MINI because it’s a MINI (with all that entails), or they don’t care about that and they buy the cheaper more conventional vehicle.

I respect Jon’s opinion on the SAV, although I disagree with him. I refute the notion that he has been badgered by me or anyone else on this board. Responding to his prophecy regarding the MINI community, over the production of an SAV/SUV, does not constitute badgering. I, personally, have not initiated any posts with regard to this subject, nor have I sought to persecute Jon. I have only responded to posts that I feel are off base. My position is this: Don’t lead the charge to divide the “community”. In other words, “Don’t start no stuff, won’t be no stuff”!

Guys please don’t stress over my comments or other views counter to mine. I take nothing you guys are saying personally, though I do at times feel like a target I believe this debate is good for our brand. On another aspect over a great many years I have found that opinions tend to not be influenced by others rather is a personal choice made by the individual based on the preponderance of their point of view, logic, factual information, and passion.

I’m all for rebuttal – I’ve written more than a few. I’m opposed to his being singled out, not your difference of opinion. It’s not your “collective” role to badger him until he thinks like you do. That’s politics alright, but not the good kind.

I ask you, have we, as a community, lost faith? Fear not. Believe fellow MINIons! Ask for the ultimate micro SUV and ye shall receive it! Demand the features and options that we would include in the build and accept nothing less. MotoringFile is a great medium for expressing our ideas, wants, grievances. Let’s take advantage of our collective voice to influence BMW/MINI to build the R60 to specs that are worthy of the MINI marque.

While I can see where many people are coming from with saying I am creating the very gulf that I am worried about. However the base fact is there are a lot of people that have expressed a wide variety views, everything from total acceptance to outright outrage. I am only expressing my own personal view on this matter.