RE: Open-top Mini gets more options
Tuesday 19th December 2006
BMW's Mini division will be unveiling a new addition to its Convertible range at the Detroit auto show next month.
Open-top Mini gets more options
Sidewalk model for custom look and feel
The new Sidewalk hits Mini dealers from April 2007 and consists of, said BMW, "a fresh model boasting a raft of luxurious design enhancements".
Mini's UK boss Andy Hearn said: “The Mini One Seven, Cooper Park Lane and Cooper S Checkmate editions of the Mini hatch have been hugely popular, with nearly 8,000 models sold in the UK in just 12 months. We are confident that Sidewalk will offer the same exclusivity and maximum value for Convertible customers. Undoubtedly it will reinforce Mini’s unique position as a premium small car.”
The Sidewalk offers a host of options, available on the One, Cooper and Cooper S. It includes a choice of four paintwork colours, brown leather upholstery, 17-inch light alloy wheels, bi-colour leather steering wheel and gear knob and special ‘Sidewalk’ interior trim, floor mats, badges and door inserts.
Additional options that are standard on Sidewalk models are automatic stability control and traction (ASC+T), multi-function leather steering wheel, mirror caps in body colour, chrome line interior, passenger seat height adjustment, sports seats, storage compartment pack, front fog lamps, manual air conditioning, on board computer, interior light pack and white indicators.
The Mini One and Cooper Convertible Sidewalk editions come with a five-speed manual gearbox, with the more powerful Cooper S version gaining a six-speed 'box. As an option, the Mini Cooper Convertible Sidewalk is available with a CVT transmission, while you can specify the Mini Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Both auto gearboxes are equipped with a Steptronic function, which provides, said, BMW, "a sportier driving experience".
Sidewalk editions of the Convertible can be accessorised with cycle, surfboard and snowboard luggage racks, as well as the John Cooper Works tuning and styling kits.
OTR prices
- Mini One Sidewalk £16,910
- Mini Cooper Sidewalk £17,960
- Mini Cooper S Sidewalk £20,235
If you specify these options on any other Mini Convertible, the cost of the extra kit would be approximately 25 per cent higher than if purchased as part of a standard package on the Sidewalk edition, said BMW. Got that?
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. But that would be too cynical for PistonHeads to suggest...
Discussion
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
Well, driving a clapped out old landy I would have thought you favour personality over substance in your vehicles. I would also guess that you exhibit the superiority complex that seems to be a trait of defender owners
The MINI: expensive? - YES, good marketing? - YES, good product? - Absolutely! It appeals to people because it is small and perfectly formed, each one is slightly individual and they are a hoot to drive and own. Other euro boxes seem bland and uninspiring in comparison. And to suggest that those who might like to buy and drive such a vehicle are slaves to brand snobbery and technically inept, is naivety on your part sir
doyle1 said:
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
Well, driving a clapped out old landy I would have thought you favour personality over substance in your vehicles. I would also guess that you exhibit the superiority complex that seems to be a trait of defender owners
The MINI: expensive? - YES, good marketing? - YES, good product? - Absolutely! It appeals to people because it is small and perfectly formed, each one is slightly individual and they are a hoot to drive and own. Other euro boxes seem bland and uninspiring in comparison. And to suggest that those who might like to buy and drive such a vehicle are slaves to brand snobbery and technically inept, is naivety on your part sir
[/quote]
Well, driving a clapped out old landy I would have thought you favour personality over substance in your vehicles. I would also guess that you exhibit the superiority complex that seems to be a trait of defender owners
[/quote] Well its not old the landy very new in fact! just mini are so expensive now
doyle1 said:
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
Well, driving a clapped out old landy I would have thought you favour personality over substance in your vehicles. I would also guess that you exhibit the superiority complex that seems to be a trait of defender owners
The MINI: expensive? - YES, good marketing? - YES, good product? - Absolutely! It appeals to people because it is small and perfectly formed, each one is slightly individual and they are a hoot to drive and own. Other euro boxes seem bland and uninspiring in comparison. And to suggest that those who might like to buy and drive such a vehicle are slaves to brand snobbery and technically inept, is naivety on your part sir
What superiority complex?The real story here is surely that Mini is having to 'spice up' the convertiable - why? Well, they are not realeasing the new convertiable version for around another year, so whilst the tin tops are all new and shiney design, the convertiable is based on the previous model car. I'm guessing Mini is desperatly trying to add a bit of vigour into flat sales of its old design convertible, in case it gets stuck with a whole bunch of unwanted previous generation cars.
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
All 3 brands mentioned are innovative, and are good products within their own arena's. They are not going to appeal to everyone, but I fail to see how owning one of the above is satisfying an "inferior want".
I have not driven the Mini, so I cannot comment, but I own both an iPod and a Smart Roadster. I can say that the iPod is a brilliant bit of kit, let down only by the DRM rubbish that is attached to every .m4p file. The Smart is a brilliant little car. Great fun, surprisingly fast, although not particularly cheap to run, and let down only by the dealers and the quality of some interior fixtures/fittings.
But to describe someone's desire to own one of the above as just an "inferior want" is to admit that you yourself are rather closed-minded...
corradoboy1983 said:
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
All 3 brands mentioned are innovative, and are good products within their own arena's. They are not going to appeal to everyone, but I fail to see how owning one of the above is satisfying an "inferior want".
I have not driven the Mini, so I cannot comment, but I own both an iPod and a Smart Roadster. I can say that the iPod is a brilliant bit of kit, let down only by the DRM rubbish that is attached to every .m4p file. The Smart is a brilliant little car. Great fun, surprisingly fast, although not particularly cheap to run, and let down only by the dealers and the quality of some interior fixtures/fittings.
But to describe someone's desire to own one of the above as just an "inferior want" is to admit that you yourself are rather closed-minded...
Popularity doesn't automatically mean inferiority. People don't seem to realise.
corradoboy1983 said:
Bodo said:
The article said:
Some would argue would say that all this is about BMW cashing in on its customers' desire to customise their cars, and bumping up its unit profits massively. ...
Combine wealth and the urge to consume with a technical understanding that ends at the complexity of a pencil: the medium for technical products that contain more than 70% marketing. I'd love to understand how to supply the most inferior wants with products like Minis, ipods and smarts.
All 3 brands mentioned are innovative, and are good products within their own arena's. They are not going to appeal to everyone, but I fail to see how owning one of the above is satisfying an "inferior want".
I have not driven the Mini, so I cannot comment, but I own both an iPod and a Smart Roadster. I can say that the iPod is a brilliant bit of kit, let down only by the DRM rubbish that is attached to every .m4p file. The Smart is a brilliant little car. Great fun, surprisingly fast, although not particularly cheap to run, and let down only by the dealers and the quality of some interior fixtures/fittings.
But to describe someone's desire to own one of the above as just an "inferior want" is to admit that you yourself are rather closed-minded...
I bow in front of the marketing geniuses that get people to spend significantly more on products that satisfy the remaining inferior needs. I don't think any of the aforementioned products are actually technically worse than their competitors; however the innovation comes from the marketing.
What I do not understand is that people react so choked when they feel challenged with being approachable by marketing?? It's not a bad thing not to understand the technical side of the stuff they buy; it's the way the money floats
Lord-Flasheart said:
"Mini One Sidewalk £16,910"
Bit much for a Mini One?
Bit much for a Mini One?
Christ you could buy a real car for that much! I have nothing against the German Austin Maxi. Great medium sized sporty shopping car with style etc, but for 17K you could be driving about in a very tasty Chimera/Griff, 3200GT, classic 911 etc. Hell of a step up from a front drive eurobox with retro-style badges and curves.
ME Right! I now understand what you meant! 
Yes, you are right in that they are not a necessity. However, you can say that basically every car in the marketplace incorporates more than the consumer requires.
Being realistic, most consumers do not actually require a car, but they buy one because they desire one, and it allows (sometimes) safer, and more comfortable passage to a given destination.
I do see your point though, about the image of the Mini/Smart/iPod. All are aimed at a very specific audience, and all rely very much on their percieved qualities to sell...
Yes, you are right in that they are not a necessity. However, you can say that basically every car in the marketplace incorporates more than the consumer requires.
Being realistic, most consumers do not actually require a car, but they buy one because they desire one, and it allows (sometimes) safer, and more comfortable passage to a given destination.
I do see your point though, about the image of the Mini/Smart/iPod. All are aimed at a very specific audience, and all rely very much on their percieved qualities to sell...
waynewonder said:
I guess the launch of the special editions is more about attempting to retain interest/sales in the outgoing model as the old model cabrio will run in parallel with the new model hardtop for a period.
Exactly that. It's nothing more than a run-out edition aimed squarely at propping up the sales charts. Also bear in mind that people don't tend to think 'I must get a convertible' at this time of year either.
And hello to all the noobs that seem to have appeared in this thread.
Thanks Mr Bodo, I have been trying to say these things for a long time without finding the right words (en attendant Bodo...). Maslow = I forgot about that one, I mush have been 19 and asleep that day in Economics class.
One has to be a seriously vulnerable consumer to buy a Mini basically. Nothing wrong with that though if it helps keep jobs for those with a bit more sense.
One has to be a seriously vulnerable consumer to buy a Mini basically. Nothing wrong with that though if it helps keep jobs for those with a bit more sense.
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