One curiosity I noticed is that the F55 has full-frame windows up-front vs the F56's MINI-traditional frameless windows.

I am not a fan of frameless windows, but what are you going to do? Still, that would have maybe swayed me towards the F55.

The reason why, is that when my 2005 MC's window was smashed-in, it took three adjustments to get it right! Also, they seem not as stable in general. Am I being silly about this? Are there any advantages to frameless windows that I'm missing?

 

looks cooler.
easier to clean.
easier to apply window tint (maybe).

but the need to have the window raise and lower every time you open and close the door kinda scares me. I had a new VW Beetle as a rental car with frameless windows that wasn't put together right. the glass would smack off the stationary glass behind it every time you closed the door. I thought for sure it would break before i had to return it.

 

Frameless windows have a much cleaner look and as g3434 mentions, much easier to clean. I just sold my 06' justa and in nearly 10 years never had a single problem with the frameless windows. Frankly, if they put a frame on the F56, it would likely drive me away as I can't imagine liking the look.

 

Crap, I hadn't noticed that about the F55. My M Coupe and 135i had frameless but our X1 is framed. I drive the windows down often and it just makes it a pain when entering or exiting the car when there's a frame. Plus as noted, it just looks cleaner and let's a little more light in.

 

Interesting note about the F55 windows. I do, though, like the frameless windows on my F56. Definitely a cleaner look IMO.

 

I completely agree. Although they look great, they can end up being a pain in the ***. My previous car was an Audi TT. To fix a large rock chip on the driver's side door, the shop had to remove the door from the rest of the car, needless to say the door card etc had to be removed, and and reassembled.

The frameless window was never perfect after countless adjustments -- and this was an Audi authorized service center!!

... But... they do look cool!

Incidentally, even though both frameless windows on my F56 work fine, I have noticed that the auto up/down height at door open is different for my driver's side door as compared to my passenger side door. But they're both fine when closed. Maybe just a quirk of manufacturing or is there a method to that madness?

 

Yeah I noticed this, they are more like Countryman windows. However, the F56 windows also changed and has this funky plastic triangle up front. I noticed it when I test drove and when I opened the door with the window rolled down, there was this little triangle of plastic sticking in the air! I don't like it at all and it's another little change I just couldn't deal with. I don't get why it's even there!

 

To have to lower the window to enter the car is not a good idea living in cold countries by the sea! I had a lot of problems entering my R53 in the winter. Now, I have a F55 on order. Thank god the windows have frames.

 

First I'd ever heard this, could you expand on why?
Haven't had my F56 through a winter yet, but its plenty cold and snowy and wet and icy here! Do the windows tend to freeze a bit and not lower upon opening like they do in the summer months?

 

I had to scrape all ice from the window before I was able to open the door, every morning. And here you want to start the car very first in the process, to let it warmup to get the ice of.
shame there is no engineheater as option for MINI.
2-3 times in the winter the door was stuck. The window could not be lowered.
I live by the sea, and get a lot of ice.