M5 Somerset, Almond 2000TC

It is just stupid how big it is! Proof that it's all about brand and nothing about clever engineering. The Smart car is more deserving of the Mini badge IMHO.

I can't find it right now, but a little while ago I read an article online about a group of enthusiasts who wanted to prove just how unnecessarily large (and undeserving of the MINI badge) the new Countryman is...... by...... (wait for it)....... proving that you can fit an original Mini INSIDE IT!
Amazingly, they succeeded!
They printed out one of those paper models you can get online of an original Mini, and blew it up to 1:1 scale, cut all the bits out, slotted them inside a new Countryman and assembled it in situ. Amazingly, it actually fits inside - fully constructed - with no modifications necessary, and you can close the Countryman's doors!!
Apparently, BMW were so taken with the project (which they naturally saw as a huge publicity stunt for their new vehicle) that they leant the group an example of a Countryman to do it with!

Does anybody else remember this? I can't remember if it was on AROnline, but I can't seem to find it..... :(

Michael
 
That's just silly isn't it! :D

Does make the point rather well that a "new" old mini with modern running gear would make a smashing town car today. I agree about the desirability of the Smart for this, but they do have the drawback that you can't chuck things on the back seat cos there isn't one! They are surprisingly competent on motorways as well as town, so perhaps a straight diveline transplant would do the trick a treat!

Chris
 
They do make the "smart for four", with a back seat !, although it is a fair bit bigger than an original mini.
 
Maybe something like this is more true to the original Mini concept than an BMWini
Matiz_1.0_22.jpg

Cheap, small transport with little wheels at each corner.

It was on the news yesteday that BMW are recalling 235,000 of them due to fire risk on a water pump problem. Is it just me or that that not make any sense - you know, water pumps causing fires :oops: .
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16586961
 
It seems that they are playing down the number of Minis that have already caught fire
I was wondering if this " Mini mania " might see mini skirts coming back into fashion ?
 
Mini skirts are a bit long these days, around here they mostly appear to wear "belts", especially if it's -4 outside :D Am I showing my age ????
 
webmaster said:
They do make the "smart for four", with a back seat
Click to expand...

I think 'did' - I believe they stopped production of that; bit of a shame IMO as I never thought it was a bad idea. It was the only smart car with a proper manual transmission, while at the same time being a noticeably different and interesting car. Although judging by the amount I see these days, they can't have been that brilliant sales wise.

JVY said:
It was on the news yesteday that BMW are recalling 235,000 of them due to fire risk on a water pump problem. Is it just me or that that not make any sense - you know, water pumps causing fires :oops:
Click to expand...

Modern cars these days, even the water pumps catch fire... That said, I do like the modern mini (the more traditional style 3 door types only). It has to be treated as a retro car though - there is no mistaking it's very unlike an original. However as said in the previous posts on this thread - what is this countryman all about? I totally agree with the comments that it's more a take on the Maxi than anything else. I sat in a pre production one at a Motorshow at Canada Square, London in 2010, and there was nothig Mini-ish about it. Though I can't blame BMW for doing it if it's making them money.

Cheers, Adam.
 
I've said it before, BMW could put a "propeller" badge on a turd, and people would be falling over themselves to buy them.... :D
 
webmaster said:
I've said it before, BMW could put a "propeller" badge on a turd, and people would be falling over themselves to buy them....
Click to expand...

True, very true :LOL:

v8guy said:
John wrote:prop badge on a turd, Isn't that the X6?Make you right on that John...........what were they thinking of
Click to expand...

The only one out of the X range I'd go for would be the X5, but even that doesn't make sense - IMO it's too nice a car to take off roading, I'd much rather have a Land Rover Defender - even though they're just about to ruin/have just ruined the styling of it to make it more "chealsea tractor"ish, which I must add is completely the opposite of the original idea.

Getting onto this using a 4x4 to do the shopping and take the children to school business, I can't get over that. There are so many safe saloons and hatch backs out there, there's no need for it. I can also remember reading somewhere that Spen King (I think) took a ride in a more modern Range Rover, and absolutely hated it, because they've destroyed the whole point of the original (hose downable interior etc).


Never mind, anyway - how off topic are we? I seem to remember, some period of time ago, a post about an Almond 2000TC that was seen on the M5, in Somerset... :)

Cheers, Adam.
 
Paul 2000td said:
tonys said:
Seen at about 3pm yesterday (Mon), an almond Series 2 2000TC, AOU 959J, on the M5 Southbound near J23.

It's not often that you see (well, I don't) P6s on the motorways now, and it's surprising how 'compact' they look when compared to modern cars, even a mid-range Peugeot looked much bulkier as it overtook the Rover.

Anybody on here?
Click to expand...


Hi its mine it was it first run on the motorway heading from Banwell to Sherborne, having just had a 1.9 turbo diesel engine fitted, i bought the car in October/November last year.
Click to expand...
hi im sure a lot of us would really like more info on your diesel conversion and pics, also welcome to the family :D
marcus
 
webmaster said:
Mini skirts are a bit long these days, around here they mostly appear to wear "belts", especially if it's -4 outside :D Am I showing my age ????
Click to expand...

They don't even wear belts around here, just those skin tight black leggin things which look like they have applied by an aerosol.

Quite scary for someone with a dodgy ticker :?
 
As a Chelsea Tractor, I think the Evoque looks really good. But as a Land Rover product? All Range Rovers to date have been excellent off-road - somehow I can't see the Evoque ever gracing a shoot up on the moors.

Chris
 
It's a bit of a shame they've used the Range Rover name on it, although they'll probably sell loads, it kind of de-values the brand. Would have been better as a Freelander Sport or something like that, but then you wouldn't get all the fools buying it to brag about their new "Range Rover"
 
webmaster said:
There's certainly nothing "Mini" about the new one is there, never mind the pumped up "Countryman" version !

Maybe it wouldn't have sold quite as well if they'd called it the BMW 0.5 series ?
Click to expand...

IMG00151-20120212-1124.jpg


Nuff said
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top