Hi!

I've been lurking for a while, and just now decided to pipe up. I'm not an owner yet, as I'm still searching for the perfect one. I remember when the first gens came out... Can't say I was a huge fan. I'm even ashamed (now) to say that I heavily disliked them.

But, they've really grown on me over the years and after I test drove the r53 late last year at our local MINI dealership (not even looking to buy, just being impulsive), there is NO other vehicle that even compares! It was a really thrilling experience and MINIs are so distinctly unique from other cars. Now, every other car that I look at and get into is just so bland. I knew that I HAD to get one. After spending many weeks configuring my dream car on the miniusa site, I finally went back to my MA to order a 2006 MCS.

Several days later (I worked at another dealership at the time), one of the salesmen who was also looking to buy a MINI, informed me that the r56 MCSes were going to be turbo'd! At this point, I was thinking that they would be much easier to and have more parts for modding. I went ahead and took a look at some of the pictures of the second gen, then saw my MA and discussed my plans to, regrettably, cancel the order for my r53 and put one in for an '07 model at the beginning of the following year.

So, January rolls around and after configuring my r56 MCS online, to my dismay, the aero kit option is not available until the beginning of the SUMMER! I have to wait longer?! :impatient Must be worth it. Call up my MA, chat with her about how bummed I am about the aero kit and that I'm gonna hold off 'till I can get one. She called me around February/March, when the r56es were first available to test drive, and I jump at the opportunity! I was absolutely ecstatic... That is, until I drove one. The excitement factor dropped a bit, and I wasn't too partial to the minor cosmetic (both interior and exterior) changes, either. I decided not to purchase an r56 when pictures of the aero kit were released.

Wow. Just... WOW.

It was HIDEOUS! Talk about disappointing! And a definite waste of $1,400 (no offense, to each their own). I personally think that the r56 pretty much looks the same, with or without the kit. Since then, I've been beating myself up for not getting the r53 and have been looking for an '05 or (preferably)'06 'cause I don't like the steering wheels on the older ones. I've found a handful that I want (pretty picky about the options), but always missed the chance to purchase one by a hair.

Here I am, a MINI-deprived enthusiast still looking for the right one.

That wasn't long winded.

 

Welcome to NAM. You'll enjoy it here. Hope you find "the right one". Let us know when you do.

 

finally someone who dislikes r56's too ....i was in your boat pretty much and decided to stick with an r53 instead and boy am i happy