F55/F56 Minor critiques on my new F56
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
Can you replace the tire to non-runflats with the same rim? I read somewhere that if you do this tpms won't work, while some other places say it will work fine.
How many miles can I expect from 2015 oem 16" all-season runflats? When I get mine, I want to switch to regular tires after I use up the runflats.
How many miles can I expect from 2015 oem 16" all-season runflats? When I get mine, I want to switch to regular tires after I use up the runflats.
I had the summer performance Hankooks and was really impressed by then. They are second gen. Sticky in ask conditions.
I now have slightly wider (215) pilot super sports. They are slightly better but are way louder. They are 18" as well do that may make them louder.
Honestly I was very impressed with the hankooks.
I now have slightly wider (215) pilot super sports. They are slightly better but are way louder. They are 18" as well do that may make them louder.
Honestly I was very impressed with the hankooks.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: The True North Strong and Free
[QUOTE=champ198;3922959]Hi everyone,
I've had the car for three days. Here is a list of critiques I've found on my F56. I'm comparing these to what I liked on my Coupe.
2.) The seat back adjustment.
Buckled. . . where's the lever? Try finding it in the dark when you're buckled in and trying to adjust your seat. It's not placed in an intuitive (MINI) location (like between the seats) in my opinion. Notice that the seat belt strap is somewhat tight across the lever?
Question: Written on this lever says "Airbag". So how does or how would the airbag deploy if the seatbelt is worn and it covers the seat back adjustment lever? The seatbelt would stop the airbag from deploying. Safety of the driver would be compromised ???
I've had the car for three days. Here is a list of critiques I've found on my F56. I'm comparing these to what I liked on my Coupe.
2.) The seat back adjustment.
Buckled. . . where's the lever? Try finding it in the dark when you're buckled in and trying to adjust your seat. It's not placed in an intuitive (MINI) location (like between the seats) in my opinion. Notice that the seat belt strap is somewhat tight across the lever?
Question: Written on this lever says "Airbag". So how does or how would the airbag deploy if the seatbelt is worn and it covers the seat back adjustment lever? The seatbelt would stop the airbag from deploying. Safety of the driver would be compromised ???
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Mine came with the Hankooks. After two weeks I pitched a fit and they replaced them with P7s off another car. Sorry for whoever got them, but a world of improvement for me.
I replaced the runflats on my R55 MCS after 2 months because they made the ride totally unacceptable, but I find that the ride quality with the F56 to be improved enough that the runflats are OK.
So my list of complaints:
1. Fake engine sounds
2. Flaky TPMS
3. Why do I have to select Sport Mode to get the best throttle response? That means that the throttle response in Mid Mode has been dumbed down. To what purpose?
4. Not unique to the F56, but why can I never see the top of the speedometer?
I replaced the runflats on my R55 MCS after 2 months because they made the ride totally unacceptable, but I find that the ride quality with the F56 to be improved enough that the runflats are OK.
So my list of complaints:
1. Fake engine sounds
2. Flaky TPMS
3. Why do I have to select Sport Mode to get the best throttle response? That means that the throttle response in Mid Mode has been dumbed down. To what purpose?
4. Not unique to the F56, but why can I never see the top of the speedometer?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Western NY
Then again that's based on automatic loaner which I've been driving. Maybe I'll change my mind when I get my car with a manual transmission.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 193
Likes: 1
I did about a 100-mile highway trip in Sport Mode recently and have to say that Standard is much more pleasant in that situation. It was difficult to modulate the throttle (I don't use cruise control) without having it surge when in Sport.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 306
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles CA
Just look at the "Tread" rating number stamped on the side wall of the tire.
Whatever that says x 100 will give you some idea.
Mine says 420 (I think). Will last 'about' 42,000 miles.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, WA
I hate having to hit stop twice to turn off the accessory mode completely. The Sport mode is a little to quirky to be daily driving in traffic. The bonnet's sheet metal, I think, is too thin. Everytime I close it I think I'm bending it.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 61
Likes: 6
From: Channeled Scablands, WA
Slilock,
A point of caution... much of the redesign of the F56 nose was driven by pedestrian safety issues. The wide black bar running across the grill is a 'crush zone' for pedestrian impact. The hood (bonnet) does seem like it is a little lighter gauge. It was explained to me that it was designed to provide an additional 'crush zone' for pedestrian impact. My dealer cautioned me not close the hood by placing my hands on the hood and force it down. Rather, lower it by the leading edge until it is about 12 to 16 inches from closing then let it simply drop to properly latch. This drill does work and I always get a good latch every time. My guess that these pedestrian consideration are driven more by international regulations than USDOT regs... our auto industry seems to always in a 'catch-up' mode on safety issues.
A point of caution... much of the redesign of the F56 nose was driven by pedestrian safety issues. The wide black bar running across the grill is a 'crush zone' for pedestrian impact. The hood (bonnet) does seem like it is a little lighter gauge. It was explained to me that it was designed to provide an additional 'crush zone' for pedestrian impact. My dealer cautioned me not close the hood by placing my hands on the hood and force it down. Rather, lower it by the leading edge until it is about 12 to 16 inches from closing then let it simply drop to properly latch. This drill does work and I always get a good latch every time. My guess that these pedestrian consideration are driven more by international regulations than USDOT regs... our auto industry seems to always in a 'catch-up' mode on safety issues.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
Interesting about the problem with the polarized sunglasses issue. I traded a BMW 335i for my current R56 and I had big problems with that with the BMW. I couldn't see the radio display at all unless I moved my head straight on to the display. I think it had to do with the orange readout. When I got my R56, that problem was solved and I was very happy about that. I have no trouble with any of the displays with my prescription polarized sunglasses on. Being in the market for a new F56, I'm concerned that this annoying problem apparently is back. Not good at all.
Two more items to add to the list:
1.) Polarized lens and HUD. If you wear polarized sunglasses in the day, you won't be able to see any data displayed on the HUD. I don't think there is a work around on this one except to find another pair of unglasses that aren't polarized. I have a separate thread on this and it is a problem with BMW owners too.
2.) Suspension. I wish I had sport suspension. The F56 is a little softer than what I expected and has a little more body roll than I'd like. It floats over interstate joints and bumps and while that's nice for my kidneys, I loved the somewhat harsher, sports car feel from my Coupe.
2.1) Steering. I'm beginning to adapt to the difference in the steering design of the F56 as compared to my Coupe. It feels, well, looser than I'm used to. At high speeds (yes, the speed you don't want your wife or the insurance company to know you reached in your short sprint on a lonely stretch of straight interstate), it wanted to drift and wander a little. It also felt like the car was getting too much air under it. There is something to be said for the "darty" feeling of the 2nd Gen steering. That's one thing I loved about my MINI. My Coupe steering felt precise as compared to the F56.
As soon as aftermarket or JCW suspension parts come out, money is no object to make this F56 into a MINI that John and Michael Cooper would be proud of. I've never modded any of my MINIs because I thought it wasn't needed. This one needs something.
Keep in mind that we're talking moderate degrees of performance here and differences between my Coupe S and the F56 S. A person that drives a Buick or Hyndai would think this new F56 is a freakin Porsche!!
1.) Polarized lens and HUD. If you wear polarized sunglasses in the day, you won't be able to see any data displayed on the HUD. I don't think there is a work around on this one except to find another pair of unglasses that aren't polarized. I have a separate thread on this and it is a problem with BMW owners too.
2.) Suspension. I wish I had sport suspension. The F56 is a little softer than what I expected and has a little more body roll than I'd like. It floats over interstate joints and bumps and while that's nice for my kidneys, I loved the somewhat harsher, sports car feel from my Coupe.
2.1) Steering. I'm beginning to adapt to the difference in the steering design of the F56 as compared to my Coupe. It feels, well, looser than I'm used to. At high speeds (yes, the speed you don't want your wife or the insurance company to know you reached in your short sprint on a lonely stretch of straight interstate), it wanted to drift and wander a little. It also felt like the car was getting too much air under it. There is something to be said for the "darty" feeling of the 2nd Gen steering. That's one thing I loved about my MINI. My Coupe steering felt precise as compared to the F56.
As soon as aftermarket or JCW suspension parts come out, money is no object to make this F56 into a MINI that John and Michael Cooper would be proud of. I've never modded any of my MINIs because I thought it wasn't needed. This one needs something.
Keep in mind that we're talking moderate degrees of performance here and differences between my Coupe S and the F56 S. A person that drives a Buick or Hyndai would think this new F56 is a freakin Porsche!!
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
It's very interesting that in three years they haven't addressed some of these things. My 2012 R56 also has a "it or miss" comfort access button. Sometimes it works well, but there have been times when I have actually had to take the remote out of my pocket and lock or unlock it with that as if I didn't have the comfort access. My "start-stop" button (not a toggle on the R56) doesn't always do what it supposed to either. Sometimes I have to press it a couple of times to get the radio to turn off after I park the car.
When you say the driver's side mirror doesn't "dip" do you mean there is no up and down adjustment on it??? Only side to side? If so, that's ridiculous.
When I get my F56, I'm going to have the dealer shut off that auto stop start "feature" before I ever leave the dealership. It sounds very annoying and it also sounds like you might need a new starter every six months or so if you drive often in traffic.
When you say the driver's side mirror doesn't "dip" do you mean there is no up and down adjustment on it??? Only side to side? If so, that's ridiculous.
When I get my F56, I'm going to have the dealer shut off that auto stop start "feature" before I ever leave the dealership. It sounds very annoying and it also sounds like you might need a new starter every six months or so if you drive often in traffic.
I dislike these quirks:
1) the ridiculous comfort access button. 3-4 presses to lock the car?
2) the auto start-stop is a total failure: abrupt and jarring and causes stalling. Mine is now OFF.
3) the engine start toggle occasionally works inconsistently, not working to shut the engine off on the first try, and sometimes requiring the clutch to be pressed in to work.
4) Why doesn't the driver's side mirror dip too?
Pretty much everything else, I love.
1) the ridiculous comfort access button. 3-4 presses to lock the car?
2) the auto start-stop is a total failure: abrupt and jarring and causes stalling. Mine is now OFF.
3) the engine start toggle occasionally works inconsistently, not working to shut the engine off on the first try, and sometimes requiring the clutch to be pressed in to work.
4) Why doesn't the driver's side mirror dip too?
Pretty much everything else, I love.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
I leased my 2012 MCS R56 and the very first thing I did was get the run flats off the car (wiht about 50 miloes on the odo) and replaced them with 215/45R17 Continental DWS non-run flats. Since I leased the car and I was going to have to buy a set of tires to return the car, I bagged the OEM run flats and stacked them in the corner of my garage. They will be getting back the exact tires that came with the car. I just put the run flats back on because I'm returning the car soon and I can tell you it's a different (and much worse) car than with the Conti's. I highly recommend the Conti DWS tires. I got about 40,000 miles on them and they still had a good bit of tread left, never got noisy and road very well on the MINI. By the way, the TPS system worked just fine with the Conti's. Also, no problem with putting them on the factory rims.
Can you replace the tire to non-runflats with the same rim? I read somewhere that if you do this tpms won't work, while some other places say it will work fine.
How many miles can I expect from 2015 oem 16" all-season runflats? When I get mine, I want to switch to regular tires after I use up the runflats.
How many miles can I expect from 2015 oem 16" all-season runflats? When I get mine, I want to switch to regular tires after I use up the runflats.
Last edited by chaswyck; Oct 2, 2014 at 06:30 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 520
Likes: 4
From: Tigard, OR
I leased my 2012 MCS R56 and the very first thing I did was get the run flats off the car (wiht about 50 miloes on the odo) and replaced them with 215/45R17 Continental DWS non-run flats. Since I leased the car and I was going to have to buy a set of tires to return the car, I bagged the OEM run flats and stacked them in the corner of my garage. They will be getting back the exact tires that came with the car. I just put the run flats back on because I'm returning the car soon and I can tell you it's a different (and much worse) car than with the Conti's. I highly recommend the Conti DWS tires. I got about 40,000 miles on them and they still had a good bit of tread left, never got noisy and road very well on the MINI. By the way, the TPS system worked just fine with the Conti's. Also, no problem with putting them on the factory rims.
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