Pre BMW new Mini

Post by **indigolemon** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:21 am

Hadn't realised Rover were so far on with the whole thing!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VERY-RARE-COL ... 1260878951

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:30 am

You have to wonder what it would have done for Rover if they had launched it under their own steam.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:36 pm

just shows how short sighted the guys running the british motor industry where this would have saved rover

Post by **rob quilter** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:41 pm

Still can't believe Rover had a huge hand making this. I don't believe it would sell as well as what it has done under BMW, as too many people are brand snobs. It could of saved Rover tho!

Post by **RattyMcClelland** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:08 pm

It wouldnt have saved Rover, Knowing how british they are they would have used the k series 1.4 which would last 20k before the head gasket would fail and there performance model would use the Rover v8 that has never changed since the 60s.

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:12 pm

you dont know what they were going to do, they obviously wanted to use a hot engine in the cooper with the scoop. That might have been a turbo'd 4cylinder, after all they didnt do so bad with the 6r4

so they had the engineering know how to make stuff work.

Post by **rob quilter** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:54 pm

The engine that actually went into the mini is based on a 1.6 from the Peugeot 106.

Post by **Doggo** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:11 pm

Decent engineers, Crap management*

*see also everything else in the UK

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:22 pm

Interesting find, but yep they were well on with it, that's why BMW retained that part of the company and sold off the rest.