After loving my 2014 fJCW Coupe my friend went and bought a new F56 MCS last month and I finally got to drive it. I had a 2007 R56 MCS, bought the Coupe last April. I really like the F56. Here are what I thought the differences were between her car and mine: The interior is more luxurious, not a ton, but it is. The seats are great, similar to my $2900 Recaros. The car is quieter. I couldn't hardly hear the exhaust, no fake burbles. I think many will like this, I'm not so sure I do. The ride is a little more soft but my chassis is stiffened because it's the same as the Roadster convertable, and I have the sport suspension. Mine you can feel the road more. Her car steers like a Mini though. My engine is quicker, but hers is pretty darn fast too. Her AT wants to upshift, which I didn't like. At 42 MPH it's in 5th gear, mine's in 4th. In my 2007 MT I would have been in 3rd. I really like the F56. My car is more track car like, hers is more refined (in a good way). I didn't try the stereo. I now see why some Mini owners aren't loving the F56, but it's a really nice car. I'd be happy with one, but I'm a little happier with mine. In fairness hers costs $30k and mine cost $40k. I think I'd like hers more than my 2007 MCS though. That was $30k too.

 

I really enjoyed my two R56S's, but I enjoy all the improvements in the new car. You mentioned how the auto transmission upshifts early. I play around with the different modes a lot. The engine has such good torque at low rpms that it seems to handle the higher gearing well. I had a manual transmission in my '08 and '12 S's and I always felt that sixth gear could have been a little higher.

 

I hear you about the tranny. It does pull well at low RPMs but my car does even better, it's just a little weird to be in 5th gear going 42 MPH. I guess it's a gas mileage thing because she said she gets 32 MPG mixed city/freeway. And the auto start/stop thing is weird. She didn't know you can turn that off. Do you have to do that every time you strart the car? I would hope not. The light ring is pretty "meh".

 

When driving in hills and not manual shifting, I just put the transmission in "s" mode. It makes the car feel like the R56's, except there's more torque down low.
In green mode you can't turn off start/stop. In mid mode, you can turn off start/stop and it stays off even after turning off the car. I don't like the start/stop or the green mode and just leave the car in mid mode 99% of the time with the start/stop off.
Also, after putting 4500 miles on my F56S, I never even notice the light ring.
Another item I have on my new car that I didn't have on two previous cars is the " wired package". I really like the nav and the split screen.
This is the first mini that I ordered instead of just buying one off the lot and I saved a few bucks not paying for stuff that I didn't want( i.e. sunroof). The dealer gave me a good deal on the car and a decent trade in value on my '12. For me , the deal was a win win.

 

I drove hers in Sport only. I always drive in Sport. I found myself messing with the paddle shifters downshifting. I get the idea, better gas mileage, but I don't care about gas mileage. If I did I wouln't have bought the car I have. I get about 25-26 mpg in town, my 2007 got 29.

 

My manual shift allows me to turn off the auto stop in any mode.

 

I'm curious about how auto-stop works on a manual transmission...?

I ordered mine sight unseen, pretty much. I drove a base auto as a loaner, and then ordered the S Manual directly. Actually with all 4 MINIs I never test drove an S OR a Manual. I just knew that was where I'd land anyway (I don't like automatics, I like the turbo (supercharger originally) and I always cheap out of the JCW at the last minute ha)

Also, I'm intrigued by the suspension options, again with no frame of reference. I had the first R53 and it was a rigid suspension as it was. The Clubman and the Countryman I had stock suspensions. I was tempted on the F56 but then figured I'd fiddle around with aftermarket later if I really wanted it.

 

The engine will shut off when you are totally stopped, in neutral, and with the clutch out. There are some other rules such as the car being warmed up, climate control setting, having the wheels turned, etc.

It will then turn back on if you push the clutch in, turn the steering wheel, or if you were to start to drift on a hill.

It works well and quickly but there is a bit of a jolt. The car is dead silent when idling and I found myself holding the clutch in sometimes to keep it from turning off (don't think that's good for the throw out bearing) so I've had mine off for a while now. Sometimes if I see I'll be stuck at a long light or train crossing I'll turn it back on (need to flip the switch before you stop).

 

So the functional value is gas savings? Environmental?

 

Yes, both. Auto start-stop has already been in European MINI models for the past 8 years (throughout the 2nd gen production) because of European regulation. It wasn't brought over earlier because it didn't benefit EPA mpg and emissions numbers (until now) due to the way EPA did their testing.

 

you have to remember you are comparing a jcw with a cooper s though, as you said, you paid 33% more too. i think the cooper S is worth what you pay depending on what options you get, mine was 27,000 and with the 6.5" screen, A/T, 17 inch rims and LED even in the fog and parking lights, couldnt be happier, worth every penny

 

Oh I agree totally. I really like the F56 better than my 2007 MCS and it's the same price. Better engine and seats and slightly nicer interior (I never thought the interior was shabby), quieter inside, and a bit smoother ride. I would order the sport suspension (or aftermarket sway bar). I would not swap out the RF tires. I think females will like the new ride, interior, and quietness. I see why former Mini owners are a bit put off by it. It drives a lot different than my current car but it's very nice overall. I went to put a deposit on one in February, but changed my mind because I really like the look of the Coupe.

 

I'll be curious what suspension options will be available aftermarket to stiffen the ride. So far the available gear for F56 is a bit lean... I tentatively plan springs and sway bar, we'll see...