German OEM brake pads have been a problem for decades! Go to a dustless pad and you'll be happy.

 

Yeah. My 535 went about 3 days before the rims turned grey. The pads on the f56 are much better. Much much better.

 

That's good to hear. We've had German cars for over 40 years--BMW, Audi, and Porsche--and it's always been a problem. Maybe this is the British side of MINI coming out?

 

The hilarious part is that 99.99999999% of the population won't even recognize the differences between an F56 and either the R53 or R56.

As a car enthusiast, it took me awhile to notice the difference between the R53 and the R56. The whole forum went bonkers in the same way it's going now about how "ugly" the R56 was when it came out.

That said, I really like the looks of the F56. I like everything most people hate about it... I like the bigger taillights and I like the front bumper on the base model. The new MCS is a little busy looking up front but I still think it's a good looking car.

 

Generally speaking, I think you're right. As an early buyer of the R56 (ordered 12/06, delivered 4 days after USA introduction), I saw NAM go bonkers saying how bad it was. Early on, I had a hard time telling the difference between photos of the 2 models unless I looked closely!

Trouble is, both front end designs were dictated by the European pedestrian collision standards, and just as the R56 wasn't as curvy as the R53, the F56 has a bit of an odd look. Add to that the new headlight rings--angel eyes to Bimmer owners--and the first pictures made the car have such a surprised look that wasn't at all appealing. Fortunately, the car in person doesn't look bad. I don't have a problem with the side or rear views.

 

Pretty ugly, but if the owners like them that's all that matters.

 

He's totally right. I still pass R56's and do a double take to see the taillights, which is the biggest difference between that and the f56.

 

Not the last post, I meant the post before. No one can tell the difference.

 

Just think, all of us new to MINIs who love the new F56 will be whining how much we hate the 4th generation when it comes out. It's the natural order of things. Nothing like the good ole days!

 

I went out of my way, like more than 2000 miles and an airplane ride, to get an R50 in 2007 after waiting to try the R56. And it was a dealer car and wasn't even the colour I wanted.

But that wasn't at all about the looks. I hated everything from the dinner plate sized speedo to the deafening wood block turn signals that I couldn't use and were dangerous, the soft suspension and mostly the ASC/DSC and the whole alphabet that kept it from launching from the cloverleaf on our ever sandy roads. And they never should have gone away from CVT. And cars should have KEYS!!!!

 

That's the one, I love it!

The F56 uses low brake dust pads. I only clean my wheels once a month and even then it's mostly just crud from all the rain we've had But I still wouldn't recommend white wheels, even with the new pads. The little bit of brake dust that does get caked on is so much more noticeable. I'm glad I didn't spend much money on these wheels, lol.

 

Guess you mean me. Uh, I'm a she, not a he!

 

I'm liking it - I was an R53 owner who hated the R56 when it came out and left the fold.

Im time, the R56 grew on me - now I really like the F56 - not keen on the 5 door though.

Love, love the F56 interior though !

 

I actually dislike the look of the inside more than the outside...

Close your eyes, get inside, open them, and you would swear you are in a BMW....there's the problem.

Oh, and I'm not a "fanboy" (what a stupid word) of the older style. I had plenty of chances to see the F56s live and in person before making my choice.

 

Interior seems to have better materials and feels, classier. I personally wouldn't mind having a nicer BMW interior especially when at MINI prices...more bang for the buck.

 

Not. The front end looks like a fish with he black out grill being the open mouth. The headlights are the eyes.

 

Being from the "Lakes Region", you would be an expert on that....hahaha.

 

Not.

The Volkswagen Bettle is cute, the Mazda Miata is pretty, the Audi R8 is sexy.

The MINI has character and personality all its own.

After driving a F56S as a loaner for a few days, its still a MINI. It still retains a quirky exterior and the interior brings back some of the R53 personality lost in the Gen2 cars, with what appears to be the best build quality to date.