I'm sure there maybe a thread on this but i think its okay for some newer, refreshed thoughts. Okay. So i am posting this to see what you guys think is better and WHY? The Mini Cooper S R53 or the R56? i always liked the r53 because it seemed to have a more "sporty stance" than the r56 does, but all the nice accessories and such are on the r56. Whats your opinion, and is there an actual better choice, thats backed by facts?

 

Here we go again.....
About a million threads on this...

 

When I was shopping for my 05 R53 one of the reasons I went with it was because of the supercharger the other was it was more raw concept rather than more refined like the R56

 

How about MORE MINI..the r53 was mostly desgined my rover...then partially re-engineered by BMW to make the concept more buildable by them....so it was/is wonderfully raw...Not over baked, overly the result of a million hours of focus groups....
It was simply what the makers wanted....
Also built with many more "substantial" parts....no salad tray thickness plastic parts...
Not perfect, but wonderfully imperfect....
Only issue is finding a GOOD ONE....driven nicely, they are reliable.... Driven hard.....can be a money pit...like any car, including a gen2

 

If I had 2 words to describe the 1st Gens, this would be it. Such a great feeling from the driver seat and much more driver connection than the 2nd Gens. I really enjoy a lot of the gadgets and features of the 2nd gen, but they're missing that rawness the 1st Gens had.

 

The best MINI is:

Whatever one I'm driving at the moment you ask me. :D

 

R53 are a lot more rebuildable and imho have more performance options. 05-06 is the sweet spot ( or up to 08 for R52). no need for walnuts either.

 

I think this sums it up best:

The R53 was designed to feel like a MINI.

The R56 was designed to feel like a MINI compared to its competition.

Neither feel anything like the original Mini.



They are both great cars, but have different strengths and weaknesses. While one might be the more hardcore driver's car, that doesn't mean the other one is a lump by any means. My advice... If your cross shopping a Miata, get the R53. If you're cross shopping something like a GTI MKv, get the R56.

 

I think you hit the nail on the head. I love my R56 and my wife really likes hers. I would not mind having a really nice R53 to play with. Actually, if I had the money, I would really like to have an '06 GP as a third car.

 

The best answers will come from the those who've switched from 1st to 2nd gen & the hordes of those who did the reverse, 2nd to 1st. The 1st is suited better for the tinkering enthusiast.

 

The R53 is really something special in that regard. It's aftermarket and variety of replacable bits is above and beyond most cars. I am always envious of the interior especially. Not because of its style, but because nothing in the R56 was designed to be easily replaceable (downtubes, speedo/gauges, radio,etc).