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.

 

Hi!
My circumstances were completely different, but I also needed to make the same 2 vs 4door decision. One of the things that did it for me was I didn't want the pain of dealing with long doors. My other car is a 2dr sports car with big long doors, and it can be a pain to deal with when parked at times. That's fine on something I only drive on occasion, but not for a daily driver.

Is it trivial compared to other things like the slightly bigger cargo space or easier access to the back seats? Sure. But folks complain that the back seats on the 2dr are too dark because there isn't a dome light back there (which the 4dr has, BTW), so everyone gets to have their own gripes.

 

My wife and I facing the same decision as you (2dr vs. 4 dr.) The 4 dr. seemed to be the more practical choice, but after entering and exiting each car, we chose the 2 dr.

Certainly access to the back seat was easier with the 4 dr., but every time I'd enter the 4 dr. I'd smack my shoulder on the pillar. Realizing each time I'd use the car, this would happen while the 2 dr. was so much easier to enter and exit.

It's just my wife and I so the extra doors were not a sacrifice. Rear seats fold so the extra space gained w/ the 4 dr. wasn't huge.

Based on your age, carting around a friend in the back seat won't be a problem as it would be for an older person. Additionally, if someone has a problem riding in the back seat, there is always the option of them following in their car to a destination. Again, not likely based on your age (older folks are not as flexible to crawl into and out of the F56)

If you are set on a four door with ease of access to both front and rear, ample storage for some oversized items, I'd look at the new Clubman rather than the F55.

Best way is to go to a dealership and sit in each car. You'll see what I mean about entering the F55. If you can get into the F55 without an issue, then that may be a good choice. It certainly wasn't for me.

 

You are young and based on your description, your current situation dictates you only have folks in the back occasionally. I'd get the 2dr and spend that $1,000 difference on options.

 

I agree with the above posts. I had a F55 loaner for a couple weeks while my F56 was in the shop. I could not wait to get my car back. I hated the small front doors. I banged some body part every time I entered or exited the car. As for the back doors... My eight year old Grandson summed it up pretty well the first time he rode in it, "Dang Papa, these doors are Small".
If you really need 4 doors I would recommend the Clubman. But regardless of which you go with, by all means go to a dealer and try out the different models first.
Welcome to the forum MINI Smoothie.

 

hi guys,

i drove my whole life different kind o cars, 2wheeler, 4wheelers, front motor-, back motor cars, also with 2 doors and 4 doors. so i have a little experience.

you are young and have later in your life time to drive a serious car with 4 doors. enyou yourself and drive a 2 door-car

in the moment i drive a BMW 330Ci Cabrio and a R59 Cooper S......and I am plus 60 years old.

 

Thank you so much for all the input guys, and so quickly as well!
This probably has nothing to do with it, but I'm average height, 5'5'', would I still have a problem getting in and out of the F55? Also I don't use the trunk of my Camry, ever, unless I'm in a strange place in RVA and need to store my backpack in it... It's just an extra 2 feet of wasted space for me...

I just finished talking to my grandmother over breakfast, and she agreed to come with me on Friday to test drive the F55 at our local MINI dealership and hopefully a F56 as well. But, she wants me to test drive other cars too (mostly the VW Beetle & Golf, two cars that I'm not too thrilled about..)

I'd still like to hear what other's have to say! This is all very helpful and gives me a better outlook on which model is best for me.

 

Tried to get my wife to buy four doors, she wouldn't do it. She regrets it. In your situation I don't think it matters that much, just go for whatever looks best.

 

Just had a F55 justa cooper loaner for a few days while my F56 was in the shop. I had no problems getting into or out of the vehicle. ( a 6 foot 60 yr old speaking here). Really liked the 4 doors, and it carried my four 100+ lb Rottweilers with ease and aplomb. One in the front passenger seat, the others in the back seat. There was even a seat belt for each, lol. They loved the roll-down back windows vs. the F56's folded down seat area with no ventilation that they were accustomed to. Very impressive! And, there was a roomy boot area for groceries and dog food! The only negatives were no comfy sports seats and lack of horsepower vs. my standard car,but that can be fixed by getting the right options. Both vehicles are delightful! Good with your choice,but for me, I may get a 4- door in the future.

 

My advice is to see the models up close, in person and test drive both. Then make your decision.

If your grandparents are going to finance it, mini is offering 0% apr for up to 72mo on the 4 door and 0.9% for the 2 door.

 

I am about to put a 55" tv in my mini. Really glad I have a F55.

 

Dangerous to watch tv and drive, might be illegal. Lol

 

The doors are smaller on the F55 than our previous car a 08 ClubmanS. My wife, 5’ tall, liked that as they are easier to handle.
You do have to have some flexibility and coordination to get in and out. We got used to it quickly. Some of our friends keep away from our car, always offering to do the driving on our nights out together. But we are all close to 80.
The F55 does have better hauling space than the F56 and 4 doors are still more convenient for passengers than 2 doors.
The new Clubman would not be good for us as it is too large for our city driving and parking.
Have a good time choosing!

 

It all comes down to what you will do with your car. Cannot really tell you which one you should get without knowing your lifestyle etc but ... what I would say is

If you want a MINI, get a 2-door (S). If you want to haul people and need 4 doors, get something else. Or even better, get both

You will love this little puppy. It is a darn fun car to drive in town, on highway, twisties. I have gone through many different cars in the last 35 years and it is at the top of my "wheee~!" list. In fact, I enjoy it more than my other car these days.

 

I couldn't decide either, so we got one of each. With the family I really prefer to drive the f55. By myself or with one passenger I enjoy the f56. Now this is going to sound crazy however I SWEAR MY F55 is much quicker than the f56. They are equally fun to drive, I only prefer my f56 because the sight lines are more cohesive than on the f55. That said, get the one you like best.

 

Yep, they're going to finance it, hopefully that offering will be around by time we get the car. (between 3 months to a year, jesus I wish they'd just tell me...)

Thank you all for your responses again! One last question and I'm done until I go to the dealership on Friday....

I've seen a lot of posts talking about how they built their perfect MINI. Now, as much as I like to do this, would this be reasonable for the situation I'm in? As in, my grandparents buying it and not me. Which involves a budget that could get blown out of the water if I become too spoiled/greedy. Should I just stick to what they have on the lot and call it a day?

 

After you go look at them on Friday, go the configurator and build yourself one, go all the way through and it will tell you that price and show pictures, if you wanted to really get what you want, showing grandparents these things makes it much easier to "convince" them to get the one you. On the other hand, if I had built myself a MINI instead of bought the one off the lot new my customized one would have been cheaper, but I ended up not paying full price since i got a CPO, so I got the best of both worlds.

 

Good luck on the visit to test both models......choice depends on your needs. The 4 door is a little over 4" longer and for my best friend that made his choice easy. It will be his one and only vehicle. I have a 4 door truck, so the 2 door F56 fits my needs just fine. Either way, great choice!

 

Operative words

You (Grandparents) are likely to get a better deal with dealer inventory rather than a special order (as cars sitting in inventory are costing the dealer each month).

Count yourself lucky to have someone willing to buy you a new car. If it were me, I'd look for something that provides only the necessary items I'd need rather than something loaded. Your main choice will be between an automatic or a stick. Even a base mini comes fairly well appointed, so it will be a very nice car.

Based on your question, guessing you'll make the right decision without any suggestions.

 

Good luck on your choice. Either one will be fun to drive. The deciding factor is which one is more comfortable to you. You'll get a better deal when you buy it from the car dealer than ordering it. I got a 2015 S 4dr, with a really good discount last this January.

 

Alright! That's all the questions I have for now. Thanks again for your time, help, and all of the "good lucks". I'll report back after the test drives, hopefully with a better understanding of the cars than what I have now.

 

Good luck with your decision! I have the 4-door and I chose that specifically because it is my only vehicle. I don't normally carry rear passengers, but the two extra doors are nice when you need them. I don't have a problem entering and exiting my car, but I am not very tall either (5'8"). I also don't have much of a problem entering the back seat with the front seat adjusted to me.

I used to have a 2-door R56 as well as the Countryman, but I prefer what I have now over all of those. When I had my 2-door, I said if they ever came out with a 4-door that I would get it.

 

When you buy a car and that's the only car you would have, yes indeed, it's quite a dilemma whether to get, 2 dr vs 4 dr.
When I was a single some 30 years ago, it was a no brainer for me. 2 dr all the time (Celica, Supra, 300ZX, etc.).
Then the family came and 4 drs came too (Taurus, Camry, Cherokee, etc.) and a couple minivans (Caravan & TranSport) - probably the darkest time of my motoring life!
Now I'm legally a senior citizen with an empty nest, oh yea, no doubt I'm buying a 2 dr car only. To me 2 dr car looks just more attractive and fun to drive.

 

I just went through this question myself. I'm a reasonably tall guy but, more importantly, I've got a wife and two small sons to think about. That all being said, I chose the 2 door. Why?
- it looks better (to me) and I appreciated the larger windows for visibility's sake.
- my boys had no more trouble climbing in the back of the 2 door than they did getting through the tiny back doors of the 4 door
- the 2 door was cheaper

I have had the 4 door as a loaner before; my kids didn't care that it had two extra doors one bit...

BTW - I would strongly consider the Mini Next cars. The prices can be great and the extra year of warranty is a nice boost.

 

Thanks for the extra feedback guys, I really do appreciate it. I'm considering the F56 more and more but sadly the dealership doesn't have too many color options with the right tech that I'm interested in. Not like I'm getting it now anyway, but it still bums me out just a bit. At this point I'm just itching to test drive it later on today.