Okay well let's see; If looks and performance were equally desirable to your taste (and if miles were decent for their year too) for a 2006 r53 and a 2007 r56.. which would you choose ***only BASED ON RELIABILITY / FIXES / MAINTENANCE***? The last of a generation or a first of the next generation?

I'm thinking that the r53 had many of it's issues fixed up (i think?) by 2006 with just a few still existing. (checked motoringfile) But the next year with the 2007 there's of course quite a few kinks (maybe) since it's the first of its generation line... (happens with all cars when a new gen. comes out)
but which would you prefer for reliability/less maintenance required-wise?
::*REMEMEBER* -NOT considering the way they both ride, super/turbo, gas mileage, and what not::
i've done all my research, very very much research. I just want your opinion. ;;08s and 09s+ are out of the question!;;

..i know some of you may be biased so i'd like responses from those who've driven both or know enough about both?

so basically right down to it, which one would -on average- would keep me on the road more and out of the shop? :]


-thank you!

 

Found this comparison between the two.

 

Before I bought my 07' I looked up the MCS on Consumer Reports. Reliability was good for 05', high for 06' and 07' was about the same as 06'.

Other factoid you might consider is that a 07' is still going to have a year on the 3 yr initial warranty. Any tweaks covered by Mini, Cost to you $0

 

that's a great write-up on the comparison of their ride and performance; and i've test driven both, knowing the feel is different, i enjoy both rides.. which is why i'm only mainly concerned which is more of a headache with the maintenance/fixes in the future
(not stating that all MINIs are problematic)

 

My son talked me out of buying an 07 MCS saying the last of a production run is maybe a better bet than the beginning of a new one. I was at first reluctant to buy the 06 because I was impressed with the specs on the Prince engine on the 07 and still am. But I did heed his advice. This subject has been an issue on some 2nd generation engines that has caused a bit of a stir. No regrets buying the 06-none. PS--When this one wears out, I will buy another Mini be it a 3rd or 4th generation.

 

I would choose the 06. I think the styling of the 06 is superior to that of the 07. The 06 was a more expensive car to build-- some say it was "over-engineered". I love the clamshell design of the R53. The R56 has grown on me, but... I think the R53 is superior in that respect.

Not too keen on the Chrysler tritec engine in the R53. Just my opinion. Good and not so good elements to both cars. The 06 gets my vote. Consumer Reports showed 06 as being a stellar year for the MINI.

 

Let's steer this thread back to the OP's intent, which is peoples' preference based ONLY on reliability/fixes/maintenance ...not style, performance, ride, etc.

In that context, buzz's son speaketh the truth. The last of an automobile production run will almost always as a rule be preferable than the beginning of a new one.

These days, it's hard to find a first-run car of any make, from the cheapest Hyundai to the most expensive Aston Martin, that doesn't still have bugs that need to be ironed out. The manufacturers seem to be under too much pressure to get their new models rushed to the market.

 

"...the last of a production run is maybe a better bet than the beginning of a new one."

This is the very reason I went with an 08. Since your choice is only between an 07 and an 06 though I'd probably go with the 06. Unless, of course, the 07 has had all it's "shots" already.

Other things to consider. What kind of millage and maintenance would the two cars have?

 

Yep, there are dozens of threads on this.

My opinion, and I've driven both extensively, and on closed-course evaluations as well. I own a really nice, higher-end (Checkmate) loaded-up '06. The '07s are faster, smoother, and get better mileage. They don't necessarily sound as good.

Try them on - there are significant seat differences. Go with the one that fits you. Also: Give it the "salivation" test. Get the one you LIKE better.

Reliability? If it's "got its shots" or is under warranty, no worries.

I love my '06 though. My next one will probably be... this one.

 

Thanks guys that was really good advice . Sorry if my question was stupid though.

I think i may know which of the two i choose now

 

Not stupid at all, my friend. Various facets of that question have sparked more spirited debate than just about any other topic on this forum.

Good luck with your selection, and above all, have FUN with it!

 

i got a 05 s and recently had the chance to drive a new 09 s as a loaner and though i love mine i would pick the 07.
Yes, it's not as nice looking as my first gen but the drivetrain and smoothness of the second gen just blew me away. the automatic is perfectly suited to that motor, the same aisin in my 05 seems nowhere as quick to shift.....
can't say much on maintinence for a 07 but the only thing that put my first gen in the shop was a tank of gas that was over 60% water. drained the tank refill and no damage to the injectors or pumps. it's been a rock solid car.

 

How the hell did that happen?

 

about my gas related breakdown,
This Monday it happened , i just filled up at the local exxon-uni mart. i guess about 5 miles down the road it was hesitating and bucking bad. I had to use the manual feature on the auto tranny to even drive it. It was like the transmission didn't know how to react to the motor issues. it bucked so hard i thought it might damage the transmission.
Ended up using the roadside assistance to get it towed to BMW/MINI of towson who were very nice and gave me a loaner second gen (even though i didn't buy mine there)while it was worked on for about three days. My mini advisor told me that they had three other bmw's in for the same issue that got gas from the same station. Also, they told me it was some of the worst gas they ever seen! and gave me a sample to give to the station if they demanded it
Thank goodness i kept all my reciept, now the station is giving me full reembursment (635 dollars)for the work and all expenses. They were very nice and apologetic. I was expecting them to fight it from all the stories i hear...
crazy week!

 

So many different opinions or course you may end up being more confused, but they are quite different to drive, I think you'll once you drive both. I went from an 02 MCS, considered 07 briefly but imo it had lost it's Mininess. When I found my 06 JCW it was a no brainer, good luck.

PS The mew JCW's are nice too though.

 

#20Works4me... you hit the nail on the head!
The '07 definitely lost its MINIness.

 

after driving my finances 05 S and an 07 S, I ended up buying my 06 R53 with sport package. Not only for the interior/exterior styling, I just felt it was better built, more solid. That's not to say the R56 isn't well built, just comparing the one I drove to the 06. I'm extremely happy, love my supercharger, deal with my lack of throttle response but hope to tweak that over time. As an avid sports car driver since my first car, this is my favorite car of all time. If I wanted comfort and total reliability, i'd have bought a lexus sedan, not a mini cooper.

I vote 06 MCS with Sport/DSC/LSD and 205/17s, I'm happy even without all the JCW stuff, but know that if I ever get the chance to drive one with it all done as above's article, I'm in trouble of having to either add or buy another mini with!!!!