Very true Electric Shock, but by the same token, we could be ruffling feathers with some if we boast with a comparision of R56 over R53. I am sure I would cringe if I drove an R53 and some newbie posted about "How much faster the R56 is to the R53".
I think comparing MINIs head to head on a MINI board is gonna hack off somebody. No matter what year/model you drive.
All of them beat a Chevy Chevette, what more could you ask?

 

agreed xc90 is one of the coolest suv out there twin turbo woo

 

There is a difference between expressing hate, and having an intelligent discussion. You seem to equate them here. When people have gathered to share enthusiasm over something (such as a MINI) and someone expresses hatred of that something, no one should be surprised if that someone receives a verbal *** kicking. Spue hate, and hate you will receive.

When someone comes into a thread discussing why BMW switched to a turbo for the R56 and says, "I like the supercharged 06 that I have, and I hate the interior on the 07. The console looks like something out of the comic books." They are not making an intelligent contribution. This wasn't a discussion on the interior, nor was it a personal poll on who likes what. It was about the relative merits of SC vs. Turbo. The comment contributed nothing to anyone's understanding of the subject at hand.

Consider your motivation when you post. If you are expressing displeasure, you are probably not involved in an intelligent discussion. You are expressing an emotion. There can be and are threads about how people feel about a subject. These are not intelligent discussions of relative merits. They are subjective polls where emotions are welcome. The problem comes when one puts forth their feelings as though they were facts.

If you are about to participate in an intelligent discussion, are the comments you intend to make really going to contribute to the knowledge of those discussing the issue? Or, are you just telling them how you feel? If you have some useful information that can increase people's understanding of the issue, great. You can contribute to an intelligent discussion.

If you are just telling them how you feel, it is likely they will tell you how they feel about how you feel.

 

Ok, but no man-hugs unless you buy me a beer first. I'm easy, but I'm not cheap.

On topic, I love my R53, and like the R56, but it's a little creepy when you lift the bonnet and have those big gaping holes where the headlights should be staring at you.

 

What? This thread hasnt degraded yet?

 

This thread is in route to get some more lulz. I agree with what has been said here so far. I would like to add that to end the R53 vs R56 debate we all are going to have to agree to disagree. There are things about the R56 that I like and others that I much prefer about the R53. The written is in the wall for MINI and hopefully they will rectify some of the "radical" IMHO changes they made in the new car. The MINI is a product that generates tons of buzz and passion, more than any other car in the industry. How else can you explain the original surviving 41 years virtually unchanged? Maybe the MINI is one of those cars where change is something that doesn't bode too well. Everything about the MINI is pretty unconventional, so may be perhaps BMW would serve themselves well by avoiding messing up too much with the car in future variations of the product. This debate has ripped apart this community and it will take a very long time for it to heal. I think the discussion should focus on how MINI can make the R56 that much better and more appealing car by pointing out the areas where we feel the car needs improvement or some sort of re-thinking. The R53 was a damn fine product and whether you like it or not, the R56 will continue to be measured against it. very big shoes to fill, but BMW still has room for improvement in the new car.

 

This is silly.

Every one knows the R53 is much better the R56. The R56 is like 2" longer, that's why it fishtails all the time!

 

R56 sucks because its UGLY. good enough?

 

It is clear that R56 owners don't support our troops.

 

 

I can say with authority, having never driven one, that the R53...

 

It's all good.

I've owned an R53 since early 2003.

I've driven R50s on many occasions.

I've test driven and autocrossed in an R56 MCS.

My "plan" is to keep the R53 and buy an R56.

Drive the R53 on odd number days and the R56 on even number days.

Can't wait... Don't tell my wife.:impatient

Otherwise I'll have to buy a camry.

 

All things considered, things here at NAM have pretty much shaken out as well as one could expect in an internet forum. Most conversations remain courteous, rational, intelligent and on topic (this one too, for now – amazingly enough).

Realistically there are only a handful of owners (maybe 2 or 3 in each camp) that are rabidly supportive of their cars (and/or defensive against negative comments and opinions) and one or two posts in threads that seemed out of place. For example… an owner posting pics of their new car for others to view & enjoy when someone left the comment how ugly it looked and how MINI screwed it all up with the redesign etc …etc. It’s not about keeping our opinions to ourselves… it’s about having the common sense and decency to judge what forums and threads in which to put them.

The NAM community has been through a lot over the last 6 months with the release of the R56. It’s a small percentage, but there are some that will never get over the changes made in the “R” line. When the car gets re-designed again in 2012, there will be die-hard R56 fanboys, too. Owners who are convinced that MINI screwed up their beloved car. Then again, the redesign will grab other hearts in their place. Time will move on. You can’t please everybody. I mean heck, there are STILL Mini owners who strongly believe that MINI’s have no business carrying the winged nameplate. It's just the nature of change. The NAM community seems to be handling it just fine.

 

A point that I think is forgotten alot. People claim that the R56 is ruining the MINI legacy but seem to forget that this is exactly what Mini owners (who actually own cars that are part of that legacy) said 5 years ago. I love my R56 and I also appreciate the R53 and don't see a reason why the two have to be mutually exclusive.

 

I'm not coming here anymore.

 

I would like to offer my perspective on this (british and slightly skewed)
A MINI is a MINI is a MINI. When BMW bought the mini name, there wasn't even a mini in production. All we had was the Metro, (think Geo metro with 4 cyls).
A classic brand has been re-invented, and like Steve Austin, "faster,stronger,better than before"
The new mini's are great. The old mini's were fun,and a little scary sometimes.
If you don't like the design changes, blame the EU, and the odd pedestrian. Criticsim is a nasty word (and hard to spell), and is never constructive. Informed discussion is far better and more mature. Never say I don't like or I hate this or that, just say it isn't to my taste.
Now who want's the soapbox next.
P.S. I had a mini, and a Mini Metro, and soon I will have a MINI

 

You're either with the R53, or you're with the terrorists.

 

Well I am satisfied that we're in a healthy place right now. Being able to laugh at ourselves and have a decent conversation here seems like we're in a good place of having our own opinions.

 

Both cars offer soemthing different. I prefer the look and sound of an r53 but the seats, steering wheel, and power of the r56.

now if i can just convince my Gf that mini's are safer than SUV's...lol

 

Actually, that's an easy argument, for most facets except an accident that is MINI vs. SUV. This is a nice article with the (not by any means earth shattering) idea that accident avoidance is most important. (from New Yorker)
http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_01_12_a_suv.html

Now get out of my way you R53s! My SUV sized R56 demands dominancy on the road!

 

The world has come to an end several times around here. The MCS automatic, the JCW vs aftermarket debate, and now R56. There may be others, but all these were heated discussions...people got (and probably still are) miffed. But we survive....and so does MINI. The same is true here I have no doubt.

 

Anytime someone says something bad/negative about a Mini (regardless of make, model, heritage, gauge size,...) a kitten dies.

Keep that in mind.

 

The R53 and R56 owners will unite once the replacement for the R56 comes out in a few years. Then together, our numbers will be great and we'll go against the new owners.

Madness? THIS IS NAM!

 

Ah, so we can solve the over-population of cats by tash-mouthing a MINI. Excellent!

 

Well I hate cats almost as much as I hate the R56. so the R56 sucks sucks sucks.