Thanks everyone! Yah this is helping huge


I drove a club mates' F56 justa with manual transmission.

My opinion:
To me, the point of having a manual is to feel more connected and part of the driving experience. As I felt with the 2nd gens; the 3rd gen shifting and clutch is too light and shifting with one finger on the **** is just boring. So driving it answered two questions: 1. No justa for me (coming from my JCW's) 2. Confirms my choice for auto

I did enjoy the seats, I don't know if they were sport seats or not.

I was really shocked on the feeling of the car being "chopped" when in the driver seat. It's likely just the shoulders are higher, but it really felt low and very strange.

Next up will be the auto and auto JCW's to drive.


Keep the opinions and stories coming everyone!

 

I've owned 2 Clubmans (2009 S, 2010 JCW), both manual. Now own a 2015 S auto, just over a year old with just over 26K miles. My wife still has her 2011 R57S, so we can do 2nd/3rd gen comparisons. I've driven 1st gen cars, but it's been a while.

My F56 is a DD for me. I don't garage it, it's not pampered, and it's got rock marks and dings from being a DD. That's probably my biggest complaint (Oh, one more complaint - it sure seems like MINI/BMW windshields are 'soft'. Less than a year old and my glass is pitted. That's a disappointment. Could be the angle of the windshield? Oh well. If this year's MTTS is anything like the last 3, I'll "get lucky" and get a crack/chip and be able to get a new windshield lol)

I loaded my F56S up, price was around $36K MSRP. However, if you're light with the options, you could easily get a well-appointed S for under $30K. I've seen the price comparisons with older gen MINIs, but consider what's standard now that was optional (if even available) then (keyless start, auto headlights, auto wipers, cruise control, auto climate control, I think even bluetooth and a nicer radio display are standard for 2016). The sport seats are IMO way nicer than the previous gen sport seats.

One thing that I notice that I don't really like is, the brakes seem to be less-responsive than the 2nd Gen. Steering is slightly less responsive, but not as noticeable as the brakes. I've had to re-learn 'safe' distances, and it's gotten me into trouble once. (The black bumper cover costs $55, for those that are interested ) I know there were complaints about the amount of brake dust from previous gen MINIs, so the compromise made to get less dusty brake pads is probably what I'm experiencing. YMMV on this one.

 

Carman. What tires are you running? I have found MINI optioned some longer lasting lower traction tires on the F56, this combined with the lower dusting pads may be causing your problems. Secondly, I have found the F56 to be heavily front brake biased, so that might be causing issues too.

 

I've got the OEM A/S tires (Pirellis). I'm pretty sure it's the brake pads. I don't have a problem with traction, for A/S tires anyway.

-Jim

 

I agree that it's the pads. I am installing Carbotech AX6 pads next week. Noisy or not, I need more braking power.

 

OK. Ill agree with the others about the brakes. I guess I have gotten used to them, but they do feel a bit soft.

 

Coming from a car that didn't have anti-lock breaks, I don't get what you guys mean by "soft breaks." Then again, I'm rarely pushing my car that hard. I've had to make sudden stops only a handful of times in the last 6 months of ownership, and the car has handled well every time. Did I mention I love my car?

 

You would do a great honor to the community if you wrote up a review.

 

I can very strongly recommend Akebono pads for the Minis. Zero dust, awesome braking, no fade, and fairly gentle on the rotors..I put a set all around on my '08 MCCS about 3 years ago. Fantastic. Only downside is they are expensive. Far better than EBC, and Porter for these cars. If the pads on my 2016 are not to my liking, I'll put them on while the rotors are still new.

 

Akebono always went on my friends and families BMWs; I love them. Good to see them suggested over on this side too. I was too busy putting stoptech brake pads on and cursing myself for the dust they produced, but the smile of throwing myself into the window was worth it. Not sure I am still at that stage in my life, but I know wouldn't mind getting a little more control than the stock pads offer...

 

I have a 2016 MCS auto 2-door hardtop. Less than 5000 miles now.

Would you buy another one right now if had the chance?
Yes, without question. Excellent car. No problems. No rattles. Starts and runs fine. I added a stiffer sway bar to sharpen the handling. Bought new wheels for handling and looks, haven't installed them yet.

What features of the car do you like?
Handling (with the new sway bar), power, acceleration, auto transmission, seat support for my damaged back, good base equipment stereo, solidity of build, etc.

What features do you have that you would rather do without now with hindsight?
None. I got the automatic transmission, storage package, JCW Interior Package (to get the cloth seats), rear fog lamps, seat heaters. (I wish I had ordered the Comfort Access. It's irritating to dig for keys in a keyless start car.)...