So let me get the first question out of the way, as I know most people are pic junkies... NO, I currently do not have a Mini. So there are no pictures to please our eyes with. Hope to change that soon.

Toys: Right now I find my self in the driver's seat of a 2011 Mitsubishi Evo GSR, as my DD. Also in the garage I have a '05 Chevy Colorado Xtreme (to be for sale soon), a '14 Mazda CX-9 (going to be traded-in for something smaller, wife's ride), a 1972 Datsun 510, and to top that off a '01 Kawasaki Ninja ZX.
So you can see that the garage is pretty packed at the moment.

I really have my eye set on the R53 Supercharger, but have some brief reading before membering-up, I read some validity towards the R56 Turbo based on power delivery. I'm not stranger to the potential lag that turbos can have, but I figured for such a spritely little car it can't be any worse than what I'm already experiencing. I'll continue to browse the forum, reading what I can....and ultimately basing a decision on availability.

Work: I work for a division of company called Rockwell Collins that supports Business Aviation. Basically, I troubleshoot avionics (communication and navigation systems) to ensure that everyone on the aircraft has the ability to communicate by whatever means.

When not working (as if that never happens): I find myself finding an excuse to turn a wrench. I love working on cars. The junkyard is my Zen place, $1 to do hands on research all day on whatever I find=happiness. Other than that, I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time with the family, biking when the weather allows it, and play video games.

I look forward to sharing ideas and chatting much more.

Cheers!

 

Welcome and great to chime into the forum.

You can never go wrong with a R53 or R52 if you like convertibles.... Or one or two of each...

Motor on!

 

Welcome, interesting mix of cars.

The R53 and R56 are two different cars. The best way to pick is drive both and decide which one you like better as they both have pros and cons.

 

Hello potential Mini owner....I just purchased 2010 R56 S and love it, it only had 50k on the ticker and runs great, the lag of turbo is noticeable at first take off but its nothing crazy, after a month of ownership I am seriously in search of exhaust upgrades, that's my only complaint is the car even turbo with 180 roughly hp is very quiet....im a fan of engine and exhaust sound when you get into it but for a completely stock car its one of the top 5 all around fun factor cars I have owned...good luck with what ever you choose to buy..

 

Welcome. I recommend the R53 for a fun weekend warrior.

 

Hopefully I'm afforded the opportunity to 'taste test' both and make a decision on that. Once I sell the Evo, I should have quite a bit of spare change to strategically go to town on the Coop with performance upgrades.

I guess I'm already leaning towards this model group, not totally dismissing the turbo. But also think that if I were to autocross it, that initail low-mid jump would be great. Besides, these things weren't meant for crazy high-speeds, they love corners Although, with some massaging that could happen, seen a couple 10s-11s cars, i'm impressed.

Just looking for something a little more practical, fun to drive all the time yet still great on gas...even with the amount of mods possible on these cars they would still get better MPGs than my Evo.

 

Way is spot on, the R53 and the R56 are very different cars. I have driven a 2004 R53 for over 75,000 miles and now own a 2012 R56 that I have driven for about 1000 miles.

To sum my observations up as simply as possible, I would say the R53 feels lighter and more race inspired. Less insulated, more road feel, raw.

The R56 feels slightly more isolated, insulated and refined.

Both handle like slot cars, the R53 feels more planted in my opinion.

I love both and only picked up the 2012 because I was looking for a low mileage car. I just couldn't find a nice R53 that I felt comfortable buying. The R56 fell my way and has been lovingly maintained.

If I could swing it I would have both in my garage!

 

I'm sure that would be the consensus among most, best of both worlds

 

Welcome from Falls Church, VA. I, also, have no MINI. Anymore, at least. While I miss it, I guess I still just enjoy hanging out with you crazy MINI people.



Good luck with your decision!

 

R53 - i own it and alot of persons i know would recommend it (maybe cause we all drive them).
My opinion might be a bit bias, but when i from drove my 05 r53 at stock and my uncles 2011 r56 at stock, the r53 give me the grin i wanted
As twix would say, try both out and pick a side.

Be sure to join us @ http://www.meetup.com/Central-Maryland-MINI-Motorists/

Im from around the DMV area. There's also http://www.dcmetrominis.org/

 

I joined this forum long before I got a MINI. Picked up my R53 JCW late last year and now I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner. Great fun and never letting it go. All the best!