24 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

I rather like it the way it is and am pleased it has stayed untouched.

 

I don't think you can really improve on the aesthetics. many have tried and failed in my opinion.

 

Perhaps they could have designed something more modern in terms of engines in the later years but the A series is adequate enough

[mab01uk]

One thing that could have been improved on was build quality.

The way it was built was old fashioned but as improvements in car build design were introduced over time. Things like galvanised body panels, weld through primers, better sealants.

Could that not have been introduced?

Would it have added that much to the production cost?

 

The problem was that thoughout the Mini's later life there were always more pressing needs for development time and money to be used with the far more profitable cars in the BL model range. Also throughout most of that time no one would have imagined that the Mini would last until 2000 and have enough life left in it to warrant the investment in major updates. Only when BMW came along and cancelled the 1996 ending of production by Rover did any major updates happen with the launch of the MPi (BMW marketing also wanted the classic Mini to remain on sale and in the public eye until the New Rover R50 MINI launch in 2001).......but these MPi updates were mainly to meet new European safety, noise and pollution regulations and not to make the Mini resist rust like a modern car which would have cost many millions more to add on the now ancient production line....and pushed the price of the MPi Mini even higher!

Edited by mab01uk, 16 August 2015 - 10:22 AM.

[Spider]

Reading the posts here, it seems clear to me that many of us do see the basic building block that the Mini is and how it could have been so much more.

 

mab01uk, you raise a very good point, re: adding a 5th gear! Especially when it's looked at why they supposedly up-dated the A Series Engine and it's transverse Gearbox, it just doesn't really add up,,,, or maybe that was the problem. For the money they recon they threw at the A+, surely they could have done something truely up to date for that time?

 

 

One thing that could have been improved on was build quality.

The way it was built was old fashioned but as improvements in car build design were introduced over time. Things like galvanised body panels, weld through primers, better sealants.

Could that not have been introduced?

Would it have added that much to the production cost?

 

I don't want to come across as having a dig or anything like that, but it did seem that the build quality in the UK did have it's issues, for the most part, the cars we produced here (in Aust) were pretty good. In later years, there were some serious issues with panel fitment and no doubt the poor work ethic that comes with knowing you'll all soon be sacked (and the curtain pulled for the final time).

 

The late Mokes (produced in Aust), from November 1979 on had Galvanised Bodies and later they just went to Galvabond Panels. I don't know if this was carried over when the facility was relocated to Portugal in 82.

 

<Edit: Did the Roto-dip carry on to the end in the UK?>

Edited by Moke Spider, 16 August 2015 - 10:24 AM.

[mab01uk]

<Edit: Did the Roto-dip carry on to the end in the UK?>

 

The front bulkhead central speedo hole was deleted on introduction of the MPi? and in the rear seat bulkhead much earlier in the 1980's? in the UK, the holes with a square corner were used by the Roto-dip 'spit' to rotate the shell during the dipping process. Not sure the exact year it ceased but it did not carry on to the end of UK production.

http://www.austinmem...d-34/index.html

 

Rota-Dip BMC Leyland Australia

"It is three quarters of a circle with a square corner. Each spit had a driving key which provided the torque to turn the body. The spit hole was not round but had an extra cutout to clear the key hence the square corner."

Page 24 on:

http://www.bmclaheri...n to IEAust.pdf

Edited by mab01uk, 16 August 2015 - 12:15 PM.

[Black.Ghost]

I've not read through everything here, but although to the outsider it appears completely unchanged, there is not a single common part from the first one off the production line to the last one.

[Steve220]

One thing that could have been improved on was build quality.The way it was built was old fashioned but as improvements in car build design were introduced over time. Things like galvanised body panels, weld through primers, better sealants.Could that not have been introduced?Would it have added that much to the production cost?

You're bang on the money, however, MG rover were losing money on each car is it was to get them to sell for a decent price. When I went for a factory tour back in 2001 they'd just taken the production line out. The chap showing us around was brutally honest about it all!

[chrisxr2]

If they all had had the five speed gearbox I think they would have sold for longer, makes it a different car imho.

[finch661]

is it not typical of a lot of (old) British cars, the design worked well the year before, so why change it. look at how long the defender ran for (as well as the range rover) - simple but effective design unchanged for many decades. The main thing stopping the mini was new emissions and safety regulations.  I think i would like the MINI a bit more if there was a gradual evolution to the new shape, opposed to what happened. 

[Spider]

Cheers for that on the Roto-dip situation in the UK, I didn't think it was carried to the end, but there you go, looks like it was dropped in the 80's. While a very effective scheme, it must have been expensive and it looks like it took up a lot of factory real estate.

 

 

 

Rota-Dip BMC Leyland Australia

"It is three quarters of a circle with a square corner. Each spit had a driving key which provided the torque to turn the body. The spit hole was not round but had an extra cutout to clear the key hence the square corner."

Page 24 on:

http://www.bmclaheri...n to IEAust.pdf

 

 

 

Yeah, I believe that the Roto-dip we had here was the only other one outside of the UK, sadly closed down at the end of 1974.

[jagman.2003]

Just a 5-speed box & a better cylinder head would have be fine by me.

I like the simplicity & effectiveness of the mini.

But it's ability to keep up with modern traffic speeds I find quite disappointing.

I would like to try a 5-speed box one day. But getting one at a good price always looks like a challenge.