Last I checked - when I was active in the community - the R53 was still a better vehicle than the R56. The lower stance, more character, and longer power feeds made it the no-brainer.

I used to own an '03 R53, and... Well... Just see the link in my sig... I have been wanting it back ever since!

Is the R53 still the better tuner? I probably wouldn't do much tuning. Pulley, exhaust, intake, wheels, maybe tires, and maybe some other things. The RMW 1.8 (haven't seen vids or anything of 2.0) turns me on! Haha.

It will probably be easier to find an R56 with low enough miles, but I am shooting for an R53.

 

I'd look for a low mileage R53

 

+1

 

I didn't know it was really one sided. I know there are lots of original MINIacs who got the R53s when they came out and still have them or still love them. I have an R50 and R56S and they both have their ups and downs. I like the R56 better, but it is all personal...not as one sided as it once may have been. I like the mpg and looks of the interior of the R56 better, my R50 seems to handle better, but it also creeks and makes more noises than the R56.

 

All depends on what you are looking for. I think the R53 will be more reliable over time and offers lots of tuning options. I still think the R56 is a much better car overall, comfort, ride and performance and just neat stuff-connect, bluetooth,etc. How long it will stay together is whole other question. My gut tells me not a mile past the warranty and even that is iffy.

 

Hey I am 20k past the warranty and have little to no issues. 2 of which MINI is covering(water pump and fuel pump). MINI pretty much told the R53 owners with the failing oil pan gasket oh well and are not doing anything about it. So I am ok with my R56.

 

Or power steering pumps, or hydro mounts, or PS line leaking, or low speed fan, coolant res tanks degrading, etc.

I have had the recall and the timing chain replaced all under warranty but other than that my R56 has been great.

 

Guess it depends on me, then.

Hmm. Love the boost and low cost that the pulley upgrade provides... Also prefer the stance of the R53.

But, this will be the only car in the family (two adults and one toddler), so the R56 may be better for that...

Guess we shall see when I am ready.

 

Why?

 

I got lots of boost too.

 

+2 on the R53 MCS with low miles.

 

It's personal preference but I prefer the look and ride of the 05-06 R53 MCS. I also prefer the supercharger over the turbo and I've driven both but that's just me

 

the r53 is a much better car IMO.

Case in point. Park a base model Cooper R53 next to a base model R56 cooper and tell me which is better looking. To me it isnt even a comparison. The R53 is MUCH classier, and sportier looking. The base model R56's look cheap and much more like appliances. Where the R53 is practically a timeless modern design.

take the S versions and the R53 still wins, although not as much.

so to answer your question, yes its pretty one sided for me.

 

I had a choice between an 06 R53 MCS and an 07 MCS with similar milage and after driving both picked the the 06 even thought he 07 was cheaper.

 

I never thought it was one sided. They're different, but pretty equal. The R56 is more efficient, faster and easier to drive. The R53 is rawer and has its rabid supporters. I could be happy with either.

 

My tricked out manual R53 with all kinds of upgrades is the track killer.

However, the loaner R56 cabrio auto rules around town.

Chalk and cheese. Love them both, but would never make decision to mod R56 for track use. Get a cheap R53 and do it up!

 

I'll give you my $.02. I had an 02 MCS (15%, Miltek, Alta RSB, CAI). I now have a 2011 JCW.

R53 MCS Strengths
Go kart feel
lower stance
supercharger whine
interior design
exterior design

R53 MCS Weaknesses
Poor MPG compared to R56
Cheap interior feel
big hp tuning VERY expensive (HP per dollars)

R56 Strengths
Improved hp
Improved tq
Easy to tune via ecu ($900 ALTA AP nets HUGE HP/TQ improvements - units can be had for as little as $650 used)
Upscale interior compared to R53 (nicer, more updated materials)
Effing awesome exhaust sound, even a non JCW R56 sounds better (epecially minus the resonator)

R56 Weaknesses
Less go-kart like feel in my 2011 JCW (sans SS) flavor compared to stock R53 w/SS+
No SC whine
exterior design (when compared to my R53, I still prefer the looks of the R53)


I'd say overall my R53 edges my R56 JCW out in the "fun to drive" category. I think the main thing I'm missing in my current MINI is proper suspension tuning. I think i'd be able to replicate my R53's fun factor by simply doing a RSB and lowering springs. That said, it would be hard to give up the HP/TQ that I have with my R56 JCW, especially post ALTA AP. There's no real comparison there, to get that kind of juice out of an R53 you have to go well beyond the basic pulley, intake, exhaust mods.

I'll always miss my R53 but right now, wouldn't give up my R56 JCW for one (save for a JCW GP). The only way I can see myself owning an R53 again was if I could afford to have one as a garage queen/weekend fun ride.

Good luck.

 

Nice writeup. I can compare the two also in very slightly exaggerated terms. Kind of like going from a 1957 MGA that burns the hell out of your legs due to exhaust running directly underneath wood floorboard and crummy weather protection with side curtains to a 1964 TR4 with rollup windows and none of the requirements to wear leg armor.

Since I have no experience modding an R56, and have heard many complaints about engine longevity, I have to stay firm on my R53 praise for track use. R56 around town with the slushbox, awesome. Others?

 

WOW... I totally disagree. I think the R53 looks cheap and dated. I really do not like the front bumper. I think it looks horrible.

 

Well, here's my "classless... cheap... appliance...":



It all comes down to raw vs refined. But either way, they are amazing cars.

 

I meant a BASE r56 against a base r50, not r53. Those ones look cheap, and I really dont see anyone cant see that. Once you start adding things or if it is an S model, it no longer looks cheap. The base R50/R53 doesnt look cheap exterior wise no matter what.

 

Here's my take on the R53 vs R56 simply put
R53= proper British sports car
R56 Americanized British sports car

either way your driving a mini which is in it's own class

 

Sports car?

Maybe a sporty car.

 

the R56 is a much better car IMO.

Case in point. Park a base model Cooper R56 next to a base model R53 cooper and tell me which is better looking. To me it isnt even a comparison. The R56 is MUCH classier, and sportier looking. The base model R53's look cheap and much more like appliances. Where the R56 is practically a timeless modern design.

take the S versions and the R56 still wins, although not as much.

so to answer your question, yes its pretty one sided for me.