I agree, in the early stages of MINI there was alot of malice from mini owners toward MINI owners. I was in the UK and stumbled across a local mini car club meet (as an ex mini owner i went up for a chat) one guy spat at me when he heard I had a new MINI. I was at the 45th anniversary of the mini here in Perth, and the snide, rude and downright uncalled for comments from some mini owners were disturbing to say the least.

That is why clubMINI was formed, just about every MINI owner can give you an example of being unwelcomed at a mini event (even to the extremes of having their cars vandalised). Personally I think the entire practise is bloody childlike. Some people need to grow up and just accept there is a new MINI, loved by millions of people world wide and we are not going away.

clubMINI WA has recently invited Southern Districts Mini Club for a joint run, the decision is in their hands. We are doing our best to discourage this complete nonsense that goes on. Enough of the "thats not a mini", or the BINI (what a stupid term, was that thought up by a 10 year old?), as others have said if you take that logic far enough then the first ever model mini is the only mini. To me if it has a MINI badge its a MINI/mini.

Enough is enough already. Let's put it all behind us and start enjoying each others cars for the character they have.

Lets MINI

Let me clarify the above post.
1st paragraph: all details correct
2nd para: It did used to be that you had to own a new MINI to join the club earlier on, however you have now added the associate membership. So I though I was correct until I found out this new information.
3rd para: correct
4th Para: My observations after speaking to some of the new MINI owners about cruising with classic Minis very early when clubMINI was being set up.

I did not at any stage in my quote refer to the MINI as BINI, I don't do that.
I did not at any stage say that all clubs accepted the MINI with open arms. I can only say that the club I belong to (VMCI) is more than willing to accept MINI owners and have quite a few who join us on regular runs.
I did not say at any stage that I was against MINI owners.

A quote from a previous post:
Last Show n Shine the VMCI had approximately 10 new MINIs there, in the coming years we would look to grow this number to include more new MINIs (if welcome Confused )

Yes, we did have MINIs at our show n shine. You were invited to attend. We also have a good relationship with BMW Group Australia. They have been one of our major sponsors since MINISHOW 2000. If I run any future shows all Mini, MINI and derivative of Mini's will continue to be invited to attend.

I hope this clears things up.

I have driven and love the MINI, unfortunately I cannot afford one. I have been loaned one from Bib Stillwell MINI Garage and BMW Group Australia and they are absolutely fantastic.

You may find that Classic Mini owners who may not have a MINI yet, may wish to join clubMINI with the intention of eventually owning one.

This is my own personal opinion.

[/b]

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

thanks for the clarification mutant mini

Personally I would like to see regualr events with both mini and MINI side by side. I grew up with mini's, folks have always had one as long as I can remember, that and riley elfs (is that going to open a can of worms? ). Love them all!

Jason

Just to let you all know I am currently on the organising commitee on clubMINI Victoria (*ducks for cover* - quack :p) and we are looking into a range of events to go to.

I know for a fact that the associate membership package has been available since day dot with all clubMINI chapters across Australia - it was part of the original clubMINI constitution set about by the founding members of clubMINI QLD prior to getting BMW's official approval.

clubMINI QLD has been in operation for approximately 3 years and has over 50 members in QLD prior to BMWs approval.

The original new MINI club to get BMW sanctioning failed in their attempt to get approval, than another group took over under the umbrella of clubMINI.

The best part about mini ownership is that we can have fun at Ze German Days, the English Days, BMW days and MIni days How versatile!!
(We enjoy knowing who won the war at ze German days too )

The thing that alot of people forget is that we are all car lovers - especially those who go the extra step on an online forum (they must be seriously nuts :p) - We drive around with a very similar badge on our cars, with the same writing at least and most came down the Oxford line too... We love and treasure our cars - we certainly dont appreciate being flipped off or snarled at!

For mini owners to operate in a unified environment, some need to pull their heads in abit. I have the up most respect for anyone - no matter what walk of life - if they have a mini... they know what I feel when Im on the open road.

I look forward to catching up with you all in the future!

Todd

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Thanks guys. I actually have met up with some of the guys from Qld. Met them at the Mini Owners Club show up there.

Sounds goods to me sharing events.

The more the merrier.

I must admit that I was told by a person who attended MINI cruises that "MINI owners didn't want to drive with Classic Mini owners because we go to slow". I told him that we can all go fast enough to keep up with the speed limit and I thought that was fast enough.

Maybe we'll catch up at an event sometime.

By the way your all invited to Minis On The Murray. We have some MINI's attending. See post in Coming Events section of this forum.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

I'd say that guy was just being sillly Jan.

I'm thinking of attending some of the VMCI events Jan, do you promise I'll be welcome there though in a new Mini? (I've still got my big VMCI Sticker over the back )

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Dark Silver Mini Cooper S with lots of mods .

Well put it this way, two my the guys in the club that come to just about all the events we have both have MINI Cooper's. One is silver with a body kit (drove to SA Mini show with us a couple of weeks ago) and the other a yellow one which is in Craig's calendar this year (also drove to SA with us).

I cannot speak for every individual but can tell you that a MINI is the same as a MINI and a Moke and a derivative and as far as I'm concerned.

I don't care what people drive we get together to socialise and drive.

Put it another way, do you care that we drive Classic Mini's?

I don't think so!

Hopefully see at an event.

I have posted on the MINI forum about our weekend next week and if you are interested look in the ausmini events section. Minis on the Murray April 9/10th.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Are there still places in motels up there?

Honestly whats holding me back at the min is that I don't know anyone at all who will be there, but maybe I can get a few of my clubMINI mates up there...

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Dark Silver Mini Cooper S with lots of mods .

Motel we are booking at at the moment is the Commodore Motor Inn. I'm sure you will fit in with some of our people attending. After all there will be 115 of us up there.

If you can't find someone to talk to then your not trying.

Bookings for the dinner Sat. night close Monday so don't wait too long.

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mutant mini 1380cc '73 UK imp-Chroma Lusion-leather interior-8 x 300W Diamond Audio Dual Voice Coil 8" subs, Phoenix Gold 4 chnl amp, Pioneer 7550 DVD, 2x Phoenix Gold A1.800d MonoBlock Amp, Focal Utopia splits, 14" chrome rims 195/40/14 tyres

Hi Jan

Just my 20c, I would love to have a classic Mini in my garage next to the MINI. But then I would need to get rid of my '64 AH Sprite.

Maybe not, I could just get another one Now that would required some discussion with the finance department.

Keep smiling.

Chris

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