My MA buddy texted me this morning and told me to come down and take the new MINI for a test drive. He' knows I'm waiting for the fJCW version but thought I'd still like to see one in person. He was right.

They got 4 demo cars in. 2 Justa's and 2 S's. Silver White and Blazing Red Justa's, and Midnight Black and Thunder Gray S's.

I test drove the Midnight Black 6 speed (17" black cosmos wheels w/pirelli all season run flats). The new interior in these cars is a BIG upgrade from my R56. The only thing that I really didn't like was the fuel gauge. See the picture below. WTF were they thinking? For such an upgraded interior this fuel gauge is a complete downgrade. Ugly and out of place. Having said that, the sport seats are AWESOME! They completely wrap around you and honestly feel like a set of Recaros. Well done, BMW.

The ride; All I can really say is that is feels "refined" without losing the go-kart feel. Feels quicker than my R56 S and has a very nice throaty tone. The rev matching was a little weird for me, and took a bit to get used to (this was a VERY spirited test drive) and the auto engine stop (which is defeatable) will take some time as well.

The LED headlights with cornering and LED fog lights are STUNNING! Again, well done.

This car did not have the Wired Package or HUD so I will have to go back and check out the one that does have it to be able to speak to it, but all in all, I like the car. I'm not head over heals in love with it yet, but it usually takes a while for cars to grow on me. From the initial pictures of the fJCW, I'm thinking this will be a BAD *** little rocket, with all the new comforts and bells and whistles.

 

I was not happy with the gas gauge either, a bit like the previous generation candy corn.

 

SoCalledFriend, thanks for the info!

Would you say the downshift rev-matching was quick enough for multiple successive downshifts (with clutch pedal in and out for each downshift)?

I'm curious to know if the system compares favorably to the ones in the 370Z and '14 Cayman S.

 

So the 2014 does come with rev matching, nice!

 

This is the first time I've driven a car with rev-match, so I can't speak much to it. I would need more time with it to give it a fair assessment.

A couple of other things I wanted to mention. I'm not sure if the sunroof is different in the F56, but the rear pane did not tilt open, only the front. I know it's supposed to (according to MINI's website) so it was either malfunctioning or an additional step is needed now to get both sunroofs to tilt.

I really like the new door handles. Instead of the plastic inside mounted squeeze lever type handle on the R56, the F56's door handles pull out towards you to open the door. Much smoother mechanism.

The last thing (for now) is the size of the driver and passenger mirrors. They are HUGE in comparison to the R56. Not really diggin' how large they are. Not a deal breaker by any means, but they could certainly be smaller.

 

I'm with you on the whole waiting for the FJCW F56. I want to test it when I'll be in the market for a new car. Just don't like the Cooper or MCS body style, but the FJCW looks great.

 

One other thing I forgot to mention (I knew there'd be more) is that regardless if you have comfort access or not, there is no key slot inside the car. It's all toggle start/stop. The car I test drove did not have CA yet there was still nowhere for a key to go.

And....from a convenience standpoint, for some reason, the steering wheel functions have been swapped. The radio controls and cruise control buttons are now on the opposite sides from the R56. There is also no additional USB port in the glove box. The only USB port in the car is the one for the Y connector for iPod/iPhone hookup.

 

The F56 you drove didn't have Nav. There would be no reason for a USB port in the glovebox. That's assuming Nav in the F56 is like the R56, where the USB in the glovebox is only for updating Nav maps (can't be used for audio).

Thankfully, I think they finally got rid of the crude and primitive Y connector.

 

Nice review! Thanks. As more people test drive and ultimately take delivery of the F56 we'll read more reviews. Very positive thus far.

 

These two observations make sense, since the new platform was developed wholly by BMW. On current BMWs, there is no key slot either, whether or not the car has comfort access. Also, when I've had BMW loaners, I've noticed that the steering wheel controls are also the reverse of what we are used to. Neither of these is a big deal. Will just take some getting used to.

People have also commented about the fact that the fuel door is on the right side now. A couple of people have been told that this is for "safety reasons", which makes no sense. More likely, it is due to the fact that BMWs have their fuel fillers on the right, and there will be BMW branded models sharing this platform with MINI.

 

I started to think more about the Comfort Access option as I ordered it on my MINI. Since there is no key slot for all models, that would seem to imply that it uses near field technology to start the car. The MINI website states that Comfort Access adds a transceiver to allow you to unlock the car. I may be a bit cynical but isn't the technology the same and the $250 option merely a keystroke? I'm not a techie, but maybe those who are can weigh in on this.

 

The idea is that if you pull up to a gas pump on the side of the road, you'll stand on the side away from traffic while fueling. The left side fuel door was originally designed for UK roads (driving on left side) because of MINI's UK origins and initial primary market.

 

On the R56 the CA option included starting the car with key in pocket AND unlocking car with key in pocket with the little outside door handle buttons. Now I think all you get for $250 is the latter feature. I don't think it's worth it now.

 

I'm sure the $250 is to equip the door handles with the bush button in order to unlock the door with comfort access. Cars without comfort access have different door handles.

 

I agree, but the wife insisted....

 

So, this is kind of weird. I just checked the inventories of the 3 Northwest MINI dealers and all 3 (Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland) got the exact same 4 F56's. Every color and every single option on each of the different cars are exactly the same on all 4 cars that were sent to these 3 dealers.

I wonder how many other dealerships were sent these exact 4 same cars for promo?

 

I'm seeing the same color mentioned along with model in almost every thread!
And wit the latest hiccup at the plant, it may be something even bigger than they posted about.
Some colors and some options are not in house and several deliveries are still awaiting arrival.
One gentleman stated he had a delivery date or production date, I forgot which, but he said he got e-mailed with two delays already and pushed back his mid march delivery to early June!