No JCW Paceman doesn't drive anything like the hatch. I don't want anything that big, I just wouldn't mind something a little more comfy for long trips, but a car that's still as fun to drive as the current car. A happy medium between GTI like usability but current MINI driving dynamics. That would be my ideal car. Don't get me wrong, I don't want the car to be soft at all, I just definitely wouldn't mind the bump steer to be tamed down, because how the current car is, the bump steer is pretty crazy. I'm not sure if it's magnified by the rear sway bar I have, and the 17" tires, but the car is like a slingshot over bumps. It takes away from the fun of driving when mid corner a bump sends the car skidding over in the opposite direction.

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The paceman and countryman sit way too high, and don't have anything that appeals to me in a car, besides the added space. The paceman though, really is kinda pointless since it's so much more expensive, and the rear headroom is lacking, it's only got 4 seats, and you lose the fun factor of having a MINI in that model. To me it's kinda pointless, unless you really have to have a MINI, but don't want the low slung hatch.

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I hope the JCW Concept makes it to the Philly car show in January. We are one of the top 4 car shows in the country (LA, Detroit, NY, Philly) so i'm thinking we have a good shot at seeing it.

I love my R56 but i still would like to see the new model.

@afadeev - thanks for the M3 pics.

 

I'm starting to get real interested in the F56. I've been in the hunt for a replacement for my '02 R53 recently. I test drove a VW Golf TDI a few weeks ago...neat, tidy, well engineered... but the car just has no soul. I'm hoping to see what the new engine and body do to increase mileage. If the MCS can get into the 37+ mpg range, it would be a real winner.

 

I saw the new F 56 at the San Francisco Auto Show; no I did not like it at all !

The front end looks too long and overall its grown too large.

Sorry BMW, you have F'ed up this one; Now we know why its an F model.

 

When did they have the San Fran show? Didn't hear anything about it being there.

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The SF show is usually on around thanksgiving. If I'd known the F56 was there I might have made an effort to get there.

 

I haven't seen the car of course, but so far I like what I see. I am actually interested in driving the Just a with the much bigger motor with turbo. The HUD looks a little odd, it looks as if you have to look through that plastic to see the road right in front. I don't need to see the speed or the radio station either. I have an idea that you have to get the NAV and the HUD to see directions. If you have the NAV, why pay extra for the HUD? And 49 mpg for the S in the brochure? What's that in real money?

 

The new Justa has a smaller engine than before, and the S gets the same MPG as the current car. You're looking at the imperial mpg, and on the European cycle which is extremely over inflated. The S automatic is supposed to get one or two more mpg than before, but the S manual is the same.

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Timing chains fixed???

....probably not

 

Reading these forums is an awful lot like reading "Who moved my Cheese"...with different artistry.

 

Well, the N20 hasn't had the timing chain problem, and since the B38/48 is based heavily on that engine, I'm hoping it has been fixed. Maybe the timing chain was the Peugeot contribution to the engine design. lol.

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The Justa has a 3 cylinder engine 1.5 L, but it's turbocharged and gets more HP and torque than the current Justa, I think 136 HP.

 

I know it's turbo'd but your original post said it has a much bigger engine. I just wanted to let you know it doesn't have a bigger engine in case you had read that somewhere. The new 3 cylinder is going to be a beast of an engine, and I think it will be a sweet thing for tuning. It's said to be able to produce up to 300Hp and it will have that sweet sound like a baby BMW 3.0L I-6.

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BMW HUD system works really well, with one minor caveat: your sunglasses can't be polarized.
Assuming MINI will copy BMW system (vs. do something cheap on its own), there is no "plastic tray" despite what miniusa.com web site picture is implying. In reality, HUD is very unobtrusive and looks a lot more like the following:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=...87929527357393

It's a nice feature, though maybe less appealing in a MINI at the $1,800 BMW price point (assuming MINI's will be similar) as the only other part of the bundle - parking camera and assist - is a silly thing to have in a small and easy-to-park car like a MINI.

On the other hand, MINI USA had sold a few rear bumper parking sensors ... to someone. The same crowd will probably gobble up the MINI HUD as part of "driver assist" package.

a

 

I will be interested to see the F56 for real before passing judgement. It certainly has some different styling characteristics compared to the R56, as did the R56 compared to the R53. The criticisms of this latest model compared to the previous generation is like the fall of 2006 all over again. Despite all the groans the R56 sold and I'm sure the F56 will do the same.

One of the most exiting features I'm going to look forward to testing is the optional adjustable dampers controlled by a simple flip of a switch at the base of the gear shifter. It they work as described then it will be a joy to be able to soften the suspension for driving on bumpy roads and stiffen them when the road smooths out and gets twisty.

 

If it's anything like the ESD on BMW's motorcycles, it will be magic. But I fear it would also come with the same drawback: when the shocks are worn out, rebuild will be nearly impossible for the home mechanic and replacements dearly expensive. I'll let someone with deeper pockets than mine be the crash test dummy for that.

 

That's what I said on my Final Test Test Drive application on MINIUSA.COM. I hope it does eliminate the crazy twitches over roughness, while allowing an even stiffer ride on those silky smooth roads.

 

That's the part I missed from my post. I will also be interested to see the price . I'm hoping it isn't as expensive as I think it might be.

 

I was excited to hear about the "NEW" MINI and thought maybe the 2014 will be the year to get a new Coupe. I even passed up on 2013 GP thinking the next generation would be better. But now after seeing the photos and specs, I'll just keep our R50, R53 & R56. I believe they will become the new "classic" if MINI continues to build for the masses. They missed the mark on the new design - bigger, heavier - and forgot about all of us that helped MINI get to where they are today. But like anything else, if something is good and it sells, "let's discontinue the old and give everyone something new." I'm disappointed. Hmmmm, maybe I'll have to check out the Fiat Abarth. (Geez, I can't believe I just said that!)

 

.......Confirming what many have said throughout the post. I agree with you.

 

Everything is already expensive as hell to fix on these cars, so what's a few more bucks down the hole?

 

Damn European cars here in the U.S. sucks to get anything fixed. My buddies '08 GTI has been a money pit with problems after problems...and he has no mods done either lol.

 

That's why I'm hoping the US MK7 gti will be a departure from that. It's going to be built here in N. America. VW has really shot up in the reliability category the last 5 years.

 

The ABARTH is like a Toyota Camry...no matter what you do to it, it's still boring. You can't do but so much with that 500 underpinnings, shape, and quality.