First, let me say hi! I've been toying around with the idea of getting a new car for several months now, and it sucks living in the US because I want what no one sells: a manual, great-handling, powerful WAGON. If Volvo's V60 T6 R-Design came in a manual, I would be driving a Rebel Blue one a long time ago.



I currently drive a 6-speed manual 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec.B, Stage 2. I love the car and have always missed having a hatch. It has passed 100k miles and even though it should last another 100k without a problem, it's starting to show its age.

Since I can't have a manual Rebel Blue V60, I still kinda want a similarly blue car (I got the blues!) so I was excited to see that the F56 Electric Blue is similar to Volvo's.



I went and drove this 2014 2 door S yesterday:



I liked it a lot. I had not driven a Mini before, but it felt sporty. It won't launch as nicely as the Spec.B, but I've gotten over the need to race everyone at a light, I just want to be able to speed out of corners, onramps and pass cars easily. The Mini felt like it could do that easily, especially adding the Stage 1 that is out. The manual gearbox has nice throws, the clutch was a little soft, but good.

The one annoyance I found was the armrest. It does not work for a manual and a tall person (6'1"), but that's an easy fix.

A problem though is the size. I know it's supposed to be small, but I would like to at least be able to fit my bicycle easily in there. In the Spec.B I have to put down the seats, take the front wheel off, and then wedge it into the trunk. Roof rails on the Spec.B have to grab the roof and I'm not a fan of the look. At least the Mini can get roof racks easily.

I'd like to see the dimensions of the 2015 4 door car, since it's supposed to be a bit longer, and this is where I'm getting nowhere.

The one un-BMW thing I keep running into is that Mini doesn't have the technical specs available like BMW does. Do they exist? I'm interested in interior dimensions, cargo space, weight, and all those geeky numbers.

 

You have to look on other website...

http://www.edmunds.com/mini/cooper/2...tyle=200483476

 

Thank you. I thought I had looked there, but must have been looking at the 2015. Guess those aren't available yet.

 

All of the 2015 hardtops are in EPA Purgatory right now (see other threads). Hope to have them released in early October. You can order one, but you won't be able to find one at a dealership to test drive. The 2014s are essentially the same, though.

 

Cool, thanks. I'm curious about how much space the 4 door adds to the 2 door. I'm in no rush, so I can wait for them to get out of EPA purgatory and finally make it over next year.

 

Oops--I missed the part about the 4 door. I'm waiting for my 2 door, so that's what I was focusing on!

 

Haha no worries! So you ordered a 2 door but you can't get it until the EPA stuff gets sorted out??

 

Yeppers. It's been sittin' on the dock o' the bay since August 2.

 

There was a pretty good PDF when the F56 was launched. I would check the BMW news releases for the F55. Here's some F56 stuff I'll look around for F55.

http://www.autoblog.gr/wp-content/up...ew_MINI_EN.pdf
http://www.miniusanews.com/pdf.do?id=608

Here's the ones for the F55
https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...hmentId=268992
http://minimedia.iconicweb.com/media...nical_Data.pdf

 

It sounds to me like you might like the Paceman, Clubmab or Countryman?

 

It all depends on bike frame size, I suppose, but I used to carry my bike around in the back of my 2006 MCS all the time. It also fits in my 2014 justa. Seems to fit easier. I have to release the front wheel to get it in, but it's fine, and can still fit two people in the car with the bike.

 

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed! Now I also know the 4 door is F55 vs F56.

No crossovers for me, the Countryman is too tall. The Paceman doesn't seem to know where it stands, but it's interesting and has ALL4. Is the Clubman coming back? A Hardtop with ALL4 would be interesting.

Having a hatch would definitely make it easier, even if I have to take the front wheel off.