I was at the dealer yesterday and so far it's a no-dice for me with the 2014. I guess I'm still on the fence, but it's mostly a no ha. Just too many annoying little changes (speedometer/tach set-up, gas tank flip, steering wheel flip, no dipstick, no cd player...), cheap feeling parts (window/mirror controls, connected controller, visor clips...) and weirdness (light ring, center console, start/stop toggle...) for me. But most of all it seemed almost impossible to comfortably control the MINI controller without forming a 'claw' with your hand. WTF. Also, why is it closer to the passenger side? Is it like this in left-hand drive countries too or is it on that side all the time (in other words, catering to left-hand side drives)? Oh, I also didn't care for the little plastic triangles on the corner of the front windows, especially when windows rolled down and door open - looks tacky. Not sure why those were added? Positives from my visit - I did find the seats an improvement (especially adjustable thigh bolster) and the boot was fantastic with the storage package. Still confused why they don't put in solid sunroof covers and why they did the toggles the way they did. Don't get me started on the missing button in the middle of the AC controls...

Anyway, I am trying my best to find a new 2013 hardtop with connected (almost impossible at this point) or a certified 2011-2013 hardtop with connected otherwise. I have a pre-paid lease (paid for by my 2006 R50) and found out form the dealer I could have ended it up to six months early and they would have just refunded me the difference. So mad as I could have just done that and got a 2013 before they were mostly gone!

It's sad, as I REALLY want to stay with MINI and trying all I can to do so!

I guess if all else fails, I'll just buy out my 2011 lease and wait for a model I like. So far the KBB is $1000 more than my residual, so seems like a good buy I guess...

 

Mine, you are certainly welcome to your opinions and they are perfectly valid for you. But I must admit I am shocked that you feel "cheap feeling parts" is a factor in the new F56. You are the first person I have seen to make this type of comment on the new generation. Most all reviews (both professional and on forums such as this one), everyone has commented on the significant increase in the quality of materials used.

We all know that the mirror cover is a delicate piece of plastic but from what we know, that is not new to the F56; it was this way in the previous gen and it is apparently by design to make it safe in a crash situation. Would you elaborate on what else you felt had a "cheap feeling"

Please note, I am not asking you to "justify" your opinion, as I mentioned do believe all should have their own. I am just curious what made you feel that way.

 

No problem!

Yeah, I guess I'm in the minority then?

First, I'm not saying ALL the materials were cheap feeling - overall, I feel many of the materials are of high quality and there are improvements over the R56 in areas (seats, AC controls, dash material, headliner, armrest, etc.). It's just there are many little things that feel like a downgrade from the R56 - primarily buttons/switches. I was especially disappointed with the window/mirror control panel buttons, door handle locks, the controller for MINI connected and the visors/clips. They just 'felt' like cheaper plastic to me - especially the window/mirror control buttons and MINI connected controller casing - the dial felt good. Even the fog light buttons/light 'dial' thing felt cheap. The visors/clips seemed worse than the ones in my R56. The standard rear-view mirror also seemed much lower quality than the standard one in the R56. The auto-dimming mirror seemed more comparable, so at least that's an option. Also, one of the cars I looked at had the MINI Yours off-white interior and the dash and center console parts felt like the cheap plastic in the R50 compared to the one that had the piano black dash - that felt much more sturdier and of higher quality.

It's weird as I felt the R56 plastics felt a lot more high quality than the ones in my R50, but the F56 seems like a mix of the two to me.

Just my opinion

 

Awesome Thanks for the great response. I really was hoping not to offend as can so easily happen on forums,

I know exactly what you're saying about the off white. I do think it looks good in certain configs however it was not for me personally, something about the texture. I had the piano black in my R56 and carried it over to my F56 as well since I really like the look of it. Plus it matched my new all black Mini

I too did not feel the window and door locks "needed" to be moved but I also understand Mini/BMW's thinking on this since apparently it was a common issue in their feedback on the layout of controls. I do not dislike them as they are but think I would personally prefer if they were still in the middle controls. I do really like the new connect controller and think it is a major improvement over the previous joystick setup. I mainly really like the layout with the numerous buttons so I am able to have far more control over the system without actually looking at anything but the road. I would also agree that if you have the armrest (which I do) it is hard to reach the controller unless it is in it's lowest position. When it is in that position it is comfortable for me to reach and use, but any of the other levels it can be set at leave me straining to reach it. I also don't think I have been in a F56 without the auto dimming mirror so I may not have seen what you have with the standard one.

For me the one thing that I still miss from my R56 were than exterior door handles. I definitely liked them more than the new "pull" handles. This wasn't a deal breaker for me but I really like the old handle style. I fear in the years to come the pull handles may get a bit loose.

thanks again dude

 

Surprising! Yet,I feel that, just as the F56 will bring in some new converts with it's "evolution" (improved interior quality, more refined drive, added space etc) it will also lose some Mini-acs from prior model years. The car has evolved into a new vehicle that has lured me away from the Volkswagen auto group.

The R56 Cooper S on the other hand (interim 2010 vehicle until my F56 arrives) is not for me - at all. Although the exterior styling is pleasing - the transmission, suspension (sports) makes it a below average choice on real roads with real commuting. The interior contains some cheap feeling materials. After my first day with it I had to shake my head and tell myself that the F56 really was a different car - I was having a severe remorse moment for my Golf GTI! Even the mileage on the Cooper S is worse - with a smaller engine and lower Hp.

I do not mean to be insulting to fans of the R56 - just want to chime in to remind us that personal opinions can vary depending on so many factors. The new gen Mini is a winner - in my books that is

 

Overall I couldn't agree more; I love my new F56 more every day. I should be going to bed as write this but I still want go drive it right now, hehe It's just such a flipping joy to drive.

I get where Mine-mine is coming from though. It's a big leap from the previous iteration of the car. As you mentioned this is certainly going to lead to many varied opinions on it and the numerous changes.

 

Diane, same with me. The F56 lured me away from the VW cars. I am really happy with the car.

For those R56 fans... You're lucky. There are many great deals to be had with the R56.

 

Glad I'm not the only one. Trading my TDI in for the F56 when it arrives. Gonna miss the mileage, but the Jetta just isn't as exciting as the MINI.


This will be my first MINI, so it's interesting reading how the owners of the older cars feel about the new generation.

 

I had to laugh when I read that. Because that is just the way I feel. I can't drive mine often enough. I'm actually excited that I have to drive over to my dealer this afternoon. 30 minute ride each way. Loving it!

When I cannot get enough of my MINI, and love everything about it, I can certainly understand why some have issues with the features here and there. It won't be "perfect" for everyone.

 

I understand some of your concerns....having not been a previous mini owner, I am not in the boat of having to compare it to the older versions.

I love my mini, it really has met all of my expectations.

on your point though, there are a couple things that I have noticed now that I have over 600 miles in it...

- for my sitting position, the window controls are too far back on the door, meaning my arm doens't just sit comfortably on the door with my hand at the window/mirror controls.

- the center control unit can be awkward, i have the armrest, and unless I put it all the way down (which I do every time I drive and it's perfectly comfortable like that) I can see where it could be annoying. as far as it being too far to the passenger side, I don't find that to be true (at least for me anyway)

- the only "Cheap" components I have noticed is the lights on the inside of the visors. having said that I don't care, its not something I have ever used in any car i've ever owned.

the thing to remember I think is that Mini has to continue to move into the future and compete with other car makers at some level. that means that things are going to change, the "old timers" (original mini fans) are not going to like the changes, Mini has to continue to meet the needs of the newer generations.

Personally, I love the car, from the driving, the layout, the technology I know I made the right choice buying a mini.

Sure there a few things I'd do different if I was making it but they have to find a middle ground between everyone they are selling to. not everyone is going to be happy, but that's life and some will need to learn to get over it.

hope you can find a mini you like.

mike

 

The only parts that appear cheap/flimsy to me are those "chrome" parts that are really silvery plastic. The twist ***** for the standard AC and the gas cap on my MCS seem out of character with the rest of the car.

Overall, I am very pleased with the car. Would never have bought it if my wife hadn't said in February that she thought MINIs were cool. Then I found this forum which told me about the new & improved MINI -- the F56.

 

Loved my 2012 Golf TDI. Averaged just over 40mpg for the 26 months that I owned it.
Now for the real reason I traded it. HPFP, DPF and icing intercooler.

 

Yeah... Bought the car for longevity, so those known issues are a huge turn-off.

 

Well, I wasn't a fan of the R56 until 2011. I can understand if you don't like it, having a 2010. IMO 2011-2013 R56's are superior to the 2007-2010, but maybe that's just because they finally improved the center console and got rid of that horrid silver plastic! I never felt the plastic was that cheap feeling in the R56, but maybe that's because I came from an R50!

Honestly, it's not like the F56 is a bad car, there are just too many changes for me to instantly like it. Like I said before, the buttons/switches feel cheaper to me than those in the R56. Since those are things that get a lot of use, it bothers me. I also don't like you can't get full toggles without paying $$$ and that missing button bugs me. I'm just OCD when it comes to my car I suppose. My main beef is with the look/feel of the the window/mirror console thing and the MINI connected console thing - they both look like they were just glued on and look so out of place. Also, the connected screen in the circle seems badly executed this time with lots of small pieces of plastic surrounding it to 'fill-in' the spaces. The R56 looked better in this aspect with the speedometer ring around the outside and the fuel gauge/lights in the black spaces. But anyway, maybe four years from now the F56 will grow on me like the R56 did - yearly refreshes can do wonders!

I mean I grew up in Mini's and have owned both 1st and 2nd generation MINI's, but it doesn't mean I'm going to LOVE everything MINI does. Unfortunately, the F56 is the first one I just feel 'meh' about.

 

It was time to turn in my wife's R56S a few weeks ago thinking she wanted the F56S. She drove it and liked but definitely could not get that 36k feeling. So she jumped ship and move on to an Infiniti S and loves it and that's all that matters. We both agree having one MINI in the garage is a must have....