Some of the old timers on this site might remember me but I had an '02 R53 that I absolutely loved. I drove it for 12 years and 140k miles and ended up selling it before the $$$$ maintenance items were needed. Ended up buying a Golf TDI (aka boring NOx-mobile). Well now that the TDI buyback is in full swing, I'm looking to take the deal before years end and buy a new car. Being a MINI enthusiast, I immediately started here. I've sat in the F56 but have not taken one out for a test drive yet. I'm really looking for comments from those who have owned the R52/R53 and now have the latest incarnation. My biggest fear is that I enjoyed the R53 so much, the new one will never live up. I can nitpick styling all day so I won't but do you guys and gals feel the latest models still feel like a MINI?

 

I bet it does as Mini is still a strong seller...my take is anything after R53, you're getting more Mini...like a bigger Mini...

 

Yeah... that's one of those nits...

Honestly, the one car I did take on a test drive was the new MX-5. It was more to see if I actually fit than being serious about buying one but I walked away feeling totally wowed by the car. The MINI is infinitely more utilitarian but the Mazda is such a fun car on the road.

 

I'm a first-time MINI owner but I'm gonna weigh in anyway.

When the first new gen MINIs came out I looked and drove and became enamored with the MINI concept but those early cars didn't do it for me -- just not enough there to pull me away from the high line world.

But I kept coming back and MINI finally grabbed me for some of the very reasons early adopters give for their disappointment in the 3rd gen cars. Namely, more heft, tamed ride dynamics, and more bells and whistles. The cars have been refined and "yuppified" and BMW-ified as well.

So, what I like is the refinement and build quality improvements, and the additional size gives the cars a more substantial feel and road presence.

I had to convince my spouse to test drive a Clubman. She put her foot to the floor, did a few corners and I don't believe she hit the brakes, turned to me and said "this is our next car." Half a year into ownership we are loving our MINI more than some other really nice cars we've owned over the years.

We did highly option the car, sending the MSRP north of $40K, which is chump change compared to many cars I would have considered. But I represent a different demographic -- we likes our lux, so the Clubman S was a screaming deal and a unique way to have a BMW/Porsche-like experience in a really fun, unpretentious, well-sorted car.

Drive a few. You will know if MINI is right for you.

 

I had an R56 and went to an F56, so not quite the difference you will experience. Have to say after owning my Cooper manual for almost 2 years now, that I really love the car. I do think about the 12 Cooper I had, where both sunroofs opened, the quirky speedo etc., but these new Mini Coopers are just great all around cars to own. Still the fun, the grins and the scoot, but a lot more refinement as well. It just feels better put together.

 

I wish there was a like button. This literally describes how I feel about the 3rd gen.

 

Golf TDI was not boring for me. Quite the opposite, just not as nice looking as the F56.

The squeaks,while still in the F56 are unbearable in the R's that I've driven. Kept me from buying them until the Countryman which quickly became a squeaker as well.

F series is refined, R is smaller and raw. Pate vs Chopped Liver IMO.

 

It's nicer, more comfortable, and way faster. I love my r53 but the f56 is no doubt a nice car. I wouldn't buy one, but I have my heart set on another BMW next.

 

The original Mini must be a primitive bucket of bolts

 

I've always been a fan of the R53 supercharged MCS but didn't buy one....drove several however. Being used to vintage BMW's & liking rear wheel drive I just couldn't take the plunge. One other thing that kept me back was not liking the interior which was too cutsie for my liking.

Although I really liked a one owner used R56 2011 JCW that was at a MINI dealer, the known engine issues held me back....also someone snatched it up literally minutes before I arrived to test drive it!

In the end I'm glad I missed it as I ordered a new F56 JCW back before the manual transmission was available in 2015......and I've been smiling ever since! The F56 is a fantastic car, mine doesn't rattle, it's fast and fun to drive and looks great! Yes it's bigger but it's better built hands down! As others have said it's more like BMW build quality now....the gas cap is even on the BMW side of the body now!

 

Thanks for the comments. The R53 did have it's squeaks and rattles, and could have used a bit more power but it had some serious character. Something made me want to spend money to mod it and make it a little more to my liking. In a similar manner, I had no desire to do that with my TDI. I toyed with the idea for a couple months but decided it just wasn't worth it.

2017All4, great writeup but it does make me seriously worry that I'm not the demographic they're going after nowadays. Rather, they seem to be going after the entry level BMW crowd knowing VW and Ford have won the hot hatch category. I don't want either of those! I stopped by the local MINI dealer this weekend. The salesman said he constantly gets asked if they are going to make the 2 door any bigger. I thought the 2550lb R53 was overweight.

I do need to take a test drive to make the final decision. A hatchback certainly fits my lifestyle and hobbies but I'm a sports car guy at heart. The MINI was the perfect combination.

 

Just because they are more BMW doesn't mean they aren't right quick little buggers. My F56 S with the Nm module outran a 400 hp Genesis R spec on the highway, no less. The mod big hit me hard. I love the way they are modding these cars. I have the NM Lowering springs and Koni Yellows as well, they are really awesome. Only thing I regret about them is not just stepping up to fill coilovers instead. Owell. :P

Also, when someone says the Third gen are more like BMW. You should be thinking the e30-e46 BMW cars. In fact, my F56 S has been more fun than either of my e30, e36, or the e46 I had.

 

That makes me feel better. I don't doubt they are still excellent handling cars and the new engine is a beast (albeit a dipstick-less beast ). A MCS decked out to my liking is $29.5k while a JCW is a hair over $35k. If I decide to go with a MINI, I'd be very tempted to go JCW.

The flip side is the MX-5 that I mentioned earlier. A Club with factory LSD can be had for $27k without much haggling. That's a lot of money left over for modding.

 

Not only are they fast little buggers -- but they have a quickness and a quirky-ness. I've had fast cars and cars that could fishtail when you put your foot in it and cars that got down and flew. No car I've owned has made me grin as much as my all wheel drive MINI Clubman. It rockets around, makes fun sounds, DOESN'T Rattle, and women at gas stations smile when they see an old guy like me in my MINI. Nice change from the angry/envy looks I used to get when gassing up my Jag XK or my Range Rover.

Drive a few and see. And if you get one, get a plug 'n play tune box, and buckle up.

 

I also had a '04 R-53 for 10 1/2 years and 130k miles. Now in my second year in a '15 F-56 MC. Nothing feels,sounds,responds like the R53. While the F56 is just as fast, it is more civilized,a little less responsive but still fun. Yes. I miss the R53 but I was ready for a touring type vehicle and wanted to stay with the MINI brand. I love them both but for different reasons.

 

I had a R53 for 7 years (120k miles) and loved it!

My F56 is a different beast, but still very fun to drive.

The R53 was a go-kart, the F56 feels more civilized (and better engineered too)

Don't expect the F56 to compare (or bring you memories from your R53!). But the F56 is still a MINI and has everything you'd want from it...

 

My MA has sold Minis in Scottsdale since they came out. He said the current 1.5L base model (which is turbocharged) is as fast as the R53 with the supercharger. I didn't test drive one I test drove the MCS which my friend has. It's great.

 

I agree with all of the above, with one caveat. You can only get the sport suspension on the JCW car; it's no longer an option for the Cooper or Cooper S (in the USA). The base suspension is okay, but the cars lack the crispness and transient response of the R53. There's a degree of body roll that would not be acceptable to me. The dynamic suspension at max is not as stiff as the sport suspension.
Because of that and of course the bump in power, if you're on the fence, consider the JCW.
My comments are based on my 12 years with an R53 JCW from new.

 

Interesting assessment! Although I only drove non-JCW R53's, I agree with you regarding the sport suspension in the F56. I've always wondered what the comparison would have been between the two (R56 JCW & the F56 JCW). Missing out on the R56 JCW, I ended up with the better car no doubt, especially because of the power plant in the F56...but I still fell in love with the R56 JCW! I'm sure the R53 JCW would have been to my liking as well, although buying a used R53 wouldn't have been a wise move in 2015 unless I found a pristine example, and my BMW Indy mechanic said to not go near a used R53.

 

I went from an R50 to an F56 because of an accident.

The F56 is soft, even with the sports suspension that is no longer available.

Go with something that wows you, or try to find a JCW Roadster.

 

Agree. Get the JCW Pro suspension (I did). It makes it right.

 

Koni yellows and lowering springs do a pretty good job too

 

I have a somewhat different view
The sad fact is it will cost far more to make a standard f56 "exciting "
Than keep a an old r53 on the road

Buy a Jcw or don't bother
I test drove 3 f56s and they all felt bland

I should qualify that, I owned my r53 from new, 2005 and over the 1st few years upgraded most of it, 250whp, with all the suspension mods. 140k later I sold it to pay for a deposit for a F56 SD, I'm seeing a extra 20mpg, £330 less tax and insurance pa, it's running a magic box, 200whp over 300tq VDC and the bmw additional creature comforts are appreciated for the miles I do

Thing is I never drive it a the weekends for fun...

 

The F56 standard suspension is pale in comparison to my R58 with the sport suspension. There's way more body lean and understeer (my friend has one). But I think you can fix that with a thicker rear sway bar for the most part.