New Mini design boss: Big facelifts for Cooper, Countryman and Aceman incoming
Posted by kstetter@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 31 comments
Posted by kstetter@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 31 comments
AdOrganic299@reddit
I still think the minis are pretty attractive cars.
I strongly prefer the two-door but the four-doors Is growing on me.
I used to have a 2008 mini Cooper s and it was a blast to drive.
Hope I can pick up an electric mini used in the near future (and I know me buying used is such enthusiast stereotype)
Saskatchewon@reddit
I had a 2006 Cooper S back in the day. It was a brilliant car to drive. It genuinely felt like how you would expect a FWD BMW designed hot-hatch should. Peppy engine, amazing handling, decent gas mileage, easy to park.
Unfortunately, there are heroin addicts out there that were probably more reliable than it was. Multiple water pumps, transmission issues, stuck buttons on the dash, a faulty sunroof motor, cracked housing around the turn signal on the passenger side front quarter panel that left it dangling by wires, power steering issues, and a seemingly undiagnosable issue that would force the engine into limp mode once or twice a month, all on a vehicle that had less than 80,000km on the odometer.
The stock run flat tires combined with the stiff suspension gave it a surprisingly stiff ride. The interior rattled and creaked, and on windy days you could feel the air blasting in through the tops of the poorly sealed windows. I traded it in on a BRZ, which laughably felt like I was in a Lexus in comparison.
It was a really fun car, but if I could go back in time, I probably wouldn't buy it again.
RIP_Soulja_Slim@reddit
The turbo era Minis are very reliable, the B48 engine is a very tried and true powerplant at this point.
But yeah, the old supercharged ones were an absolute shitshow.
RiftHunter4@reddit
I considered a Mini once but their prices are insane in the current market. I get a 200hp FWD Hatchback, a dubious reliability reputation, and a non-existent dealer network for $40k+. Supposedly the MSRP is cheaper but my dealer isn't listing anything lower. $40k doesn't even get you an S, which is now $43k+
For that price, I think even the Honda Prelude is more interesting TBH, not to mention the special GR86 editions or a GR Corolla.
megacookie@reddit
I have a Mini but it definitely doesn't seem like a car that's worth $40-50k brand new.
Not_Daijoubu@reddit
I was about to snag a 2dr at Oxford Edition prices a couple years back until the dealer swap fell through and the car was unavailable.
strongmanass@reddit
Used is the only way that Mini Cooper EV makes sense. The range is poor...I still want one though. I wish they had been able to bring the current model to the US. But it's made in China.
kevinxb@reddit
Neue Klasse Countryman SE with more range and faster charging please
matmanx1@reddit
I owned a JCW Countryman (2021 model) a couple of years ago and put 30k+ miles on it as my daily and it was brilliant. In dark gray with the red JCW accents it looked a bit like a high top trainer shoe but in terms of driving enjoyment and practicality it excelled.
OldArtichoke433@reddit
My son and I rented a ‘25 Mini Cooper S convertible for our trip out to Calif a few months ago. We drove 1k miles including the Mulholland Freeway through the highlands in Malibu “The Snake” and through much more tighter canyons in the Santa Monica Mtns.
It handled fairly well and had just enough power where I would never consider a base model without the HP gains.
I was very unimpressed by the decade old BMW I drive infotainment as it was pretty awful.
The rear visibility with the top down was none existent via the rear view mirror. The convertible top does not fully collapse and sets proud of the trunk area creating a huge blind spot.
After my trip was over I was not too keen on searching for used Mini’s. Maybe this upcoming refresh will change my mind.
xlb250@reddit
Problem with Mini Cooper is that Civic, Elantra, Golf, and Corolla are dynamically superior.
cannedrex2406@reddit
What? The mini is considered one of the best driving of the regular hatchbacks? In what publication are they writing that an Elantra drives better?
blainestang@reddit
I assume he’s talking about the Elantra N, Civic Type R, GR Corolla, etc.
cannedrex2406@reddit
Well, that's obviously not fair to compare them, as theyre all a higher class of Hot hatch. The JCW minis is a smaller hatch with lower in power and won't be as fine tuned
strongmanass@reddit
Spot on, and BMW is leaning into it. The Cooper is the car of choice for places like NYC, Boston, and San Francisco where people have money but no space. All other subcompact cars are spartan econoboxes. The Cooper stands out as stylish and premium-ish.
OmegaJakk@reddit
I get where you're coming from with the fashion accessory comment on the surface level, but even in a 2-door configuration it's still a hatchback. I upsized to a Countryman and I've yet to fully utilize its space, but that could just be my lifestyle at the moment.
Infamous_Tonight4271@reddit
Amen. My two door f56 just hauled 10 bags of mulch the other day.
xlb250@reddit
I meant that people buy it for the way it looks, not the way it drives.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Fiat doesn't succeed with 500 in that though.
Prince_Uncharming@reddit
Fingers crossed the 2027 Cooper gets announced for the US soon.
The 2026 Oxford Edition trim is an absolutely absurd value for its price range (25.5k), and I want one.
ALaLaLa98@reddit
The new Cooper has grown on me a lot, but I'd still never even consider one since there isn't a single Mini with a manual anymore.
"hurr durr, manuals don't sell well". I don't care what the reason is (it's actually not a lack of popularity), not having a manual as an option in a Mini is straight up blasphemous.
cedarvalleyct@reddit
I’m really disappointed in this decision; I’ve always wanted a Mini Convertible with a stick. Funny, I’m 6’6” and they fit me great.
Maybe pre-owned?
ds00@reddit
Make the letters not fall off
IAmWellBehaved@reddit
Looking forward to this. The new Cooper inside and out is hardly terrible, but still a step down from prior generations to me. Countryman is much the same.
If they get some competitive infotainment, bumped up reliability, these would be some really nice choices. A Mini Cooper should really be like what the sportier Golfs and Integras are, basically FWD platform upscale driver's cars.
OkDirection8015@reddit
New countryman was ugly af compared to the previous gen. The taillights in the 2 door always looked awkward for me. Just keep minis looking like minis.
s3cf_@reddit
wish they can downsize it a little
wiscotangofoxtreat@reddit
Does that just mean a taller front end
narwhal_breeder@reddit
Cool cars with a poor value proposition and some baffling decisions (no paddle shifters on the dual-clutch Cooper S).
I think about the 2 door supercharged cars all the time - those were sweeeeeeeeet
gordoperro@reddit
Loved my f55 5 door cooper. It was an early 3rd gen before the led headlights and stuff. Still think they look great!
strongmanass@reddit
FYI since only the Dukec part of this got covered. This is part of the all of BMW Group rotating lead designers.
Domagoj Dukec moved from BMW to lead Rolls Royce
Anders Warming moved from Ros Royce to lead Designworks
Holger Hampf moved from Designworks to lead MINI
The BMW head design role was split into two:
Oliver Heilmer moved from MINI to lead BMW 1-4 series and X1-X4
Max Missoni (the only outside hire) moved from Polestar to lead 5-7 series and Alpina
MortimerDongle@reddit
I personally like how the Countryman looks, but a lot of Mini fans don't think it looks much like a Mini (which is fair), so this is probably welcome.