Couldn't take F56 on highway during test-drive
 

Dealer said they didn't allow it, which I've never heard from any other dealer before. I'll likely visit another dealership to give the justa I'm considering a test at higher speeds, but I'd like to ask F56 base owners how the car handles on the highway? Do you ever want for power when passing? Do you generally feel confident accelerating wherever, whenever?

I was able to spin around North Hollywood for about 10 minutes and it was a blast. I felt it had plenty of power and loads of torque on surface roads. 90% of my driving is stop-and-go through Los Angeles but I do take a lot of weekend trips and just want to know how the little guy handles highways for long distances.

Much appreciated!

The F56 1.5 is just fine on the highway... even in green mode, there's plenty of power for passing when shifting 6 to 5... haven't driven an automatic to see how it handles demand-based shifting/acceleration...

Does wonderfully.

Even in green mode you shouldn't have major issues passing and accelerating at highway speeds, it'll move from 65 to 80 quickly even with the lower power profile. In either of the other modes, it'll do so very quickly if needed. I've only had it up to mid 80s, and that was by accident because... it was super calm and comfortable at speed. It was easy to creep up to that speed without noticing it, engine and road noise are audible but far from overwhelming.

Sports seats are very comfortable, in my opinion, but I think how well they suit folks depends on how well they 'fit' you. Gas mileage you didn't ask about, but its great. Hitting the advertised low 40s should be no problem, higher in green mode if you're OK slowing down a tiny bit.

Another note, the cruise control is nice and smart. My previous car if you set the cruise at 74, and then small hills and dips in the road suddenly dropped you to 73, it'd rev like mad to get back up to 74 ASAP. The MINI will just coast along at 73 for a bit and return to 74 over the next few seconds when it can do so without taxing the throttle for no reason.

Edited to add: I'm in the auto =)

Great stuff! Thanks for the replies. Exactly what I wanted to hear.

The dealer I went to made a copy of my drive license and said go have a good time. 30 to 40 mins later I came back and was interested . Went back a week later for another test drive 20 mins or so. Placed my order which took another 2 hours or so by the time I made my mind up..

I really disliked the test drive in North Hollywood. If you go to Calabasas you would at least get to do a few twisties. Or try Valencia and see where you get to test drive there.

LynneV, I test drove in Calabasas and they were very accommodating, in fact highway, was a part of their "standard" test drive route.

And to echo other posters in this thread: the GREEN mode is perfectly fine for highway driving. Just as long as you're not afraid to push it to pass. I keep it on GREEN mode most of the time, except today, though, it was just too damn hot to have the AC cough on me during auto start / stop. lol

Edit: spelling.

That's pretty much what I did.

The thing that impressed me the most about the F56 on the freeway was how quiet it was. It makes my R53 sound like I have both windows cracked and an exhaust leak :razz:

I had the loaner car up to about 85 mph and it feels just like a BMW at speed... rock solid.

When I test drove MINIs at my dealership, the MA always told me to drive it like I owned it, and take it anywhere I wanted. City streets, highway, or a combination. IMO you have to have a proper length of time and variety of driving, including highway driving, to know how the car performs overall.

Seems like a fair number of people use the Green mode regularly. I've had my MCS almost three months now and have yet to drive in Green mode longer than a few seconds. Sport mode is just too much fun. Mileage be darned! LOL.

I'm very happy and impressed with my MCS on the freeway. In 6th gear, I once got on it (Mid mode at the time) and was surprised at how quick the speedo said '115'. Only did it once, but that one time was exhilarating. The ride, even in Sport mode is comfortable. Not jarring. My wife and I could easily and comfortably drive from CT to ME. Actually the Sport seats are so comfortable that the ride to ME would be more relaxing than it was in my old '11 Buick LaCrosse.

Speed
 

Like CobraBob said, the speed. WOW! You won't realize you're going so fast, until you realize no one is around you and you look down at your speedometer and release your lead foot.

We live in the mountains, green, regular, sport mode, air conditioner or not, you'll have NO problem passing while going up hill, down hill, or straight away on the highway. This car is magic.

The only issue we have some adjustment on? The steering. It's very sensitive, and you'll end up in the next lane with no problem, with just a light touch of the wheel.

Leather steering wheel is a must, and if your bumb can fit, the diamond leather sports seats are comfortable.