Keith Adams
I can already sense the barrage of criticism we’re about to receive for this one but, in choosing the MINI (2000-2006) for AROnline’s Car of The Decade, I’m looking at a number of factors.
However, before you comment, read the full article and look at the picture gallery…
Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline
Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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Keith, I think it’s a good and fair result. All the anti-MINI contributors need to recognise that this car is an international success. For all its faults, BMW made the right call for what the market wanted.
Keith, I think you rattled a few with this one. I’m a bit stuck on this one, I neither love or loathe this car but it has brought a lot of jobs to Oxford, which isn’t a bad thing.
My problem is: this I have a Land Rover Discovery and a Triumph GT6 and have owned a lot of other BL/ARG cars including Mini’s. However, I also own a mint low mileage BMW E30 Touring and I have just finished restoring a 1983 944 (try changing the clutch on one of those!) so I am a bit torn.
Not all BMW’s are great – the first Z3s were pants – but, when they make a good one, they do it well and this is one of those cars, otherwise it would have bombed.
What would be our ‘car of the decade’ for the 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and 50s?