I am starting to look for another sporty car. Ready to offload my 2011 Cooper S. So I test drove a 2015 S today. It felt heavy, plush and refined and drove more the Countryman loaner given to me at a visit. Wow, where did the spunk go. The nail in the coffin came when the sales person, female, late 20s who was riding with me stated, I was looking at Buicks, but I am not thinking about buying a Mini Cooper. Yep, I am not looking for a Buick.

 

I've read these two sentences a dozen times, and they still don't make any sense to me. A revisit to the punctuation and maybe use of some quotation marks if appropriate would probably help a lot.

 

They're not for everyone. Check out GTIs.


I don't understand the last two sentences either.

 

Everyone has a right to an Opinion and I disagree with yours and the sales person

 

I literally laughed out loud when I read your reply, I was thinking the same thing myself.

Cool Story OP...

The people that post in this forum sometimes baffle me. I am all about opinions, but what the hell was the purpose to even start this thread?

 

Why are you ready to offload the 2011 MINI Cooper S? How many miles are on the car?

 

Me too.. was thinking about what the sales person was trying to say about Buick. I still don't get it.

 

Another useless thread.

 

We had two R56S, the F56S is a very different driving car, we wanted to like it and did in many ways, but it doesn't have that raw sporty feel of the R56S. If you like the R56S feel the Coupe takes it to the next level.

I find your reference to Buick interesting, my wife viewed the F56S as a luxury car and liked it. It got her in the mood to shop luxury performance cars, as a result she traded her R56S on a G37S.

 

If the 2011 R56 is so awesome, why get rid of it... It's 2011, it's not like it is old.

 

The R56 is a better go kart.

The F56 is just a better car.

 

Oh noes!! Someone doesn't like the F56! :(
Better sell mine.

 

Yup. I'm waiting for the dealership to open so I can cancel my order and something something Buick.

 

Well Buicks aside the F56 is a different car than what came before. I came to it from a 2010 R55s. While keeping the basics of a MINI, the designers defintely changed much of the car. As far as the spunkiness being lost, I think you'll find it's just managed differently. You can throw this car around hard. In my case it's a good thing that the salesman knew me because I really DROVE the tester in order to make up my mind. Since owning one I have had numerous spirited drives in which the new car kept up nicely with modded R53 and R56 cars, even giving a JCW a run for its money.BUT, if I wanted a more track like feel or if I was into a more visceral, raw experience, I would go for a Coupe or a GP. Unfortunately for me, this is my daily driver and the other two have drawbacks in that department.

I am waiting to see what the new JCW will be like and what mods I can make to my F56. The car performs very well but it is very different than previous models. With a little tweaking I think it can outperform previous MINIs. My advice is to talk to more people who have moved to a F56 from a previous model. Ask them questions. Sales people can be useful, but if you aren't feeling the connection go to another salesperson or dealership. This is a new car, don't go in expecting it to be like a R56 it isn't.

 

As cars evolve they lose owners and pick up new owners. As Mini has gone from the R53 to the R56 to the F56 they've lost owners along the way but also picked up new owners that wouldn't consider a Mini before. I couldn't stand the R53 but the R56 was perfect in my opinion. These cars aren't for everyone, you either like it or you don't and there's nothing wrong with not liking it but for everything you didn't like there's someone out there that liked just that. It's your money, buy what you like.

 

I am too...an AWD 280 hp would be nice.

 

Well it's not unfortunate, driving a Trabant would be that. I truly love the ride of the F56 and am quite happy with my daily driver. What Benibiker said about buying what you like is absolutely true. Certainly as well we should all drive what we want too. Best of luck.

 

Gosh. You are the owner of a 2011 yet only have 6 posts on a forum devoted to Mini's. Not quite the car devotee I respond to but here goes:
The previous generation is a fun, more visceral type of driving car ...yet I disliked the torque steer, interior quality, Cooper S pricing - but loved the styling.
Some of us are clearly the new breed of Mini fans who require more "bang for the buck". More car, more technology, better quality and road presence.
I am absolutely FLABBERGASTED when someone says they are disappointed with the F56 road test. Be disappointed with the fully loaded Cooper S price maybe? But don't give me that codswallup!

 

This is probably the best way to put it

 

I completely agree. I love my R56 but I have test driven the F56 and it's a NICE car. I love the interior finishes, it feels like you're actually getting what you paid for. I love the gas mileage; I never thought you could love the way a car drives and be completely blown away by how far you can go before empty (and I thought my R56 had great gas mileage...). However, I do like the exterior stylings of the R56 as opposed to the F56.

It's just down to personal preference. If you aren't a fan of the new MINI, buy an R56. At least if you get a 2013-2014, it'll still remain "new" for quite some time.

 

Another one of these, "I just didn't like it so I created a thread", threads?

Simple: Then don't buy one. There are plenty of us who have been totally satisifed with our new Minis.

 

I agree with George....less than expected trade in offer on their 2011 = slam MINI. :P

 

This thread is funny. OP makes a statement that is hard to follow and leaves the reader with the feeling expressed in the subject line. However, he/she fails to join in the discussion or answer questions generated by statements made.

If is quacks, waddles, has a bill and feathers it's a duck. This sure does look/smell like a troll.

I think if you test drive the F56 and don't like it.....move on and find something that makes you happy and satisfies.

It would be like me as a MCS owner, checking out another brand and then disparaging it on the board dedicated to the vehicle. I wouldn't bother, got better things to do with my time.

As to how the F56 compares to previous models......who really cares? If the previous model was so great, why buy the F56? I personally note that the F56 is larger than previous models....but, to me it is right sized....it could be longer and for that little need you go the 4 door model.

Handling on this car is fantastic....great balance of ride and handling.....best I've seen in a production car. If I want a full blown track car......I can mod it to achieve that goal. But, if you want a car that handles like this one and still have a great ride...I don't think there are too many peers.

 

Absolutely love my F56. Traded in my R56 which I thought was really good. The F56 is all I hoped for and much more. I agree with others, don't like it, don't buy it. I remember all hoopla when Porche came out with the 924. A auto manufacture will not survive without always moving forward.

 

Absolutely, after owning two R56S's, the F56S is a great car.