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BMW acquires rights to John Cooper Works brand name for MINI « » 8:57 AM 12-12-2006 Reply to this post

BMW acquires rights to John Cooper Works brand name for MINI

http://www.forbes.com/business....html

Quote »

BONN (AFX) - Bayerische Motoren Werke AG said it is acquiring the rights to the brand name John Cooper Works under a deal signed yesterday and effective from January 2007.

No financial details were disclosed.

A BMW spokesman said the acquisition is in line with BMW's strategy to strengthen the company's MINI brand.

John Cooper Works currently fits BMW's Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models with tuning kits and accessories for customers who want to make the cars faster and sportier.

LexFather

Let me tell you, I absolutely LOVE what BMW has done for Mini!

mmarshall

Have you driven one?

LexFather

Yes, hell I couldn't believe I fit with absolutely no issues. It was brief though and not a S

ff_

I owned one for a short while. It's a pretty neat car in concept, but in reality it's totally disappointing. Very little torque, excessively tall gearing, and tons of understeer. I just didn't find anything about the car to be fun.

LexFather

Every single reviewer raves over the Mini handling. Every single one. If u think it is not fun, then I understand your intense hatred for the IS and my suggestion is again, buy a BMX

ff_

As with any vehicle comparison, it depends on what you're used to/accustomed to before you drive the MINI. If the reviews you've read are from people that came from Civics, Ford Escorts, or some huge SUV, then yeah, it handles great. If you ask someone that's come from a proper RWD car with power that handles well (330i, M3, S2000), they'll tell you a very different story.

Who said that I have an intense hatred of the IS? I bought one, and still own one, don't I? I think it's numb and floaty, and weighs far too much. But I haven't gotten rid of it. Yet. Couldn't be that bad, no?

Stage3

iTrader: (3)

So are they going to make a JCW edition or did they acquire the name just for badging purposes? I don't know about everyone else, but I am a fan of the Mini and what BMW has done for the Mini. I'm not a fan of the interior design that much, but it's a nice toy... Like a grown-up's go-kart.

mmarshall

Well, if I can fit in one with my bulk, you certainly should.

LexFather

Every single EVO, CAR, Top Gear, Motor Trend, C&D etc etc, LOVES the Mini Cooper for being one of the few truly fun to drive cars......

I cannot fathom how you can come to the conclusion it is not fun

mmarshall

Certainly fun handling...there's no question about that. But the light weight, short wheelbase, stiff suspension, and almost zero wheel overhangs make for a harsh ride.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

I can see BMW using the 1 series 4cyl. motor and giving this car the M treatment. There is a vid of a Hartge 1 series..Perhaps I will post it later tonight.

ff_

It's fun compared to the other FWD competition (well, up until the Civic Si returned, and the advent of the Mazdaspeed 3), so I will give it that. And that's what they're comparing it to. I unfairly compare it to the cars I've owned, and found that the car is horribly slow off the line, and the front tires lose traction in the twisties quicker than you can say "front wheel drive". IMO, that is not fun.

mmarshall

Odd....this is not something the Mini is noted for, even with FWD. Did the Mini you drove have worn or sub-standard tires?.......that is the most likely cause.

cpone

My co-worker has a mini.
She LOVES it.
I would be scared to drive in that little death trap on wheels.