So as is evident in my info, I have been a MINI owner for some time. I started with "El Kabong" my '06 Pepper White MCS, the car love of my life. He met an early demise and I got an '11 Horizon Blue MCS. While I generally enjoy "Mozart" I have never been a fan of blue and have always longed for that same feeling I got from my first MINI. I recently took a test drive of a '15 and have been building a new MINI obsessively. I am seriously considering trading in and starting again. I hate that they have reversed the controls on the steering wheel on the new one and wonder why the gas tank was moved. Other than that, is there anything I will just hate about the switch? I think the other changes are probably for the better but would love to hear from others who have experienced multiple generations.

Annette

 

I don't think you'll hate the changes, it'll just take a few weeks for you to adapt to them. It is funny how we get used to certain things though.

I kept reaching near the on/off toggle switch for windows...

now when I get in other cars I'm reaching towards no man's land for an on/off toggle

 

If you fondly remember the 2006 Gen 1 model this one will be different. Of course you have a 2011 so you reaize the differences up to then. I have JCW Coupe 2014 but I've driven the F56 that my friend has, and had a 2007 MCS for 7 years. Here's what I noted: It's quieter. Very little exhaust note. The interior is more deluxe, and the seats are better (not that they were bad before either). The MCS engine is quite powerful, and it wants to run at lower RMP even in Sport mode. At 42 MPH is't in 5th gear, whereas my JCW automatic is in 4th gear. The ride is a little more "refined". Which is to say you feel a bit less of the pavement. Great freewaymobile. Overall it's a move forward for Mini. If you want some of the old Mini feel try a Justa Cooper with a manual tranny. I bet that's a hoot, because it's a turbocharged engine now. I would consider the adjustable suspension, and if you want tighter cornering add a 19mm rear antisway bar later. People love the heads up display, and LED headlights. All of these options are a first for a subcompact car.

 

Steering wheel controls and gas tank placement now conform to BMW normals, as does everything else in the car.

 

Yes, it's slightly more a BMW than a Mini. But only slightly.

The Justa feels sportier than the S in my opinion. The handling is a bit quicker and the car feels lighter. But the Justa is not as powerful.

 

Not sure just slightly:

Chassis (as it's being shared with certain current and upcoming BMW models), engine, wiring, equipment, packaging and coding all virtually identical to BMW now. It's hardly a complaint, it's just a statement of fact.

 

That fact actually made me even more confident in buying my F56S. I had an R60 loaner briefly and to be completely honest, I hated it. The interior felt cheap and dated. it was a 2014 w/4k miles and it creaked and rattled worse than any car I've ever owned.

Going back to my F56 was a night and day difference. The BMW-ification of MINI is 100% a good thing in my opinion.

 

Agreed. I've had the opportunity to drive a Paceman, coupe, and cabriolet. I cringe to think I almost bought a Clubman. The engines in the second gen don't have the torque of the new motors and the interior can't compare at all.

 

So interesting, y'alls take on the Gen 3s. I LOVED my '06 and miss it to this day. I always wondered if that was why I never really bonded to my '11. I know I'm anthropomorphizing a car, but really never connected. When my husband and I test drove the F55 last week I just couldn't get over it. Nothing I could put my finger on, just felt right. And just like with my R53, the name for my hopeful F56 came to me instantly and totally fit. Hubby and I got in the R56 earlier tonight and he patted the car and asked if I was sure and wouldn't I miss this one? I would a bit, but unlike with El Kabong, I didn't get all worked up at just the thought. I'm sure I'll get used to the reversed controls on the steering wheel among other things. Just happy to hear that those who have experienced previous renditions feel this is a step up. I don't expect any car to be exactly everything I want and am more than willing to give on options and function to have something that makes me smile every time I drive it.

Annette

 

Guess I will be the contrary huckleberry! After putting 10K on a '15 F-56 Cooper, I am going back to a gen 2 model. My previous 3 MINIs gave me zero problems. The F56 has cratered one tranny(manual), has peeling front bumper paint, a flimsy seat adjuster, Rube Goldburg auto start which scares the beejebbers out of me when it accidentally gets turned on. It has me ready to throw in the towel. Yeah, it is very quiet, comfy and well appointed, but handling is subpar and the low rpm engine is a poor match with the transmission in my view. Can't hear the true engine sounds from the artificial, BMW engineered noisemaker resulting in increased risk of stalling. No dipstick is disconcerting as well. My oil level is still at 100%@ 10,000 miles, which I find dubious. Probably would have liked this car much better with an auto transmission, but I buy MINI's because I like manuals. Looks BMW changed the F56 to appeal to the masses, and being a different drummer, I am not in that category. Best wishes with your F56 purchase.

 

"anthropomorphizing", that kind of word usage can get you kicked off a car website - just a warning.

Best of luck with a new Mini. Wish I could do the same.

 

The F56 is basically a BMW with MINI trimmings. It feels like a BMW but looks like a MINI. If that's a plus in your book, go for it. It won't feel anything like your R53.

We test drove the 328d sportwagen when my F56 was in for service this weekend and it felt remarkably similar to my MINI.

 

That's what a lot of people say. My friend bought an F56 and she's had probably 5 BMWs. She loves the car's looks and the ride and everything.