I stopped by my dealer (Baltimore) to pick up some oil and they showed me the F56 they have in the show room. I haven't really liked the new shape and size looking at pictures online, but it's much better in person! The front end, in particular, doesn't photograph well to me. There's a noticeable taper to the nose that wasn't clear in pics, and it gives the front a bit of an Aston Martin look to it. The headlight rings are really long now as the front end extends further forward than before. The rear still has the sturdy slab-butt look of an older MINI and my German grandmother, and there's definitely a little more space behind the rear seat. The tailgate closed with a more authoritative thunk than I'm used to in my R56. And the interior was good looking, though I didn't climb in for details.

Those of you not liking the visuals might revise your opinion a bit when you see one up close.

 

That's my dealership as well. I'll have to stop by on Saturday to take a look.

 

stopped by the local dealership and they had one. It's big, but still has a small appearance. Was a jcw model. Interior was fabulous and seats were comfortable. It felt very solid and fit and finish was definitely there. Was told that it had more torque than previous years GP.

 

although you can get a JCW steering wheel, the redesigned JCW isn't out until next year. You were either driving a plain ole S or a 2013

 

Sat in one at Atlanta Auto Show tonight. I agree, it is much better looking in person. Still not wild about the Jay Leno chin but I really liked the car.

Interior was much improved and material upgrades were very noticeable. Seats had much better side supports. Fit and finish was very good. Engine compartment was even more packed than R56 - if that is even possible!

 

Drove one today and felt really solid and a bit bigger. Interior quality was a leap ahead. The 3 cylinder felt quite peppy as long as it's in sport mode, mid and green mode were boring. The stop/ start system, although not too intrusive, was annoying and made me question the long term reliability of the starter, but it can be turned off. The standard seats were very supportive and made me rethink the sport seats- until I sat in one with sport seats which seemed to embrace me. Very nice. Ordering one Saturday.

 

There are many improvements. But none the less Its got some styling issues that I wont settle for. maybe in a few years things will work out. But that's only if they stop growing the car. The interior is very nice or at least headed in the right direction. While I did drive the S it does feel solid. But time will tell how long that lasts. Its got a lot of cool electronic gadgets inside the car. But MINI hasn't been totally killer on there electronics either. So im letting the dust settle before I make my move..lol..

 

BMW quality now folks. I expect they have done an exceptional job with the electronics, as well as the whole car. But, time will tell. See the car in person. Drive it. You'll immediate see and feel the differences. Drove mine for the first time yesterday. In 18 days I'll be taking mine home. For now, it's snug at the dealer.

 

Those coming from an R56 will likely find the F56 more visually appealing. Those coming from the R53... not so much.

 

Im from both the R53 and R56 family.. I don't find it appealing.. Now if I could build my own out of the three I would. I think there is this delusion that the new F56 wont have problems.lol. It will.. If im buying a car in general I have to like the outside as well and not just the inside. I just don't like the outside appearance of the F56. The only reason I like it at all is because its a new car with new gadgits!

 

Yeah, I do not like the redesign. I appreciate the interior, and the new mechanicals to a degree, but simply being BMW quality doesn't make it a excellent car. Pull ANY BMW tech at the dealer aside to inquire about that. Just to be clear, I am not knocking BMW, I bought a mini and I knew going in that it's a higher maintenance car. Properly taken care of BMW will last with the best.

 

Exactly! I couldn't say it any better. I feel the same way

 

Not a 2013. Can tell the difference between a 13 and 14. Maybe not between the 2nd gens to 2nd gens, so it would have been a steering wheel.

 

I think the high water mark for MINI was the R53 model. The first series design by Frank Stephenson, combined with the Tritec SC engine, hit the bulls eye and this sweet spot has yet to be duplicated by any of the various follow on models and configurations produced by MINI. Will MINI recapture the magic of the R53 with the new F56? No, not in my opinion. Given this, is the F56 a better car than the R56 it replaces? Yes, it is a significant step above the R56.

 

I agree with you on the original design as it was perfect in every way, although BMW apparently didn't think much of the Tritec SC engine built by Chrysler and Rover.

 

Picked up my wife’s R56S Sport yesterday at the dealer and checked out the new F56, it’s a nice car inside but I totally don’t get the light show ring, it seems like a pointless distraction and a misdirected focus of design. With regards to the new body, the vibe I get is softer and more feminine and I’m not sure if I could man it up enough with color combos, wheel packages and custom striping to see one parked on my side of the garage. We were planning on swopping out my wife’s car in a few months, so it will be interesting to see if the F56 flips her switch.

 

@russmini
You drove the 3 cyl cooper you say.
My question is, it's a turbo?
I was just over @ MotoringFile and a guy says he test drove the 3cyl Twin Power Turbo Cooper Automatic!

Always thought the base was non-turbo then S and JCW were turbos?
Just making sure about my own personal knowledge base here.
I know people make mistakes in typing, and I want to make sure I don't miss speak.

 

With the F56 both Cooper and Cooper S are turbocharged.

 

Yes it was a turbo. MINI's website describes their new "Twinpower Turbo Engines"

http://www.miniusa.com/content/miniu...l/hardtop.html

 

Twin-Power as in turbo and direct injection.

Those who are on the fence about the new F56, you really need to test drive one. Not saying you have to love it, but you can't compare the F56 with the R56 fairly without driving both. All I can say is that after driving 4 different R56s (2 were the 'S') and my new F56, the differences weigh very heavily on the plus side. But hey, even after driving an F-56 not everyone is going to love it. I always say buy what you like and like what you buy. Nothing worse than buying a car you're so-so about and having to drive it for multiple years unsatisfied.

Issues wise, I believe there will be fewer than average with a new model like the F56. All of the reviews have been very positive, including those who have taken delivery. I am very fortunate in that I bought mine from an exceptional dealer. I am extremely confident that they will take great care of me (and my MINI) after the sale.

 

Lets be honest about something....and im not saying this applies to everyone on the forum but.................................
If I had just purchased a 2013 and the "ALL NEW 2014" just came out with a redesign, I would be more inclined to hate it no matter what. Just human nature.

 

R56 owners just aren't sitting very pretty... sandwiched between the beloved Frank Stephenson classic MINI and the new technically superior F56. I predict grumpiness in the not to distance future as the F56 starts to roll out.

 

Nothing to be grumpy about. I prefer the 2013. Weight gain and pudgy styling aren't for me. I genuinely hope the sales of the F56 are strong. A win for Mini is a win for all of us.

 

My prediction... with the launch of the F56, the R56 will rapidly gain a reputation as the "Mustang II" of the MINI generations. You heard it here first.

 

Are you aware Mini made cars before the R50? It's called the Classic Mini, just google it.


Respectfully,