So the conundrum I am facing is do I buy a brand new 2016 S 56 speced just the way I want (nothing overly fancy mind you. Just the way "I" want it) and make payments for a few years?
Or do I pay cash for a 2013 S 56 lease turn in CPO with 30,XXX?
Are the new ones that much better than the 2nd Gens? Do they have the 2nd gen pain in the A problems fixed?
Gimme your honest opinions.
Knowing what you know what would you do?

 

The 2013 model and the 2016 model are two almost entirely different cars. Both are fine, but the new one is definitely different and IMO better. And will cost considerably more. What I would do (and have actually done) is buy the new version. Maybe you can justify the extra cost by understanding that the major element in cost of ownership is depreciation. A new one will depreciate more in $ terms, but maybe not that much more.

 

Depends if you like the 2nd gen or the 3rd gen. IMO they're very different cars, so chances are one will fit your personality and preferences better. The 2nd gens [R56] are best bought from 2011 and newer, with the revised N18 engine.

 

What Rye said. F56 vs R56 is a tough comparo to make.

The R56 is much more raw and visceral, and much less refined, but some like that. The F56 is a fantastic car, and much more comfortable on a daily basis for many, and some like that.

I recommend driving both and determining what your needs are.

I recently gave some thought to trading my GP2 in for a special order F56 JCW, but the F56 JCW is a little too refined for me, although it's a bloody fantastic car in it's own right. The GP is just... more me.

 

So, the F56 (im still trying to get these numbers down) is more refined and probably going to be a better everyday car. More time on warranty, a service contract, and my ownership from new means I will know for sure what the car is about down the road.
The r56s cheaper price and paid off status means I can afford a repair here and there, but will I have more of those repairs overall on an r56 than on an f56?

 

had a r56 jcw and now a f55 S the f5x cars are at a different level vs the r5x cars,not missing my r56 at all but wish mini offered a 5dr jcw .

 

If it's your only car, go for the F56.

If it's a 2nd car/fun car... go for the R56.

 

The r56 looks loads better but the f56 is a nice car. I enjoyed the f56 while I had one for a week.

 

I went with a MINI NEXT CPO 2013 R56 and have no regrets.

Based on the last two generations, the early models had lots of issues that were not fixed until the later years. That's why I went with a spotless R56 from the last year of production, because that, in theory, will be more reliable than a new version. Based off of MINI's track record.

I also like the raw feel of the r56. I'd rather drive a MINI than what most people around here are comparing to a "small BMW hatch."