F55/F56 F56 or F55? Can't Decide
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
If you're pretty tall I'd recommend the f56, as it has frameless doors. This actually gives you more height while getting in and exiting the car. I hit my head several times when getting in and out of the f55 at the dealership. The one option that I would definitely get is the storage package. The flat load floor is great in the f56 and really makes the f56 perfect for hauling stuff, especially if you are not hauling people around all that often. As far as door size goes, the f56 doors are not too heavy even though they are longer. If you've driven a GTI, the 2 door has the heaviest doors ever. If I'd bought a GTI I would've bought the 4 door.
I'm in he same boat with my decision. Was looking at an f55 but ran into an issue where it was sold before my deposit went through (long story for another time) so it's given me time to revisit what my needs are.
Have 2 little ones (one's 2.5 and the other is 6 months). The mini is a 2nd car and only used in a pinch so I don't know that I need the rear doors, but seem to be a nice to have. What I have noticed is more and more folks complaining about ingress/egress with the front doors being framed and shorter. This has me more concerned as it'll be a dd for me to the office more than a kid/stuff hauler.
Any thoughts? Does the extra few inches really assist much more with a car seat?
Have 2 little ones (one's 2.5 and the other is 6 months). The mini is a 2nd car and only used in a pinch so I don't know that I need the rear doors, but seem to be a nice to have. What I have noticed is more and more folks complaining about ingress/egress with the front doors being framed and shorter. This has me more concerned as it'll be a dd for me to the office more than a kid/stuff hauler.
Any thoughts? Does the extra few inches really assist much more with a car seat?
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
As far as car seats go, I don't have any experience with them myself, but found this article.
https://www.cars.com/articles/2014/1...ar-seat-check/
https://www.cars.com/articles/2014/1...ar-seat-check/
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 105
If my children were still young I'd jump at an F55....great little economical & sporty family car! Car seats are definitely a pain even in a larger vehicle! I'd think they would be kind of tough to get small children into & out of in a 2 door MINI.
And I'll also admit, as a previous R56 MCS owner, I am struggling to warm up to the new model (why the heck can't the tach be a proper size? Rev-matched downshifts?) but the interior is so much nicer and the engine is rock solid compared to the prince befuddlement that came in the last version. I'll have I see what I can get my hands on first with the options I'm looking for, while being appropriations committee approved.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 520
Likes: 4
From: Tigard, OR
I tried the F55 as a loaner for over a week. For usability with a rear facing carseat basket, it was 4X easier to load and unload my 8 month old in the detachable basket. The back door is short and the benefit of this is that you swing open the door fully even inside a narrow garage. With the 2-door F56 I can barely open it to mid way and it would be touching the wall. I didn't have a choice at the time I bought mine and also didn't have a child. The window frame does look kind of like an afterthought on the F55 but it works. I was really excited as this was my first 2 door, but didn't expect the extra wide door opening requirements. I also have a CUV (Mazda CX-5) so it's not that bad. But if I can do it over again, I'd probably get the F55.
Last edited by hp79; Aug 15, 2016 at 02:32 PM.
Drove both, I would go with the F55 if you are going to haul more people, even though the smaller doors, or haul more stuff. Driving both, they both handled great, I could see a little better out the side of the F55 a bit.
F55 is better to haul your IKEA stuff
F55 is better to haul your IKEA stuff
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 837
Likes: 22
I'd get an F56 (again) or an F54 Clubman. The F55 seems barely more capacious than an F56. If I were buying for a larger car, to me, the Clubman makes more sense. The F55 made SOME sense until the advent of the F54, but much less sense now.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 238
Likes: 2
4 door for practicality 2 door for looks. Both awesome cars, I would assume the 2 doors handles a bit more nimble than the longer 4 door. I use mine as my family car and my daily, my wife has an r56 2 door and even that wasn't too bad with little ones. Tricky but manageable. Getting a f55 was a good and practical reason for me to get a new mini. Lol. F55 with some modifications can perform as good as the f56. Drive both if possible. Don't look at the color or options for now. Compare standard 2 door to standard 4 door. Compare and S to a four door S. Once you have a feel of which you like, you can always shop around other dealership that may offer the options and color you need.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Hello NAM community, I've been quietly looking through the forums for the past few weeks and decided it's time to make my own account. I'm having some trouble figuring out if I really need the extra two doors of the F55 or just stick to a F56, but let me sort of describe myself and my (small) needs.
I'm 21 (will be 22 in June) and will graduate college next May. My grandparents actually want to buy me a car as a graduation gift as I've been driving my grandmother's car since I was 17. The car is a 2003 Candy Apple Red Camry LE, 4 Speed Automatic and funny enough, I was the one that picked out the car for HER (it was either between the Accord, Altima, or the Camry during that time). So the car has been in my life since I was 8.
It's very reliable but I always wanted something smaller. My major is Graphic Design, so I'm usually not carrying a big load unless I need a to print huge 36'' x 72'' posters. I still live with my grandparents, and not really moving until I find a job that is better than the retail job I have now. When I spend time with family or friends, it's usually just one extra person in the car. However, when my Army friend comes home, It's usually another two people in the back. I take great care of anything that's handed to me, so the Camry is in good shape (despite the one area on the front bumper that has an inch of chipped paint).
So that's my little blurb about myself. I've always thought I'd get an Audi after graduating, but decided that really isn't necessary at such a young age... Hopefully you all can help a gal out with picking out her first car! Thanks in advance.
I'm 21 (will be 22 in June) and will graduate college next May. My grandparents actually want to buy me a car as a graduation gift as I've been driving my grandmother's car since I was 17. The car is a 2003 Candy Apple Red Camry LE, 4 Speed Automatic and funny enough, I was the one that picked out the car for HER (it was either between the Accord, Altima, or the Camry during that time). So the car has been in my life since I was 8.
It's very reliable but I always wanted something smaller. My major is Graphic Design, so I'm usually not carrying a big load unless I need a to print huge 36'' x 72'' posters. I still live with my grandparents, and not really moving until I find a job that is better than the retail job I have now. When I spend time with family or friends, it's usually just one extra person in the car. However, when my Army friend comes home, It's usually another two people in the back. I take great care of anything that's handed to me, so the Camry is in good shape (despite the one area on the front bumper that has an inch of chipped paint).
So that's my little blurb about myself. I've always thought I'd get an Audi after graduating, but decided that really isn't necessary at such a young age... Hopefully you all can help a gal out with picking out her first car! Thanks in advance.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Hopefully OP wasn't scared off by too many 4 door options. Between the F55, Clubman, and Countryman there's a lot of options for 4 doors. Personally, I'd go with the Clubman if I needed 4 doors. But it seems like OP wanted the 2 door.
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F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+)
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Feb 18, 2016 11:39 AM