I'm not waiting. I don't like getting the first production year of remodel or new model. 2012 it is!

 

Indeed, I love the exhaust note of the Triumph. Nice rumble when sitting but a nice scream when running wide open. A performance triple in a car certainly is an interesting prospect. Can't wait to hear/drive/see them.

 

^^^ Ditto I am actually excited to see how the 3-cylinders evolve for the MINIs.

 

I completely agree. Especially with a brand like MINI. I would stay away from first production year cars. I hate to say it but MINI has enough trouble making their current cars reliable. I imagine the first production run being very problematic. IMO.

 

Even still, new body style, new drive train = risky.

 

Is the first year F56 risky? Sure, but it's not like the R56 MCS is THAT reliable either, so I wouldn't personally be that worried about it, though I understand why people are.

 

When is the next gen Mini due out. I have heard 2014 or later?

 

That's exactly my point. The R56 still isn't all that reliable despite years of fixing the glitches!

 

I'm in the don't wait camp. I didn't, even though I have my eye on the Paceman All4 coming out soon. Picked up a 2012 MCa a few weeks ago. My plan is to give this 2012 a workout for several years, then pick up a Paceman All4 after it is out for at least over two years. My experience is that the third year out model is your best bet after a model upgrade change. ;-)

 

So, why wait several years in if they don't get more reliable anyway? :D

Anyway, I understand not wanting to buy the first model year of an all-new car. In some cases, the improvements are notable enough that it outweighs the risk for me. We'll see if the F56's reward can outweigh the risk!

 

Maybe I'm living under a rock but the Countryman / All4 combination doesn't seem to be "unreliable", at least to the point that you all seem to claim every R56 is. Sure there are trouble spots here and there but there is a warranty for a reason on a new car and after the 4 year warranty everything isn't fixed I'd be a bit shocked. I wouldn't be opposed to buying the first year of a car. I currently own a 2007 MCS and I'm feeling pretty confident that it will be running well for some time.

 

I don't think that R56's are "unreliable"... I've got an '09 that's hasn't had any issues... but they do seem to have their issues. My point is that the problems that cropped up with the '07s (HPFP, Timing Chain, hood scoop, etc) took years to get worked out, so why wait until the 3rd year of production, for instance, if you're just going to have the same problems as the first year did.

My conclusion... might as well buy the first year of production.

 

Agreed. I was more commenting on others who still have an aftertaste of these issues lingering. Not that I blame them, loosing a persons trust is much easier than gaining it. I would purchase a first year F56 if the time was right financially, and maybe it will maybe it won't but like you I'm not scared or worried about the issues.

 

I dont think enough details have been released yet. Theres been talk of three cylinder engines and some super disguised coopers. Ill make a more concrete decision when more details are released. I wish they would give us something to drool over

 

I'm just hoping they don't depart drastically from the 1st and 2nd gen MINIs, as they age really well, design-wise. People (non-MINI people) still think my mom's '04 Justa is brand new because she put aero on it and keeps it in great shape. I want my '10 to look new for a while too.

 

I'm in the "on the fence" camp!

I have an '07 R56. It's had it's share of problems (water pump, thermo replacement, passenger window lift replacement, premature clutch failure). That said, I LOVE my car. I used to dream of owning "that other car" even if I had a new car. With the MINI, there isn't another car I want. But as it gets older, I'm growing a bit concerned and want to replace it (and do it up totally different! Something new!).

I'd love another R56, but am going to wait for more info. The deciding factors are:
A) How much bigger will the F56 be than the R56?
B) Where does the F56 stand on the driving excitement level compared to R56?

I can stand maybe a smidgen of growth at most (like an inch, mainly concerned with length/height) since I'm hearing it's inevitable. Anything more then that and the "Cooper Hatch/Hardtop" as it's called is no longer what I feel it should be. Parking my R56 next to my father's R53, I feel like my Coop is retaining water after a salty dinner: bloated!

IDEALLY I'm hoping for this (even if unrealistic): a magic window. I hope MINI releases the F56 to press/media who can report driving impressions compared to the R56. If the F56 just doesn't compare, the magic window will be me being able to place an order for an R56 that late in the game with the F's pending arrival. Does anyone remember how that went with the R53/R56? How late could you order the R53 with the 2007 R56 in the pipeline?

Anyone else in the same boat? This exact subject has been on my mind quite a bit since hearing of the F56 and it's shared platform with BMW (I'm somewhat discontent :\ I like the purpose-built platform for MINI). Either way, I'm excited but anxious.

 

Newer models always come with whole new set of problems.

Don't buy the first year after a big change is made ......... You will be rolling the dice.

 

I have a good feeling about the 3rd Gen MINI. Hopefully MINI will take the best of the previous gens and make one killer Coop. 3rd times the charm right?

 

I hope all these cars arent going to be the new mini .. i would hate for them to kill the tradition .. but hey all of our cars will be classics if they do this BMW look

 

I dunno ... I love all minis equally but the countryman and coupe still are ehhh to me ... my boy got a coupe and was sooo excited cause its new and different but when mines parked next to his i still love that classic R56 look ... love the 1st gens a bit more but heyyy i own a 2011 and love my babyyy ... i work in the wireless cellular world and all of you sound like people speculating the new iphone 5 LOL

 

Oh no, Apple geeks are much worse! I'd know, I am one!

(Sent from my iPhone 4s, using Siri, while camped out waiting for the iPad 3)

 

Yeah a while back everyone at work was watching the youtube fake video of the "iphone5" before the 4s came out with the virtual keyboard/holographic and the huge screen with 7million years of battery life etc and people just eat that speculation crap right up.

 

MINIs have been sold in Japan since 2002.

 

I finally saw the new Coupe in traffic yesterday and I thought that roof design is absolutely horrid. Looks like the rear of the car was squished. I was hoping to like it better in person but sadly no.

 

+1First year BMW products are "Beta testers". BMW strongly believes in completing their quality control by using their unsuspecting customers as test objects.